The Wall Sound Camera did not arrive in the company until late in the war. That it was ever received at all was a miracle. And when received it was in such bad shape that there was good reason to believe it would never perform on assignment. The genius of Sgt Stewart saved the day. It was a race with time because the first "test" was to record in sound and picture the awarding to Generals Bradley, Hodges, Simpson, Patton, Doolittle, and Gerow of the Legion of Honor by the French Chief of Staff, General Juin.
The unit sent to cover the job was composed of Sgt George Eyerman, Sgt Phil Richardson, Tec 4 Robert Gilmore and Tec 5 W. B. Harrison. Cutler and Woods, Bradley's staff photogs filled in. Eyerman was behind the Wall as cameraman. In the absence of a soundman Richardson rode gain. The “test” was a complete success; the “crit” sheet reported complete coverage and good sound.
That was the first job.
Others were shot. Most important were the return to Luxembourg of the Grand Duchess Charlotte and her Royal Consort; the flag raising at Fort Ehrenbreitstein, on the Rhine opposite Coblentz, where General Bradley made a historic speech; General Bradley's VE Day speech to the troops in his command, made at Bad Wildungen, Germany.
The nucleus of the sound unit remained Sgt Richardson, Sgt Eyerman, and Tec 3 Hedgecock as soundmen and additional men were added as the assignment required. At Luxembourg the crowd was gathered in front of the Palace awaiting their beloved Charlotte. The Royal Guard had been dressed countless times by a nervous officer. The band had taken it's place. All was in a state of |
At Luxembourg |
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readiness. The crowd, guard, band, and photogs were at a
fever pitch. The Grand Duchess would arrive any minute. Suddenly a siren was heard rapidly approaching
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Flag raising at Fort Ehrenbreitstein |
the palace. As if the sound was the long awaited cue the band struck up the National Anthem, the Guard presented arose the crowd burst into cheers and --- a jeep bearing HARRISON as its sole passenger roared into view, passed the 'waiting throng' and guard and was out of sight before any of the onlookers could bat an eye. The Grand Duchess arrived 20 minutes later. |
Final assignment given the unit was to cover the entry into Berlin of the 2nd Armored, Hell-on-Wheels, Division. Pfc Schaufelberger was present to reinforce the unit with a still man and to sweat out the move for nearly two weeks in a little village where the unit was quartered with the 142d Armored Signal Company But before the move could be made the unit returned to Wiesbaden to pack and go home. |
