GI letter home on Hitler's stationery – 45th Division, and member of "Darby’s Rangers"

[Eagle's Nest]

Thought some folks on here would appreciate this one...

 

A GI letter home written on Hitler's personal stationery –by Wilfred Caron, who served with the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45 Infantry Division. 

 

Caron was one of the first to enter Munich, where he seized and secured Hitler’s office – the Braunes Haus – and helped himself to souvenirs, including Hitler’s stationery. With Mother’s Day approaching, Caron felt it appropriate to send warm wishes to his mother, Marie – and express hope that he would see her before the end of the year.

 

During the war, Caron saw action in Morocco, Algeria, Italy, France and, of course, Germany. Prior to joining the 45th Division, he had been selected to be one of the first U.S. Army Rangers – serving with the First Company of Rangers under the command of the infamous Colonel Darby (“Darby’s Rangers”) as his personal adjutant and guard. Caron also employed his French language skills as interpreter for staff officers in France. Later on, he marched up the Rhone Valley into Germany, with the 45th Division where he occupied the Munich area and later protected materials seized at Berchtesgaden.

 

Caron died in 2007.

[stratasfan]

How interesting! Great backstory and loved seeing this! He didn't even mention the stationary to his Mom! Must have been weird when she opened it and saw the stationary!

[manayunkman]

Excellent!!

 

 

[mikie]

25 minutes ago, stratasfan said:

How interesting! Great backstory and loved seeing this! He didn't even mention the stationary to his Mom! Must have been weird when she opened it and saw the stationary!

Oh ho hum, just a letter written on Hitler's personal stationery.  Nothing special about that . 

[GAZOO]

That is So cool,  I love the Story/Provenance
Very special indeed 🤩

[USCapturephotos]

Fabulous piece from a soldier in two very famous units. Thank you Chris for sharing this with the forum!

Paul

[M24 Chaffee]

That certainly is a unique and very interesting piece of history!

 

Frank

[Scarecrow]

Now there's something you don't see everyday.  Thanks for posting.

[atb]

Why is Col. Darby "infamous?"

When used as an adjective, it means-

"well known for some bad quality or deed.

"an infamous war criminal"

[manayunkman]

Adolf Hitler was infamous as was Charles Manson.

 

I fail to see how Darby became infamous.

 

Could be a spellcheck or similar mistake.

[atb]

33 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Adolf Hitler was infamous as was Charles Manson.

 

I fail to see how Darby became infamous.

 

Could be a spellcheck or similar mistake.

Right. I was stationed at Camp Darby, Italy (a small installation near Livorno, and Pisa). Generally, the Army avoids the infamous when naming posts.

[Eagle's Nest]

Yep you're right, I should probably have used "famous" or "legendary"

 

Anyway, thanks for all the nice comments, glad you like this piece! 

[Eagle's Nest]

.

[Longbranch]

22 hours ago, stratasfan said:

How interesting! Great backstory and loved seeing this! He didn't even mention the stationary to his Mom! Must have been weird when she opened it and saw the stationary!

He mentions it to her, but yes, was still probably a Mother’s Day surprise either way.

 

”This writing paper which belonged to the above is a symbol of our great objective…”

[KASTAUFFER]

Very cool!

[MinutemanEMTer]

Something you will rarely ever see. A great piece of history.

[Kurt Barickman]

I have a xerox copy of a letter on the same stationary from Berchestgarden from an officer in G/506 to his wife; we both found it about 15 years ago when we were going through his WWII items. He wanted to keep the original.Congratulations on having the real deal!!

Kurt