Chaplains of the
36th Infantry Division
by
Chaplain (Colonel) Herbert E. MacCombie
Division Chaplain
Rest Camp At Bains Les Bains
At this time the division decided to
establish a rest center at Bains Les Bains. On December 5th I had a
conference with G1. It was decided to keep one chaplain on duty
there at all times. It had been my experience that when the men were
out of the lines, they felt a special need for conferences with the
chaplain. Later on VI Corps sought my help in setting up such
arrangements in their rest camp.
I sent Chaplain Goldman Drury to organize the
Chaplains' Section at Bains Les Bains. He did a very good job.
From that time on until the Rest Center was closed, there was always a
chaplain available for consultation.
The Rest Center at Bains Les Bains proved to
be a great success. Some men who had been there once, preferred to
go back to our center rather than to Nancy or some larger center.
Hot baths, sheeted beds, dining table were all appreciated by battle-weary
men.
The civilian population were very
co-operative. During the German occupation the local priest had
forbidden the girls to attend dances. He encouraged them to attend
our dance.
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Copyright 2001
by Mary MacCombie Fietsam
Printed by Permission |
