1940 "Bridge Which Wooster Officers Helped Dedicate, In War's Path" Newspaper Clipping
Revision as of 11:17, 13 April 2019 by Volunteer14 (talk | contribs) (Created page with "This document is a newspaper clipping which details the potential danger facing the Memorial Bridge Built at Eyne, Belgium, as a result of the outbreak of the Second World War...")
This document is a newspaper clipping which details the potential danger facing the Memorial Bridge Built at Eyne, Belgium, as a result of the outbreak of the Second World War. It is dated May 28th, 1940, and is found in the Frank Gerlach file.
Transcription
THE WOOSTER DAILY RECORD 28 MAY 1940
BRIDGE WHICH WOOSTER OFFICERS HELPED DEDICATE, IN WAR’S PATH
- The bridge which was built over the Escaut (Scheldt) river at Eyne, Belgium as a memorial to the 37th division of Ohio troops who fought over-seas in the world war, is in the midst of the present battle of Flanders, and in all probability has been destroyed, it was believed here today.
- Bridges over all rivers in the path of the German invasion were destroyed to impede the advance, excepting at the Meuse, where the French retreated without performing this task, and thus gave the invaders an opportunity to move their heavy tanks and drive a breach through the defense lines.
- Col. F. C. Gerlach, of Wooster, recalls the steps which were taken to build two Ohio memorials in France and Belgium, the bridge over the Escaut, and a hospice at Montfaucon, France. He learned recently that the hospice is now being used by French soldiers to care for wounded sent back from the battle lines, but he has seen nothing in the news dispatches giving any definite information about the bridge.
- Col. Gerlach headed the Ohio commission which was sent overseas in the twenties to select sites suitable for memorials, and this commission picked the two places and decided on the types of memorials to be built. The Ohio legislature appropriated $100,000 for their construction. In 1920 he returned to France with the Ohioans who performed the dedication ceremonies for these memorials. Capt. John McSweeney, of Wooster, was one of the chief speakers at the dedication ceremonies.
- Since that time, the two memorials have served the people of France and Belgium and have promoted goodwill among the peoples of the nations which were allies in the great world war.