Writings on 67th Field Hospital attributed to William B. Welling, a surgical technician with the unit., 1943-1946
Scope and Contents
Manuscript Journal chronicling the experiences of William B. Welling with the 67th Field Hospital, from August 11, 1943 to February 23, 1946. Transcriptions of select dates can be read under Additional Description below.
Manuscript entitled “67th Field Hospital (near Monte Bourg) October/November 1944” by William Welling, not dated.
Manuscript notes entitled “Hoepertingen, Belgium December – February ‘44/’45” by William B. Welling, not dated.
Typewritten biographical sketches of members of the 67th written, tongue in cheek, by William Welling for the “Who’s News Today” column of “Hypodermically Speaking.” They can be dated to circa January 1945. The men whose biographies can be found here are: John Marston Wiedman, Ralph Edward “Legs” Barendt, Sgt. George Willie Redd, Benjamin Sckolnik, Henry James Reul, Vincent Edward, Wendel Norman, Barton Weatherbee, William Otto Doeppe, and Arthur Trampler, “The Amiable Airscews.”
Manuscript biographical sketch by William Welling of Harry D. Gaudio, dated January 31, 1945.
Eight issues of Daily Bulletin 67th Field Hospital-Published Each Week Day by the “I&E Office …” while at Bremenhaven for the period around VJ Day. The issues are dated August 9-11, 14, 15, 21, 27, and 29, 1945.
Typewritten manuscript and copy written for English 77 class at Yale University entitled “On a Night before Christmas in Belgium” by William Welling, not dated.
Dates
- Creation: 1943-1946
Creator
- From the Collection: Sixty-Seventh Field Hospital (Family)
- From the Collection: Welling, William Blodget, 1924-2006 (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.40 Linear Feet
General
The contents of William B. Welling's folder is slated to be added to W&M Libraries Transcription site; 2020 November.
Transcriptions of select entries are as follows:
10 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen, Belgium – Trucking to Cherbourg, we took a hospital trail via Le Havre, Paris, Brussels to Liege. From there we took trucks through Tongeren to Hoepertingen and were quartered in a schoolhouse in the little town. With our cotts taking up all floor space, the Belgian children made things often crowded.
12 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Unloading equipment – tis only the beginning! While walking one afternoon Rod, Sarna, Stilt, and I met several of the town’s Belles who invited us to their house in the evening. Thus began nightly visits at the Lux’s house, and some of their friend’s houses, around family circles where French only spoken.
14 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Rod, Paul, and I did some shopping & went to a G.I. theater in the city of St. Trond, north of Hoepertingen. 3rd unit moved out into tents in a nearby field. Started playing some Belgian-type csapp$(?) games at Lucy’s (Lux) house. Her aunt, a skinny old lady that was really very amusing, won the most! We go to a nearby place often to get “ice” ice cream over which we shave our “D” bars of chocolat. Very good!
20 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Local mayor “Louis,” a 1st rate character, plans to bring in Christmas trees for the stage of the schoolroom. Louis did his best to talk 5 languages at once. We plan a choir from the 67th to sing in the church across the street. Buzz bombs resemble moving comets in the sky when viewed at night on guard duty. They appear to travel slowly and make a noise unlike anything else. A nearby air strip was their main target & several landed around us & several passed over pretty low.
22 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Kay Dewey(?) has arrived to join the nurses in time to play for the little choir group. A Christmas party also is planned. Steak dinners 40F next door café.
25 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Our choir made a big hit in the Belgian church. Brussels-bottled Coca Cola served. Nurses & officers gave us presents from PX supplies and went to the trouble of wrapping each present. Potter stole the show later in the evening on the stage with his magician act. Johnny played & sang his song & at the end, lead community singing. Saw the movie “Mrs. Parkington.”
28 December 1944. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Rod, Johnny, Colandrea & I went bicycling with the gals. Went to see a buzz bomb crater nearby, later going to a family home to be introduced to a countess who was very old.
1 January 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – New Years Eve Party at “une autre maison.” Rod, John, Colandrea, the girls, 6 boys, & some elderly people. Left at 5:45 – would have been “insulting” to have left sooner. German plane shot down nearby. Civilians would have killed pilot. His belongings were looted mostly by Drucker(?).
4 January 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Col. Block(?) refused my application for transfer to 3rd unit. 3rd unit set up in tents behind the convent. With excess money I could sell my K.P. duty (?). (300F)
12 January 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Started pin-up collection on walls. Fast became center of attraction. Began “profiles” column. Guard duty & other “details.”
6 February 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Spend some time observing the dispensary process with Rod in 3rd tent for civilians. A lot of skin diseases.
10 February 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Henson with Rod’s 3rd unit moved to Maastricht has planned an outfit(?) paper to which I am to forward articles. I tried to help Lucy write a letter to Rod in English. Schoolbuilding frequently without lights. Mascot “Ziggy” put to death after prolonged sickness. 3 rabbitts, a goat, and dogs have taken up residence with us. I accompany the “rations run,” usually with Julien(?) drawing(?) a 2 ½, frequently on visits to Rod & John in Maastricht.
16 February 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Became 2nd unit mail clerk. New C.O. Lt. Col Beeler(?)
20 February 1945. 67th F.H. Hoepertingen – Return of 3rd unit prior to 67th movement. “Spring has sprung & the grass has riz – I wonder where the flowers is?” Snow largely melted. 21 mark reached!
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository