Berchtesgaden, the Berghof and the Eagles Nest.
As a "newbe", I have been reading some of the old posts on this site.
Both J3rdInf and I were at the Berghof on May 4, 1945. Rather than repeat the old news, let me tell you this! I was in 7th Inf Hq Co. at that time and was on the inside, so to speak. Our 3rd Div C.O., General Iron Mike O'Daniel, knew that the last prize of the War was in the French Army Zone of advance. But he ordered the 7th Infantry, 3rd Divisionn to send out strong patrols to take the only two bridges across the Saalach River and set up strong road blocks to let no one outside the 3rd Inf Div. to pass! The patrols were led by a couple of Lt. Colonels and included anti-tank guns.
When the French arrived at the bridges, they were denied passage, despite demands by General Le Clerc himself. After the 7th Infanty was firmly establishedatthe Berghof and the Eagles Nest, and held an American flag raising ceremony, the French allowed to cross the bridges. They looted the town of Berchtesgaden and tried to enter the Berghofarea but were not allowed entrance. A day or so later, the American 101st AB Division arrived and they too were not allowed in. Itwas part of their assigned post war occupation zone and they came in as we left for Salzburg, Austria.
I have several photos taken at the time, but I can't handle the frustration of trying to post them.
Russ Cloer - IstLt, 7th Inf, 3rd Inf. Div.