Mary, this is an Oh Wow!
I heard your Dad's recording before, but it was a bad recording and replayed it several times but this one is great.
What you posted was fabulous!!! I have not seen the photos or looked at the different things you have there - but did get to briefly hear the Great interview that was done! God Bless Walter and you all for doing this!
I can quickly tell you there was a Cellar at the Abbey. One man I found was placed there but your Dad had left the cellar before then. I have to go back to my notes but of the 4 men that were in the Cellar 2 were French and one was a Lt. with shrapnel in his back. Your Dad as he improved, must have gone from the Cellar to the Barracks. This man spent his whole time in the cellar - a few weeks.
The April 8th date I think makes it almost 100% certain he was liberated from Waldbrol and from there got sent to a Hospital in Paris. Your Dad knew the War was not over and it was not a typical liberation of a Camp - nor did your Dad describe it like the POW's from other Camps have described their liberations.
Just in last couple of weeks have heard from 4 Ex POW's or their families, and yesterday was another one of those 4 that I was referred to, and none were at Siegburg. Love the stories and have such great respect for all of them and lets me compare things and life to Siegburg - from what I recall and have learned.
While my Dad would have said just what your Dad said "Red, ..........." I am not as convinced it was Dad. Dad even told me he said that exact expression - but I do not recall any nicknames. I would have suspected your Dad would have said something like "Moose or the Big Guy or ...." but maybe not. And Dad would not have been there for a check up - but Walter would not have known that but ....The fellow who was in the Cellar when I brought up the Red Cross immediately referred to Moose coming into the Cellar this one time ... I had never mentioned my Dad or his name or nickname or description or anything .... and "Moose" rolled out of him as if he was talking about his Buddy he had been with the day before. He said he did not really know Moose but he knew all about him and how everyone respected him and he ran things and was a big wheel etc. ........
As for the pistol, we know no one came to Siegburg with anything. The Germans even took my Dad's negligee when he was captured. Dad tried to get it back and he got hit pretty badly for that. Someone at the Camp had to have given the pistol to Dad - likely the Commandant. It was to everyone's advantage if Dad could get to the Allieds and tell them to not bomb Siegburg. I will replay your recordings many times to see what I can figure out but I do not recall hearing about a gun.
After capture, Dad was walked to Holding Camps - quite a few stories on that - and then he was walked to Siegburg where he was given the first bed in the room and later was told that the gentleman before him had not worked out.
There were many pilots/Airmen that came through Siegburg. The one I have referred to died early on. It is a very involved and complex story and I first learned of it from the Archives in Washington.
So happy you are back on line Mary!
Jean J