Stars and Stripes [Newspaper]

Issue of US Army Stars and Stripes Mediterranean newspaper with the headline: World Council Plan Okayed. At the bottom of the front page is a handwritten note by Alexander Wurtz marking an article and telling his family that his unit just took over that area. The article is titled: 5th Army Cracking Down on German PWs in Italy with a June 12 byline from the 5th Army enemy concentration area. Over 66,000 German soldiers of 5 surrendered German divisions were sent to this location for processing by the 442nd Regiment combat team. It notes the German's surprise at impersonal, non-preferential treatment, and quotes Col James Fry asst. commander, 85th Division that: Our policy is one of just plain being tough. They'll get nothing from us but groceries and work. The newspaper was saved by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.