BEHIND ENEMY LINES; OPERATION VARSITY The Experiences of a United States Army Paratrooper in World War H • Lucas Garrison's interview with Jolin G. Kormann • February 10,2006 • Advanced Placement United States Histoiy • Mr. Haight John G. Kormann OH GAR 2006 Table of Contents • Contract 2 • Statement of Purpose 3 • Biography of John Kormann 4 • ABriefHistoryofWorldWarll 5 • Interview Transcription 17 *> Interview Analysis 61 • Time Index Recording Log , 65 • Works Consulted 67 Aiidrcvv's SCOPAL SCHOOL American Century Oral History Project Interviewee Release Form I. iy^v/y /1^^->/;/?AA/ . hereby give and grant to St. Andrew's (inter\'iewee) Episcopal School the absolute and iiiiqualified right to the use ofmy oral history memoir conducted by ^-Me/Y^ /t/^/^/^^^ on ^Z^V^^^.a understand Ihat (studen'—''- t •-—••-"interviewer-) " '^(datV the purpose ofthis project is to collect audio- and video-taped oral histories of first-hand memories ofa particular period or event in histoiy as part ofa classroom project (The American Century Project). I understand that these interviews (tapes and transcripts) will be deposited in the Saint Andrew's Episcopal School libraiy and archives for the use by future students, educators and researchers. Responsibility for the creation of derivative works will be at the discretion ofthc librarian, archivist and/or project coortlinator. I also understand that the tapes and transcripts may be used in public presentations including, but not limited to, books, audio or video documentaries, slide-tape presentations, exhibits, articles, public performance, or presentation on the World Wide Web at the project's web site \v\v\v.americancenturyproject.org or successor technologies. In making this conlract I understand that I am sharing with St. Andrew's Episcopal School library and archives all legal title and literary property rights which I have or may be deemed to have in my interview as well as my right, title and interest in any copyright related to this oral history inter\'iew which may be secured under the laws now or later in force and effect in the United Stales of America. This gift, however, docs not preclude any use that I myself want to make ofthe infonnation in these transcripts and recordings. I herein warrant that I have not assigned or in any manner encumbered or impaired any ofthe aforementioned rights in my oral memoir. The only conditions which I place on this unrestricted gift are: 1. Address Date SS04 Postoak Road • Potomac, MD 20854 • Phone 301-983-5200 • Fax 30L983-4710 • ^^^vw.saes.org Garrison 3 Purnose Statement The purpose of tiiis oral history project involving John G. Kormann is to provide the reader with a clearer understanding ofa soldier in World War II. However, the project also gives the reader an in-depth look at Operation Varsity—an often overlooked, yet decisive, battle. This oral history project goes far beyond what is explained in textbooks, as it illustrates personal reactions and feelings to World War II. Ganison 4 Biography of John Kormann John G, Koimann was born in New York City on July 30, 1924, and was raised in New York. He attended the High School of Music and Art, in New York. Here, he pursued his interest in art, until he went on to Colombia University. In the middle of his first year in college, Mr. Kormann entered the draft for World War II in 1943 and became an army paratrooper in the 17'*' Airborne Division. In World War II, he fought in the end ofthe Battle ofthe Bulge and in Operation Varsity in Germany. After his service in World War II, Mr. Kormann stayed in Berlin, Germany, with the CIC, the Counter Intelligence Corps, where he searched for Nazi leaders. In Berlin, he met his wife, Eisa, and they manied in 1949. When he returned from World War II, Mr. Kormann graduated from Colombia University in 1950 with a B.A degree, a master's degree and part ofa PhD. He served in the Army and the Reserves for thirty years from 1943 to 1973. In the service, John Konnann rose from a private to a colonel and earned three campaign medals, one invasion Anowhead award, a Medal of Heroism and Valor, and Four Stars, After World War II, he worked for the Department of State, and later joined the Foreign Service, where he became a diplomat in Libya. After living in many parts ofthe world, such as, Libya, Germany England, and the Philippines, Mr. Kormann, a Democrat, now whom also live in Chevy Chase. A vigorous, self-assured man, he is active in his Methodist church and enjoys art. Mr, Kormann has written his memoirs and is in the process publishing them. Garrison 5 A Brief Historv of World War II World War II was one ofthe greatest events in the 20"' century. Spanning six continents, it involved almost every major country in the world. In addition, it had a direct impact on the late 1900's. and was the defining moment that shaped the world in the 20^^ century. Throughout World War II, many battles became very popular For example, knowing battles such as D-Day and the Battle ofthe Bulge are common knowledge in American History. All of these battles are considered pivotal to the end of World War II. However, one battle that is not known is Operation Varsity. Although it is unpopular, Varsit>' was a decisive Allied Forces victoiy in the end ofthe war. Operation Varsity was the plan, developed by British General Montgomery, for Allied forces to cross the Rhine River in Gennany and overwhelm Gennan forces. Operation Varsit>' should be recognized as a key battle, because, due to its success, the Allies started to gain control of Germany, leading to the end of Hitler's domination in Europe. If Operation Varsity had failed, it would have been much more difficult for the Allies to overrun Hitler soldier in the 17"' U.S. Airborne division, who parachuted across the Rhine River in Operation Varsity, World War I ended in 1919, just twenty years before World War II began and set the stage for World War II in Europe. At the end of World War I, The Treaty' of Garrison 6 Versailles, signed by Germany in 1919, forced Germany to pay reparations to many European countries. Also, Germany's military limited and sanctioned. Due to the German bitterness to The Treat}' of Versailles and the end of World War I, these two events were contributors to the start of World War II. The Germans believed the Treaty of Versailles to be unfair, but they had no choice but to sign it because the Allies would invade Germany and cripple it. So, reluctantly, the Germans signed the treaty. As John J. Vail states in his book. World War II: The War in Europe: The Versailles Treaty provoked tremendous resentment among all Gennans. They felt the provisions ofthe treaty were unfair and made a mockery ofthe 'just peace' that the Allies had promised. Nevertheless, the leaders of Germany's new democracy... felt that they had no choice but to approve the treaty. German politicians... believed the government had betrayed the German people (Vail 11). Many Gennan organizations opposed the signing ofthe treaty. The Treaty of Versailles contributed to the start of Worid War H, because the Germans felt as though they were treated unfairly, and this caused hostility' between the Gennans and the rest of Europe. The change in government in Germany was a key contributor to the beginning of World War U. Although many German groups tried to overthrow the German democracy, only the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, was successful. In 1923, Hitler was imprisoned. When he was released, Hitler made the Nazi party more powerful, and gained more support, especially, the support of working class Gemians during Gennany's depression. In 1933, after many attempts to gain control of Germany, Hitler became the German Ganison 7 chancellor. By manipulating the public, when he was chancellor. Hitler became dictator of Germany in 1934. His main manipulation tool was Communism and the fear of communism in Germany. He scared the public into believing that communism was a threat to Germany and that he was the only person able to stop it. One example of Hitler's manipulation was the Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933. The Reichstag Fire was when the Reichstag building, the German parliament meeting house, was set fire. The blame immediately fell on the communists, and many key Gennan communist party members were imprisoned, exiled, or killed. As a result, the communist party was knocked out of the election for Germany, and Hitler gained control over Germany. After the Germans crippling loss in World War I, Hitler wanted to reestablish Germany as a European and world power. After Hitler gained sole control of Germany, he would stop at nothing to achieve his next goal, Gennan domination of Europe and eventually, the world. Hitler knew that to gain total control of Europe, he would need to develop a powerful military, which could contend with the Allies joint military. Despite the limits on the German military, which were established by the Treaty of Versailles, he rebuilt the German military. After the Gennan army was restored, He sent his troops to occupy Rliineland. Just like rebuilding the German military, the occupation ofthe Rhineland broke the Treaty of Versailles. Despite, the violation ofthe treaty, no European country did anything to stop Hitler. As a result, he kept expanding his power into many countries such as Austria and Czechoslovakia. Britain and France reacted to Hitler's advancements with many warnings to him. However, Hitler would not let an>'thing get in the way of his Garrison 8 desire for domination.