Catholic Cross

Hq Battery, 494th AAA Gn Bn

Soldiers frequently carried religious medals on their dog tags chains or on a separate cord.

Cecile Crauwels, 17 years old in 1944, living in a farm at the 'Zwarte Poort' (Black Gate) in Putte, received this Catholic Cross from a US soldier from the 494th AAA Gun Battalion when HQ Battery was drawn up in a field at the opposite of their farm. The farmhouses near the batteries and their crews were the ideal places to go and socialize with the local population. Often the American soldiers sought the warmth of the farms while off duty. In the morning the troops would receive fresh farm products such as milk or warm bread and several would have their laundry done by the farmers’ wife. In exchange the family received rare luxuries after four years of occupation such as chocolate, chewing gum, cigarettes, corned beef, coffee or coca-cola. People could even count on the soldiers present for medical assistance. The respect and support were mutual.

I received this cross from Rachel Crauwels, who came into possession of it after the death of her sister Cecile.

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