 Proudly we hail. From New York City where the American stage begins, here is another program with the cast of outstanding players. Public service time has been made available by the station for your Army and your Air Force to bring you this story as Proudly we hail the United States Army. Our story is entitled the general saves a city a true story of the courage compassion and understanding of an American general Our first act curtain will rise in just a moment, but first We all share freedom help share its defense the motto is new But the call it sounds is as old as the history of our country Today as we stand strong and alert against communism the United States Army is calling for qualified young men and women To join the freedom team and become Army technical specialists You will be trained in the latest techniques using the finest equipment and you'll be building a rewarding career for yourself For full information visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station. The time is now And now your army and your Air Force present the proudly hail production the general saves the city The old German city of Heidelberg hugs the Neckar River not far from where it meets the Rhine in the spring of 1945 Heidelberg lay smack in the path of the Allied advance and advance preceded by tremendous artillery barrages and round-the-clock aerial bombardment Heidelberg was one of the few cities of its size in Germany to remain intact and untouched in the face of such a devastating Holocaust That fact must be attributed to the actions of one American soldier and a few determined citizens of the doomed city The soldier was Major General William A. Biderlinden When that spring of victory was in command of the artillery brigade of the 44th Infantry Division led by Major General William Dean This rate sir, man. I will be ours by morning. Yeah, there's little doubt of it colonel and then on to Heidelberg Have you ever been there colonel? No, sir. This will be my first visit That's a very old and a very beautiful city It's university dates back to the 14th century One of its bridges is older than that Earth they call it the most beautiful bridge built by man It's a city crammed full of the best of the past Sir, we're fighting a war. Colonel, I happen to be vaguely aware of that fact But to save this symbol of peacetime culture to keep our guns from it For our advance, how can you expect to continue our advance colonel? Would you have the sergeant get my cheap? I'll be a general Dean's headquarters should you need me think you can get him to surrender as an open city Well, I don't know But with your permission, I'd like to try you have that bill You do as you think best Just remember it can't in any way slow our advance with spearheading We don't let up on them for a minute when we take manheim I'll try to get word through to the Heidelberg authorities. I don't think you'll have much luck even if you do well It's worth that old school try to me. I don't want to discourage you Bill, but I Think you ought to listen to something Lieutenant, let's have that superman in here again. Well, who have you got? Adolf Hitler? His brother Sam General Biden Linden, this is SS major printer von Hauptmann major von Hauptmann General Biden Linden is in charge of my division artillery He'd like to spare Heidelberg because of its age and beauty its past culture How do you feel about that? He shall never surrender every last man woman and child will fight and die for the glory of the fuel The burger master of Heidelberg tries to negotiate with you even be sharp You think you have beaten us? You think you because you've taken a few of our cities all right that will do major that we shall surrender That's enough major. We shall make a stand and turn the feet into victory Lieutenant, take him back to his cave. We will cross you and bring you back into the sea See what I mean Bill Sure, I know, but they're not all like that. No, but those that are will see that the others do as they're told or else I'd still like to give it a play All right, Bill go ahead Remember you'll have to work fast On the 28th of March Monheim badly battered without food or water surrendered Almost before the last shot had been fired Bill Biden Linden made his way into the city And with the aid of an interpreter found a messenger willing to carry the word to Heidelberg He must tell the authorities whoever's in charge there that Heidelberg can only be saved if there's no resistance Sie müssen den Behörden sagen das Heidelberg nur gerettet werden kann wenn kein Widerstand geleistet will Tell him the time is vitally important. I must have an immediate answer And oh, yes, see that he gets a Jeep Colonel Hubert Nissen on that fateful day was commandant of Heidelberg's hospitals which held more than 21,000 wounded German soldiers Fortunately, the messenger sent by by the Linden got through to Heidelberg and even more fortunately. He brought his news to Colonel Nissen So they would spare the city yes, sir The American general said there was need for haste if we fight we die like Monheim like all the rest and For what? If I may be so bold here or burst For nothing. Yes, I know I know Well, there's only one thing to do go see nine house the Booker master To save Heidelberg that would be What's the use in talking about it? You'd rather die here amidst the ruins her nine house Don't take me for a complete fool. I owe us. I'm the burglar master the mayor What does that mean? It means if you are really the burglar master and want to do what you can to save this city You'll pick up that phone and call army headquarters You'll tell them of the American offer and you'll point out the Americans won't wait forever for an answer Siegler is the political gowliter of this city You know that as well as I he's in charge. I Take my orders from him. He has no power now Do you think the people of Heidelberg will listen to what he has to say if you tell him what the Americans offer? He'll have me hung a pity, sir What do you think will happen to you otherwise? Heidelberg Heidelberg yeah Rubble and ruin a tombstone to beauty It didn't the dr. Mann house operator They don't know where he is. There is no one else that had quarters who has such authority They said talk to Siegler. There's only one thing to do send the messenger back asking for further information In that way we can buy time and the Americans will at least know that we are interested and what do we do with this time? We buy her over you keep trying to get the army commander I let it be known throughout the city that the Americans are willing to declare it open and not to harm or shell it if we surrender We'd also better make a list of four or five of your most responsible people to act as negotiators Wait till Siegler hears of this never mind the Gestapo Siegler's hours are numbered We always tell me neck what we're doing here watching up this road Well, Andy, I tell you I didn't have a chance to talk to the general about it But maybe like the side said we just lie here and wait and see if anything comes down it Well, that's what I mean ain't nothing gonna come down this road Can I quote you they all pull back across the river. They're just going up roads these days ain't going down Good sleeping time up here. Yeah, I don't like it at all line out here looking at bullet What's see? Coming up the road, huh? Well, I'll be almost a shortly Bay. You'll be cold meat if you don't shut up I'll only negotiate with a responsible officer make sure he understands that yes, sir Contact was nur mit verantwortlichen offizieren gemacht the field I leave Heidelberg at exactly nine o'clock tomorrow night in a white ambulance And I'll follow this route now. He can take this map the roots marked in red Now point this out to him Under no circumstances will there be further delay If the negotiators are not at this headquarters by 2145 I'll take it that our offer has been rejected What luck have it a master I reach general from Sprock. What did he say? He's willing to remove all troops and weapons from the hospital areas if it will prevent they're being fired on and The rest of the city he didn't say I Don't think he dare to He wants you to call him. What about our trying to hide house. I'm going to have you hung What is this incredible nonsense? I hear about your negotiating with the Americans it is they who have offered us the chance to negotiate Stick to the evacuation of your wounded hair over general from Sprock the new commandant has agreed to remove all troops and weapons from the hospital areas Over snitching general one spark is what? Such an agreement is out of the question a new line of defense is to be formed along the neck are Heidelberg is to be defended to the last man to the last woman. There is no new line of defense and you know it I'll have you shot for treason. Shut your face. You silly little puppet. You've had your last man shot Try to stop us and the people of Heidelberg will tear you to bits you We'll see about that Now what forget him. He's who he's just bluffing Who have you picked for negotiators? I taught dr. Fritz and Heidelberg University would be good. Here is a list. Mm-hmm. All right. I'll round them up bring them here Let's hope the messenger gets back soon Shortly after the messenger again crossed the lines all Heidelberg knew that the American army was willing to spare their beloved city By seven o'clock the following evening the negotiators with Colonel Nysander had them had gathered at the city hall The square before it was packed with a silent citizenry who waited intensely for the white ambulance to move on its mission across The old bridge to the American lines Within the city hall a crucial battle was in progress as the representative of the army command I have orders to deal only with hospital area and as a political head of this city life not I tell you you will not deal with anyone Without my permission we are going to the American lines and there's nothing you can do to stop us I promise you traitor. You are not take a look at those people out there Tsegla What do you think they'll do if I go out and tell them you won't let us discuss the American offer? Right to do that and I'll shoot you before you can move five places You will shoot you will hang you will kill you filthy pig. Well, I do have a gun see I have never shot anyone But I will shoot you if you do not get out of here at once get out get out I want you I mean Dr. Ernst But not I am going only to discuss the situation on hospitals. All right, but for heaven's sakes. Let's go nearly nine They get in the rest of you gentlemen Wait, I let him through What's the matter? I'll bugger myself the artillery commander. He just called to say Tsegla has ordered the old bridge To be blown up at nine o'clock. What about the Neuneheim bridge? He's ordered it to be destroyed too and the Ernst vultures already been blown up get out of my way People of Heidelberg Your political gow like that has ordered the old bridge to be blown up at the time we were to cross If this happens Heidelberg will be destroyed The only way to save your city is to convince the artillery commander. He must not obey it's eagle up Will you follow me? You are listening to the proudly we hail production of the general saves the city will return to our story in just a moment Today you young men of America have an excellent opportunity to learn a trade that will assure your future The many fine technical schools of the United States Army are training men in such interesting fields as radio Radar meteorology mechanics electronics and many others You can become a qualified technician trained to do an important job and do it right For full details about an exciting career visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station There's no obligation. So plan ahead face your tomorrow today You are listening to proudly we hail and now we present the second act of the general saves the city By 1900 hours the time the Heidelberg delegation was to leave for the American lines While Bill Dean's slugging 44th had driven forward to the outskirts of nine. I'm just across the river from Heidelberg Here it lay momentarily awaiting the signal to thrust forward and take the famous old city There's that time drew near general bill vital in them paste his tent with growing concern Well another hour of this we'll be able to walk into nine. I'm without any trouble Colonel are you sure the outposts along road G were fully appraised on the situation? Yes, sir. I've checked to recheck The rain will make a mess of the road. What's left of it? So many things could go wrong The messenger may never have gotten back the General Biderlin and speaking Yes, yes captain. I can hear you go ahead When Well, is there any other way out? Are you sure they didn't get across before it went out? I see. All right captain. Thank you. No, no, not yet. We'll let you know when right That no sir afraid so The Germans blew the last bridge across the neck are Well, I didn't think they'd listen to reason sir Funny I thought they would Get me general Dean please Hello. Hello. This is sugar Baker dog calling I Here and all this mess Rain pouring down black and a bear's hiding the cave My grand night for dancing. Maybe you can tell me what we're doing out here miles ahead of everyone else My boy, ain't you heard? Well winning a war. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's what you all the same can't tell me why we shouldn't be curling a nice dry cellar a bunker In some sec time well, sir, I'll tell you it's probably cause you and me are the two most important dope eating this entire army General Dean he says I need those boys to get out there in front. Make sure them Nazis don't run plumb away from us Wish I'd gone to cook some Baker school You'd make a terrible cook Andy. No, that's no proper way to talk about a buddy. Hey Best we leave off talking all together Something come up the road Nick you got ears like a bird dog sounds like a truck and remember if it's white we hold our fire all batteries will concentrate their fire Then robot Ireland speaking What say it again? I can't hear you Yes, that's right. Oh Colonel hold those orders Yes, yes, go ahead All right bring them in and on the double Right. Bye They're coming John. Yes, they're coming Colonel outpost on road G. Just pick them up. They must have crossed before the bridge Take it you all speak English we do sir But then let's all sit down and get to business as little time As the representative of the German Army command I should like to speak go ahead We have only come here at your request to see that the hospital areas of Heidelberg are not fired upon well There must be some mistake It's our understanding that you're here to offer the unconditional surrender of all Heidelberg That you'll permit our entry into the city without resistance. We have no such authority We cannot agree to your occupation of Heidelberg all we want is a guarantee that the American Air Force will not attack our hospitals We don't shoot at hospitals furthermore furthermore nothing to be regretted that the German army which enjoys a reputation for brave fighting Cannot understand it is lost the war and that it's useless to have more cities destroyed We are of a different opinion. We have not lost the war and we did not come here to discuss such matters look here You're practical man You want to save Heidelberg Well, so do I Now let's try to work out an agreement that will do the business sir You must forgive the lieutenant here. He does not speak for all of us He does not speak for Heidelberg The mission you will be still I Happen to be a superior rank if not in designation I was a point that head of this delegation by the burghermeister and as its head I shall be entirely responsible for the negotiations that take place yet Let us proceed Within the drab tent across the battered old table the victors and the vanquished faced each other There were some on the side of the vanquished who could not understand why an American general of artillery was so anxious to save one of their cities It was his job to destroy not to preserve. It must be a trick But in their hearts they knew there was no need for a trick they could bluster they could shout they could bluff But even the arrogant young lieutenant knew they were beaten and so slowly Patiently keeping a check-grain on his temper bill by the linden made them see reason Colonel Niesen who had long been associated with the futility of war finally brought the negotiations to a close May I say sir I thank you for being so fair Colonel I'm interested in saving Heidelberg not thanks I pledge you my word that we shall do our best to get an agreement that no military resistance will be offered And in return you will spare our city from gunfire That is correct. Now. Let me point out again that speed is essential I don't know how you plan to get back across the neck or with all the bridges out But we'll be moving on the city within the next few hours If we meet with resistance, we'll know that you were unsuccessful We shall do our best Colonel see that they're passed through our lines as quickly as possible Goodbye, sir and um I hope we may meet again In Heidelberg a colonel in undamaged Heidelberg Strange to think I know Easter Sunday When Colonel Niesen and his group reached Neuneheim. It was just after midnight Fire and smoke from the batter town cast their angry glow over the river And silent old Heidelberg lay darkly silhouetted against the night sky waiting the dawn A 16 year old girl named Anne Tom had come to meet the colonel and his party And it was she with her small boat who've paddled them across the river back to the city Hey, look at myself. Dr. Ninehouse, wake up. I am awake Elvis. What's happened? What's the matter? The army command has left the whole staff left for where I don't know tigler They must have listened to him. Where is that butcher gone too? I suppose he was successful. Yes. Yes. We were successful They wouldn't spare the city but now and now it will come crashing down around us in fire and rocks could be Dr. Ninehouse here, what a general. I mean sir. I mean Here give me that thing give me that thing In Alphonsepok This is obis Niesen You've got to listen to me, sir What time is it oh seven three oh general advance column should be at Neuneheim by now Strange not to hear guns. Let's hope it stays like that. Let's let's hope it's a quiet Easter Suppose they try to trap us general. We're ready if they do but I I pray to god they don't I'll take that colonel general by dylan and speaking Being fired upon but who is this Where's it coming from? east of the city Speak louder your major. Will you speak louder? I can't hear you. Is it heavy? All right, you know what to do clean them out No, you will not you will not fire upon heidelberg The agreement will be observed unless you're fired directly upon from the city. Is that clear? I don't care what anyone is saying My orders are to hold all fire on the city Right. Goodbye Trouble general. Well, I hope not Some diehard elements east of heidelberg opened up as our advance column started across the pontoon bridge We can handle that situation without having to break the agreement I'll get major richardsen on zero The situation was well taken care of And by late afternoon american troops were flooding across the necar on pontoon bridges Thundering into the ancient city of culture and learning that had been saved for future generations In the city the streets were lined with joyous throngs of people Delighting in their hearts at the salvation of their beloved city The churches of heidelberg rang out their thanksgiving heidelberg glorious heidelberg was saved In may of 1951 bill biterland's alma mater drury college asked him back to receive the alumni association's distinguished service award It is the highest honor the alumni can bestow the citation read He recognized the international significance of the accumulated learning of the ages The culture refinement and ideals of the centuries Stored at the university of heidelberg And thus became the savior of heidelberg And so proudly we hail general bill biterlinden who in the midst of war successfully brought about the saving of a great symbol of peace and of culture Young man hears news about an important opportunity for you Right now the united states army has an urgent need for qualified technicians to operate and service the complex equipment that science has brought into being The need is vital and you can be trained in such interesting career fields as radio electronics, radar, photography, meteorology, mechanics and many others Here's your chance to acquire a skill that will be of value to your country and help you in civilian life For full details visit the recruiting sergeant at your nearest united states army and united states air force recruiting station today This has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with this station Proudly we hail is produced by the recruiting publicity center for the united states army and united states air force recruiting service This is kenneth banghart speaking and inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we hail