 proudly we hail from New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with a 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 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 we 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 who in 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 its university dates back to the 14th century one of its bridges is older than that here 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 but our advance how can you expect to continue our advance Colonel would you have the sergeant get my jeep I'll be a general Dean's head order should you need me I think you can get him to surrender as an open city and 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 him 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 but then it's not that Superman in here again well who have you got eight off Hitler his brother Sam general by the Linden this is this major printer von Hauptmann major von Hauptmann general by the 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 we shall never surrender every last man woman and child will fight and die for the glory of the pure the burger master of Heidelberg tries to negotiate with you he will be shocked you think you have beaten us you think you've 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 turn it take them back to his cage we will cross you and bring you back into the sea every man see what I mean Bill sure I know but they're not all like that no but those that are or 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 by the 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 you must in the building sagen that Heidelberg nur gerettet werden kann wenn kein Widerstand geleistet will tell him the time is vitally important I must have an immediate answer site is von euch das der Wichtigkeit wir müssen ihre Antwort sofort haben und 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 Birgermeister to save Heidelberg that would be what's the use in talking about it you would rather die here amidst the ruins and then house don't take me for a complete full hours I'm the Birgermeister the mayor and what does that mean it means if you are really the Birgermeister 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 Ziegler is the political Gauleiter 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 a rubble and ruins a tombstone to beauty it didn't leave Dr. Madhouse operator they don't know where he is there is no one else that headquarters who has such authority they said talk to Ziegler 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 Tiegler hears of this never mind the Gestapo Seekless hours are numbered right at night for dancing will you please tell me Nick what we're doing here watching up this road well and 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 going to 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 them they ought to be back in the sack instead of wasting good sleeping time up here I don't like it at all lying out here looking at pull it what's see nothing coming up the road huh well I'll be almost a shortly be 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 leave Heidelberg at exactly nine o'clock tomorrow night in a white ambulance now follow this route he can take this map the routes 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 twenty one forty five I'll take it that our offer has been rejected I reached general from Sprock but it is same 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 night house I'm going to have you hung what is this incredible nonsense I hear about you negotiating but the Americans it is they who have offered us the chance to negotiate you stick to the evacuation of your wounded her over general from Sprock and you 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 and no 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 you 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 is who is just bluffing who have you picked for negotiators I thought Dr Fritz and Heidelberg University would be good here is a list 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 Neeson to head 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 line 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 the 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 Tegeler 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 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 almost listen wait I let him through what's the matter myself the artillery commander he just called to say Tegeler 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 waltz has already been blown up get out of my way people of Heidelberg your political Gauleiter 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 Tegeler 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 Neuneheim 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 Neuneheim without any trouble Colonel are you sure the outposts along road G we're fully appraised on the situation yes sir I've checked to reject 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 bider linen 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 up they see all right captain thank you no no not yet we'll let you know when bye badness sir afraid so the Germans blew the last bridge across the neck 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 bake a dog calling no sense line up here in all this mess rain pouring down blackened up bears hide in the cave a 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 when in 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 sack time well so I'll tell 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's school make a terrible cook Andy now that's no proper way to talk about a buddy 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 on then row by darlin and speaking why say it again I can't hear you yes that's right well Colonel hold those orders yes yes go ahead all right bring them in and on the double right bye they're coming yes they're coming out post on road G just picked them up they must have crossed before the bridge I take it you all speak English we do sir but then that's all sit down and get to business there's 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 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 reason you will be still I happen to be a superior in rank if not in designation I was a point that head of this delegation by the burgemeister and as its head I shall be entirely responsible for the negotiations that take place here now sir let us proceed within the drab tent across a 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 rain on his temper Bill Bible and then made them see reason Colonel Nieson who had long been associated with the futility of war finally brought the negotiations to a close may I say sir I'm thank you for being so fair hurdle 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 I hope we may meet again in Heidelberg a colonel in undamaged Heidelberg strange to think I know Easter Sunday when Colonel Nieson and his group reached Noinheim 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 paddled them across the river back to the city but the master but the nine-house 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 they must have listened to him where is that butcher gone to I suppose he was successful yes yes we were successful there would spare the city but now and now it will come crashing down around us in fire and rocks could be pre-doctor nine house here what I can all I mean sir I mean it's it's it's it give me that thing in half on spoke this is over sneezing you've got to listen to me what time is it oh seven three oh general advance column should be annoying time by now strange not to hear guns let's hope it stays like that that's let's hope it's a quiet Easter suppose they try to trap us general we're ready if they do but I pray to God they don't wait I'll take that Colonel general by the island 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 that 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 Richard the situation was well taken care of by late afternoon American troops were flooding across the neck are 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 Biderland and its 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 Biderlinden who in the midst of war successfully brought about the saving of a great symbol of peace and of culture young man here's 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 is brought into being the need is vital and you can be trained in such interesting career feels 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 the 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 the same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we hail