Iowan Turns Hungarian Government Chief, Retinue Over to Officials
By Frank Miles
(Daily Times Herald War Correspondent)
In Germany (IDPA) -- Major Dwight W. Bingham, Missouri Valley, was one of six American soldiers, who turned the Hungarian prime minister, his staff and their wives, over to a military government official. A captain and two enlisted men of the 194th field artillery group of the XV corps artillery unit, were looking for a new command post when they were halted by an English-speaking civilian, who said he was the German ambassador to Hungary. Major Bingham and two GIs of the same outfit, who was also had been hunting for a command post, then joined the others.
The civilian informed that he was authorized to make arrangements for the Hungarian official and his aides gave themselves up and would lead the Americans to them. The diplomat and his associates subsequently were delivered to an American military government official.
Captain "Dutch" Schultz, Waterloo, a Cub pilot of the Third infantry division's air observation section, left his plane in an open field momentarily, depositing his pistol on the seat. He then saw two heavily armed Jerries lying nearby. They appeared to be dead.
Schultz wanted a light for a cigarette. The Hawkeye flier started to search the nazis for a match or lighter. Just as he bent down on of the nazis opened his eyes and grabbed his gun. Captain Schultz beat him to it. He found he had two live prisoners. He then had to sit for an hour guarding them until a tank came along to give them a ride to the nearest cage.
The incident was near Salzburg, where the Germans once had an airport for Stukas, FWs and ME 109s that are now a mass of twisted wreckage. Since it was seized by Americans, Captain Schultz' outfit has used it.
In April the third division's 11 observation planes flew 41, 640 miles spotting target s and directing fire for artillery.
The Stars and Stripes recently carried a picture of Captain Darrell R. Lindsey, Fort Dodge, a Ninth air force B-26 marauder pilot, who has been awarded the congressional Medal of Honor.
The nation's highest military decoration was won by the quiet, 25-year-old Iowan for his valor while leading the 394th group in an attack on the Isle Adam railway bridge August 9. Its destruction meant the cutting off of one of the few open lines for German troop movements into the Paris area.
Captain Lindsey's plane was set afire to German flak. He ordered his crew to abandon the craft "as soon as we release the bombs" Crewmen parachuted to safety. The ship exploded and crashed in flames. Captain Lindsey since has been reported missing in action although a gunner in another Marauder reported he saw a man bail out after the explosion.
Heinrich Lindner, chief of utilities in Munich, was one of the nastiest of nazis. He lived in a luxurious mansion on the southern outskirts of the city. On the staircase landing between the ground and second floors is a 12 foot wooden statue of Christ on the cross, nails through the hands and feet, crown of thorns on the head and wound in its side and in German above it is:
"Jesus Christ, King of the Jews"
Whether the statue, which Lindner and his family saw often, was put there in reverence or derision is a question to Americans, who have seen it and know the Hitlerite's record.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, June 23, 1945
