Clarence Smoyer, a 94-year-old veteran of World War II, recently returned to Cologne, Germany, the site of a pivotal and personally haunting battle. Smoyer, who served as a gunner with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day and fought across France and Belgium. In March 1945, his unit engaged in intense fighting to capture Cologne.
During a firefight with a German tank, a civilian car inadvertently drove into the line of fire and was struck. Katharina Esser, a young girl inside the vehicle, was severely wounded and later died. The event, captured on film by an Army photographer, has haunted Smoyer for decades. He has repeatedly questioned whether his shot was responsible for Katharina's death.
CBS News correspondent Seth Doane accompanied Smoyer on his journey back to Cologne. The trip included a visit to the exact location of the battle and meetings with Katharina Esser's relatives. Smoyer also met with the German soldier who was on the opposing side of the conflict, offering a unique perspective on the events of that day. The journey aimed to bring some peace to the veteran who has carried this burden for so long.
Seth Doane also interviewed Adam Makos, author of the book "Spearhead," which details Smoyer's experiences and the broader context of the 3rd Armored Division's mission during the war. Makos provided insights into the challenges faced by soldiers during urban warfare and the lasting psychological impact of these experiences.
WWII Veteran Confronts Past Trauma in Cologne Firefight
Clarence Smoyer, a 94-year-old WWII veteran, revisits Cologne to confront the memory of a tragic firefight. As a tank gunner, Smoyer's unit engaged a German tank in the city during the war. A civilian car was caught in the crossfire, and a young girl named Katharina Esser was fatally wounded. Smoyer grapples with the possibility that his shot caused her death, seeking closure decades later.
Source: Read the original article at CBS