09-23-1944, 2nd volume, no. 47, Page 2
09-23-1944, 2nd volume, no. 47, Page 3

cover / introduction

Maastricht Liberated!

Today I read in the newspaper:
Maastricht was lost to them,
The first city in the Netherlands
To which freedom was granted.

Yes, in my mind’s eye,
I see the flags waving in Maastricht
And hear the liberation celebration,
See the festive joy blazing.

Maastricht evacuated.
Führer‘s headquarters, Sept. 15 (D.N.B.) The High Command of the Wehrmacht reports: At the Albert Canal and the Meuse-Scheldt Canal, enemy bridgeheads were further reduced by our troops‘ successful counterattacks. Between Maastricht and Aachen, the Americans continue their major assault, supported by strong armored units. Maastricht was lost.

And I salute liberated Maastricht,
According to DNB report
Given up by the Nazis,
People there feel elevated already

Beyond German Nazi law
Of oppression and violation,
Free from the Gestapo’s net
And contempt for human rights.

And those who were in hiding,
Can now move freely again,
Aryan and non-Aryan race
Both find it a blessing.

For years they were subjugated
By the army hordes of the Krauts,
And regained freedom and rights,
And felt human once more.

For the pressure has now
Eased on Maastricht’s people,
They feel joy and happiness,
For the first time in many years.

Yes, they truly feel relieved,
All the Nazis have disappeared,
For near Maastricht, they quickly
Fled from the Yankees.

Even though I’m in Enschede,
I don’t feel resentful,
For I think happily and contentedly,
That we will follow soon.

Post-Editing: Sylvia Stawski, Ernst Sittig