Joe Lipsius
HQ 272nd Inf Rgt
Email for Joseph Lipsius
In mid-January, 1995, to my total surprise, I received a letter from Germany
with a return address, "Karl-Heinz Lange, Torgau, Germany."
The letter was dated, 9 Jan 1995. One
day after my 77th birthday!
In the introduction of his letter, Karl-Heinz stated my name and address had
been obtained from Dr. Delbert Philpott, and he was also a close friend of
"Bill" Robertson and "Bill" Beswick.
Karl-Heinz wrote in perfect English. I
later learned he was an English teacher. The
purpose of his writing me was to determine if certain happenings occurred, or
what did occurr, regarding the events of April 25, 1945, East Meets West, and
the days following. He was referred
to me because I was in the Headquarters 272nd Infantry Regiment which was
dispatched, April 26, to guard the Eilenburg-Torgau road immediately after the
historic linkups of April 25th.
To the best of my memory, and in consultation by telephone with Norman C
Buckholz and Robert W. Griffith, staff officers, 1st Battalion 272nd Infantry
Regiment, and reference to the published History Of The 272 Infantry,
I answered his letter, January 16, 1995.
Mr. Lange thanked me in a letter, dated February 6, 1995 and related information
abouthis retirement and family, and more about the project he was working on
which caused his first letter to me.
A few weeks later, I received a letter from Bill Robertson, dated 1 April 1995,
explaining Karl-Heinz had asked him to send me a copy of a
document that he, Karl-Heinz Lange and a German, Heinz Richter, and
others, had been working on concerning APRIL
1945 IN TORGAU. I still have
all of the correspondence and Robertson's document.
Now, "I Remember," April 24 or 25, 2005.
I am in Torgau with Bud Parsons as guests of the City of Torgau to help
celebrate ELBE DAY 2005. Bud and I
had just spoken to the former Mayor of Torgau
met accidentally on the streets while walking from the DIZ Torgau which
had an exhibition covering the linkup for ELBE DAY 2005.
Suddenly, a man confronts me on the street and introduces himself as Karl-Heinz
Lange, now of Tromsdorf, almost a 100 miles distance from Torgau.
He asked if I remembered him? He
had come to the ELBE-DAY event to meet me.
We hugged and spoke about the letters.
I was so excited, even though I brought back 240 digital pictures on my
camera newly bought for the trip Germany, I failed to have one taken with
Karl-Heinz and me.
Yes, "I Remember" Karl-Heinz Lange!