Duet Aids Partisans in Capture of 244 Germans

First Lieutenant Robert A. Findlay and Private Jorge A. Diaz, combat engineers of the 36th, helped in the capture of 244 German prisoners while visiting Italian partisans near the front lines

.The engineers were on a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines, seeking wounded partisans. The duo soon came upon a band of guerillas who were starting out on a “clean-up” mission in the Italian hills.

Craving more action than their engineer mission called for Lt. Findlay, a former race-car driver, took the road with his jeep and Diaz, an ex-professional soldier, took to the hills on horseback.
As they approached a mountain villa, they ran into a bunch of Germans—244 to be exact. A small arsenal was also part of the booty. Diaz because of his knowledge of Italian took charge. He lined the prisoners up against a wall and disarmed them.

The partisans immediately brought out the vino and amid the cheers and glasses of wine proclaimed their undying friendship to the two Americans. “They wanted to make me their General,” said Diaz “They said they had the men and a bit of equipment, but all they lacked was a leader. Me a General, gosh!”

JW