The village of Schierke is located in the Hartz Mountains of Central Germany in the state known as Sachsen-Anhalt. Situated 140 miles SW of Berlin and just east of the Cold War demarcation, it has been a local skiing and hiking mecca since the 1920’s. During the waning months of WWII it was fortified by the German 11th Army to aid in the defense of the Upper Hartz region against the ever tightening noose of the Allied advance.
Although this photograph is of unknown vintage, it is easy to imagine that this might have looked similar to this on April 17, 1945, as elements of the American 1st Army threatened its western and southern perimeters. It was here, about a mile or so from the town, that David was killed by a sniper’s bullet. David’s buddies, when questioned by Macey about the time of day, all agreed that it probably around 1:30 PM. A Jerry roadblock was impeding their advance and orders had just been given to advance further. As an example to his men, David made the first “rush” and was just turning around to signal the others when the bullet struck. David was one of several to die that day at the hands of this particular sniper, who was killed in the ensuing battle at the roadblock. David’s last words, agreed upon by Russell Turner and Sgt.Cavalier, were “Let’s go”.