History Colorized: German Nurses, 1944

German nurses at Balleroy, Calvados, France, awaiting their return to the German lines due to their roles as non-combatants.

Original photo

The journey of these German women, members of the Deutsches Rotes Kreuz and Kriegsmarine Auxiliaries, is quite amazing. These women, along with some others, totaling sixteen in number, were captured on or about 30 June 1944, when Cherbourg fell. They had been working there in an underground hospital in Octeville. On the 2nd of July nine of them arrived at the 45th Evacuation Hospital near Le Cambe. During their stay at the hospital they were toured around the facilities and were able to speak with wounded German soldiers. It was hoped that upon their return to the German lines they would remember the treatment being given to the Germans and treat the wounded Allies in the same fashion.

The women waited while a cease-fire was arranged, so that they could be sent to the lines. The women were transported to Balleroy in WC-54 ambulances and had to wait a couple hours while the final arrangements for the cease-fire were worked out. The short cease-fire was agreed upon over the radio by a few men, Captain Fred Ghercke, CAC, CO Prisoner of War Interrogation Team #24; Captain Quentin Roosevelt, G-2, First Infantry Division; and Major F. Heeren, CO Panzeraufklärungsabteiling, 2. Panzer Division. At around 1800 hours the women were taken through the lines at Caumont-l’Eventé. The exchange was reported in the British Edition of “Yank” dated July 30, 1944.

There were actually two exchanges, one on the 2nd and one on the 9th of July. The above pictured women were part of the exchange on the 9th of July.

Issue of Yank that reported the story.

This woman has been identified as Herta Wist. She was working with the Wehrmacht Truppenbetreuung (German equivalent of USO). She was the wife of Korvettenkapitän (Ing.) Karl Wist, Kommandeur of 22. Marinekraftfahrabteilung, also surrendered at Cherbourg.

The captured women arrive at Balleroy. They are seen here unloading from one of the WC-54 ambulances that transported them. Here we can again see Herta Wist.