Walter Beresh, World War II Veteran
Walter Beresh, one of eight children of a Highlandtown family, worked at Bethlehem Steel and was drafted soon after Pearl Harbor. He fought his way with the 473rd Infantry Regiment across Europe for four years, through North Africa and the Anzio landing in January 1944. He never made it home.
His brother, Henry, ten years younger than Walter, also worked at Beth Steel and was drafted three years later. Henry, 23, had been in the European Theater of Operations with the 7th Armored Division for 14 days when he was killed in Bastogne, one of the many casualties in the Battle of the Bulge.
Walter and Henry sent many letters home during the war, chatty requests for news of home and Highlandtown. Walter wrote poems. They sent whatever news they could divulge of their own activities, but mostly, like all soldiers overseas, they pleaded for news of home and family.
Decades later their nephew Joe went through the box of his uncles’ letters in the attic and showed them to their great-nephew, Mike Beresh, a musician with the bluegrass band Country Devil. Mike was between projects. He sat down and began to write.
The result is “Letters to Baltimore from the War,” a presentation with music, readings and photos, Saturday, March 6, at 8 p.m. at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson, East and Eastern avenues.
Advance tickets are strongly recommended. Tickets cost $15, $12 members and senior citizens.
The East Avenue Jazz Quartet will open the show. Beresh and members of his band will play accompaniment to readings of Walter and Henry’s letters from the front.
Henry wrote to friends during the Battle of the Bulge:
January 14, 1945;
Somewhere in Belgium
Hello Andy and Elsie,
How’s every “little thing?” I don’t know if you’ve got your new “addition” yet, but I guess it is time. How are you feeling Elsie? How’s the baby? I hope everything went OK. How did you spend your holidays? Get drunk much? Did you see Noreen over the holidays?
Well, I didn’t have such a hot time during those days, but I guess it could have been worse. I’ve been traveling ever since I left the states and finally got settled in yesterday in a Belgium village. We are living in the houses that were evacuated by the people. Boy, this house is full of Hitler books.
I’ve been assigned to the armored infantry and I think I’m going to like it. The outfit I’m with has made quite a name for itself lately and you might have read about them. I’m feeling fine, but it’s awful cold and plenty of snow.
The fellows are all OK and really do all they can for each other. All the people here work, kids, old men and women and girls. None of these girls that I’ve seen can compare with the American girl.
To tell you the truth, I’ve thought very little of home because we’ve been on the go. I haven’t received any letters from anybody yet and I guess it will be some time before I do. Don’t forget to write as often as you can. Every letter will be appreciated. I’ll try to write as often as I can. It’s hard to find something to write about because I don’t know what they’ll cut out.
All I know is that I hope we get this over with damn soon and get back to the states. Please send a box of chocolate bars, if you can find them. I sure could go for some. Well folks, that’s about all I know. So, so long and drink one to the new baby for me. Did you get what you wanted? Don’t forget to write.
Love, Henry
—by Jacqueline Watts
editor@baltimoreguide.com
