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WWII Vet Recalls 'Liberation' Of Belgium

staff photo/Greg Fight.

U.S. Army WWII veteran Stuart Anderson, 87, shows a Tuesday, August 14, 1945 extra edition of the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Herald after the Japanese surrendered, ending the war.

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

PLANT CITY - A local veteran remembers when he was part of the liberating forces in Europe toward the end of World War II.

James T. Pollock, a retired businessman, was a member of the Army headquarters company of the 573rd Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion during the war. His unit was one of the first companies to occupy the town of Vlytingen, Belgium, following the retreat of the German army in November 1944.

Pollock recalled how he and three other U.S. soldiers stayed in a Belgian family's home for five months until the Germans were pushed back into Germany.

"The whole town was thankful that the Nazi army was driven out of their village," Pollock said. "They were allowed to fly the Belgium flag again. The American soldiers were treated with every kindness."

The soldiers stayed in the home of Lucien Beerts and his wife and their seven children. The family moved to Beerts' parents' house during the soldiers' stay.

Pollock corresponded with the family after the war. He visited the town twice in 1970, receiving a warm welcome from the Beerts family and honors from the town's mayor.

An article in a Belgian newspaper noted a visit by Pollock. A translation of the article reads, in part: "Mayor Mengels said he was proud to be able to host a former liberator at Community Hall. He offered him Pollack a plaque in the name of the community."

The Beerts family reciprocated the gesture when they accepted an invitation to visit Plant City the following year.

Pollock wrote President Bush on Oct. 24, relating his experience in Belgium and offering the president his support for the war in Iraq.

"America still stands for freedom around the world," Pollock said. "We shouldn't be afraid of that legacy."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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