Klosowsky, Lloyd (1919-1996)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8498#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Born on June 25, 1919, Lloyd Klosowsky was married and a father when he was drafted into the Army shortly after the start of the war. He saw extensive action throughout the European theater. He was involved in the North African campaign, D-Day landing in France, and the Battle of the Bulge. He managed to escape serious injury even though he was wounded during D-Day and nearly lost his feet at the Battle of the Bulge. Klosowsky, as part of the 90th Division, helped pursue a German Panzer Corps into Czechoslovakia until the Germans surrendered. The 90th then prepared to invade Japan until receiving word that the war ended. Klosowsky returned to Duluth after his discharge from the service in December 1945. He died in Stillwater, Minnesota, on November 27, 1996.

Transcript Summary: Lloyd Klosowsky described his job and family life before the war and his attitudes when war was declared. He described his infantry training in Texas and his travel across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship Queen Elizabeth. Working his way to North Africa, Klosowsky, as part of the 90th Infantry Division, acted as rear guard to the later days of the campaign. There he guarded POWs, experienced frequent artillery barrages, and had the first of his encounters with General George Patton. He was then shipped back to England to prepare for the D-Day invasions. Wounded at D-Day, he spent four days in hospital before returning to his unit. The details of his D-Day landing and injury are the part of the interview that is missing. After the landing, Klosowsky participated in the liberation of France, the invasion of Germany, and eventually entered Czechoslovakia. During this year, Klosowsky experiences frequent combat situations including capturing German soldiers, attacking fortifications, street combat and open-field engagements, and the Battle of the Bulge. At the Bulge, Klosowsky almost lost his feet to frostbite and spent several weeks in hospital before being able to rejoin his unit. Klosowsky shared many anecdotes about combat and his interactions with foreign troops, the enemy, civilians, and his fellow troops (including officers, Lieutenant Vernon Jordan and General George Patton). Throughout the interview, Koslowsky gave his opinion about these different groups including the SS and Hitler Youth. With the German surrender, the 90th Division trained for an invasion of Japan until the end of the war. At the end of the interview Koslowsky shared his reunion with his family and his efforts at readjusting to civilian life.

Interview by David Overy