Dad's Memoirs:

In early or mid-October [1945] I went on leave to England, but was detained in Etretat, France, by miserable, stormy weather[1] which paralyzed all Channel shipping.[2] After a few days I had to return to Berlin. By this time I had accumulated more points than needed to go back to the USA. In a sense I was without a home. Several attempts to have me permanently assigned to the US Group Control Council in Berlin had failed, even when sent in the name of Generals Eisenhower and Clay. As a result I continued on TDY and without a C.O. who could promote me, assign me to different duties etc. I I presented the problem to my boss, BG Stayer who finally agreed with me that I had to return to my official parent organization, the 2nd Mil.Gov. Regiment. In the meantime, my detachment had been disbanded and the survivors absorbed by the large Unit in charge of Heidelberg to which I was also assigned, I left Berlin on 31 0ct. 45 and reported to the Heidelberg Detachment a week later. I had a very warm reception because they were in need of a German-speaking officer to take charge of their Denazification program. It was a truly challenging task - more about it some other time. Unfortunately for the work, but fortunate for me, my time at this job was cut short by the unexpected sudden orders for return to the USA. It seems that a great number of families had complained about the retention overseas of too many family members who were overdue for return and discharge. An investigating committee was set by Congress and sent overseas to obtain information. At these news the "empire-builders" who had been reluctant to release personnel, got busy and issued emergency orders to high-point soldiers. I had barely/to pack my belongings before I found myself on the way to Le Havre in a car with my own driver. All exit procedure were waived or greatly accelerated. Under the circumstances I could have taken all sorts of contraband, es money but of course I had none AT the crucial time. When I go to Le Havre, I was offered the choice of three vessels for the crossing: the Queen Elizabeth, a U.S. Navy Destroyer and a "Victory" ship. Only the "Gustavus Victory" was in port. The other two were expected momentarily. I chose the Victory ship, a lucky choice. The other two were delayed several days by storms. Somehow our plucky little ship ignored weather conditions or managed to avoid all storms. We had an uneventful crossing and reached New York on December 17 1945. My official destination was Camp Kilmer where I would be processed for discharge from the military. Counting terminal leave I had spent 5 years less one month in [the service.]

Notes:

1. According to Wikipedia, these would have been the "October gales" from October 24-26, 1945. {See also this newspaper article.]

2. Mom also recalls this.