Battle Of The Bulge

I had an uncle who was in the Battle of the Bulge. His unit was overrun the first day. The Germans posted guards to watch the area. He had to lay in the snow without moving or he would have been shot. He said you couldn't fall asleep for fear you would move or make a sound. He heard soldiers being shot as he waited. He said it was a couple of days before the Germans were pushed back and he was able to get up. He said it was terrifying.
 
I knew a man who told me of firing a M2 during the battle. With his hands on the spade grips, a German bullet took off a pinky finger, entered his sternum, went and out his back, striking nothing vital.
He also told me of scouting behind enemy lines, and going into a basement where he realized there were three German soldiers in the shadows. Being alone, he had to think fast, so he acted like he didn't see them, while calling out to imaginary buddies outside. He then exited the building himself, and called down for the Germans to surrender, which they did.
He passed just a few years ago.
 
Here's hubby at that tank in Bastogne's square about 40 years ago. It was appropriately, miserably, bone chillingly cold, damp, and snowy. Glad as heck we had a warm bed instead of a cold foxhole!

BELGIUM-010-zpsmsywkbv2.jpg

I have a pic of me right there! Let me find it !


My dad spent the battle dug in with his Hellcat and crew, and his memories of the time were not fond. The first time I saw him tear up was at the star monument of which Beemerguy53 posted pics.

Thanks for remembering those who were there.
 
Had a distant relative that was captured during the battle, his daughter stated that he loss about 100 pounds. Can't remember his name, except he was a part of the Peek family.

God bless the memories of those brave men.

Leon

Corrected and added information on post # 44.
 
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My wife's favorite uncle was there. His unit was called up to give fire support to an artillery unit. After they moved out the unit that replaced his was the one captured and executed by the Nazi's dressed as Americans and speaking English. He said they were told to expect to be captured so everyone in his unit that had any contraband threw it away knowing they would be executed if anything was found on them.
 
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A family relative had been a truck driver during the campaign and was captured. Liberated later by advancing American troops and sent home, where he later became a fireman and had a long career in that service. One of the sweetest, gentlest men, and always a pleasure to talk to. I never asked him about his service in the war, though. Still have -- and treasure -- a footstool he made in his backyard shop and gave as a wedding gift.
 
Another delusional hail Mary by Hitler.

If you kept your nerve, Hitler would usually bail you out with one of his decisions.

And right afterward, the Luftwaffe metaphorically threw itself on the barbed wire, never to recover.

Operation Bodenplatte


I dunno, the larger goal was a good idea, but it did hinge on taking Bastogne. Single point failures in battle plans are often overlooked.



Bodenplatte failed because the Luftwaffe were so afraid of leaks that they failed to tell the flak crews what was coming. It's estimated that 30% of the German losses were to their own AAA because of this.
 
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