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To: spokeshave

The Battle of Huertgen Forest occurred before the Battle of the Bulge. It was a tactical victory for the Germans, who prevented the Americans from achieving their objectives.

My father fought with the 28th Infantry Division in both.

After Huertgen, his unit was transferred to the Ardennes, believed to be a rest area. Warnings of a big German buildup sent back to HQ were ignored.

His unit was right at the point of the initial German attack, and was completely overrun the first day of the battle. He was captured, marched into Germany, and spent the rest of the war in a German prison camp. In the 5 months or so he was in the camp, he lost half his body weight.

My father passed away in 2004 at the age of 84.


14 posted on 11/14/2021 2:27:31 AM PST by TheConservator (Beware the tyranny of the woke mob. There has never been a greater threat to liberty.)
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To: TheConservator

15 posted on 11/14/2021 2:39:49 AM PST by kiryandil (China Joe and Paycheck Hunter - the Chink in America's defenses)
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To: TheConservator

(Hand salute)


23 posted on 11/14/2021 6:33:43 AM PST by Mr. Lucky
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To: TheConservator; kiryandil
The defense of Bastogne is portrayed as a lone "last stand" kind of defense by the units involved and the eloquent general who was in charge there.

Not to diminish or denigrate that part of the battle but the same thing was going on not far to the north at a place called St. Vith, and the delaying action, frankly the sacrifice of the 28th Division and others, is what made it possible for defensive positions to be set in the opening days.

Recommended reading: "To Save Bastogne" by Robert Phillips, and "Alamo in the Ardennes", by John C. McManus.

"Alamo" was the right word...

28 posted on 11/14/2021 6:51:57 AM PST by OKSooner (AFTER THE FAIR TRIAL! Always say "After the Fair Trial". )
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