Maj. Dick Winters statue unveiled in France [2012]

YouTube ^ | Jun 6, 2012 | 1ApolloOne

[Mollypitcher1]

Everyone should visit Normandy, if possible. It is awe inspiring and the people have never forgotten. Americans are welcomed with open arms. Visited again last year and this year visited Bastogne and Patton’s grave in Luxembourg. The forests at Bastogne still retain the shapes of the foxholes and perimeter defenses even after all these years. It is inspiring and humbling to visit these places and remember what happened here.

[Retain Mike]

In the Band of Brothers HBO series there is a scene where the Germans are attacking the Easy Company position with armor. That made me wonder how this infantry division was able to hold against armored attacks, so I did some research. I found out several unheralded artillery and tank units and not Patton were the reason Bastogne was an unconquerable fortress. These units would have been helpless without the 101th, and the paratroopers would probably have been decimated without the artillery.

Here is the letter I send annually to recognize these other outfits.

Why General McAuliffe said “Nuts”

Seventy one years ago on December 16, the Germans launched the Ardennes Offensive, which proved the bloodiest American battle of WW II with 89,000 casualties including 19,000 dead. At the center of the offensive beleaguered Bastogne featured the 101th Airborne withstanding the German siege.

However, these 10,000 paratroopers did not alone forge the severe impediment presented to 500,000 Germans troops attacking with tanks. Contributions from the 9th and 10th Armored Divisions, and the 28th Division’s 109th and 687th Field Artillery Battalions provided need firepower. Remnants of the 9th Armored CCR including the 73rd Armored Field Artillery retreated into the town. The CCB of the 10th Armored was detached and ordered to occupy Bastogne ahead of the Nazi’s. It took heavy casualties along the way, but arrived with 30 tanks and the 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion was ordered forward and arrived with 36 powerful 76mm long cannon. Overall General Anthony McAuliffe, as former division artillery commander, directed eleven artillery battalions and tanks from two armored divisions as well as his paratroopers.

No wonder at the Battle of the Bulge McAuliffe could say “nuts” when the Germans demanded his surrender.

A Time for Trumpets by Charles B. MacDonald
Death Traps: The Survival of an American Armored Division in WW II by Belton Y. Cooper
WWII Armored Division
http://xbradtc.com/2008/10/24/wwii-armored-division/

10th Armored Division (United States)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._10th_Armored_Division
http://www.combatreels.com/10th_Armored_Division.cfm

9th Armored Division (United States)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._9th_Armored_Division

Battle of the Bulge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge

Siege of Bastogne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Bastogne

705th Tank Destroyer Battalion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/705th_Tank_Destroyer_Battalion

[Netz]

I have not been to Normandy but it is my understanding the as a whole, the French do not really pay due credit to the US for WWI and WWII.

The entire upkeep of the Normandy area and cemeteries is funded by US taxpayers as I understand it.

Maybe in a few villages they pay homage but I heard that the rest of the country couldn't care less. Anybody want to set me straight on this issue?

[okie01]

The entire upkeep of the Normandy area and cemeteries is funded by US taxpayers as I understand it.

Maybe in a few villages they pay homage but I heard that the rest of the country couldn't care less. Anybody want to set me straight on this issue?

My daughter and son-in-law visited Normandy last Fall -- i.e., outside the observance period for the Normandy landings.

They noted that the cemeteries are extraordinarily well-maintained, The American, British, Canadian and German taxpayers pay for the maintenance, of course, but almost all the employees are French and they treat the grounds with great reverence (even the German cemeteries).

Moreover, the individual villages where "something happened" maintain monuments to the affair and everyboy knows the story behind them -- bridges, buildings, clock towers, particular hedgerows and lanes, etc.

They usually spend a week in Provence -- which was in Vichy France -- and would agree that most of France doesn't remember much about WW II. But the memory is certainly alive and well in Normandy.

My daughter and her husband had an interesting observation about the character of the various national cemeteries: The German one was dour, in keerping with their character. The U.S. and Canadian cemeteries were very formal, highly respectful of the dead. But the British cemeteries were the most touching. In addition to the use of a stone reflecting the soldier's religion -- Cross, Star-o-David, Star & Crescent -- the families were given the opportunity to request brief inscriptions. Readings of which were guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye...

Both were born in the late sixties (she in the USA, he in Britain) and their trip to Normandy was a moving experience.

[Netz]

Thanks for your information. Given Major Dick Winters’ modesty, he probably would have not agreed to have a statue built of him at all there. I am happy that I sent him a letter of appreciation many years ago and that he replied, sort of a Major to Major salute.

One day I will make a pilgrimage to Normandy...

[Netz]

Best series ever.

I loved it when Winters finally meets up with Sobel and tells him, “...you salute the rank, not the man”.

[GrouchoTex]

My Uncle was in Patton’s army that “liberated” Bastogne.
I put “liberated” in quotation marks because I don’t think the 101st thought they were being “liberated” in the true sense of the word.
I heard the one of the members of the 101st was told that they were surrounded by the Germans and replied “Poor Bastards”, referring to the Germans in his response.

[mcshot]

Do our sailors who get buried at sea get a tombstone somewhere?

[Retain Mike]

That is anotherr great line.

[deks]

Will the government provide a grave marker for those listed as missing in action, or lost or buried at sea for placement at a family cemetery?

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the memorial marker program for those listed as missing in action, or lost or buried at sea. Upon request by a family member, and at no expense to the family, a memorial marker can be placed at any national cemetery, including Arlington National Cemetery, provided space is available. Memorial markers can also be placed at private cemeteries. However, when markers are placed in a private cemetery, the family must pay site and installation costs. Information about the memorial marker program is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Memorial Programs
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420

https://www.abmc.gov/about-us/faqs