Pictures of Battle of the Bulge

http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/war2.html ^

[SampleMan]

Would you then be appeased if I backed off of “worst” and simply labeled it an absolutely horrid, unwatchable, butchering of a WWII battle, with no redeeming qualities?

Perhaps it’s time for you to share what you liked about it.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I knew a Battle of the Bulge veteran. One extremely hot day we were golfing, and I noted his lack of complaint about the heat. He responded, “I was so cold at Bastogne that I swore, ‘If I survive I will never again complain about hot weather.’”

[MacNaughton]

My deceased father, a Korean War era veteran of the Army Airborne, had an older cousin who was a photographer and flew on reconnaisance flights over Western Europe. He had the sad duty of photographing that field near Malmedy where the Nazis executed G.I. POWs. He still had some of those photos at his cabin when it burned down near West Grand Lake Stream, ME, ~ 1970s. All were lost. I never got to see them.

[colorcountry]

In remembrance of my Uncle J Frank Worthen. He was there.

Silver Star
See more recipients of this award

Awarded for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal J Frank Worthen (ASN: 39921471), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 14 and 15 November 1944. On 14 November, Corporal Worthen was leading a litter squad when enemy fire became so intense that he ordered his men to remain in place. Crawling ahead alone, he made his way to a wounded soldier in the midst of withering fire, and dragged him to safety. On the following day, Corporal Worthen again distinguished himself by advancing fifty yards beyond the front lines in the face of heavy sniper fire in order to evacuate a seriously wounded comrade. His intrepid loyalty to wounded fellow soldiers is in accord with the military traditions of the Medical Department of the Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 13 (February 20, 1945)

Action Date: November 14 & 15, 1944

Service: Army

Rank: Corporal

Company: Medical Detachment

Regiment: 134th Infantry Regiment

Division: 35th Infantry Division

[yarddog]

There was a program on “The History Channel” a few months ago about a combat Engineer battalion who were the ones who slowed Peiper enough to keep him from succeeding.

[SampleMan]

Of all the horrible war movies, why do I so dislike this one?

Probably because I expected so much more. I was about 10 when I first saw it and had read many books on WWII and specifically on the Battle of the Bulge. Men I knew had told me about it.

I was so disappointed when I saw it. It wasn’t about the battle, nor really WWII at all. Just an odd conglomeration of tanks and dialogue.

So, it’s the worst, because it was the first such movie to really disappoint me. I had already seen Patton, Tora, Tora, Tora, and the Longest Day. By comparison it was horrid. And when you get a 1 star from a 10 year old, you are going to still own it when that kid turns 50.

[zot]

I can understand why “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” would re-invoke that nightmare for anyone who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

[ansel12]

I wonder if I’m the only one on this thread who has shot rifle grenades at American tanks, in France?

[yarddog]

Why didn’t you use the Panzerfaust?

[Chgogal]

Nuts.

[ansel12]

They were French weapons, it was when I was spending time with an element of the French Army in France.

[RitchieAprile]

I can’t stand war movies where Germans carry Enfields and ride in M24s or M3s with Malteserkreuzen on them.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

So what did you tell him? Photographer to the Czar

[QT3.14]

Thanks for the service of your dads and relatives in Europe!

It has been interesting prowling around getting a lesson in history related to the enormity of WW2, Europe and other events at a local level of special interest.

Our granddad was a NCO with the 70th Inf. Division (Trailblazers), 275th Regiment. They formed up at Camp Adair near Corvallis, OR. It seems in 1940, the U.S. knew we were going to be in a war and started looking for terrain similar to Germany. They chose the Adair site in 1941. Construction started in 1942. At its peak it was the second largest city in OR with a population of 40,000.

Other infantry divisions training there included the 91st “Powder River,’ the 96th “Deadeye” and the 104th “Timberwolf.” Any of these units sound familiar to you?

Training had been cut short in the U.S. for the 70th. Their baptism of fire occurred at Philippsbourg, France (on map) starting New Years Eve 1944 during the worst winter weather in 40 years (average daily highs of +7 degrees).

By January 10th, the regiment had suffered about 500 KIA, wounded or MIA -- January 2, 1945, according to a book, “the 275th was severely mauled by a German counterattack.” January 3, he got separated from his unit and headed for the hills for a day and a night trying to link up again. January 4th, he tried to avoid a German, but ran into five others and captured. The first thing they wanted to know is if he had any cigarettes!

He was sent off to Stalag 9A. The camp was librated March 30 (Good Friday).

We still have the series of telegrams our G-Mother received from the War Department to report he was MIA, his POW status and eventual release.

As a side note, in 1940 Francois Mitterand was at the same camp and forty years later became President of France. He tried several escape attempts before succeeding in 1941.

Due to the severe housing shortage at the end of the war, the camp was taken over by Germans and is now the town of Trutzhain where some of the barracks still exist and used as residences.

[jmacusa]

Read the story of what happened to the American 66th. Division on Christmas Eve 1944. Truly sad.

[Twinkie]

Thank you for your interesting post on WWII. Also, thanks to your family for the part you played in the struggle; and a struggle it was, too. - There’s an immense amount of history from that war; and I think it’s impossible to know it all. Daddy once said there were times when they were fighting Hitler’s elite troops that they didn’t know if they were going to be able to win that war. But, they came out of basic training prepared to storm hell with a bucket of water. - If this country keeps dilly-dallying with the likes of Obama or Hillary - the Clintons in general, at least half of the country any road; they’re going to throw away all that the soldiers from the Revolution gained in forming this country.

[SampleMan]

I wonder if I’m the only one on this thread who has shot rifle grenades at American tanks, in France?

You've got me there, but I bet you haven't sat in an Argentine Super Etendard with the HMS Sheffield painted on the side.

[centurion316]

They did great work, especially dropping the bridge at Stavelot; but, the real story is how many small units acting independently contributed to the delays while the defense was reset.

[jmacusa]

Yes they are.

[jmacusa]

In a way it was. We were good(white) and the Nazis were evil(black).