The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Pearl Harbor - Dec. 7, 2002

Naval Historial Center ^

[MistyCA]

That's very special. I believe twins are one of God's most precious gifts!

[ntrulock]

I was in the Army Security Agency from 1970-1973. Served on the czech border at an ASA site.

[M Kehoe]

Great work. Thanks for the ping.

Never forget.

5.56mm

[buckalfa]

My 16 year child had the rare opportunity to participate
with the high school band representing WV at the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The site and ceremonies effected her deeply. Although our youth no longer seem
to care, rest assured that the memory of that day will
live in on in future generations of Americans.

[Jen]

Hi there GatorNavy. There's a new Foxhole thread each day. Just look for your ping, or use the link or button on FR's main page.

[Vic3O3]

There's a fascinating book about the salvage work done post-raid, called Descent into Darkness. Can't recall the author, but well worth the read!

[Chemist_Geek]

Thanks for the Background on the U.S.S Arizona, aomagrat.

I believe she's still carried on the active rolls in the Navy.

She was never decomissioned, although she was stricken from the active list in 1942.

[richardtavor]

Please take me off your ping list.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the clarification.

[PsyOp]

"I can't believe the Germans tried to push Armor through there and in the middle of the winter yet."

You really can't unless you use the roads and fire-breaks. That's why the 101st holding out a Bastogne was so important, and key to stalling the German advance since it straddled a major road junction. The importance of those roads is why the Germans used commandos dressed as Army MP's to mis-direct traffic. Their job was to keep the roads clear by sending allied traffic away from the axis of advance."

The Germans thought they would breeze through all those green units that were holding the sector, which is essentially what happened till the 101 showed up (my old unit). If not for that stand at Bastogne, the offensive might well have succeeded.

[PsyOp]

"I can't picture Patton sounding as anyone but George C. Scott ever since they made that movie."

Niether can I. Funny thing is, I've heard recordings of Patton speaking, and his voice was a couple octaves higher than Scott's. It's kinda funny, but George C. Scott sounds more like what you'd imagine Patton should sound like than Patton himself.

[SAMWolf]

Yep. Patton had a "high squeeky" voice compare to Georgr C Scott.

[PsyOp]

"it is staggering to think how a fortified wall was thought to be so impregnable and impervious to a Blitzkrieg offensive."

Especially when leave the flanks wide open and count on the goodwill of the Germans not to invade your neighbors in order to get to you. The French learned nothing from WWI. The Germans followed exactly the same route into france in 1940 that they used 1914! If they were going to build a fortification it should have been on their border with Belgium - just to make sure the Germans used the front door next time around. ;-]

[SAMWolf]

Not taking anything away from the 101st, but the stand at ST.Vith put a big crimp in the German plans and the 82nd bottled up Peiper's Column pretty well to hold the North.

The story of the 101 at Bastonge is fascinating reading.

[PsyOp]

"the stand at ST.Vith put a big crimp in the German plans and the 82nd bottled up Peiper's Column pretty well to hold the North."

It's been awhile since I refreshed myself on the particulars of the German plan of attack for the Ardennes, but as I recall, they had three route through that sector (all relying on the available road networks). I believe Bastogne was in the path of the center axis of advance, which resulted in the Germans trying to divert bottle-necked troops and vehicles to the other routes while they tried to reduce bastogne and force a path around it.

I recall reading that the speed bump the 101 put in their way allowed the forces at St. Vith to organize properly to meet the attack. How important that was to the defense there I am not sure. It was more important than in the North where the 82d defended.

As the first major road-block in the German advance though, I think it safe to say that it had a ripple effect that gave other units further down the line of march to recover and re-organize in the defense (again, not as much of a factor for a veteran unit like the 82d).

It's also important to remember that in those other instances the units were not cut-off from their supply lines, and surrounded on all sides for an extended period of time.

[SAMWolf]

You're correct, the St.Vith pocket was able to pull back out of the "Fortified Goose Egg".

Bastonge was the critical round juncture in the Ardennes, major roads and rail lines went in all directions from there. The Germans also had to waste troops trying to reduce Bastonge. St. Vith was bypassed early but Bastonge was harder to bypass, it had to be taken.

The 101st get there just in the nick of time to deny it to the Germans.

[Jen]

OK, thanks for letting me know.

[PsyOp]

"The 101st get there just in the nick of time to deny it to the Germans."

When you step back from the particulars and look at the scale of the gamble the Germans took, how well planned and executed, it boggles the mind to think that one of the largest armoured assaults in the history of warfare was basically denied victory by a couple of Airborne Divisions - the 101st and the remnants of a few units that fought beside them.

By denying a timely breakthrough they won the battle.

If you want to read a good book about the european theater that takes a more strategic view, Stephan Ambrose's "The Victors" is a good read.

[Ciexyz]

I always remember my Dad on December 7th. He told the story about how he was at Penn State studying with his fellow engineering students when news of the attack came on the radio. He described how they all knew at that moment that they were going to war, that this was it. Soon after, my Dad enlisted in the Penn State ROTC and went on an accelerated academic program, and then entered into active duty. He served stateside.

[SAMWolf]

I thank your dad for his service. Doesn't matter where he served, he served and that's what counts.