THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION • VETERANS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, INC. VOLUME XVII NUMBER 4 THE ARDENNES CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 1998 / Mark your NEWPORT NEWS, YA YB0B1 Calendar / ANNUAL REUNION SEPTEMBER 23-26, 1999 DHAILS NEXT ISSUE VE' ERANS OF THE Renato Victor Trapani •CALIFORNIA' •IOWA* MOHAWK VALLEY (XXVIII) SCUTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BATTLE OF THE BULGE. 4268 Quartermaster Truck FRESNO (V) IOWA (XXXIV) Francis C^lesnlck 315-724-1687 (XI.V) Kanneth Hohmann 209-227-5232 Pius p. F^eis 712-368-2335 10733 Cosby Marxw Rd (Tc> be announced) 717-898-2036 Company (Heavy) INC. 4111 N. Sherman St RR 1, Box 114 Utica, NY 13502-2003 F.O. Box 11129 Robert F. Phillips Fiesno, CA 93726 Holstein, lA 51025 •RHODE ISLAND* 28th Infantry Divsion HUDSON VALLEY (UX) RHODE ISLAND (XXIV) Arling:on, VA 22210-2129 Two years: GEN. GEORGE: S. PATTON, JR. (XIII) HAWKE VE STATE (XLIV) Alvin Cohen 518-436-7994 Wi liam Gaynor 401-437-1297 703-528-4058 Donald C. Stafford 408-662-0472 Harold R. Lindstrom 515-278-0081 38 JoAnne Ct PC Box 164 Richard G. Guenter 101 Via Soderini 4105 75lii St. Albany. NY 12209 Warren, Rhode island 02885 511th Engineer Light Ponton Company ADtos, CA 95003 Des Moi-es, lA 50322-2551 John Bowen STATEN ISLAND (Ul) -SOUTH CAROUNA Publishtd quarterly, THE Associate Member GOLDEN GATE (X) •MARYLAND-DC- John R. Ccipano 718-948-2615 SOUTH CAROLINA (VII) BULGE BUGLE is the official Curtis L. Ivey John W. Sullivan 41S681-3596 MARYUVND/D.C. (Ill) 18 ParkwoDd Ave Rooert J. Mitchell 803-55iJ-5040 publication of the Veterans of 1880 16th Ave Sydney J. Lawrence 301-277-1454 Staten Island. NY 10309 7737 Linsley St 90th Infantry Divsion the Batte of the Bulge. San Francisco, CA 94122-4540 4008 Hanilton St. Charieston, SC 29418-3229 One year: Hyattsvill.5. MD 2078M84I GENESSEE VALLEY (LVIl) Publishsr/Chief Editor: Frederick R. Camiichael SDUT>1ERN CAIJFORNIA (XVI) Richard W Brookins 716-586-4642 •TEXAS- 87th Infantry Divsion Godfrey Harris 818-889-3323 ■ MASSACHUSETTS' 139 Woodcreek Dr GREATER HOUSTON (XXVII) George Chekan 4209 Abbington Ct CENTR/kL MASSACHUSETTS [XXII) Pittsford, MY 14534-4429 James C Burtr>er 713-78::l-6149 Frances W. Doherty 9th Infantry Division VN'estlake Village CA 91361 John E. iMcAuliffe 5C6-754-7183 10312 Briar Forest Dr. Associate Member Contributing Editors: 425 Pleasant St. •MORTH CAROLINA- Houston, TX 77042-2407 Robert F. Phillips Peter F. Dounis SAN DIEGO (LI) Worcester, MA 01609 NORTH CAROUNA (IX) 75th Infantry Divsion RDbert D. Schnall William R. Strickland 910-897-8295 EAST TEXAS (XXXVII) 28th Infantry Division 2530 San Joaqjin Ct -MICHIGAN- R.D. #3, Box #514 (0 l>e announced) Historical Research: San Diego, California 92109 WEST MIICHIGAN (XXIII) Dunn. NC 28334 John D. Bowen Maurice C. Cole 616-879-4040 AL^MO (XLVI) Associate Member P 0. Bo>: 81 •NORTH DAKOTA- John Hamilton (512-696-1904) HISTORICAL FOUNDATfON: •CONNECTICUT- Fife Lake Ml 49633 NORTH DAKOTA (XX) 9606 Tioga Drive CONNECnCUT YANKEE (XL) George K. Peterson 701-363-2488 San Antonio. TX 78269-1904 President: William T. Greenville R chard Egan 203-634-0974 GREAT LAKES (XXI) R.R. 2. Box 107 86th Chemical Mortar Bat;alion ELECTKD OFFICERS: 79 Alcove St (Upper Michigan-Wisconsin) McClusky. ND 58463-9592 LONE STAR (L) President: Meriden, CT 0<5451 Gregory C. Walker 715-732-2957 Chijuncy L Harris 523 Temace Ave. PO Box 112474 George C. Linthicum Marinettcj Wl 54143 -OHIO- CaiTollton. TX 75011-2474 26th Infantry Division VBOB PAST PRESIDENTS: •COLORADO* BLANCHARD VALLEY (XUI) Executi/e Vice President: Clyde D. Boden* 1981-84 ROCKY MOUNTAIN (XXXIX) -MlSSlSStPPI- Melray E. Alrich 419-422-1544 •VERMONT-MEW HAIMPSHIRE-'VIANE- Demetri (Dee) Paris Robert J. VanHouten 1984-86 M, Dale McCall 970-926-5072 MISSISSIPPI (XXXIII) 2004 siiverstone TRI-STATE-VERMONT. NEW PO Box 936 James W Hunt 601-328-8959 Findlay, OH 45840-7316 HAMPSHIRE. MAINE (XVtl) 9th Armored Division George Chekan 1983-88 V.ail, CO 8165B 2502 Magnolia Cir Rojjer Desjardins 603--532-6420 Vice Pn^sident/Membership: William T. Greenville 1983-90 CotumbuK, MS 39701-1912 BUCKEYE (XXIX) 4 Forest Park Est. Thomas F. Jones Darrell Kuhn 1990-92 Milan A. Rolik 330-867-2061 Jaflrey, NH 03452 818th Combat MP Company William R. Hemphill* 1992-93 •FLORIDA- •MISSOURI­ 1278 Culp€!pper Dr CENTRAL FLORIDA (XVIII) GATEWAY (XXV) Akron. OH 44313-6840 •VIRGINIA^ Vice Prjsident/Chapters: William P. Tayman 1993-94 Norman W. Sc^loor>over 904-357-5583 W. Kent $;tephens 618-344-1616 NORTHERN VIRGINIA (XV) Richard C. Schlenker Grover C. Twiner 1994-95 2377 Orange Ca;)ital Ct 107 Bljfl\’lew Lane GEN. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Eva. M Popovich 703-521-5793 26th Infantry Division Stanley Wojtusik 1995-98 E'jstis, FL 3272B-5906 Collinsvilla, IL 62234 (XXXV) 16C0 S Eads St #238-South Vice Preiident/Mllltary Affairs: ‘Deceased (To be announced) Artington, VA 22202-2905 Elturino L. Loiacono FLORIDA CITFUS (XXXII) -NEW JERSEY- Gsrald V. Myers 941-686-2121 NEW JEFtSEY (XII) NORTH COAST OHIO (XXXVI) CRATER (XUII) 10th Armored Division 302 E Palm Dr Anthony W. Andriola 201-667-9363 Edwin J. Stock 216-731-1258 W Baxter Perkinson 804-590-1185 Vice Preiident/Public Affairs: CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Lakeland, FL 33803-2650 33 Clover St. 27101 Edgiacliff Dr 9441 W River Rd. Stanley Wojtusik Nutley MJ 07110 Euclid. Oh 44132 Maioaca. VA 23803-1019 (Alphabetical by State) 106th Infantry Division INDIAN RIVER FLORIDA (XLI) Alfred J. Babeck 561-664-0962 PICATTIMNY (LIV) •WASHINGTON^ Treasurer: Peter F. Leslie -ALABAMA* 9' 5 Hemlcck St Louise Vein Assen 90B-689-8466 •PENNSYLVANIA* NORTHWEST (VI) 511th Engneer Light Ponton Company GEN. GEORGE S. PATTON, JR. (XI) Barefoot Bay. FL 32976-7322 3 Christina PI DELAWARE VALLEY (IV) Luther S, Winsor 206-U57-5050 Corresponding Secretary: Wallace A. Swanson 205-785-9542 WashingbDn, NJ 07882-846(5 Stanley A. Wojtusik 215-637-4191 12705 95th Avenue, NW Dorothy S. Davis 845 Fairfax Dr GOLDEN TRIANGLE (XLVIII) 9639 Wissinoming St Gig Harbor, WA 98239 57th Field Hospital Fairfield, AL 35064 William Patterson 352-383-3410 LEHIGH VALLEY (LV) Philadelphia, PA 19114-3104 4' 00 Dorawood Dr Peter F. Leslie 908-689-6037 •WISCONSIN* Recording Secretary: •ARIZONA* Mt. Dora, FL 32757 PO Box 41 SUSQUEHANNA (XIX) NORTHERN WISCONSIN (I) Louis Cunningham ARIZONA (XXVI) Changewater, NJ 07831-00-41 Ms. Clara Gustm 717-342^96 Bob Holster 715-842-1817 106th Infantry Division (To be announced) 230 Crown Ave. 28C8 Franklin St. • •••• •SNDIANA* FORT MONMOUTH (LVI) Scranton. PA 18505-2016 Wajsau, Wl 54401 S0U*mERN ARIZONA (Llll) NORTHERN INDIANA (XXX) Peter F L eslie 90B-689-6037 Administrative Director: Vernon L. Bloomer 520-74S-1197 John E. Delmerico 219-462-9077 PO Box 41 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA (XIV) Nancy C. Monson 4956 N Valle Rd 1452 Sherwood Dr Changewater, NJ 07831-0041 John DiBatiista 724-837-3755 703-528-4058 Tucson, AZ 35750-9702 Valparaiso, IN 46385 923 Orchard Ave CONTACT THE CHAPTER IN YOUR ■NEW YORK- Greenburg, PA 15601 AREA. YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID. *BELGIUU- CENTRAL INDIANA (XLVII) CENTRAL NEW YORK (II) TRUSTEES: ST\i FUSILIERS OF BELGIUM (XXXVIII) GDfdon R Wire 317-881-1015 James D<>Palma 315-457-0599 OHIO VALwEY (XXXI) Three > ears: Roger Hardy (50) 41 71.13 7:W5 S Lirdenwcod Dr 104 Saslon Park Dr John V. Miller, Jr 412-846-9776 Sydney J. Lawrence 14, Landdijk Indianapolis, IN 46227 Liverpoo.NY 13088-6450 20 Old OaV Dr S THE BULGE BUGLE 134th AAA Gun Battalion 8370 Blanl>enberge. Belgium Beaver Falis, PA 15010-3022 November 19P8 that our battle will remain in the pages of American history. President’s Message You were there and nobody can tell our story better than you. Speaking of making our mark, 1 am very happy to report that thanks to the efforts of Pete Leslie in the formation of three new 1 would like to begin this message with a word of thanks. I chapters and Richard W. Brookins, we are now up to 57 thank you all for the support and help I have received this past chapters. Richard put together the Genessee Valley Chapter in year as your president, and to say thank you for the vote of the Rochester area of New York State and Pete formulated three confidence at our annual reunion by re-electing me to serve this new chapters: Lehigh Valley (Allentown-Easton-Bethlehemarea coming year, the 55th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. of Pennsylvania); Fort Monmouth Chapter and Picatinny Chapter 1 also want to speak for all of (both in New Jersey). We all join in welcoming these new units our members when 1 say a special and their members to VBOB and wish them success in getting word of thanks to John Sullivan, the word out about the battle in the Ardennes. president of the Golden Gate We will soon be adding another monument to those already Chapter, and chairman of the 18th dedicated. This will be placed by the World War II Historic Annual Reunion in San Francisco Preservation Federation, the group which reenacts the Battle of over the Labor Day weekend. the Bulge each January at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania, John and his committees’ members home of the 28th Division. I’m sure most of you know the worked tirelessly to make our visit historic stand the GI’s of the 28th made at the start of the Bulge. to sunny California memorable. The dedication will take place Friday afternoon, January 29, The San Francisco area lived up 1999. Details will be found in this issue. We hope many of you / f to that slogan as the sun smiled will turn out for the ceremony. down as we rededicated the plaque In closing let me wish you and your families a happy holiday on the Golden Gate Chapter’s season, and sincere best wishes for a happy and healthy 1999. memorial, and dedicated the new ELECTION OF 1998-99 OFFICERS Battle of the Bulge history trail at George C. Linthicum Miley Veterans At the General Membership Meeting in San Francisco, September 6, Administration Medical Center overlooking the Pacific. 1998, the following officers were elected for the 1998-99 fiscal year; I know I went away from San Francisco "pumped up" as our President—George C. Linthicum grandchildren say. I was impressed with the work being done by 26th Infantry Division Executive Vice President—John Dunleavy the chapters around the country to preserve the memory of our 5th Infantry Division, 737th Tank Battalion battle in the Ardennes 54 years ago. Vice President, Membership—Thomas F. Jones The Battle of the Bulge Trail, which I mentioned earlier, had 818th Combat Military Police Company signs along the trail leading to the bay, marking important towns Vice President, Chapters & Regions—Richard C. Schlenker of the Bulge action, starting with St. Vith, Stavelot, Malmedy 106th Infantry Division and Bastogne. More are expected to be added and it is hoped Vice President, Military Affairs—Stanley A. Wojtusik the trail will help those who walk it to remember the sacrifices 106th Infantry Division American men and women made in the Ardennes. Vice President, Public Affairs—John J. Hyland I think this is a very creative idea, and perhaps some of our 84th Infantry Division chapters would want to set up similar trails in their area. It is Treasurer—William P. Tayman another way to pass our heritage along to future generations. 87th Infantry Division Corresponding Secretary—Dorothy S. Davis At our closing banquet, I offered the suggestions that we start 57th Field Hospital a new tradition by proudly displaying the American Flag from Recording Secretary—Louis Cunningham December 16th to January 25th, and encourage our families, 106th Infantry Division friends and neighbors to fly theirs in memory of our battle. Trustees (Three Years) More and more of our chapters are "getting the word out" Sidney J. Lawrence about our organization by taking part in civic ceremonies and 134th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion parades around Veterans Day and December 16th. The publicity Renato Victor Trapani we are getting from these events is drawing new members, both 4268th Quartermaster Truck Company (Heavy) veteran members and associate members. Robert F. Phillips I know the annual Battle of the Bulge Historical Foundation 28th Infantry Division "RemembranceandCommemoration" ceremony at Arlington Na­ Congratulations to these fine men and our sincere thanks for your dedicated service. tional Cemetery December 16th, at the Tomb of the Unknowns reminds the American people what we endured 54 years ago. IN TH fS ISSU E You will find more information on the ceremony and the annual banquet elsewhere in this issue. It is always a moving event so 3. President’s Message 16. Bulge Incidents I hope many of you will be able to join us for our anniversary. 4. Letters to the Editor 19. BURE-January 3-5, 1945 If you are unable to be with us in Arlington, 1 hope you are 7. An Open Letter 21. Stavelot Gas Dump 8. Escape From Massacre planning now for your own chapter ceremony, and that you give 23. A Gl's General 9. Bulge Medal of Honor ample notice to your newspapers, radio and television news 10. The Ghost Front 24. Members Speak Out departments so that you can get publicity before the event, and 11. San Francisco Reunion 26. 54th Anniversary media coverage at your ceremony. Maybe you can invite your 12. Annual Business Meeting 28. More “Ultra” local schools to take part, or to have their students attend. 13. Bulge Certificate 30 Bulge Reenactment My slogan for this year has been "Let’s Make Our Mark," so 14. Pictoral Highlights 31. Items For Sale m t BULGE BUGLE November 1998 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Churchill stated that: 'The truth was to be surrounded by A Body Guard of Lies." Also an excellent book on ULTRA. In his book A Man Called Intrepid, John Stephenson nnentions, The SERVICE IN A CUMbAT OUTFIT Boys at Bletchley Park who were responsible for all messages, including Having just read "the 1998-99 Proposed Slate of VBOB Officers," I notice ULTRA intercepts. A classic deception was "the man who never was" that, excepting one veteran of the 737th Tank Battalion, none are prior to our invasion of Sicily. Also an excellent movie with Clifton Webb. identified as having ever served in a combat outfit. Note that having We used Patton and FUSAG (Fourth United States Army Group) belonged to an "infantry division" does not imply that someone was even opposite the Pas de Calais to pin German amior. in the "infantry" (a point emphasized in my previous letter) or any other In the article in The Bulge Bugle, the author states, " an overreliance combat "arms," all "divisions" including essentially non-combatant on ULTRA as the ultimate' intelligence source." Just how important was "services." ULTRA to Allied victory? Rather than compromise ULTRA, we did not One proposed officer is identified non-sensically as a veteran of "the warn Staun of "Operation Barbarose." The people of Coventry were left 818th Combat Military Police Company," this reminding me that former to themselves Actor Leslie Howard was sacrificed for ULTRA. D-Day rear-echelon engineer troops developed a habit of using the term "combat succeeded with the help of ULTRA. Patton used ULTRA intercepts to engineers" as misuse of "CE," standing for the "Corps of Engineers." protect his right flank and the FFI in his vonSchliffen wheel through Likewise. CMP (Corps of Military Police) veterans seem to be misusing Avaranches, to Falaise, LeMons, and the Seine. this too. It must be remembered that any intelligence, including UITRA has a I note that a BOB veteran is identified as having belonged to "the 112th short lived time. It is the duty of the G Sections to gather, evaluate, and Infantry. 3rd Battalion, Company C." this being highly unlikely. A apprise the commander of what that intelligence probably means. The regiment’s first battalion, consisted of companies A, B, C, D; the 2nd Bulge was not the only breakdown. During "Operation Market-Garden" battalion of E, F, G, H; the third battalion of I, I, L. M. (D, H and M being we failed to note a German panzer division sent to Arnhem for rest and heavy weapons companies) Other companies were Headquarters the British 6th Airborne Division jumped right into their lap. Yet all of the Service, Cannon, Anti-tank and such. allied deceptions paid off during "Operation Market-Garden." A complete Normally a soldier indicates his "organization" membership by giving: set of battle plans fell into German hands but by now they were so company (battery or troop), regiment, division, and field army. Thus he skeptical of any information, they disregarded the plans as a false plant. skips his ephenr»era! nTembership in "units" (at least as defined in the old Think how the Battle of the Little Big Horn River, of which Custer’s Last days): platoon, battalion (or cavalry squadron), brigade (as in the old Stand was a part, [would have been] had he had better intelligence. "square" divisions), and army-corps. Such "units" have only tactical Another contributing factor was the closer we came to Germany, the less significance, whereas the administrative and supply chain normally friendly civilians we encountered. We were almost taken in at the Yaiu involves only "organizations " However, in WWH there were separate River in Korea. battalions in some divisions, whereas today there are "brigades" instead During the Persian Gulf War, General Schwartzkoff used the air assault of the old VWVIl "regimental combat teams." to take away Saddam Hussein’s eyes and ears so he could execute a Willis Case Rowe vonSchliffen hook. 12 ARMDD 17 AIB HQ It is the responsibility of modern CIA to prevent another Pearl Harbor or [While I am sure many of our members may respond to this letter, Bulge. Like it or not, Hitler did to us the same thing we had been doing the position of this organization is that aii who sen/ed in the Battie to him for some time of the Bulge are equal: no matter rank and no matter whether their Howard Peterson sen/ice was on the front line or in a supporting role.] 4 ARMDD 51 AIB CCA FAITH IN THE ENIGMA IT’S IRONIC If I may, I would like to comment on "The Enigma Machine-Not So I thought it ironic that the August 1998 issue of The Bulge Bugle ’ULTRA’" article which appeared on page 28 of the August, 1998, Bulge contained both an article on revisionist history ("Are You Doing Your Part Bugle in which the author condemns the Allies for allegedly overestimated to Halt Revisionists?"), and an example of same (Mitchell Kaidy’s story, ULTRA intercepts and at the same time the author condemns the Allies "Who Really Liberated Bastogne?"). because we didn't put more faith in ULTRA intercepts and therefore In his article on the liberation of Bastogne, Mr Kaidy demonstrates that should not have been "surprised’' in the Ardennes. he has succumbed to the spell of revisionist history. Like so many According to Sun Tzu in his treatise The Art of War {area 500-600 B C.) modern writers on the "Bulge," Mr. Kaidy is attempting to white-wash the and later Carl vonClausewitz’s theories On War, both agree that in war, canvas of December 1944 and January 1945-which was painted with the surprise is the greatest strategical and tactical advantage one can blood of comrades-in-arms from numerous units-and to repaint the story achieve. Surprise is achieved through deception and that tickiest of an of the liberation of Bastogne with the brushes of revisionism, inaccuracy, females. Lady Chance. Deception can be a physical act or a spoken and self-aggrandizement. word, or both. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of surprise and A truer account of Bastogne’s liberation-and the roles which the 87th deception was the Trojan Horse. A classic example of Chance was the Infantry Division and 11th Armored Division olaved in that action-can be Remagen Bridge found in Combat Divisions of World War II, which was published by the To achieve surprise, one needs intelligence, RELIABLE intelligence Army Times shortly after the war. information. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the British, wary of In this book, we find a contemporary-and historically accurate- Communism, began to secretly gather information about them. When war portrayal of the llth’s work to relieve Bastogne in the winter of ’44-’45. clouds gathered over Europe, the British used deception by having civilian "Debarking on the Normandy beaches, the 11th immediately passenger aircraft equipped with hidden cameras, and flying different lunched forward in a forced march that speeded them to routes, mapped a large area between the Channel and Berlin. Neufchateau, Belgium, by midnight of the day they landed. They One way to gain intelligence is by the use of spies, like Mata Hari. We arrived in the nick of time, for the following day they launched an had "Madeline." who gave the ultimate sacrifice and has a plaque in attack which saved the vital highway linking Bastogne with Washington. DC. honoring that sacrifice. We also had "Cynthia." And Neufchateau. It will be recalled that Bastogne was one of the hottest then there was the (in)famous "Cicero." There are two excellent movies spots in the ‘Battle of the Bulge."' about our spies during WWII. "OSS"" with Alan Ladd and "13 Rue Surely this cannot be the same armored division that Mr Kaidy Madaleine" with James Cagney. describes in his article, and which he paints as being "stalled" and Prior to WWII, American diplomats were concerned that, "Gentlemen do ’’faltered" with his brush of revisionist history! not read other gentlemen’s mail." Soon after December 7, 1941, "Wild We also find in this book that, "...the 87th was chosen by General Patton Bill" Donavan of WWi fame was placed in charge of our OSS. (William as one of the units to meet and smash vonRundstedt’s drive (emphasis Casey. Director of the CIA during the Iran-Contra affair, was a Donavan added." Contrary to the statements made by Mr Kaidy in his article, the protege.) 87th was not the only unit that played a decisive role in the liberation of Immediately after Dunkirk, to mask England's vulnerability. Winston Bastogne. Bastogne’s survival was (Continued on Page S) THE BULGE BUGLE November 1998 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR awarded for actions during the Ardennes campaign. The citations tell the story better than any reconstruction that I could provide, so I present the citations here in their entirety. [They appear elsewhere in this issue.] due to critical contributions from many units--and credit for its liberation So when somebody asks a question like "Who Really Liberated t>elongs to all those who partook in the efforts to relieve that city. Bastogne," one answer is "every soldier who went through frozen hell that Mr. Kaidy would do well to heed the words of the author of the August winter in the Ardennes." Some units are better known than others; some article on revisionist history, who stated that. "No one should ever be got recognition while others got anonymity. But all contributed to the allowed to change history...the sacrifices have been too deep." Mr. Kaidy eventual victory, and the VBOB is doing a wonderful job of rediscovering would also do well to remember that the liberation of Bastogne was a their forgotten stories. team effort--and that the blood of all units involved in that action can Anyone who is interested in learning more about the 6th Armored never be whitewashed by revisionism, inaccuracy, orself-aggrandizement. Division and the role it played in the ardennes and the other four major Patrick J. Kearney Northern European Campaigns is invited to check out the web page at: 11 ARMDD 55 AIB http://members.aol.com/super6th/ Bruce Frederick Son of Arthur M. Frederick A WORD OF THANKS 6 ARMDD 212 AFA HQ I and my family wish to thank all of you for the sacrifices made during this [Well said, Bruce.] battle. And we’ll never forget you. I was 11 years old when the war was over. I remember those sacrifices and try to make sure none of you are forgotten. Some Americans Forget NOT ALL THE SAME so easily. God bless all of you. I have just read an article in The Bugle entitled "Ceremonies held at Joyce R. Springer Malmedy Monument." American historians have a way of wrapping everyone in the same blanket. As to your article-it was a very small unit from the 1st SS NOT FORGOTTEN BY ALL Panzer Division that took part in the killing of the American soldiers at I enjoyed reading "Who Really Liberated Bastogne?" In the August 1998 Malmedy. This was not the norm for most units of the W-ss. It should edition of The Bulge Bugle. not read "by members of the German SS Troops" but by the unit itself Many under-credited units played major-but-forgotten roles in the The W-ss were some of the finest soldiers in the world. You might want Ardennes Campaign, and one of The Bugle's most important functions is to ask the American Heroes of the Bulge which American unit it was who to provide a mechanism for getting those unknown stories told. caught and hung German paratroopers to trees during that battle. I am, however, disappointed whenever such a story belittles or My country seems to have a very biased view of what history is all minimizes the contributions of another unit. There is plenty of credit and about. history to go around without taking away from those units that have been Bob Queen fortunate enough to receive the recognition they deserved over the past 53 years. I would like to document here the story of another important but TWISTING HISTORY deservedly little-publicized unit: the "Super Sixth" 6th Armored Division. A small portion of my memoirs appeared in Steven Ambrose’s Citizen My father, who I never really knew, was a lieutenant in the Super Sixth’s Soldier. There were several mistakes made wherein 1 was Pvt, PFC, and 212th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He died in 1972, and over the Corporal all at the same time, and I also was in the 99th and the 106th years I had very little luck in learning more about these units. Fortunately, at the same time. Also, the author assumed some facts that were not I discovered the 6th Armored Division Association about three years ago, true. History sure gets twisted when a writer wants to make a story. I and in that time have come to understand just was a great division this have written to him with the corrections and his staff has acknowledged. wa, and what a major role it played in holding and then clearing out the I have spoken several times to children’s groups and to fraternal southern shoulder of the Bulge. organizations. It is gratifying to receive their exuberant responses and The Super Sixth’s anonymity has several causes. Perhaps foremost, the their in depth questions. One question, I must mention, was the 5th division’s well-respected commanding general, Major General Robert S. grader who asked me if I knew Colonel Klink. Most young people relate Grow, was more interested infighting the war than in grabbing headlines, to TV programs, such as "Hogan's Heroes" and really do not know, nor and he didn’t pay as much attention to public relations as did some of his are they taught, about the heroes of WWII. peers. Second, the 6th was committed relatively late in the campaign: Roger V. Foehhnger they were the last Third Army division to be extracted from the Saar and 99 INFD 924 FA BN SVC moved north to Bastogne, where It finally attacked on New Year’s Eve. Many people with little direct connection to the Ardennes Campaign seem to think that fighting died out after the tide began to turn after HEY, WHAT ABOUT THE 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION? Christmas. Even an official of the Ranger Battalions Association recently I have seen only one article that mentions the 4th Division and it was from commented to me during a discussion of an unrelated topic, "Wasn’t the a medic in the 22nd. The 12th Infantry went into the Hurtgen Forest on Bulge pretty much over by December 31st?" November 6th-we were on the attack until we were pulled out and sent Any veteran of the 6th Armored Division would undoubtedly be both to Luxembourg for a rest on December 9th. We received no replacement amused and frustrated to hear that people think the Bulge was "pretty before December 16. However we were able to hold against a much much over" on January 4, 1945, when the division encountered one of its larger force. There was no fighting tougher than the forest-in constant worst days of its 9 months in combat in the ETO. On that day, an attack. estimated six German divisions threw everything they had at the Super Sixth in its position just northeast of Bastogne. I heard one general say that if you accomplished your mission that was what you were supposed to do. but if you didn’t you made history. There A great deal of credit for saving the day during this period is given to the division artillery battalions. On January 4 alone, the 212th AFA fired were some units that made history. Fred P. Sullivan 3,222 rounds. The division ammunition officer distributed well over 100,000 rounds of 105 mm howitzer ammunition for the period 16 4 INFD 12 INF 1 BN C [Glad to mention the 4th. Again, we say, you must submit information for December through 12 January-about four times more than the previous it to be included.] month. Historian Dr. George Hofmann has described this period of the Bulge as "one of the great artillery battles of the war." For the next three weeks, the Super Sixth pushed forward toward the Skyline Drive. Division losses during the campaign amounted to 305 PUBLIC RELATIONS FROM THE ‘DUCKMOBILE’ killed, 1,237 wounded. The division captured 2,254 prisoners during the You may like to know that the monument to the memory of our Bulge same period. comrades we placed on the Hyannis, Massachusetts, green in September It’s also telling that both medals of honor awarded to Super Sixers were 1996 is in good hands and well cared o. Fage 6) THE BULGE BUGLE November 1998 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and had a lot of questions asked especially from fifth grand through junior (Continued from Page S) high school students. Unfortunately I had to take some time off in a battle with cancer, but for, as is the shrubbery. My good friend. Charlie Gallri, of the 28th used that time to build a chest for my army records and mementos which Division, who lives in East Falnnouth always checks it when in town. He I can carry along and show more effectively. I carried this along to our atso makes it a point to place flowers or a wreath on December 16th, last North Dakota Chapter meeting in May and also had the pleasure of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. speaking to a couple of my grandchildren's classes in Pierre, South In August I spent four days at my niece's house with her little niece and Dakota. I certainly think the children seem to get a lot out of it and think nephew in the town of East Sandwich [Massachusetts] They wanted a that it is well worth the effort. I am sorry I didn't start sooner. ride in the "Duckmobile," a World War II land/water vehicle, now Oliver Tveit converted for recreation purposes. We signed up for a ride.... 7 ARMDD 40 TK BN HQ John, the able skipper and driver gave us a tour of the harbor pointing out the various boats leaving for Nantucket. .. Tim, his co-pilot kept us all informed of the various sites passed on our land/water tour/cruise. His TOWED PIPER CUB jovial banter was to take the edge off any would be ‘light-headed’ land I read James Lendrum’s, 740th Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters, lubbers. letter in your August, 1998, Bulge Bugle with interest, I wonder If the After a swing around the harbor, we made for the ramp up Ocean Piper Cub Lendrum saw being towed belonged to the 370th Field Artillery Avenue, along the dock side and cocktail lounges and then swung around Battalion, of which I was an air observer. on to Main Street at the east end of town. As luck would have it the On December 17th, we flew off of our strip in Bulligen, just as it was Duckmobile passed in front of the statue of lanoagh, the Indian for whom getting light. As the air strip was under fire from tanks (artillery and the town of Hyannis was named. Tim pointed it out to us mariners, now machine guns) the planes took nff whenever and wherever they could get landlubbetb aboard, but on a line directly over lanoagh's shouider, about up airspeed. We were able to fly 9 of our 10 planes out. Had to leave 30 feet beyond, stood our magnificent Battle of the Bulge monument. one because the pilot. Captain Joe Wecherle, had been grounded after With the opportunity at hand, I reached for my wallet and produced my an accident and hadn’t been put back on flying status. Central Massachusetts Chapter card which introduces me as [chapter] We ended up at Eupen, Belgium. The next day, the 18th, we were president. I wasted no tinne going up to Tim when getting off, introduced fogged in. In an effort to get a plane flying we (Chuck Proctor, pilot; Clark myself and asked if he knew what that stone was behind lanoagh. He Zehner, mechanic; a driver-machine gunner; and myself) took the wings said, "Yes. It’s a veterans monument." I said, "Right. It’s the Battle of and propeller off the fuselage of one of our Piper Cubs. We loaded the the Bulge monument, honoring the greatest battle ever fought by the wings and propeller on our 3/4 ton, secured the tail of the fuselage over American Army." Then, i said, "Tim, when you swing around the green, the spare tire of our jeep and headed south trying to find some place with you can announce to all aboard exactly what I told you." He said he enough visibility to fly. would be happy to make the announcement. We finally found a spot, put the plane back together and flew missions The Duckmobile makes about 10-12 trips a day, every day with 28 on that afternoon. Fortunately, the weather cleared enough the next day for board. Well, it’s just another way we can tell the young people of our the other 8 planes to move south and we were again working as a lona^y apH te2ch hlstorv Those Duckmoblles are stil! ser'.incj our division air section. country. The kids loved the ride! Charles Whitehead John E. McAuliffe 99 INFD 370 FA BN HQ WHO SAID IT WAS SO? ..JT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS In the August, 1998, issue of The Bulge Bugle, I noted that the President In the May issue of The Bulge Bugle I read the article about a German in his message talked about meeting with Mr. Camille Kohn, who is soldier who participated in the Battle of the Ardennes and wanted to President of CEBA (Luxembourg) and not CREBA. correspond with an American soldier of the same battle. I note with interest the letter on, "No Battle Star for Replacements." I do Well, I was going to write but I and my family were going to Europe on not know who selected the 25th of January, 1945, as the ending date for vacation. 1 looked at my German map but couldn’t find the town So, I the Battle of the Bulge. Our 80th Division battled fonward from Ettelbruck, called the German Embassy in Los Angeles to see if they could tell me Luxembourg, from 22 December, 1944, until we were relieved in where it was located. But, they couldn’t find it either. I gave them the zip Hosingen. Luxembourg, by the 17th Airborne, on 28th of January, 1945. code of the addressee and they faxed me the general location on the This was one of the last areas in Luxembourg to be freed. The terrain map. .As we were going to the Czech Republic, we had to go through that provided excellent defensive fortifications for the enemy, with the deep area. We drove through many small towns and finally found the town and draws and heavily wooded areas. Much nasty fighting took place in this house with some help from a female post person. area from 25 January to 28 January, and I am sure this was true in other A young man met us at the gate and told us to join him in the house. areas of the Bulge He ilie yidfici^uii uf Sieyfiieu Tvldi diici iie iuiu ub llidl liib yidiiurdliim I visit Luxembourg on a regular basis and meet with Mr. Camille Kohn, had just passed away a few months ago. We met Mrs. Mai, her daughter CEBA President, and we spend much time talking about the history of this and the young man’s wife. They had just finished lunch and insisted that battle, many times visiting most of these areas. we have lunch also. We had a very touching talk as they were very Actually you could say that this battle continued until the middle of thankful that we made the effort to visit them. They showed us some February. 1945. At this time the last village in Luxembourg was freed, letters that other American soldiers had written them and were thankful Vianden, when the 6th Armored and the SOth Infantry Divisions encircled for it. and trapped the last elements in this area in Germany. The battle is not As we left they gave us beer and sekt(?) to take for the rest of our over until the men stop being killed. journey. A week after I got home I received a letter from Mrs Mai, Camille and the other officers of CEBA get quite upset when the date of thanking us for the visit and the pictures I sent. We were all touched by 25 January. 1945, is used as the ending date of the Bulge Battle. These their hospitality. people lived through this battle and I am sure they know much more Thomas A. Yeseta about this battle than we do. 80 INFD 305 ENGR CMBT BN B Ed Bredbenner 80 INFD GREETINGS I wanted to share with you a little of my experiences of taking our I WUZ THERE! message of the Battle of the Bulge to school children. 1 started about two Like hundreds of other members I have always enjoyed reading The and a half years ago taking a few of my wr relics to schools, senior Bulge Bugle and learning more about what went on around about me citizens qrouos and church affiliates, and tellina them about mv experiences in WWII and the Battle of the Bulge. I found a lot of interest ounng me banie of me tJuige. (Continued on Page 29) IHE BULGE BUGLE November 1998 AN OPEN LETTER Get your REVISED ANNIVERSARY EDITION 4th Printing (6500 copies sold to date) THE LION^S SHARE To all the Fellows by D.J. Young Who Served in the Battle of the Bulge: With its fictional account of The Massacre at Malmedy First and most important—may God’s blessings be yours in “I liked your book. Only someone who was there could have written it.” John Toland, The Story of the Bulge abundance for all you gave; whether it was your ann(s), leg(s), or your lives. “The book is wonderfully readable.” Paul Fussell, The Great War and Modem Memory My name is Jill [Matthews] Larson. My father was PEC FRANCIS H. MATTHEWS, 83RD INFANTRY DIVISION, “The Lion’s Share stirred lots of memories of WWIL” 330TH REGIMENT, 3RD BATTALION, COMPANY L Page Smith, A People’s History of the United States Website http://members.aoI.coiii/Bigdoni He passed away on May 1, 1993, of congestive heart failure. Send $10 (covers tax, shipping) to: "Sonny" (as he was called by his family) never talked about the AVRANCHES PRESS 1700 Cheryl Way, Aptos, CA 95003 war much—he had to be in the right mood. (Are you that way, too?) The 1998 VBOB Reunion He did tell the story of one fellow he served with who always managed to get a hold of a bottle and yodel. He also talked of Videotape is Available hearing and seeing the smart bombs and crossing the Rhine. When mom died in 1987 from a brain tumor, God blessed me with six years with my dad. I got to know him as a person-not The videotape includes coverage of the entire re­ just "dad." I still cry as I’m doing right now because I miss him union in San Francisco. Highlights include the dedi­ so much-his friendship and wisdom. cation of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Me­ morial Trial which overlooks the Golden Gate, and Would you please share your stories with your children, the Dinner Banquet. Throughout the video are inter­ grandchildren, nieces and nephews? Granted, it must be difficult views with fellow veterans, telling their experiences to remember such things, but I understand that the "new during the Bulge. textbooks" in the schools only give two pages to World War H. The 2 hour video is edited with music from the 1940’s. The younger generations do not know what happened or what To receive the videotape, complete and mail in the you saw. They must be told if freedom is to reside in this great order form below and mail with check or money or­ country. [Jill included some pictures which space did not allow der, or call toll-free 800-654-8277 and order with your us to use.] MG or Visa. If you are not completely satisfied, you will receive a full refund. Call us to ask about other How I wish to be where you are [at the reunion], saying things reunion videotapes we have made. which must be said—remembering an America that hopefully will return to the values and principles that were held so dear. Mail to: Raines Video Productions Whether you served with my father or not, please know that 180 Golf Club Road, Suite 157 there is some one thinking of you with deep fondness and Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 gratitude—and who will always remember what you did to preserve our freedom. Please send me VBOB 1998 [Jill is anxious to hear from anyone who may have known her Reunion Videotape(s) father or who may have served with him.] Name Jill Matthews Larson 6763 County Road East Street. Omro, Wisconsin 54963 City/State/Zip. [Editor: Jill’s letter is similar to many that we receive. It points so strongly to the need for you to share your stories with One Tape $29.95 Allow 4 members of your family, that we decided to print it. If you can, Shipping $ 2.00 weeks for help Jill fill in the blank spots she has regarding her father’s war delivery Total $31.95 experiences. YOU are the only ones who can see that the history of the Battle of the Bulge is preserved.]a THE BULGE BUGLE November 1998 HE ESCAPED FROM THE two feet deep toward Saint Vith. With my Recon Platoon of the 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion following the attacking infaniry, MALMEDY MASSACRE we passed Baugnez. The only thing unusual I noted was that the By Tom Raney Division Inspector General was standing near the road junction; 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion he usually lurked at Division Rear, then at Spa. We continued south until mid-afternoon, then found shelter for the night in a house. 1 then headed for the Battalion CP in Malmedy to get There are many of us veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, but orders for the next day, and rations and mail for my platoon. there are very, very few among us who survived the Malmedy !n Baugnez, ! sav,' a number of soldiers sv/eeping snow with Massacre. This is the story of one brave and resourceful brooms. "Clearing a mine field," 1 thought. Finishing my busi­ American soldier who was there and lived to tell about it. He ness at the CP, 1 started back to my platoon. This time, at was also a very lucky fellow. Baugnez, 1 observed a considerable number of frozen bodies of On 17 December 1944, the day after the Germans launched American soldiers sprawled on the ground. This was the first 1 their offensive in the Ardennes, Corporal Theodore (Ted) knew of the Malmedy Massacre. 1 learned recently, after reading Flechsig was a member of Battery B, 285th Field Artillery Colonel Pergrin’s book First Across the Rhine, that the men Observation Battalion. The battery was on the march from its sweeping the snow off the bodies, and who later loaded them previous position in the Hurtgen Forest to join the 7th Armored onto vehicles, were members of the 291st Engineer Battalion. Division in its defense of Saint Vith, Belgium. The unit, I was introduced to Ted Flechsig by my good comradc from mounted in trucks, jeeps, and other soft-skinned vehicles, passed the Korean War James F. Barrett in June 1990. For three hours, through Malmedy and turned southeast on Highway N-32. Some Ted related to us his grim experiences on that fateful December four kilometers out of Malmedy, the column approached day. It was the most fascinating story I have ever heard He Baugnez, a road junction, with a nearby cafe, where tive roads told it objectively, without emotion, as he might have described converged. Also nearing the road junction from the southeast a picnic he’d recently attended. Ted intended to publish history was a Kampfgruppe of the 1st SS Panzer Division (Leibstandarte himself one day, but he didn’t get to it. 1 hope to see it in print Adolf Hitler). The battle group w'as commanded by Lt. Col. of as a tribute to him. the Waffen SS Jochen Peiper, who at this time was reportedly in 1 am sorry to record that Theodore Flechsig died of natural Ligneuville, a few kilometers to the southwest, conferring with causes in April 1991. He exemplified the best of the patriotic, his division commander. The lead German tanks immediately dedicated, and courageous citizens who have served our country opened fire on Battery B. Personnel of the battery, hopelessly in time of war.n out-gunned, piled out of their vehicles and the majority of them surrendered. Some few hid in the woods or ditches and e__v___e__n_^t_u__a_IlIl.y. __w___c__i__c _I_C__5__C__U__C_ Uj Iu..y. M____i_c..j.iIi.u cib u. ir uic. -/^.yrviib.xi rc^<.i.ig.vii..i..c....c...i.. ODE Combat Battalion, commanded by then Lt. Col. David E. Peregrin, whose CP was in Malmedy. 168TH COiMBAT ENGINEERS The prisoners, numbering approximately 100, were herded into By Gil Brightman a field near the road. Ted was in the rear. He noted, with some apprehension, that there were no German soldiers behind the All was silent, quiet and still captured Americans. When the SS men opened fire, he hit the Our foxholes were dug on the crest of the hill ground. A fatally wounded soldier fell on Ted, partially With a view of the valley stretched out below covering him. After the machine-gunning ceased, SS men Where the trees grow tall in long straight rows walked among the fallen, shooting those who showed any sign fheir boughs laden down with fresh fallen snow of* lifs Tsci W2S wounciccl in the ri^Ht ri^ht sriTi unci ri^ht hand. An enemy soldier stood over him; Ted held his breath. To take our hill, to take St. Vith, they wanted our stand The SS man nudged him with his boot; when Ted didn’t stir, the Hold that line, save St. Vith was our officers’ command. pnpmv cnlrlipr mnvpH nn Fvpntiiallv the trnnnc ont intn thpir The enemy through the valley, in droves they came. -- - .......................... .............^ . 1 ^ C tanks and half-tracks and moved out. Ted and another survivor We held our ground, not a foot did they gain. left in the direction of Stavelot, some 10 kilometers to the south. Those engineers, how they did fight Enroute they encountered two Belgian civilians riding bicycles. All that day long in bitter cold snow and freezing night Seeing that Ted was having great difficulty walking because of We fought off their tanks, their shells and their guns his wounds, one of the Belgians pushed him on his bicycle the We held our ground and the battle we won. rest of the way to Stavelot. (Peiper’s battle group also reached Stavelot that day, 17 December, but it traveled a circuitous route, The battle had raged and was finally done thus arriving after Ted.) Here a U.S. Engineer unit took Ted to Followed the deafening quiet after the guns. an army hospital. Four hundred enemy who gave their all Ted was evacuated to the States, recovered from his wounds Lay in the valley below, quiet, dead, and cold. and, after being discharged, continued his education, and had a At Christmas each year, cheers and goodwill successful career with the Federal Reserve Bank. And lastly, in We think back and remember St. Vith and that hill. February 1990, on a trip to Belgium,, Ted found the two men The cold, the snow and the valley below who helped him get to Stavelot. Where the trees grow tall in long straight rows Almost four weeks later, on 13 January 1945, the 30th Infantry Their boughs laden down with fresh fallen snow.o Division attacked south out of the Malmedv area through snow THE BULGE BUGLE November 1998 BULGE MEDAL OF HONOR positions, killed eight of the enemy and captured 18 prisoners, including two bazooka teams. Cpl Beyer’s intrepid action and RECIPIENTS unflinching determination to close in and destroy the enemy eliminated the German defense line and enabled his task force to You are invited to submit information (not too long please) gain its objective.* regarding Medal of Honor recipients awarded for Battle of the Bulge actions. Here are the first: LABOR OF LOVE Sixth Armored Division: Pictured below is Stew McDonald, of the Northern Indiana ARCHER T. GAMMON Chapter, who served in the 28th Infantry Division, 112th Rank and Organization; Staff Sergeant, 6tli Armored Division, Infantry, Company G. 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, Company A Place and date: Near Bastogne, Belgium, 11 January 1945 Citation: He charged 30 yards through hip-deep snow to knock out a machine-gun and its 3-man crew with grenades, saving his platoon from being decimated and allowing it to continue its advance from an open field into some nearby woods. The platoon’s advance through the woods had only begun when a machine gun supported by riflemen opened fire and a Tiger Royal tank sent 88 mm shells screaming at the unit from the left flank. S/Sgt Gammon, disregarding all thoughts of personal safety, rushed forward, then cut to the left, crossing the width of the platoon’s skirmish line in an attempt to get within grenade range of the tank and its protecting foot troops. Intense fire was concentrated on him by riflemen and the machine gun emplaced near the tank. He charged the automatic weapon, wiped out its crew of four with grenades, and, with supreme daring, advanced to within 25 yards of the armored vehicle, killing two hostile infantrymen with rifle fire as he moved forward. The tank had The picture was taken prior to the start of the Summer Festival started to withdraw, backing a short distance, then firing, backing Parade held in July in Michigan City, Indiana. Stew and his some more, and then stopping to blast out another round, when Chief Mechanic (his son, Tim) have worked on restoring this the man whose single-handed relentless attack had put the 1946 Willys Jeep since 1996. ponderous machine on the defensive was struck and instantly killed by a direct hit from the Tiger Royal’s heavy gun. By his intrepidity and extreme devotion to the task of driving the enemy 14TH TANK BATTALION back no matter what the odds, S/Sgt Gammon cleared the woods of German forces, for the tank continued to withdraw, leaving MEMORIAL open the path for the gallant squad leader’s platoon. BEN BOWERS, 9TH ARMORED DIVISION, 14TH TANK BATTALION, COMPANY D, send us the picture, taken by ARTHUR O. BEYER Henri G. Hannon, of the memorial built in honor of eight men Rank and organization: Corporal, 603rd Tank Destroyer from that battalion who were killed by the SS troops at Battalion, Company C Ligneuville. Place and date: Near Arloncourt, Belgium, 15 January 1945 Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry in action. His platoon, in which he was a tank-destroyer gunner, was held up by anti-tank, machine gun, and rifle fire from enemy troops dug in along a ridge about 200 yards to the front. Noting a machine gun position in this defense line, he fired upon it with his 76 mm gun killing one man and silencing the weapon. He dismounted from his vehicle and, under direct enemy observation, crossed open ground to capture the two remaining members of the crew. Another machine gun, about 250 yards to the left, continued to fire on him. Through withering fire, he advanced on the if-A .'* position. Throwing a grenade into the emplacement, he killed one crew member and again captured the two survivors. He was subjected to concentrated small arms fire but, with great bravery, ■ - J he worked his way a quarter mile along the ridge, attacking hostile soldiers in their fox holes with his carbine and grenades. When he had completed his self-imposed mission against powerful German forces, he had destroyed two machine gun THE BULGE BUGLE November 1998 THE GHOST FRONT their trek toward the Manhay-Hotton road. Soon another company of infantrymen approached from the direction of Soy. By Bernard "Bernie" Haas As they were abreast of our half-track, an explosion blew off the 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion gable end of a house about 30 yards to our right front. These Company B infantrymen also hit the ground and 1 was still sitting atop our The 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (towed) was housed in ammo. As these men resumed their trek toward the Manhay- French barracks in Fountainbleau, France, on December 18, Hotton road, they told us we had better be taking the explosions 1944. We walked past the entrance to Napoleon’s castle each seriously because the road was under fire by a German 88. time we went to or from our battalion motor pool. On the 19th, Voila!!! This wasn’t a "battle conditioning area," it was combat. we moved into an elaborate chateau in Fleury en Bier, which We estimated that there had been close to a hundred 3rd was a few miles from the barracks in Fountainbleau. We were Armored vehicles and two companies of armored infantrymen told we would be training wheeled and tracked vehicle drivers, leaving Soy. Later, we saw still another company of armored radio operators, gun crews, etc. infantrymen heading north while we were proceeding south into At 0530 on December 20, we were awakened and told to put Soy with four towed 3" guns and two security sections of six on everything we owned. We would be going to a "battle men each. We began to become apprehensive when we could conditioning area" where we would become accustomed to see very few GIs in Soy. outgoing and incoming artillery. We had never heard of "The While we sat on the berm alongside the road leading into Soy, we Ghost Front," but after reading more than 30 books about the could see between 5 and !0 tanks sitting on a road ihat ran parallel to BoB, I assume that was to be our destination. the crest of the ridge running east from Soy. The road may have been a couple hundred yards below the crest of the ridge. We wondered why By 1120 we started crossing the I.P. for what would become a they were just sitting there. Upon inquiry, we learned that the Germans 3-day and 2-night journey. It was raining as we crossed the I.P. had knocked out the lead tank, then KO’d the tail tank, and then We were not permitted to put the canvas covers over the crew knocked out all tanks between the lead and tail tanks in the column. (If compartments on the half-tracks so we soon were griping about any of you VBOBers can shed more light on my observations of these the stupidity of having the cover and not being permitted to use tanks, it would be greatly appreciated. Task Force Brewster is shown it. Since the officers in jeeps and command cars also had to go on maps of being further east than Soy when he lost seven tanks in a without protection from the rain, we soon stopped and placed the similar manner and was threatened with court martial for his loss, but canvas covers over crew compartments. after General Rose was killed in Germany, no further disciplinary action We reached Namur, Belgium, at 2400 on December 20. We was taken against Brewster.) could hear the sound of artillery guns being fired, but theie wcic After the road into Soy was dear of 3rd .Armored vchic'cs, our four towed guns proceeded into town. Guns, # 1 commanded by Sgt Mitch no shells going over our heads. Lucas and #2 commanded by Sgt Bill Carmel, were ordered into Unit was ordered to proceed to Filot. Belgium and receive position on crossroads in Soy. As they were pushing swabs along the orders from XVIII Corps. Enroute to Filot, the unit waj gun barrels and before they had the guns bore-sighted, a Mark iV came intercepted hy an MP unit at Huy, Belgium, and directed to from behind a woods toward Mitch’s gun. I'he gunner, CpI Al Rheims, France, by order of Commanding General, Oise Base Baillargeon, quickly attached the sight to the gun. Mitch gave him the Section. Order was verified by telephone by Lt. Gaylord of range and number of leads. Al gave the command to tire. Since Company B. (He was platoon leader of the platoon in which I boresighting aligns the gun with the sight and there had not been was an ammo handler on 3rd gun, 1st Platoon, Company B.) Bn enough time to do this, the gun was pointing in a direction different s-3, Major Ralph W. Lung, precededcolumn lo Rheims where he from that of the sight after bouncing over a couple .hundred miles on the was informed that the order was in error. He intercepted the road. Mitch quickly gave a new range and number of leads. Al gave column south of Rocroi, France (after midnight on 12/22) and the command to fire again. This time the correction bracketed the Mark IV and its commander gave his driver orders to withdraw behind the the unit proceeded back, escorted by an MP officer from the woods. The order came just moments too iate. Mitch gave a new range First U.S. Army. (Except for items in parentheses, this paragraph and lead command to Al and the third round found its target. is quoted from the Battalion history.) While Mitch’s crew dealt with the Mark IV, Bill Carmel was having At about 1500 on December 22, 1st Platoon, Company B, a QjrTiilar hoi!t with 5 half-track full of German armored infantr^'men. approached Soy after leaving the main body of the unit at They destroyed the German half-track after firing three shots. As I have Manhay for deployment. As we turned south toward Soy from been told by a crewman, Ernie Johnson, of Carmel’s gun, they had no the Manhay-Hotton highway, we had to get on the berm of the time to dig in the spades at the ends of the gun trails so the ammo road to allow many 3rd Armored Division tanks, armored cars, handlers put their bodies on the trails. The recoil of the guns plus the and soft-skinned vehicles to withdraw from Soy. Since we had weight of the bodies of the ammo handlers on the trails sunk the spades never been "told" our destination was no longer the "battle into the frozen ground so the guns wouldn’t move rearward when fired. conditioning area," we commented that these guys must be Guns #3 and #4 were deployed on roadblocks somewhere between Soy and Manhay on this mission. Compared to the baptism of 1st and 2nd withdrawing from the area after becoming "conditioned." guns of 1st Platoon, Company B, we had a picnic. During day time, we While the vehicles were withdrawing, a company of armed could hear the sounds of fierce battles to our left front and the flashes infjmtry men approached us from the direction of Soy. When and sounds of battle at night. Our gun, #3, received an average of two they were about 20 yards fi-om us, an explosion occurred about rounds of harassing fire each night from December 22 to 26. Having 50 yards to our left leaving a black smudge on the snow. The been unable to sleep in the half-track for three days and two nights, Joe armored infantrymen hit the dirt. Again we commented that Orges and 1 went to sleep standing up on our first two hour watch on these guys sure were taking the "battle conditioning" more ser­ the gun. Knees buckle as sleep sets in. The buckling of the knees iously than we were. 1 was sitting atop our ammo which I recall wakes a person up before one falls down being 110 rounds of a mixture of A.P., H E. and smoke shells. [Bernie also suggested another title for his article: How Gullible W'licii uu iiiuic cxplubiuus look placc, ihc infantry men resumed ,^nuutu wne oe: ja THE BULGE BUGLE 10 November 1998