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Battle of The Bulge Started
This battle started when we were across the Saar River. It was cold and it was snowing out. We were told that 50,000 Americans were captured by the Germans and relocated to Paris. We couldn't believe that this had happened and that we were experiencing this. -
The Batlle of Heiderscheid
Ther Germans were forced out of Heiderscheid due to a night attack. Out on Main St. a German truck came into the town with a tank blocking it behind it, making it impossible for it to retreat. We fired at the driver but the truck continued on and came to a stop in the center of the area. -
Entering combat on Christmas eve
US soldiers entered France on Christmas Eve. They were attacked by planes and they did not stay in the same position for more than 1 or 2 days. The Germans targeted in their gun position. After injuries had been made, orders came through to pack up and move to another position. -
Christmas Day
With just 17 weeks of basic training and little experience, me and my fellow soldiers were shipped over to be put into combat and fight for our country. There was snow on the ground and we slept in stables that were covered with straw. It was bitter cold with heavy snow. My first experience in the bitter cold and snow made it an even more fearful experience. -
Preparing for Battle
It was cold and foggy outside this morning and we were surrounded by deep snow. We dug shelter in the ground to help secure our position until it was time to attack. The fog became thicker as night drew near. Between the darkness and the fog, it made it very hard to see what was awaiting us. -
Luxembourg
This is when wer moved into Luxembourg to prepare for Battle of the Bulge. Within a short time of encountering the enemy one of our soldiers was hit and evacuated to the hospital and sent home. I never saw him again. One of his replacements was killed during our first day, We all knew that it could happen but none of us were prepared for it. -
Wounded Soldiers
What started as a quiet afternoon, only a few small firearms were fired at us during this day. Later in the afternoon we were hit. I saw a soldier shot in the face by a German sniper who was left behind as the rest of the soldiers were driving Germans off the hill. After I saw the soldier shot in the face, he fell into the snow. The medics were nearby and came to tend to him and the other wounded soldiers. -
VE Day
Some of us were very lucky to last unit VE Day. Of the 50 replacements that came in on Christmas Day, I think there were about 6 of us that had survived to see VE Day,. The rest of them had either been killed, wounded or transferred during combat.
