Ultrachimp
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Very true. The Eastern front was *not* good times.
My great uncle recalls his service in the Battle of the Bulge.
- Thread starter doubleg
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Very true. The Eastern front was *not* good times.
Roswell 1847
member
A relative who was caught up in the Battle of the Bulge had an interesting time of it.
This is his story as best I can remember it.
While bugging out as the Tiger Tanks approached he was hellping to free a stuck big gun and slipped and fell in the mud, His Garand got run over by a following truck which just missed him, by the time he got to his feet the trucks and guns were too far ahead for him to catch up.
All his gear except one bandoleer was on the truck hauling the Gun.
Now he was alone with every German ever born coming down on him in Tanks and he was unarmed.
He hid in a WW1 Shell hole in which dense brush had grown, the landscape there was dotted with them, until the Tanks and Infantry had passed.
Later he searched for a weapon and found an M1 Carbine lying in the debris of another bug out, but no Ammo. He ditched his bandoleer of Garand clips and went looking for ammo for the Carbine. He found no Carbine ammo, but next morning he found a Garand. He went back to get his Bandoleer but couldn't find it. Now instead of ammo and no rifle he had two weapons and no ammo.
He figured the Germans were less likely to shoot on sight if he ditched the weapons, which he couldn't use anyway. Later that day he found a small ammo dump with a ton of '06 and Carbine ammo.
Once again all those thirty year old shell holes looked exactly alike so he couldn't find the one where he'd stashed the weapons.
So he spent the entire Battle scurrying from one shell hole and ditch to another, starving, freezing his butt off, and unarmed.
When it was over the Germans that had charged past him with flags flying retreated the same way they'd come and he hid out and watched them limping homeward on foot.
He was pretty sure that more than one German Infantryman spotted him in the brush but they just walked on and said nothing.
This is his story as best I can remember it.
While bugging out as the Tiger Tanks approached he was hellping to free a stuck big gun and slipped and fell in the mud, His Garand got run over by a following truck which just missed him, by the time he got to his feet the trucks and guns were too far ahead for him to catch up.
All his gear except one bandoleer was on the truck hauling the Gun.
Now he was alone with every German ever born coming down on him in Tanks and he was unarmed.
He hid in a WW1 Shell hole in which dense brush had grown, the landscape there was dotted with them, until the Tanks and Infantry had passed.
Later he searched for a weapon and found an M1 Carbine lying in the debris of another bug out, but no Ammo. He ditched his bandoleer of Garand clips and went looking for ammo for the Carbine. He found no Carbine ammo, but next morning he found a Garand. He went back to get his Bandoleer but couldn't find it. Now instead of ammo and no rifle he had two weapons and no ammo.
He figured the Germans were less likely to shoot on sight if he ditched the weapons, which he couldn't use anyway. Later that day he found a small ammo dump with a ton of '06 and Carbine ammo.
Once again all those thirty year old shell holes looked exactly alike so he couldn't find the one where he'd stashed the weapons.
So he spent the entire Battle scurrying from one shell hole and ditch to another, starving, freezing his butt off, and unarmed.
When it was over the Germans that had charged past him with flags flying retreated the same way they'd come and he hid out and watched them limping homeward on foot.
He was pretty sure that more than one German Infantryman spotted him in the brush but they just walked on and said nothing.
Officers'Wife
Member
Hi Doubleg,
Like your great uncle there are many things about my Gramps service in Europe that I do not know. But our family has something of a tradition to keep journals with the understanding that they will not be read until twenty years after his or her death. I've asked my Dad on many occasions to contact Fort Meade historical musuem and copy those journals he has.
To the rest of you here that have served I ask you to consider a verbal or written 'history' of your service, be it in war or peace. Perhaps you may think KP at Fort Sam Houston, war games in the Pacific, maintanence of 'BUFs' at Blythville or making like alligators at Parris Island isn't important the day may come when your journal may give important clues to future historians.
Item last, to all who have served- thank you for your part in keeping this a great nation.
Selena
Like your great uncle there are many things about my Gramps service in Europe that I do not know. But our family has something of a tradition to keep journals with the understanding that they will not be read until twenty years after his or her death. I've asked my Dad on many occasions to contact Fort Meade historical musuem and copy those journals he has.
To the rest of you here that have served I ask you to consider a verbal or written 'history' of your service, be it in war or peace. Perhaps you may think KP at Fort Sam Houston, war games in the Pacific, maintanence of 'BUFs' at Blythville or making like alligators at Parris Island isn't important the day may come when your journal may give important clues to future historians.
Item last, to all who have served- thank you for your part in keeping this a great nation.
Selena
cmidkiff
Member
Thanks to all who served... you deserve it.
My great uncle, Edgel McCormick, went into the battle of Normandy in a glider. I did a report on it when I was in grade school, he even had a small bit of canvas from the glider that I attached to the report. Last I saw, my Mother still had that report in her cedar chest... I think I'll dig it out and share it with my kids. Uncle Edgel's been gone for 15 years now, but I'll never forget his story.
My wife's grandfather, now well into his 80's, was in the Navy during WW2. He has so far refused to talk about it... with anyone. I know he served in the pacific fleet, because he's mentioned several places he had been during the war, but I don't know the ship, or any details. He became a baptist minister after the war, and served the Lord for the rest of his life. He is the most gentle soul I've ever met.
Value the stories of these brave men highly. Their voices will soon be silenced.
My great uncle, Edgel McCormick, went into the battle of Normandy in a glider. I did a report on it when I was in grade school, he even had a small bit of canvas from the glider that I attached to the report. Last I saw, my Mother still had that report in her cedar chest... I think I'll dig it out and share it with my kids. Uncle Edgel's been gone for 15 years now, but I'll never forget his story.
My wife's grandfather, now well into his 80's, was in the Navy during WW2. He has so far refused to talk about it... with anyone. I know he served in the pacific fleet, because he's mentioned several places he had been during the war, but I don't know the ship, or any details. He became a baptist minister after the war, and served the Lord for the rest of his life. He is the most gentle soul I've ever met.
Value the stories of these brave men highly. Their voices will soon be silenced.
veterans service
My father in law served with the 4th Marine division in the Pacific. He was a small guy who came back to be a milkman and then a barber. He didn't seem to to a conventional tough guy but he must have been to make it through the war. He would never talk to me about his experiences except to tell about advanced training in California.
"Camping....I like camping.." and that was it.
It is good that we remember the heroism of our fathers in WWII. But let us not forget the sacrifices and heroism of our troops fighting now.
pete
My father in law served with the 4th Marine division in the Pacific. He was a small guy who came back to be a milkman and then a barber. He didn't seem to to a conventional tough guy but he must have been to make it through the war. He would never talk to me about his experiences except to tell about advanced training in California.
"Camping....I like camping.." and that was it.
It is good that we remember the heroism of our fathers in WWII. But let us not forget the sacrifices and heroism of our troops fighting now.
pete
I always wish that I had heard more from my grandfather. The experience in the trenches of WWI turned him - so I hear - into a darn near absolute pacifist. He talked to me one time about mustard gas. He never talked much about the experience. In the early 70s, he went back to France and found the walled city he had served near. The story was that he looked for quite a while, and he finally found an old French vet who knew the city my grandpa was talking about - it had changed names or been destroyed since he's been there.
Mike
Mike
Roswell 1847
member
If I could find an audio file of it theres a terrific South Seas Islanders Epic Poem/song about WW2 that I listened to at the Field Museum years ago.
In a display of WW2 relics they had a Field telephone which played the song when you picked up the receiver.
It was a World War as described by primitive peoples that had no knowledge of machinery or science, and little knowledge of the world beyond their island homes other than what they overheard from the combatants that visited the island and flashes of gunfire over the horizon.
It reminded me of the Lord of the Rings where they tell of the ancient wars with the Orcs.
In a display of WW2 relics they had a Field telephone which played the song when you picked up the receiver.
It was a World War as described by primitive peoples that had no knowledge of machinery or science, and little knowledge of the world beyond their island homes other than what they overheard from the combatants that visited the island and flashes of gunfire over the horizon.
It reminded me of the Lord of the Rings where they tell of the ancient wars with the Orcs.
I'm not sure if i've ever posted this here:
I have a co-worker that's a big history buff. Especially military history. Mike has more history books than most libraries. One day he was talking to another co-worker, Reggie. I'm not sure how the subject came up but Reggie said his dad was killed around Christmas at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. He wasn't sure but he thought his dad was with the 101st Airborne. All his life he never knew much about his dad. All his mother had ever told him was his dad was killed at Bastogne. Mike asked him if he would like to learn something about what his dad and fellow soldiers had gone through, he had a few books on the Battle of the Bulge. Reggie acceppted Mike's offer.
Mike thought "THE BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASTOGNE" by George Koskimaki would be a good one because most of it is based on interviews with veterns of Bastogne. Mike was thumbing through the book and ran across a section titled "RETRIEVING FALLEN COMRADES". The first story was about Reggie's dad. Mike wasn't sure if he should take Reggie that book, or grab a differenf one. He decided to let Reggie make that decision.
Reggie read the story. He told Mike "Thank you. That's the most i've know about my dad my entire life."
I just thought it was amazing that 63 years later a son finally learned something about the father that he had never known.
I have a co-worker that's a big history buff. Especially military history. Mike has more history books than most libraries. One day he was talking to another co-worker, Reggie. I'm not sure how the subject came up but Reggie said his dad was killed around Christmas at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. He wasn't sure but he thought his dad was with the 101st Airborne. All his life he never knew much about his dad. All his mother had ever told him was his dad was killed at Bastogne. Mike asked him if he would like to learn something about what his dad and fellow soldiers had gone through, he had a few books on the Battle of the Bulge. Reggie acceppted Mike's offer.
Mike thought "THE BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASTOGNE" by George Koskimaki would be a good one because most of it is based on interviews with veterns of Bastogne. Mike was thumbing through the book and ran across a section titled "RETRIEVING FALLEN COMRADES". The first story was about Reggie's dad. Mike wasn't sure if he should take Reggie that book, or grab a differenf one. He decided to let Reggie make that decision.
Reggie read the story. He told Mike "Thank you. That's the most i've know about my dad my entire life."
I just thought it was amazing that 63 years later a son finally learned something about the father that he had never known.
Grizzly Adams
Member
Wish I could have been there to have thanked him myself!
My dad was only 5'9" tall and weighed maybe 160 lbs. at his heaviest and I was 6'3" and and around 220 or so when I entered the AF 42 years ago and he was more man then I'll ever be. "It's not the size of dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog."
Cosmoline
Member
I think men were physically smaller back then. I've seen the inside of period vehicles and tanks where my boots would barely fit in some of the positions where a man was supposed to sit. The large size WWII surplus hats fit me like some kind of yarmulke.
msgttbar
Member
My Dad was a Signalman in the Navy and rode DE's escorting convoys of supplies to the war zone and empty ships back to the US. 22 times crossing the Atlantic on these missions. His ship was credited with 1 Sub sinking. After VE day, they went through the Panama Canal and were in Haiwaii on the way to Japan in Aug 1945. He died Nov 2006 and I miss him greatly.
Harry Paget Flashman
Member
My Dad enlisted in 1939 and got commissioned as an Army Air Corps pilot in 1943. During the battle of the Bulge he flew several missions to the front lines with a cargo load of full 5 gallon jerry cans of gasoline. He said you learn to offload quickly when the Germans were putting rifle rounds through the fuselage.
MikePGS
Member
That's definitely true. Case in point, Audie Murphy. The 5 ft 7 inch 145lb Murphy singlehandedly climbed onto a burning take and utilized its .50 caliber machinegun to kill or wound at least 50 troops (some estimates put this at a much greater number, but i'm going from his MOH citation) while calling in artillery strikes the entire time.
paramedic70002
Member
d now another story from the "police action" in Korea
My Dad was drafted just 18 months after his marriage. He did his basic in Indiantown Gap PA and then went to Japan before his final destination in Korea. He was a radioman in the 26th mechanized infantry. He never talked a lot about his service, and he was never in combat, but he definitely had a few stories:
1. He was in a troop transport on the way to the front line when the cease fire was signed. Did security in "hostile" areas.
2. He was eating lunch one day when he heard a shot fired very close. Looked up to see a soldier falling and brain matter flying through the air. The soldier was turning in a .45 and the armorer was checking to see if it was cleared. It obviously wasn't.
3. Two guys checked out a Jeep to go deer hunting. Didn't return. The next day they found them. A sniper had shot them.
4. Assisted at an airplane crash. Said he's never do that again.
5. Was camped in low light conditions when a deuce and a half ran over his tent. Pushed him down into the mud as it had been raining for three weeks. Otherwise would have crushed his head and chest.
Mom said when he came home it was like being married to a stranger, not so much because he had changed, but because they had been separated for as long as they had been married. She was actually afraid to meet him when he got home.
My Dad was drafted just 18 months after his marriage. He did his basic in Indiantown Gap PA and then went to Japan before his final destination in Korea. He was a radioman in the 26th mechanized infantry. He never talked a lot about his service, and he was never in combat, but he definitely had a few stories:
1. He was in a troop transport on the way to the front line when the cease fire was signed. Did security in "hostile" areas.
2. He was eating lunch one day when he heard a shot fired very close. Looked up to see a soldier falling and brain matter flying through the air. The soldier was turning in a .45 and the armorer was checking to see if it was cleared. It obviously wasn't.
3. Two guys checked out a Jeep to go deer hunting. Didn't return. The next day they found them. A sniper had shot them.
4. Assisted at an airplane crash. Said he's never do that again.
5. Was camped in low light conditions when a deuce and a half ran over his tent. Pushed him down into the mud as it had been raining for three weeks. Otherwise would have crushed his head and chest.
Mom said when he came home it was like being married to a stranger, not so much because he had changed, but because they had been separated for as long as they had been married. She was actually afraid to meet him when he got home.
Uncle Norbert. Sent as a replacement during the Battle of the Bulge. Was in theater less than 20 days before he was killed.
50 years later, my Mom, his sister, still cried when recounting the last time she saw him.
He was so very young.
50 years later, my Mom, his sister, still cried when recounting the last time she saw him.
He was so very young.
Grizzly Adams
Member
No, we can't forget Korea, Viet Nam, nor Afganistan and Iraq! WE are indebted to all who have served!
M R Scabarozi
Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2008
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Eldwin James Eagle
I was researching at the Court House in Bronson, Levy County, Florida when I ran across some paperwork on this gentleman. There was a letter in his paperwork from a James E Kincaid who also survived the Death March. The letter was about their prison camp experience.
Please let me know if you would like a copy.
myrtice
I was researching at the Court House in Bronson, Levy County, Florida when I ran across some paperwork on this gentleman. There was a letter in his paperwork from a James E Kincaid who also survived the Death March. The letter was about their prison camp experience.
Please let me know if you would like a copy.
myrtice
El Tejon
Member
My paternal grandfather served in Europe. When I was very young I asked what he did in the Army. I received a 3 word answer, "Drove a truck."
It was only after he died, when I was helping my grandmother and Aunt box his belongings up, that I learned that there was much more (he was trapped behind enemy lines during the initial Ardennes Offensive).
My maternal grandfather served in the Marines in the Pacific. He never said a word of what he did, not a single word. I had to learn of his experiences from my greatuncle and grandfather's friends.
It is sad that so much history is being lost. Glad your family got to have its say.
It was only after he died, when I was helping my grandmother and Aunt box his belongings up, that I learned that there was much more (he was trapped behind enemy lines during the initial Ardennes Offensive).
My maternal grandfather served in the Marines in the Pacific. He never said a word of what he did, not a single word. I had to learn of his experiences from my greatuncle and grandfather's friends.
It is sad that so much history is being lost. Glad your family got to have its say.
rero360
Member
My grandfather served in Korea in the navy, he's told me some rather interesting stories over the years, some not so military related.
His two older brother faught in WW2, one died in the pacific theatre and the other was captured in the battle of the bulge, what I find interesting about is that he lied about his age to join, when he finally returned back to the states he went into a grocery store to buy some beer, not being of age and being refused he got rather upset and trashed the place resulting in spending the night in jail. From the way it was told to me, they changed the drinking age while he was over so when he got back he thought he was old enough but because they raised the limit he was still too young.
My one uncle served in Vietnam in the Airforce, AC130s, and myself and I think five or six cousins are serving now, one or two over seas at the moment. Maybe some more distant relatives serving as well.
His two older brother faught in WW2, one died in the pacific theatre and the other was captured in the battle of the bulge, what I find interesting about is that he lied about his age to join, when he finally returned back to the states he went into a grocery store to buy some beer, not being of age and being refused he got rather upset and trashed the place resulting in spending the night in jail. From the way it was told to me, they changed the drinking age while he was over so when he got back he thought he was old enough but because they raised the limit he was still too young.
My one uncle served in Vietnam in the Airforce, AC130s, and myself and I think five or six cousins are serving now, one or two over seas at the moment. Maybe some more distant relatives serving as well.
Gladius
Member
My dad was at the Bulge as well -- 3rd Army, 11th AD, 22nd Tank btn, Company D. As a member of the 3rd Army, he was part of Patton's relief of Bastogne. He had just landed in England at about the time of D-Day, and was deployed in Europe just in time for the Bulge.
He remembered it was cold and snowy. He recalled the trees, planted in rows. He remembered coming very close to being killed more than a couple times. He could discuss the time an SS Officer approached his M5A1 light Tank, seeming confused. The Officer shouted out a command, which dad answered with an M3 "Grease Gun". The entire forest came alive with enemy fire right then. He remembered the sound of German small arms fire hitting the side of the tank. This he was able to share with me. There was much he didn't.
Needless to say, he survived the war. He was part of the occupation of Germany until sometime in '46.
He's gone now, and I miss him very much.
He remembered it was cold and snowy. He recalled the trees, planted in rows. He remembered coming very close to being killed more than a couple times. He could discuss the time an SS Officer approached his M5A1 light Tank, seeming confused. The Officer shouted out a command, which dad answered with an M3 "Grease Gun". The entire forest came alive with enemy fire right then. He remembered the sound of German small arms fire hitting the side of the tank. This he was able to share with me. There was much he didn't.
Needless to say, he survived the war. He was part of the occupation of Germany until sometime in '46.
He's gone now, and I miss him very much.
pbearperry
Member
Last week I was at the Mall,and I spotted 2 old timers with their navy blue hats with their old outfit info on them proudly showing they were WW2 vets.As they walked towards me I stopped to talk to them and I thanked them for their service during the war.Both of their eyes lit up and they were almost in tears.I told them my Dad was a WW2 vet and that he is buried at the National Cemetary on Cape Cod.I also told them it was an honor to shake hands of two old vets that were part of the greatest generation this country probably ever had.Both men put there hands on my shoulder and thanked me for my kindness.These old heroes are dying at a rate of 1500 per day.I guess what I am saying is to thank an old Vet before it's too late.May God Bless them all.
machinisttx
Member
You uncle may have met my grandfather, a machinegunner with the 82nd. Somehow he ended up as part of the Pathfinders on the Normandy invasion, and also fought at the Battle of the Bulge, among others.
Thank him for me.
Thank him for me.
armoredman
Member
Harry, I wonder if your father worked with my stepfather. He was a radio operator on a C-47 with the Troop Transport Command, and participated in the big gas haul to Pattons' tanks. Met Patton. Didn't like him. He talks about it sometimes, but Alzheimers is taking him down the way no German bullet ever could. I gave him a 50 year medal when the anniversary came about, and Mom told me he put it away. I am still the only person he will discuss the war with at all.
My uncle Art was a medic inside Bastogne. He refused to speak of it to anyone, but it messed him up for life. He passed on some years ago.
My grand father built hospitals in France in WWI, and I have somewhere a recording I made of him talking about his experiances in the "brown boot" army. He laughed when he said they stood guard duty far behind the lines without ammunition in thier 1903s, but after the war was over, they were issued ammo, because the celebrations were so out of control! He passed on in 1985.
Thank you to all who served.
Last odd note - my Senior Army Instructor, way back in JROTC days, was a retired Army SFC who earned a DFC in Vietnam. His father in law was a former SS Major, and he had a picture of him in uniform. He always got a chucle out of that.
He is also gone.
My uncle Art was a medic inside Bastogne. He refused to speak of it to anyone, but it messed him up for life. He passed on some years ago.
My grand father built hospitals in France in WWI, and I have somewhere a recording I made of him talking about his experiances in the "brown boot" army. He laughed when he said they stood guard duty far behind the lines without ammunition in thier 1903s, but after the war was over, they were issued ammo, because the celebrations were so out of control! He passed on in 1985.
Thank you to all who served.
Last odd note - my Senior Army Instructor, way back in JROTC days, was a retired Army SFC who earned a DFC in Vietnam. His father in law was a former SS Major, and he had a picture of him in uniform. He always got a chucle out of that.
He is also gone.
soccergod04
Member
I know what you mean, my great uncle had a silver star and 2 purple hearts that nobody knew about until my grandmother passed away.
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