The Division fought through France and came to the Siegfried Line on or about September 12. 1944 After weeks of battle in this area , we were sent to combat in the Huertgen Forest near Vossenack and Schmidt. During this battle companies were reduced in manpower by 50% or higher. Replacements kept coming and some did not stay long. The entire Division was reduced We were relieved of this position on November 15th.

The regiment was sent to Bastendorf Luxembourg for rest and relaxation and again to receive new replacements. It was necessary to train some of these men because they were not familiar with the weapons of our company. Most of them were trained as riflemen back in the United States.

In December, we were sent to the Ardennes.Since this was considered a “dead” front the Division was scattered over a lot of territory.The main purpose was to patrol and contain the enemy east of the Our River. This front was approximately 25 miles. Our company was scattered over a ten mile stretch. The 1st section of the 2nd platoon of which I was a member(about 12 men) and 2 machine guns occupied a village by the name of Heinerscheid in Luxembourg. The second section (the same strength) was located in Marnach, about 5 mile from us. This was about December 10. Also in the village were some riflemen and a squad (6 men) and their 81 mm mortar.
Our group occupied a four or five room house. In one of the back rooms we had a machine gun mounted in the window that was surrounded by sandbags. Outside near the house, our two jeeps were parked in sheds. We blacked out the windows in the kitchen and other room so we could have some light from candles at night. We were told to stay on the street and walks since some of the yards and other grassy areas were possibly mined It wasn’t advisable to walk around at night since there was a possibility you might get shot since the enemy was not far off and infiltration was very possible even though there had not been any activity in this area for some time.

At Heinerscheid, our two jeeps in connection with two jeeps in Marnach had patrol duty. A jeep with one mounted machine gun on the dash area and two men besides the driver would go from Heinerscheid to Hostengin and report if everything was O.K. Then backtrack and on to Marnach to do the same.The route covered was about 15 or 20 miles round trip. The route for the men in Marnach was similar. The entire road known as “Purple Heart” Road was under German observation most of the trip. The trip was taken every two hours, the groups alternating from daylight to dusk. Needless to say, you felt like a duck in a shooting gallery because of the sight of blown up trucks and jeeps along the road. Many a driver and crew had a few “Schnapps” beforehand to help out. We were told by intelligence that there were only some “old” men across the Our River and not to panicky. They may have been old men, but we felt they probably had some young men doing the spotting and firing.

After several days of this duty,we were suddenly awakened on the morning of December 16 and were told that enemy patrols were seen crossing the river and coming towards us at about 0800 hrs. Every one hurried to get additional ammo from the jeep trailers. The Germans started to attack about noon and gun fire was getting closer. From our gun position we could see the enemy advancing. We asked for mortar fire about 2 PM and were told we would have to direct the fire since they could not spare anyone to do it. Even though I had never done it, I gave the directions by phone for the target. Since they were limited on their ammo, they could not keep up with it. Along about 4 PM the attack seemed to halt. We of course kept on guard at our gun position and the front door of the house. We had short hitches on our guard duty so as to have alert personnel watching for any movement. Our other darkened room was lit by candles and there the men came in after guard duty and drank coffee that was made on a small gasoline stove issued to us and smoked cigarettes by the pack. Everyone was jittery and knew the odds for the next day.

While I was on duty with a buddy, we saw in the distance huge searchlights, not shining up, but they were horizontal.We could hear trucks and tanks moving about in the valley and knew they were getting organized. We also could here th Germans in front of, they were hollering and laughing and could see them lighting cigarettes. They were about 500 yards from the house.We didn’t dare fire at them since they would have seen our position and that would have been it for us.
We called our Company Headquarters and told them these happenings. All they said was “sit tight something is brewing at regimental”. We felt that if we could pull back a ways where moire men might be located, we would stand a better chance. Since the riflemen had gone, we were now in a jam. In a way we were glad to see daylight after a dreaded dark night. We felt sure that some of the Germans went around us. About 8AM,we heard tanks and thought they were Jerrys, but we saw they were ours, as they went by our house towards Fischbach, we counted about 25 light tanks. We were happy as we now had hope. Soon firing began by our men as Germans were spotted near the house. We then heard a tank coming and we yelled as it was retreating from Fischbach. The commander hollered “This is the only tank left” Our hope was fading fast. Our Sergeant told me I could take some of the men in my jeep and go back where there were more troops. I told him it was impossible because we were cut off from my jeep by several Nazi machine guns. He didn’t seem to believe me, but when he looked out the front door, bullets were chipping off bricks above his head. He agreed with me this time.

The situation was getting worse by the minute. Just then, one of our men hollered and said that there was German tank up the road headed our way. We knew we could not go out the front door and the rear door was in the direction of the push. We tried a locked door going to a side room that we had never been in before. We used an axe that we had to chop open the door. There we saw another door that would lead us out the side of the house. We got it open and the Sergeant said “Every man for himself.” We ran across the yards of other houses. A wire fence about 4′ high was no obstacle. I had on a long overcoat and 4 buckle artic boots and I cleared that fence with no problem, like a track star. When you’re scared you can do strange things and this was one of them. Soon we had to run on the street and wean zigzagging since machine gun bullets were zinging off the pavement.

We the ran through an orchard and an 88mm shell hit nearby wounding one of the men. We ran into a barn where we found three other comrades. We went back for the fallen man and brought him to the barn and gave him first-aid as best we could. Tanks again!!! This time they were American. There were three of them, but two turned and left, the third one was hit by a Jerry tank destroyer. One man jumped out and came in the barn. He was wounded and said he was the only one left. Again a temporary patch up was necessary. We then decided to destroy our weapons and just as we did, were noticed several Germans passing by the window and a Tiger tank turned its gun into the window.
The only thing left to do was to hold up a white handkerchief by the window.A couple of the Germans appeared to be 15 or 16 years old and very cocky. It really teed us off to be captured by a couple of kids. Of course their comrades were older. They searched us and marched us up the road and soon we were joined by other men from our outfit. As we went on we saw that most of the houses were shelled and burning and “our” house was really a mess. We sure was glad that we had gotten out of there when we did. When we walked past Fischbach it was the same shape, shot to hell. Next they took us behind a building and searched us again. This time they took cigarettes.matches, lighters and any type of food that you might have on you. They next told us to line up against a wall with our faces toward it. We all thought that this was the end of our existence. But, we lucked out as they just searched us more thoroughly.

Once more we started walking along “Purple Heart” Road and we were in a column of three’s. I was one that was in the last row. The guards stopped us and then motioned to us to go to the front of the column. Shortly we were on our way again when a mortar shell hit near the rear of the column where I had been moments before. We then ran to ditches until it was over. We felt that it was American mortars mistaken us for Krauts. A few medics came and helped those who were wounded. Others were left there. All along the way we could see more Germans,Mark V and Tiger tanks moving up. It was an eerie sight.

As we walked along the road, I noticed a jeep with two German soldiers in it driving past us. They had the windshield up and there painted on the windshield was “KNAPPENBERGER”. It was my jeep that I had to leave behind in the shed. It sure made me mad to think of the enemy driving it. We endured numerous shelling from our artillery along the way. They marched us to Marnach and put us in a crowded room in a house. There they searched us again. We figured they were looking for maps or other information that we might have. They took our watches and mine was a new one that my Mother and Father had sent to me a month or so previous. One German soldier tried to take a fellows wedding ring, but the only thing he got was a sock in the jaw from a German officer. Evidently this officer had some feelings. I had a few photos in my wallet of family and a friend, but they didn’t take them.They also let me keep my pocket sized New Testament that! always carried in my shirt pocket.

During the night, our Platoon Commander, a Lieutenant, was brought in and he was surprised to see me as someone told him that I was killed. He had a few chocolate bars on him that he managed to keep somehow and he gave them to a couple of us and said “You need these worse than I do”. We really appreciated it since we had not eaten for about a day and a half.

The next day they started us marching toward Germany and our future “home”

As was always the case, the foot soldier never was informed of anything beyond what he vas supposed to do in the immediate area. We rarely knew where we were located and, more importantly, where the enemy was located and in what strength. Our world was limited to what we could see and when it was snowing, that wasn’t very far. Following our arrival in Belgium, we were separated into separate combat units and given very vague details about what our objective was to be and the time frame in which we were to accomplish our mission. On either 12/27 or 12/28, our entire regiment (347th) moved out across snow-covered fields in a northeast direction. A battalion of Sherman tanks had been assigned to work with us.

What happened during the next few days could easily fill the pages of a book. We had not traveled very far when we came in contact with a large enemy force consisting of infantry and many German Tiger tanks with 88mm guns. For a couple of days (and nights) there were intense artillery barrages, tank battles, rifle fire and machine gun bursts. The weather prevented any air support. Within my immediate area, we lost 3 tanks from 761st Tank Battalion and countless casualties. Losses on both sides were heavy and we paid dearly for the little ground we gained.

It was either January 1 or 2, 1945 that we occupied a small hamlet of several hundred people, known as Bonne Rue. We did not learn until days later why this little village was so important and so viciously defended by the Germans. It was located adjacent to a highway that ran east and west from the area of Bastogne to St. Hubert, which was a main supply line for the advancing German forces in their drive to capture the main Belgium port of Antwerp and divide the British and American forces.

Little did we know what a hornet’s nest we had stirred up. As long as we held Bonne Rue, the Germans had to use longer and secondary routes to funnel their supplies to their advancing troops. We were truly a most unwelcome thorn in their southern flank. After occupying Bonne Rue, there was a continuous attempt to push us back south of the highway. Somehow, we managed to hold the little town. We had a large force of infantry foot soldiers around the town that repeatedly repulsed German attacks. We had 3 of our 57mm AT guns setup plus a number of bazookas to counter any tank attack.

On the morning of Jan 6th, we heard the unmistaken sound of approaching tanks. We had the AT gun set up in a small barn yard so that it couldn’t be seen until a tank was within 20 yards. We manned the gun, as we heard a tank coming down the street. I stood behind the barn door with a Thompson sub-machine gun, about 10 feet from the gun. We sent two guys around back of the barn with a bazooka. As the approaching tank came around the corner of the barn, his progress was stopped by a disabled German assault gun sitting in the street. In order for the tank to get around it, they would have to make a sharp maneuver through the barnyard. It stopped and one of German tankers opened the hatch cover and stood up so that his whole upper body was exposed. I waited for our guys to fire the AT gun, but nothing, happened. All I heard was the G— d thing won’t fire.

With that I opened up my machine gun and emptied a whole clip at the tanker. He fell from sight. The tank started to backup. I ran to the hay loft and looking down from above could see I had a perfect opportunity to lob a hand grenade in the open turret. It exploded, the tank stopped for few minutes and then slowly began to back off. Obviously there must have been a survivor. Behind the barn and house, we heard a couple of loud explosions. Our two guys with the bazooka (Walter Cassidy & Arthur Goldschmidt) had caught a tank broadside, destroying it.  (Note: That tank sits there today as a memorial to our squad and that battle.) Later I learned the reason our gun would not fire was due to the fact they forgot to release the safety on the firing mechanism.

In hind sight, it was probably a blessing because at such close range the exploding shell from our gun could well have injured or killed us with flying shrapnel. Our other two 57mm guns were destroyed by tank fire with a number of casualties. We were surrounded by infantry, but when one tank was destroyed and another seriously damaged, there was a general withdrawal to several hundred yards out of town. We had stopped a major attempt to reach the highway. The two men (see above) who destroyed the tank with the bazooka were awarded the Silver Star and given promotions to rank of sergeant. I was awarded the Bronze Star. After things had quieted down and we realized just what we had been through, we all experienced an after shock of severe shakes that lasted for several hours some people call it combat fatigue. During the engagement, you never think about the danger you are facing. It is only after the fact that you realize that it could have been your final moments on earth. Under cover of darkness, we were relieved and took off to St. Hubert. We arrived about the same time as the Free French Forces of The Interior (FFI) and shared in the liberation of St. Hubert. We were elated that none of our squad of eight was injured or killed.

Footnote: As of today, the residents of Bonne Rue remain grateful for what we did in liberating the town for their parents and grandparents. One local citizen is writing a book about the events of those winter days in 1944-5. I have had the pleasure of exchanging information with him via e-mail and regular mail. It is gratifying to know our mission has not been forgotten after all these years.

It was at Simmerath, Germany where I first saw the proximity fuse in use by a new type Tank Destroyer. It was larger and distinctly different from any TDs that I had seen. The bogie wheels were larger and evenly spaced. It also mounted a long barreled 90mm gun. Later, I found that this was the M-36 TD.

I was intrigued by the consistent height of the air bursts–all appeared to explode about thirty feet above the ground near the Siegfried Line pillboxes at the base of the slope, about 600 yards from our position. When I asked the gunner how he set his fuses so accurately to get such uniform air-bursts, he replied that a magnet in the shell’s nose caused it to exploded automatically at the desired distance above the ground.

I said that it could not be a magnet–it would have to be done by some type of radio signal. But a radio transceiver (transmitter and receiver) built into an artillery shell — impossible! I had no ready answer and learned only later that my initial assumption had been correct.

Through our binoculars we observed German ambulances making multiple daylight runs to the Siegfried pillboxes at the base of the slope. This appeared suspicious and we thought that they might be bringing in ammunition, food or other supplies in the ambulances, even though this would have been a violation of the Geneva Convention—most German regular army units were usually quite scrupulous in abiding by its dictates. The proximity fuse may well have been the reason for all the ambulance runs that we had observed.

The US began work on the proximity fuse in 1940 and successfully brought it into operation in late 1942. The Germans and British had been working on the fuse for several years, but had failed to develop it. It was first used in the ETO on 12 June 1944 against the buzz-bombs in England and was later in use at Antwerp. US navy gunners had used it against Japanese planes in January 1943, from the USS Helena.

In chapter 4 of “War as I Knew It”, General George Patton stated “the night of December 25 and 2 6 we had used the new proximity fuse on a number of Germans near Echternach and actually killed 700 of them.” This action was during 3rd Army’s move north to Bastogne, and was the first documented use of the fuse against ground forces. It is my belief that we had seen the proximity fuse in use several weeks earlier, even though many WWII authors have stated that it was first used on the continent during the Bulge.

This was well before the Bulge, and should remove all doubt that its use at Simmerath was possible. My belief is reinforced by the explanation of its operation by the gunner, and—although flawed–was a reasonable explanation from an unsophisticated gunner! Because the fuse had been used in England and Antwerp, this Tank Destroyer may have been there and could have carried some proximity rounds to Simmerath. Regardless of how they arrived, I firmly believe they were there and that I had seen the proximity fuse as previously stated!

AN INFANTRYMAN REMEMBERS II
by James Powers, 11^th AD, 55^th AIB

Tonight my home is a hole in the frozen ground.

It was the same last night and the night before.

If I am fortunate, I’ll be in another one tomorrow night.

My dinner is cold from a camouflaged box.

My dirty, ragged blanket is almost covered by mud and snow.

While my uniform clashes with the whiteness that surrounds me.

If I had a sheet, I’d wrap in it and be hidden from the enemy.

I am an outpost without friends ahead.

Stretched behind me is the needed support for my fight.

The battle continues on an epic scale, but for me

The epicenter is here, a forsaken, only temporary hole.

We fight in small groups, relying on instinct and prayer,

Unaware of what decisions are being made for us in the rear.

Wars are not won in large scale battles,

But rather in small skirmishes by lonesome dedicated troops

Who sometimes have no clear orders from those in charge higher up.

Hungry, cold, tired, dirty, duty is our leadership.

Some troops farther back have shelter, hot food, a decent bed,

And comfort in knowing that they won’t be shelled tonight.

I am fortunate that I lived to tell the story of many of those

Who perished too young to leave their mark.

They are the heroes, the too soon forgotten ones

To whom their country owes a debt of immeasurable gratitude.

BLESSINGS IN THE “BULGE”
by Patrick J. Kearney, 11^th AD, 55^th AIB

It was December 30, 1944, and the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion was ready to move out.  We had just entered Belgium at Florenville the previous day, and had passed through Jamoigne and Neufchateau before arriving at Ebly for overnight encampment.

As we prepared to depart for Vaux lez Rosieres and the front lines, we observed a lone jeep driving the entire length of our column, which stopped at each half-track.  When the jeep arrived at ours, we saw that its passenger was our battalion and CCR chaplain, Lieutenant Regis J. Galvin, who was a member of the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans).

Father Galvin was wearing his chaplain’s stole and helmet, and he greeted us all with a smile and some kind words.  He then spoke of the work we were about to undertake, and asked everyone to remove their helmets and to bow their heads.  Our chaplain then gave General Absolution to the Catholic soldiers, and a blessing to the Protestant and Jewish soldiers, in our half-track.  None of his spiritual sons were forgotten before their “baptism of fire” in the Battle of the Bulge!

But our chaplain’s deep concern for our spiritual welfare did not just end on the eve of battle.  At lulls in the fighting during the “Bulge”, Father Galvin drove up to our position on the front lines, donned his alb, stole and chasuble, and celebrated Mass for us on the hood of his jeep.  His presence on the battlefield was a great comfort to us – as were his prayers for the souls of our buddies who had been killed in action.

August 20 marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Father Galvin.  His genuine concern for others was the hallmark of his ministry as an Army chaplain.  And his deep regard for others is only surpassed by the high esteem in which he is still held today by those “Thunderbolts” whom he served.  Pro Deo et Patria!

My company C was sitting in Stavelot, Belgium with orders to defend the town. Here we watched the troops of the First Army retreat and knew this alert would not suddenly be removed like it was in Carentan and Avranches, both in France. This was definitely the real thing as our guys had patrolled the area for German paratroopers only a few nights before but didn’t find any. Two hours before the initial enemy attack came support from one company of the 7^th Armored Division arrived to help us in the defense of the town.

The attack came from the 150th Panzer Brigade using either American origin or German equipment disguised as American. The shelling started just daybreak and I was walking to chow with Russ Beamer of Dellroy Ohio. He and I left for the Army together and went all through the war together. I asked  Russ, “Do you think we will ever see Carroll County again”? He replied, “Carl it doesn’t look very good now”. The fight was continued from early morning until just before noon. At this time and upon advice from  the commander of C company we left Stavelot.

I was driving the command car as John Higgins the regular driver was in the hospital and my 2 1/2 ton truck was broken down and led our company out of Stavelot. As we were going out of Stavelot the Americans had set a huge gasoline dump on fire to keep the Germans from getting the gas. Our convoy went about 10 miles to a town called Spa that was First Army headquarters. Our acting C Company commander Lt. Joe F. Chinlund of 1323 Eddy St Chicago, Illinois told First Army headquarters that we had just got shelled out of Stavelot. They told Lt Chinlund that they didn’t know that the Germans had counterattacked and were that close. With those just written few words I believe our current company C was the very first to come in contact with the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge.

Our company C was relieved of its commitment to defend the town of Stavelot by the 117^th Infantry Regiment of the 30^th Infantry Division. It was rumored that Germany’s highest armored division was in the area and that our company of 150 men would be completely wiped out if we were to become involved with them. This rumor later became history as the Malmedy Massacre was only about 10 miles away. We left half of our equipment and vehicles in the town as we left and we picked everything up a week later traveling through miles of newly won German territory.

Wesley Hillary was later awarded the Silver Star for his action in the battle. Under intense enemy fire and in an exposed position he continued to operate his 50-caliber machine gun and destroyed three or four enemy half-tracks, knocked out several machine gun positions and many of the enemy’s personnel. Part of the company was now with the 47^th Infantry Regiment near Monschau and they prepared a bridge for demolition and guarded it. They were under enemy artillery fire and contacted enemy patrols on many occasions. They also took positions in some other bridges near Arville and guarded them against the Northern thrusts of the German Sixth Panzer Army.

Able Company held a barrier line which ran from south of Liege to Arville to the vicinity of Jalkay south of Spa along with a third section of Baker Company. The line was under attack by enemy aircraft constantly. H and C companies water points which were listed as lost or now located and found to be supplying water for the first and second infantry divisions. Company C had moved into buzz bomb alley at Verviers. The town was under fire by the German railroad guns and approximately 150 German paratroopers who spoke English and carried forged documents disguise as Americans, were in the city.

On Christmas day as the 101st Airborne Division battled in encircled Bastogne, the battalion was relieved of its assignments to the First Army and V Corps and was sent to the Third Army’s VIII Corps. By the 27th the move to the southern flank of the bulge was completed and A company reinforced a bridge at Bokair to carry a class 40 load. The following day the battalion CP was moved to St. Renig, France.

On December 29 our battalion went into direct support of the 87th Infantry Division and the battalion CP was moved to Bouillon, Belgium and later to Herbeaumont, Belgium. Work with the 87th consisted of just about every type of engineering work possible. B Company quickly constructed a barrier line to protect the divisions left flank on New Year’s Day 1945. A company constructed two bridges both over the divisions MSR. The gap was 40 feet the first day and the remaining 20 feet was bridged with a single span timber bridge with a 30 class capacity. They teamed up with the infantry for the construction of a second bridge, the span was 110 foot class 40 triple single Bailey bridge. Extra outposts were setup between the bridge and the enemy. Company C and their direct support was given the job of clearing the roads from St. Hubert to the front. The Germans had just withdrawn from the area and as usual left minefields, obstacles and booby-trapped items. Besides the roadwork, roads were covered with thick layers of ice and snow. During this operation in this area T/5 Leland Aring of company C was awarded a Bronze Star for his work in clearing booby-trapped items.

Baker Company continued to work on the divisions MSR during this period. The entire unit was constantly with the members of the 87th division. The 87^th  pulled out alone on January 17 and our battalion was now to give support to the paratroopers of the 17th Airborne Division. This was an extremely hard task due to the fact that the divisions engineers the 139th engineers A&B battalions had few trucks or heavy equipment.  This left the entire responsibility of the job ahead directly to the 202^nd Engineer Battalion. While with the 17th Airborne Division our division constructed two bridges in the forward area a 30 foot class 40 single Bailey bridge by company C on January 21 and a 60 foot class 40 double single Bailey on January 27 by company B.

The same problems that were faced when with the 87th were again faced with the 17^th. The hardest job was clearing the remains of the city of Houffalize. The city when in enemy hands was under heavy attack by allied aircraft and the roads were impassable because of huge craters and rubble from bomb buildings. Heavy snowdrifts covered the entire area and besides all these obstacles mines had been placed throughout the entire area.  A company was in direct support of the division and that it had established their CP in Boulangerie, Belgium and the battalion advance CP was located in the same town.

All other companies worked constantly in the divisions’ forward area under enemy observation and mortar fire. In one case Andy Yoder of A Company was credited with taking an entire town alone with his bulldozer. He was busy doing his work, as advanced elements of the 17th Airborne Division move cautiously in. Relieved of duty of the 17th Airborne Division our division continued to work in the VIII Corps area until February 5 when it was reassigned again to the 9th Army and attached to the XVI Corps, 1153^rd  engineering combat group.

Suffering that the men endured during the battling in the Ardennes forest is something that cannot be described to its fullest extent. The men themselves are the only ones who will ever know just how miserable life was during that time. No matter how much clothing was put on it was still impossible to keep warm. Trench foot and frostbite were common

The Battle of the Bulge is now finished and what had started out to be the German’s greatest victory had turned into a smashing defeat. The American forces had suffered terrible casualties some 80,000 men were included in their casual list; the Germans have lost some 90,000 soldiers in the campaign which made our heavy casualties look a little less terrifying

In closing please forgive me if the article I have written to you about the events of  the  202^nd  Engineer Combat Battalion played in the Bulge seems a little too long. You see I’m proud of everything our battalion did during this historic period of time besides being honored and thrilled with what my own see company did and what part I had a

I’m proud and honored to have served.
Help keep America free!