Battle at Bastogne

Dad and I went to Bastogne today. They had a commemorative re-enactment. Seemed like it was real. The foxholes were in the exact positions of the original foxholes. The uniforms, ammunition and guns, the trucks/tank/jeeps were all authentic. It was fascinating. But what I want you to really remember is the part that POP played in this famous battle. From his journal:

We returned from a mission one time from within Germany to the vicinity of Bastogne, Belgium. One of the pilots in my squadron, Willie Davis, called in German tanks on the ground. We circled back and sure enough they were there headed in the direction of Bastogne. What was probably more important, in the wooded area surrounding Bastogne we saw that there were marshaled untold numbers of tanks and other vehicles. I called this sighting in to the air controller who in turn expressed surprise. We had no external stores or ammunition left from our mission so we could not attack and returned to Etain, France, amidst a beehive of activity. We had given the FIRST (caps added) warning of the famous attack on Bastogne. Thereafter for a day or two we were airborne all the time in two flight sections of the squadron so as to provide continuous support in the defense of Bastogne.

Bastogne engagement was the last ditch stand by the Germans to sever the Allied lines and march to the coast. They had marshalled everything they had in the effort and a major battle ensued with the American Forces in a precarious situation. In fact the US forces, the 101st Airborn Division in particular, became surrounded at Bastogne and the surrender seemed imminent. The cause seemed lost primarliy because bad weather (again and again) set in and there was a period in which no air support could be provided. It was during this time that the German commander sent a message asking for the surrender of the Americna commander who in turn responded with the famous historic message "nuts". This was from General MacAllufe, the Commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne. Later the 377th received a direct communication from General MaAllufe in appreciation of our support and a commendation in our performance in that defense.

One morning while asleep in the Chateau we were awakened by the most awful noise and sound of powerful engines. We looked out the window and observed an endless number of tanks rounding the road at our Chateau heading north at full speed. These were the tanks of the 3rd Army from Metz, France commanded by General Patton headed north to the defense of Bastogne. Later reports indicated that during a crucial meeting regarding the Bastogne situation, General Patton calmly said that if so ordered he could be in position and fighting within 12 hours from his position in Metz. Every one thought he was bragging, but indeed he did arrive and was in combat with tired and sleepless troops who would probably never have responded in such a manner except for a commander of the type of Patton. They did salvage the situation. The weather again was the villain, which prevented Air Operations, and it was revealed that Patton went to a church and prayed for the weather to lift. (see the movie "Patton"). It did, and Bastogne was not only saved, but the event was a prelude to the invasion of Germany and their subsequent defeat.

All this you can read in Pop's journal. It was a sobering day...and it did rain and we had snow flurries.