70 Years Ago This Week The Battle of the Bulge Started, Veteran, 96, Still Haunted by the Cold
70 years ago this past Tuesday, one of the epic battles of WWII started. ''The Battle of the Bulge''.
This is the story of one of the few survivors of Easy Company, 506th ParachuteInfantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. The ''Screaming Eagles''.
This unit was made famous in Steven Ambrose book, ''Band of Brothers''.
General William C. Lee told his troopers before they left for combat in Europe, ''The 101st has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny''.
How true these words would become.
Outside his window, rain threatened to turn to ice.
"I thought we might be getting some Bastogne weather," Paul Rogers said, standing in his Overland Park, Kan., living room but thinking back to his forest foxholes in Belgium during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, which began 70 years ago Tuesday.
Not to worry, he said, his hands gripping the metal walker that steadied him. "This isn't like Bastogne."
Continue reading.... http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/battle-of-the-bulge-veteran-96-haunted-by-the-cold/ar-BBgUAEY?ocid=HPDHP
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Only a few of the Paratroopers are still with us.
What an admirable man!
December, 1944.Battle of the Bulge.
He truly is Nona.
May God bless him this Christmas!
Ditto Dowser.
Not that this is of any historical note, BUT, my step-grandfather, whom we all called Mr. Bob, drove trucks for Patton to resupply his troops in the Battle of the Bulge. He told many a tale of long drives in the snow, carrying food, medicine, and ammo, to Bastogne, (and how do you spell that?).
The 101st airborne troops were so very brave in this battle, and in all the battles they fought... I loved watching Band of Brothers. Dick Winters died recently, and I was so sad to learn of his passing. Bill Garnier died recently too. What a shame! They were all good, brave, men, who had famiies that loved them...
Robert E. Lee said that in order to lead your men, you have to order the army that you love into battle to be killed. I don't know that I could do that. I guess I could if I had to, but each one is so very precious. Michael Shaaren spoke of the hearts of the army, beating around Lee as he walked through the encampment at night. It was such a well-written piece that one could almost feel it, as if one was there, walking beside him in the darkness, listening for the sleeping breaths of the men... Each one such a precious soul, each one a mother's son, a beloved father, husband, brother, whose life was so infinitely precious. Nope, it would be hard for me to order the death of the army, that I loved.
The 101st saw so much horror in WWII... They fought so long, and so hard. And they came home to be productive citizens, and keep us going... God bless all of them!
Was your Mr Bob with the ''Red Ball Express'' A transportation unit that became famousitself.
In Airborne units the Generals and high ranking offices all lead from the front, they jump with their troopers into combat. General James Gavin, later to replace Mcarthur in Korea was called ''Jumpin Jim'' as he jumped into combat with his troops.
My cousin was with the 101st and KIAat Bastogne. Our family has a history of either serving in the Marines or ArmyAirborne units.
Goggle the 291st Combat Engineers. They are not as famous as the 101st, but what they did at the Battle of the Bulge was amazing.
There are only a few left Dowser, they truly are the ''Greatest Generation''..
A well deserved salute MM.
I think he was, Kavika-- he was proud of his service!
I'm confused, and that's not the first time-- I thought Maxwell Taylor lead the 101st and Jim Gavin lead the 82nd. I probably have it all wrong!
I will certainly google that, and read more about dear Mr. Bob's units! Thank you!
Yes, they were!
I googled it and can't say for sure he was in that unit-- he drove trucks filled with stuff, back and forth, racing through the towns and cities to deliver supplies. So, I don't know, and can't remember ever hearing a unit number or name...
Mr. Bob was a good and kind man. I was fortunate to have him as a step-grandfather. My father's Dad died when daddy was 12, in 1942. My grandmother married Mr. Bob in 1948, I think...
Gavin was with the 82nd Dowser. My reference was to Lee who was with the 101st. Taylor took over as commanding general of the 101st after Lee suffered a heart attack.
A salute to your uncle Jack.
Sorry to hear that, Sean. I know you'll always wonder what it would have been like to have him around...
In the winter of 1984-85 I was stationed at Florennes Belgium with the USAFE guarding ground launched cruise missles , the old timers in town at the bars stated that that winter was as bad as the one 40 yrs earlier in the ardens(sp) region, meaning the time of the battle of the bulge.
I got to see a lot of country that yr I was there , one of them was the memorial at Bastogne dedicated to the men that fought in the area , listening to the stories of the old men , that had lived through that time , made a big impression on me at that time , I got to see as I said many historical places and came to realize , places like the muse river , and the little hamlets witnessed a time that the history of that time hang in the balance .
It made me really apprieciate what those men of iron will sacrificed at that time and for so many , most they never knew.
this is me Florennes Belgium, Spring of 1985.
Good story Mark,
I spent a lot of time in Holland and Belgium, since we had operations there. I was able to visit Bastogne, meeting the people there and visiting the U.S. cemetery.
I was treated very well by the locals. I had informed them that my cousin, was KIA at Bastogne in December 1944. I established many friends with the locals, that I still have today.
Great photo.
Wonderful recollection, Mark! Thank you for sharing it with us!