BATTLE OF THE BULGE
December 16th, 2009 | 5:52 pm
December 16 marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge – the largest and most deadly battle U.S. Forces were engaged in during World War II. The Ardennes Offensive, as it is formally called, was the last major German offensive launched during the war along the western front. The fighting centered around the Ardennes Mountains in Belgium, France and Luxembourg in brutally cold weather. American casualties were over 80,000.
The letters and journals of the Monuments Men reveal a marked change of pace during the Battle of the Bulge. On December 16, Robert Posey received his Christmas package from his wife Alice and his son, Woogie. As he wrote to thank them for the phonograph Christmas greeting, he had no idea that days later he would be called up from duty as a Monuments Man and ordered to the front lines to “keep firing until you can’t fire anymore” at the approaching Germans.
Walker Hancock first found out about the Bulge as he drove to Waimes, Belgium to make a monuments inspection – he was stopped by an advanced unit and told the village was back under German control. He spent Christmas Even in a cellar in Liège, Belgium. Christmas Mass the next morning was interrupted by German bombs.
Like all the Allied heroes of World War II, the Monuments Men risked their lives to protect freedom and save the world from Nazi terror. For this, we are eternally grateful.
Tags: Allied Soldiers, American, Ardenne Offensive, Ardennes Mountains, Battle of the Bulge, Belgium, Christmas, Germans, Hitler, Monuments Men, Nazis, Robert Posey, Snow, Veteran, Walker Hancock, Winter, World War II
Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.
Many years ago tonight my Dad was at the Battle of the Bulge. When I was a little girl I use to look at his medals which were kept on a top shelve in his closet. As I held them with tiny hands I had not idea what my Dad and so many brave men did during that Christmas season so long ago to save Western Civilization. May none of us forget. We must pass it along to our children and our children’s children. Tonight Christmas Eve…I say thank you Daddy and may you “Rest In Peace.”
My Dad Passed away last Monday Night , He was int World War 11 Battae of the Bulge He has many medals and the purple heart I would like to more about my Dad being because he never would talk to us about athe War
His Name Was Frank J Aliotta