Vet. Accounts on Battle of the Bulge

[HouweTrouwe]

Dear members,

For my research on the Ardennesoffensive ("Battle of the Bulge") I search veteran accounts from those who where there. I spoke several veterans but most fought on the Eastern front and one was close and saw King Tigers rolling to the meeting point to prepare for the battle. But I didn't manage to find or speak with them who actually fought there.

Therefor I make an announcement here. If anyone could help, I would appreciate this very much. For them who don't know me, my name is Bart Verstraeten and I'm 17 years young (Almost 18, on the 3th of December). I'm following Care/Nursing, so I later can become a Nurse in a Hospital.

As said I've spoken with several veterans before, most of them were Flemish Waffen-SS Volunteers, German Waffen-SS volunteers, Youth members, NSKK Veterans and people who went through the war and their experience with both sides.

As I am wanting to research the Ardennesoffensive and also start to collect documents related to Waffen-SS units which fought there (as ID documents to see where they passed by, road of the unit..). As it costs to much to buy from every organisation something (I first collected Stalingrad items, but they went so high in prices I made the decision to stop this and throw myself on one thing instead of two) and I want to throw myself now completely on the Battle of the Bulge.

I therefor need help on veteran accounts, or memoires written by those who were there or family from Bulge veterans or family which have Feldpost/Written memories of their familymember... Or people who could bring me in contact with veterans or help me with information to the Battle of the Bulge for my research. I would appreciate this very much! I hope I also can help you, so tell me and I see what I can do and I will try to help you. Especially anything on Flemish Waffen-SS volunteers I can help you.

I hope anyone feels free to help me. I would appreciate this very much.


As attachment a photo from myself standing next to a VW Kübelwagen which we drove. It was the Canadian Freedommarch on 8 november 2009 and we were the only German vehicle out there. And yes it is ice on the grass.. my toes were freezing off. It was cold in the morning.. Driving in a Kübelwagen in wind which feels like -10°C .. Gotta love it and ........ Luckily I love the cold

[Greg]

Hi Bart,

Sending you a PM.

Best,
Greg

[HouweTrouwe]

Many thanks, Greg.

Friendly Regards
Bart V.

[Richard T]

Hello Bart,

Interesting subject. Not sure if you've seen this book but it's one of my favorite on the battle:
http://www.afterthebattle.com/bobulge.html
Lots of excellent photos and in depth information.

Happy hunting,
Richard

[WalterB]

A boss I used to have told me a story about his father. His father was a mortarman and was in the area of the Bulge in December 1944. I should have asked him what specific unit, but I doubt he had any idea.

In any event, he told me that his father was based in a wooded area around the Bulge when all of a sudden all hell broke loose in the area towards the front line. Being a mortarman, he was immediately put on alert and he rushed to his mortar position. His father initially received orders to fire his mortars at what used to be the front line and gradually, he kept receiving orders to shift his fire closer and closer to his position until he was ordered to fire towards his left flank and, at times, his right flank. Eventually, he was told to continue firing mortars aimed at targets behind his position! That is when he knew for sure that the Germans had completely overrun his unit. Eventually, he could see through the woods German tanks and infantry going by. He, along with his fellow mortarmen, were captured by the Germans and marched all the way back into Germany. He told about how cold it was marching back on foot and how he was marched all the way back to Germany. They had very little to eat for several days. One of the German guards showed him how to dig up turnip-type plants on the side of the road. The German guard was doing the same to eat. Those turnips were the only things that he had to eat for several days.

Not much of a story, but it is true and I found it interesting.

[HouweTrouwe]

Richard T, I'm soon going to buy this book. Thought thanks for the tip.

WalterB, many thanks for this account. I hope it is no problem I save this somewhere. Sadly you don't know his unit. I guess you are not in contact anymore with your ex-boss?

Thanks for the answers. And others, don't hesitate to do the same.

Friendly Regards
Bart V.

[Rene S.]

Hi Bart,

Being in the military I get my haircut on an Air Force Base near here. Needless to say I see many retired veterans come in for haircuts and speak with them once in a while. About a month ago a fellow vet came in and had a cap that said Marine Corp WWII.

After breaking some ice I asked him were in the Pacific was he (never wanna be direct with war questions to vets cuz you just never know). And he told me he did not serve in the Pacific theater and that left me a little stumped. Well as he explained, him and a handfull of Marines were attached to some Army outfit because of there particulal job (I wished I had asked what job or MOS) .It just so happened that he was in Belgium (as a marine) before the battle broke out and he was there for the duration of the battle.

I hope to see him again and ask him many more questions and I can try to put you in contact with him. I myself have so many questions for one I never knew that there were any Marines there, all be it in a very small capacity and not as any total Marine unit but just as an individual or individuals attached to an Army unit.

In Iraq and the Stan you may see a ground mission involve Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy, but never really heard of em in the ETO during WWII. Guess you learn something everyday. It would also be great for this guy to share his experince and let the world know of the handfull of Marines that were in the Batlle of the Bulge because I certainly never knew

Regards

Rene

[WalterB]

Richard T, I'm soon going to buy this book. Thought thanks for the tip.

WalterB, many thanks for this account. I hope it is no problem I save this somewhere. Sadly you don't know his unit. I guess you are not in contact anymore with your ex-boss?

Thanks for the answers. And others, don't hesitate to do the same.

Friendly Regards
Bart V.

Hi Bart! I will try to contact my ex-boss and ask him. I am not sure he will know, but I will try.

[Nico C]

Join the club of battle of the Bulge fanatics, comrade

I'm studying the Bulge for about 15 years now, so if you need some help.... .


Groetjes,
Nico