German Calvary Battle of the Bulge

[PATMAN]

Hi Guys,

I've never been able to find horse cavalry units near Liege Belgium during the bulge but did they use them there in small units? My great uncle was at that time either in the 29th infantry regiment or an unkown (to me) tank retrieval outfit (he can't remember). He tells of hiding from german soldiers on horseback at one point. They rode right over them but nothing happened. A story that has no glory to it and hasn't changed in decades..I believe him but his memory is such that I'd love to know for sure if there were calvary units there.
Regards,
Pat

[Simon O.]

Whilst the last 2 years of the war saw a rebirth of the cavalry arm in the Heer and W-SS i don't believe any specific cavalry units operated in that theater. However, what you do have is mounted recon elements. Regular Infantry Divisions used mounted platoons and squadrons for recon purposes, both in their recon battalions and within the recon platoons of infantry regiments.

[PATMAN]

very interesting..

Whilst the last 2 years of the war saw a rebirth of the cavalry arm in the Heer and W-SS i don't believe any specific cavalry units operated in that theater. However, what you do have is mounted recon elements. Regular Infantry Divisions used mounted platoons and squadrons for recon purposes, both in their recon battalions and within the recon platoons of infantry regiments.

This sheds some light. It's difficult to isolate the exact area as he and his brother were in the 29th infantry rgt. primarily at Liege. I've never seen where any German units got near or into Liege during the Bulge but Recon makes sense. I know he wasn't in "town" so to speak as he and his buddies hid in the bushes and snow. The Germans rode through their position and fortunately did not detect them. He's not proud of it but that's what happened. As he relates it their seems to have been little choice in their minds at the time.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Would not be surprised if the unit was German Artillery. Most of which used the horse and was not motorized...including the recon elements.