roger
Active Member
Posts: 134 
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Post by roger on Dec 18, 2007 15:50:34 GMT -5
Big salute and remberance to those who fought and died as well as those brave soldiers who survived even in the face of capture and imprisonment. I hold them in highest regard!!
Respectfully,
Roger
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Post by race7223 on Apr 5, 2008 4:25:40 GMT -5
Thanks, Carl. I remember them every Dec 16 and Dec 19. The 19th was the day my dad was captured.
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Post by dianekrollewis on Feb 13, 2009 11:06:57 GMT -5
My father was with HQ (I & R) in the 422nd Reg, 106th div. He was 1st Lt John M. Krol.
Officially he was KIA on Dec 21st, 1944. Unofficially, from the men with whom he served,
he was killed in action on December 16, 1944....the darkest, saddest day in my personal history.
He was at HQ when he heard about the new offensive, and he rushed back to his men. On their trip back, he, Sgt Pilkington, and their driver (maybe Cpl Wallace) were captured by the Germans. When word got back to his men, a rescue party volunteered and went out to search for them. From the words of observers who were there, Dad distracted the guard
while his men were rescued. He was killed. Many of his company, however, were soon
recaptured, and became POWs. They were all the bravest men I have ever known.
As I grew, I met some of the men with whom he served. All I can say is that they were the
kindest, gentlest men I have ever known. They were exceptionally open, and willing to
share their memories with mom and me. I will always be ever so grateful, and always have
the greatest respect for dad's comrades.
I was 13 months old and took my first steps on the day my father died.
(whoops....getting tears on my keyboard now)
I only wish I could have gotten to know my father. From others' memories, I have gleaned that he was a kind and caring man. When officers were allowed to take extra luggage to
the front...he did. It was filled with dry socks for his men.
December 16th is the most bitter day of any year for me. After 64 years, I still miss him
and I still cry when I think of him.
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Post by connie on Feb 18, 2009 12:40:49 GMT -5
Hello Connie:
I was trying to reply to a message about Dec. 16, 1944. Was attempting to preview it and ZOOM, it was gone. So, I'll see if I can send it to you.
That day is very vivid in my memories.
The day before (the 15th), our C.O. Visited our battle positions. He didn't like what he saw (we handn't been shaving).
He said, "You men don't look like soldiers, or act like soldiers. Then he ordered an inspection to be held a 0600 hours in the morning (the 16) Every man was to be clean shaved and have a spotless clean weapon.
I don't reccomend shaving in ice-cold water out of steel pot (helmet) on a day in December, yet we all did it.
Our c.o. was cheated of the his inspection because the B.O.B. started at 10 minutes to six in the morning. We were all spruced up for a battle that was to last for six weeks.
Everyone thought this was a normal German attack, yet we didn't know, at the time that we were being hit by the largest artillery barrage of the entire war.
During the night of 16 Dec., I stood in a foxhole and observed a German Panzer (Armored) out fit cross paralel in front of our lines (ca 50 yards in front of us). We didn't realize it at the moment, however the Germans had punched a hole in the lines between our Regiment (424th) and the 423rd Regiment.
For two or three days we were ordered to hold our positions at all costs (stay put & fight untill your'e dead.) We held on for several days, then late in the evening we had orders to leave our Battle Positions a squad at a time.
The German's must have known what we were doing as they began firing screaming memmies (rockets) at us all through our exit maneuver. Those were tense moments.
That night, 5 of us became seperated from our outfit and there were more Germans in the woods than us.
It was a nightmare, one that will stay with me forever.
Floyd
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Post by connie on May 26, 2009 18:34:44 GMT -5
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