TRENCHING techniques

[connie]

I recently asked Floyd to explain to me a statement in which my father spoke of the men in his battery (service battery 590th) digging in a "reverse slope" following shelling of their hilltop position on the first day of the bulge. Maybe I can get Floyd (or someone else) to repeat that for the benefit of all.

And, there may be other discussions related to trenching. I believe that most of the men who moved into more forward positions in the few days before The Bulge, acquired trenches already dug by the men of the 2nd division who preceded them in these positions. And, some had more elaborate roofed structures dug into the ground. I also assume that those under fire those without trenches handy hit the ground and sought whatever cover they could, trenching as much as they could when shelling let up or when a safer position was found. Any technical notes on trenching would be welcome along with experiences. Was there any attempt to conceal raw new trenches in snow covered ground by mounding snow over newly removed dirt? Or would this have been beyond anything time would allow? And, what about the cold. I grew up with NE Pennsylvania winters where the permafrost would be deep and trenching might have required dynamite! But, with talk of mud underlying the snow in the fir forest encampment before moving into position, I'm thinking that the digging may have been slightly easier than this. But, different soils respond to digging efforts differently... How was the digging experience... and was the soil rocky?

None of these are essential questions. But, they would help me get a better sense of this one aspect of life in this combat zone...

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie

A reverse slope was the opposite of the forward slope of a hill.

When the Bulge battle began our Company was on the forward slope of the hill so we could observe what the enemy was doing.

Our Regiment (424th of the 106 Division) used the same positions (Trenches & Foxholes) that the 2nd Division Used. Those positions were well dug in and concealed from view. Our "inherited" foxholes were underneath wheat shocks). Trenches were dug between foxholes; thus a Soldier could go from one location to another foxhole without exposing himself to the enemy. All of these positions were on the forward slope of the hill; the hill was Scheeeifel; the terraine was somewhat like the Smoky Mts. in TN & NC.

The reverse slope of the hill (Schneeifel) was where our Bunkers were located. The Bunkers were made by 2nd Division Engineers. They were built with logs, sandbags & dirt & were vented The Bunkers were half below ground and half above ground. They looked like an over sized cyclone cellar. Bunk capacity (crude beds) was for about six men. At night, guards were positioned near the entrance of each bunker.

At the base of the reverse slope of the hill was our Company Kitchen, supply area and Company Head Qtrs; from there to our Battle Stations it was probably a mile.

I made a few trips to the supply area the 1st two days of the Bulge for more ammunition (rifle & 60 mm Mortar shells) Going down was a breeze; it was another story going back with a load of ammo on my back & chest. (Whew!)

In December the weather could be variable; winter like, or fallike. Misty, rainy weather made mud. A snow on top of the mud made things worse for anyone trying to dig a hole. Subzero temperatures froze the ground solid; making it difficult to dig fox holes & trenches. Yet, if there were several inches of snow, or more on the ground, it acted like insulation and digging the dirt was much easier.

When the front was "stationary" Battle Positions were worked on every day to make them more "livable"; however, during many days of the Bulge we were fortunate to be located in the same place more than one night.

If you have more questions, just ask!

Floyd,
2nd Btn., 424th Regiment

[connie]

Thank you, Floyd. I hope you realize how deeply your sharing is appreciated. Again and again you bring the depth of experience that can only come from someone who has been there. This site is a better site because you are there to let us know what you experienced.

Believe me we will continue to ask questions! Thanks for your helpful answers.

Connie

[floydragsdale]

You are welcome Connie:

A week doesn't go by but what memories of the B.O. B. comes to mind. Something triggers it; perhaps the weather, a picture, a name, map, maybe something around the house.

For years my medals and ribbons were stashed away in my dresser drawer. I can almost see them being trashed after I leave this world. They were earned; most of them earned the hard way

So, recently they were put in an attractive "shadow box". Now they hang on the living room wall. Many unseen memories are with each medal and ribbon; unseen to everyone but me, unless I tell the story that is behind each one of them!

The WWII "Ike jacket" that I was discharged in still fits me and I wear it twice a year; at Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades.

Thanks for your very kind comments.

Floyd
2nd Btn., 424th Regiment

[engineercutoff44]

I was up on the schneifel about 2 weeks ago and found something interesting in a hole next to a bunker with a shallow trench used as an 81 mm mortar position I would guess because I had found 1 round there and some packaging materials some years ago I found a mining pick this was an important find to me because I live in Bleialf and the german word blei(lead)comes from the lead mining practiced here since the middle ages once you got below the needles and humus layer the ground was a grey clay with rocks hard as hell to get through and with the standard infantry equipment practically impossible using the entrenching tool and/or a pick mattox tool so some very smart guys probably 5 finger discounted the pick from Bleialf to help them get through the clay and rocks better I hope this info helps a little as well if you have any questions please ask! Michelle

[connie]

Michelle,

This is interesting. Did not realize the the derivation of the name Bleialf or that there was lead in the area...

Connie

[engineercutoff44]

The name Bleialf derives from as said blei for lead and alf from the alf river running through it...

[connie]

That's helpful and interesting to know! Thanks!

[engineercutoff44]

happy to help!