OT: 80 years ago today the Battle of the Bulge started

[DJ Spanky]

The last major German offensive of the war.

Map showing the swelling of "the Bulge" as the German offensive progressed creating the nose-like salient during 16–25 December 1944

 

[mildone]

That’s what she said.

 

[Kbee3]

My father was there...82nd Airborne. Near Malmedy.

 

[ru109]

My Grandfather fought in that battle. He was caught behind enemy lines and kept alive by German nuns. My Grandmother got a notice of MIA presumed dead form the military all the while she was pregnant with my mom. They found him after the allies retook where he was being hidden. He'd gone blind from malnutrition. He never really spoke about what he went through but the little pieces of info we got made if all the more amazing of what the frontline soldiers went through during the war.

 

[WhiteBus]

If you are ever in Belgium, Western Germany or Luxemburg take the time to spend a day in Bastogne. It's a shrine of thanks to the American allies especially the 101st. Was there in April. Trying to fit it in again next August.

 

[RUTGERS95]

My Grandfather fought in that battle. He was caught behind enemy lines and kept alive by German nuns. My Grandmother got a notice of MIA presumed dead form the military all the while she was pregnant with my mom. They found him after the allies retook where he was being hidden. He'd gone blind from malnutrition. He never really spoke about what he went through but the little pieces of info we got made if all the more amazing of what the frontline soldiers went through during the war.

blind from malnutrition while hiding from the Germans during this battle?

 

[JDNB]

Vinnie Utz RU football player lost his arm there, and later lost his life in a house fire in Metuchen.

 

[MadRU]

My Uncle was on the way to Bastogne but the convoy he was in crossing the English Channel, on Christmas Eve, was attacked by German uboats. The largest transport ship the Leopaldville was sank. He witnessed the devastation from his ship. The rest of the convoy, including my Uncle’s ship was sent to France.

 

[ru109]

blind from malnutrition while hiding from the Germans during this battle?

Not sure I would use the word hiding. He was caught behind enemy lines and nuns hid him. But yes he loss his eyesight temporarily because of malnutrition.

 

[gmay8]

My grandfather was in Bastogne with the 101st AB / 506th PIR. He was an original Taccoa 506th Paratrooper. He was wounded on Jan 3, 1945 outside of Foy (just northeast of Bastogne) and that was the end of the war for him.

Years later, when my brothers and I were kids and we'd try to get "war stories" out of him about DDay or Holland, the only thing he'd ever really talk about was the cold in Bastogne.

 

[RU from Jersey]

And to think that just 80 years prior to the Battle of the Bulge, on December 16th 1864, the Battle of Nashville started during the Civil War.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Did that involve dueling banjos?

 

[robjknight]

The greatest generation and many made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us who followed. One of the best war movies was "The Best Years of our Lives" . If you haven't seen it, it is a worthwhile 2 1/2 hours to understand what those returning from WWII had to face. Some of the best acting you will ever see. Guaranteed you will be moved.

 

[ashokan]

I read the Army commander who replied "Nuts" to the German request for surrender didn't like to swear - hence "Nuts"