| Before I go any further, allow me to relate another funny incident that happened. since things were still very quiet, my buddy and I decided to take a walk along the railroad tracks. As we walked, in the distance we saw two other figures approaching us. As we got closer we realized they were German and we were American. They turned around ran to the German line and we ran back to our American lines. There was to be no heroics this day.
About thte first of sdecember 1944, we were taken out of reserve and put on the front line. We occupied the dugout from the previous occupants. Things were still very quiet. We had snowball fights as our warfare. At this time we deemed war to be "a piece of cake."
Then on Dec. 16, 1944 at 5 qm.....all hell broke loose. We were subject to a horrible artillery barrage. I made myself as small as possible and crawled into a corner. Logs and metal flew in all directions. When it was over there was complete chaos. There was no communication at all. We were sent out to restore communications from the line companies back to head quarters. It was still dark, snow waas on the ground and snow clouds were gathering above us. The Germans took powerful search lights aimed them at the clouds reflecting light to the ground. At this time I was in the cross road called Loshiem. I was in a tree restoring communication at the crossroad. I heard a lot of shootind coming from the Losheim gap. Our 57 mm gun were not enought to stop the tanks. the shells just bounced off. As I watched I saw a group nof Americans run into a building at Losheim. Next a Gernam tank loaded with infantry appeared. they stuck a gun inside the window and blew the house away. seeing this, I jumped out of a tree and ran for the woods. I was seen by the Germans and they were chasing me as I ran. I was the only American GI who outran a German tank. As I ran they kept shooting and then they stopped because they had better things to do than chase one man. As I stopped to catch my breath, I looked down at eh snow and saw blood. I was shot in the leg and did not even know it. I made my way to an American aid station where I was treated and sent to Malmedy for further treatment.
to be continued..... |