The only story I ever heard my grandfather tell from his military service was from the winter of 44-45 during the Bulge. He and another infantryman were cut off from their unit during some pretty hairy skirmishing and were given shelter in a barn by a young farmer and his wife, knowing full well they would’ve been shot if they’d been discovered for harboring allied troops. They got through the night and rejoined their unit the following afternoon without barely communicating with their benefactors. Can’t help but wonder how many times similar situations ended up far worse 😕
When I was a child, maybe 5, I learned my father was in that battle, and that was what my child's mind thought it was. He survived, but was caught between enemy lines. He was nearly vivisected by shrapnel, (His scars went from his navel to his spine.) and managed to crawl back to his squad. He was found holding a grenade in his hand that miraculously was a dud. (he was determined to take as many of the enemy with him as possible.)
My uncle (then Sgt.) Francis Gross made it through that episode and was awarded a Bronze Star, but the only thing he would tell us “kids” was that he had never been so cold and so tired and that Gen. Patton was much shorter than he had imagined and had a rather high, piercing voice, not at all like George C. Scott.
Some years ago I learned that an elderly man in my Kiwanis group, a retired teacher, fought in that battle under Patton. His name was Larry Stone, and he was a peach of a guy.
He said he had blocked out most of his memories. He had no interest in war stories. He did like to lead sing-alongs.
He and his wife are gone now, of course, but he was among the very best of us.
Thing about Elsenborn Ridge vs Bastogne, its kinda like the "empty lot behind Fry's photo studio" as opposed to "OK Corral" thing when talking about naming. An actual, notable location makes for a better name when writing (or filming) from what I understand.
The only story I ever heard my grandfather tell from his military service was from the winter of 44-45 during the Bulge. He and another infantryman were cut off from their unit during some pretty hairy skirmishing and were given shelter in a barn by a young farmer and his wife, knowing full well they would’ve been shot if they’d been discovered for harboring allied troops. They got through the night and rejoined their unit the following afternoon without barely communicating with their benefactors. Can’t help but wonder how many times similar situations ended up far worse 😕
When I was a child, maybe 5, I learned my father was in that battle, and that was what my child's mind thought it was. He survived, but was caught between enemy lines. He was nearly vivisected by shrapnel, (His scars went from his navel to his spine.) and managed to crawl back to his squad. He was found holding a grenade in his hand that miraculously was a dud. (he was determined to take as many of the enemy with him as possible.)
My uncle (then Sgt.) Francis Gross made it through that episode and was awarded a Bronze Star, but the only thing he would tell us “kids” was that he had never been so cold and so tired and that Gen. Patton was much shorter than he had imagined and had a rather high, piercing voice, not at all like George C. Scott.
My next door neighbor in South Carolina in the 90s fought in it.
Some years ago I learned that an elderly man in my Kiwanis group, a retired teacher, fought in that battle under Patton. His name was Larry Stone, and he was a peach of a guy.
He said he had blocked out most of his memories. He had no interest in war stories. He did like to lead sing-alongs.
He and his wife are gone now, of course, but he was among the very best of us.
http://marigoldfestival.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-marigold-festival-grand-marshals.html
Thing about Elsenborn Ridge vs Bastogne, its kinda like the "empty lot behind Fry's photo studio" as opposed to "OK Corral" thing when talking about naming. An actual, notable location makes for a better name when writing (or filming) from what I understand.
I ordered on f you books as a Christmas gift. Any idea when they will start shipping them out?