Garand Picture of the Day #118 Belgum /Bastogne

[Mark in Rochester]

Tank and Infantrymen of the 82nd Airborne Division, Company G, 740th Tank Battalion, 504th Regiment, push through the snow towards their objective in Belgium

[M1 Rifleman]

The first picture towards the left appears to be in Summer rather than Winter. The reasoning is that the trees are in full leaf and the soldiers have M1938 Field Jackets.

The other two pictures are definitely Winter scenes....

[mojalajab]

I always enjoy Mark's pictures and hope he won't mind if I add a shot of supplies moving through the town of Bastogne during the battle. No Garand shots here!

[Ron H.]

The first picture towards the left appears to be in Summer rather than Winter. The reasoning is that the trees are in full leaf and the soldiers have M1938 Field Jackets.

The other two pictures are definitely Winter scenes....

Sir, I've seen that pic elsewhere, captioned as having been taken in the Hurtgen Forest. The major fighting there was in the late summer and fall of '44.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

[Mark in Rochester]

The first image is of the 110 infantry Regt Info from The 110th Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division,
a Brief History

" The Regiment continued fighting across France into Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. In December of 1944 the Regiment was holding an extended portion of the 28th Division line when the Germans started their offensive that resulted in the Battle of the Bulge".

[mojalajab]

Caption - "While walking thru the Bois Jacques between Bizory and Foy North of Bastogne on May 4th, 2005, I came across this UXO in one of the old foxholes.... No doubt these were unearthed with the use of a metal detector and then irresponsibly left behind for anyone to find??!!??
Both items were clearly marked and the Belgian Army EOD Services were alerted to pick up these vintage rounds........"

[Vos Parate]

My 18 year old son is reading "Band of Brothers" for his HS history class. He borrowed my tape set and is fascinated with the series.

[snakehunter]

Are you sure it's the 82nd Airborne? It was the 101st Airborne that was at Bastogne in the winter of '44

[Mark in Rochester]

The towns St. Vith, Monceau, Trois Ponts are all in Belgium

so the first picture September 19, 1944 – February 10, 1945 on the German-Belgian border otherwise know as the Battle of Hürtgen Forest

The second photo is Bastogne - we all know where that is

The third again is Belgum info below from history of the 82nd

did not want to imply that all three are from Bastogne - but the three images are from the same general area and time period

Battle of the Bulge - The Ardennes Offensive
Suddenly, on December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest which caught the Allies completely by surprise. The 82nd moved into action on December 17th in reponse to the German's Ardennes Counteroffensive and blunted General Von Runstedt's northern penetration in the American lines. On December 20th the 82nd attacked in the Vielsalm-St. Vith region and the 504th PIR took Monceau. This fiece attack forced the German units back across the Ambleve River the next day.

However, further German assaults along the Salm hit the 505th PIR in the Trois Ponts area on December 22nd and by December 24th the division lost Manhay. On December 25th, 1944 the division withdrew from the Vielsalm salient then attacked northeast of Bra on December 27th reaching Salm by January 4th, 1945.

On January 7th the 508th PIR Red Devil's launched an attack with the 504th in the vicinity of Thier-du-Mont where it suffered heavy casualties. The 508th was then withdrawn from the line and placed in reserve until January 21st when it replaced elements of the 2d Infantry Division.

[TDH]

Yes the 82nd was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge. They were deployed somewhat north and west of Bastonge where our intrepid heroes of Easy Company and the rest of the 101st were centered. It should also be noted that several other divisions were also involved in that epic battle. And to this day not one member of the 101st will ever admit that they needed rescuing by Patton.