World War II, Europe, the Battle of the Bulge and, today, the anniversary of the massacre at Malmedy, when Germans opened fire on 170 prisoners, killing more than 70 Americans.
Just over 100 miles to the south my great-grandfather was, probably, shivering. Tonice was a combat medic, but he never really told his family about his experiences. We learned at his funeral how he took off his field jacket one day in the coldest winter Europe could recall and gave it to another soldier. It could have been this day for all we know. It could have been every day. He was in the 137th Infantry Regiment, but we don’t know which company, or even which battalion, so this is only a regimental overview with some movements down to the company level.
So, then, for Dec. 17:
The 2nd Battalion was to drive to Bliesmengen and Bliesbalchen, and the 3rd Battalion was to continue on into the woods. 137th Infantry elements were fighting under the heaviest artillery fire they had ever experienced in France or Germany.
Elements of the 2nd Battalion fighting in Bliesmengen were faced by direct enemy tank fire, and other elements were pinned down all day. The enemy continued to shell the Regimental area regularly during the period. Frauenberg was hit very heavily again and again during the day.
Late at night the 3rd Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion.
View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map
View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map
This information is derived from the unit history, found here and here and from this unit overview. These markers are rough estimates and are meant only to be illustrative. Any errors are mine alone.
