This is the 70th anniversary of my great-grandfather’s service in Europe, so I’m bringing back this map I made of Tonice’s time as a combat medic. He was attached to some element of the 137th Infantry Regiment, which fought in the famed 35th Division. 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. 10:

The 137th attacks, marching from its assembly area and across the Saar.

The 2nd and 3rd Battalions abreast, the 2nd on the left was to take Sarreguemines north of the river and attempt to seize the bridge that crossed the Blies River. The 3rd Battalion was to seize the high ground south of the Blies River. The 1st Battalion, from positions on the south bank of the Saar, was to support the advance of the 2nd. Anti-tank Company was to support the attack from positions on the Saar River.

On December 10, the attack moved smoothly with the 3rd Battalion and then the 2nd crossing the railroad bridge on the southeastern outskirts of Sarreguemines without receiving any enemy fire. The two battalions jumped off at 0730, the 2nd on the left and the 3rd on the right.

The 2nd Battalion met bitter resistance from the enemy in the Pottery Plant southeast of Sarreguemines. After a four-hour battle, Company F captured the factory and moved again into Sarreguemines proper. Company E was cleaning out the buildings north of Sarreguemines while Company F worked in the factory.

The 3rd Battalion operating on the right flank was receiving heavy fire and bitter resistance in its sector. They called for air support against enemy tanks in the town of Neunkirch. Company L moved off into Neunkirch and at 1500 had cleared the town. The 1st Battalion across the Saar was still in support of the 2nd Battalion and encountering sniper fire when darkness fell on the city. The 2nd hadn’t quite cleaned out the city and the 3rd Battalion was occupying Neunkirch.

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. His quiet choice means that these markers are rough estimates and are meant only to be illustrative. Any errors are mine alone.

I pulled this map together two years ago, but this is a good time to bring it back with daily updates. Tonice was a combat medic, but he never talked about his service, so this was all something of a mystery to most of his family for decades. He was attached to some element of 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. 9:

The 1st Battalion of the 137th moved up from Hambach to Sarreguemines to occupy the town. The riflemen occupying the city proper were constantly bothered by snipers, who killed one man and wounded six. Service Company moved up to the town of Hambach and was closed in by 1130.

The 137th attacks, marching from its assembly area and across the Saar.

The 2nd and 3rd Battalions abreast, the 2nd on the left was to take Sarreguemines north of the river and attempt to seize the bridge that crossed the Blies River. The 3rd Battalion was to seize the high ground south of the Blies River. The 1st Battalion, from positions on the south bank of the Saar, was to support the advance of the 2nd. Anti-tank Company was to support the attack from positions on the Saar River.

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.

This is the 70th anniversary of my great-grandfather’s service in Europe, so I’m bringing back this map I put together two years ago. Tonice was a combat medic, but he never talked about his service, so it was always a mystery to most of his family for decades. Key help from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and further research helped bring to light what we know, but even that is somewhat vague. He was attached to some element of the 137th Infantry Regiment, which fought in the famed 35th Division. 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. 8:

The 137th Infantry Regiment moved by foot to approximately nine miles east, in the direction of Sarreguemines.

Regimental Headquarters, Anti-tank Company, and the 1st Battalion located themselves in Hambach. The 2nd Battalion moved into the Foret de Sarreguemines, just south of Siltzheim The 3rd Battalion closed into Neufgrange and the Service Company was located in Gueblange. The 1st Battalion then moved to Sarreguemines, to occupy the town and patrol the south bank of the Saar River.

All was quiet in the towns occupied.

View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map
View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map

Because my great-grandfather always changed the subject about his time in the war the entire family learned as much about his experience in the war at his funeral — and later, through this project — as anytime in his life. This information is derived from the unit history, found here and here and from this unit overview. His quiet choice means that these markers are rough estimates and are meant only to be illustrative. Any errors are mine alone.

I pulled this map together two years ago, but given that this is the 70th anniversary of my great-grandfather’s service in Europe it seemed like a good time to bring it back with daily updates. Tonice was a combat medic, but he never talked about his service, so this was all something of a mystery to most of his family for decades. Key help, after he passed away, came from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and further research brought to light what we know, but even that is somewhat vague. He was attached to some element of the 137th Infantry Regiment, which fought in the famed 35th Division. 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. 6 and 7:

The 137th Regimental Headquarters opened in Hirbach with the 1st Battalion in Helving and 2nd Battalion in Bettring. No enemy artillery fire was received during the day.

View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map
View Tonice in the Bulge in a larger map

Because my great-grandfather always changed the subject about his time in the war the entire family learned as much about his experience in the war at his funeral — and later, through this project — as anytime in his life. This information is derived from the unit history, found here and here and from this unit overview. His quiet choice means that these markers are rough estimates and are meant only to be illustrative. Any errors are mine alone.