Come along as we revisit Tonice’s time in Europe. He was a combat medic in the 137th Infantry Regiment, but we don’t know which company, or even which battalion. He never really told his family about his experiences so this is only a regimental overview with a glimpse into what his time there was like.

So, then, for Dec. 15:

The enemy opposing the 3rd Battalion continued to hang on bitterly to the Breiterwald Woods on December 15, despite P-47’s bombing and strafing their positions.

After reorganizing its forces, the 3rd Battalion launched another attack on the Breiterwald Woods. Supported by armor, Companies I and K reached the center of the woods, meeting fanatical German resistance all the way from Nazi armor to infantry. Shortly before dark, the two 3rd Battalion units were counterattacked. During the night they were very heavily shelled by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

The 1st Battalion protected the north flank with Company E remained south of the Blies River and assisted the 1st Battalion. Company G, attached to the 3rd Battalion, operated on its left flank for protection while Company F remained in reserve in Frauenberg. The 2nd Battalion was to be committed the following morning with the mission of capturing Bliesmengen and Bliesbalchen.

This day’s casualties were the heaviest of any day since the Regiment started its Saar River operation.

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 we’re revisiting the map I made of his time as a combat medic. Tonice was attached to some element of the 137th Infantry Regiment, 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. 14:

The 3rd Battalion of the 137th Infantry pushed ahead to the high ground north and northeast of the river. The 1st Battalion continued its defense of the Division’s left flank, protecting Sarreguemines and the Regimental sector all along the Blies River. The 2nd Battalion remained this side of the river and prepared to follow the 3rd Battalion. Company E also was in position protecting the left flank.

The 3rd Battalion jumped off at 0630 under heavy small arms fire. In the woods, to the Battalion’s front, the enemy was delivering intense tank and mortar fire on the forward elements.

The enemy continued to shell the entire Regimental area throughout the day, the 3rd Battalion receiving a particularly heavy barrage. The enemy had perfect observation on the road and the town.

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. Any errors are mine alone.

I’m revisiting my great-grandfather’s time in Europe through this map of his unit’s movements. This was 70 years ago today and things were getting intensely grim for the 137th Infantry Regiment. We don’t know which company, or even which battalion he was in, so this is only a regimental overview with some movements down to the company level.

So, then, for Dec. 13:

Elements of the 137th Infantry’s 3rd Battalion crossed the Blies River into Germany before dawn and encountered severe artillery fire throughout the day.

Riflemen of K and L Companies crossed the river in assault boats near the town of Frauenberg and were the first Regimental troops to make the assault crossing of the Blies. Six of the eight boats attempting the crossing were successful. Two overturned in the water. These troops crossed in the face of heavy grazing fire from enemy machine guns emplaced on the high ground north of the river. Terrific artillery and mortar barrages met the boats as they reached the opposite shore and most of the boats were so riddled with bullets that they were unable to make the return crossing. No further crossings were attempted in daylight, since at each attempt to cross an intense barrage was laid down on the crossing site, which was in direct observation of the enemy from the high ground across the river. In general throughout the Regimental area, the artillery fire was unusually heavy.

The 1st Battalion continued to defend the left flank of the Division and at 1300 reported considerable activity observed in the German sector. Heavy artillery fire was directed on this activity and it subsided. Company B Observation Post received some direct fire from the woods opposite their position. Artillery fire was placed on the woods, and the fire ceased.

The 3rd Battalion began crossing the Blies within its sector again at 2300, and by 2350, all of Companies K and L were over on the German side of the 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 made of Tonice’s time as a combat medic. He was attached to 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. 12:

At 0100, the 137th Infantry had the first man in the Division to enter Germany. This day the Regiment was to develop the situation and patrol its flank, the left flank of the Division. The forward elements of the Regiment were heavily shelled throughout the day and quite a few casualties were suffered. Frauenberg was rapidly turning into the hottest town ever occupied by 137th troops.

They were among the first into Germany.

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’m revisiting the map I made a few years back tracing his experience in Europe. Tonice was a combat medic, but he never really told his family about his experiences. 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. 11:

The 137th Infantry continued the attack with the 2nd Battalion liberating 995 POWs the Germans left behind in Sarreguemines. The 3rd Battalion pushed on from Neunkirch and captured the town on Frauenberg.

The 2nd Battalion experienced considerable difficulty in ridding Sarreguemines of the remaining enemy. Frauenberg fell by evening. The 1st Battalion had crossed the Saar River and closed into eastern Sarreguemines.

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.