76th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and Photo Album

 

Today marks the 76th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Even through I have already posted information about this important, turning point battle of WWII and this is not normally the day of the week that I post in Letters from a Foxhole, I thought this would be a good day to create an online photo album of the pictures that my Dad sent home during the war and also to take a few pictures of items that are in Geraldine's scrap book and some pictures of various mementos and awards that Dad brought home and/or received for his service.

The pictures in the album that I have created are in no particular order. Some pictures were taken several months after the Battle of the Bulge and during the final months of U.S. occupation. Most of the pictures include my Dad in them, but many are either pictures of some of his buddies during the war, or just pictures of the countryside.

There are several pictures of some sort of an "assembly" in some,

yet to be identified city. Dad appears in several of those pictures as a member of the "color guard." If anyone who views the album and recognizes the city, or knows anything about this particular assembly of troops, I would love to know more about it. My intention is to add any information that is gathered over time about each picture as I learn more.

If you are interested in looking through the Album please CLICK HERE

February 10, 1944 - Somewhere in Luxembourg*

 *(Dad wrote 1944 on his letter below, but it was actually 1945 as you will see on the envelope post mark)

Dear Sis -

Well I guess it is about time I was trying to write you a few lines. I sure wish I could write more often. but I just can't seem to get around to it. I have received several letters from you and mom the last few days, and I sure was glad to get them. I got a big kick out of your newspaper letter, maybe you should go in to the newspaper business.

It looks as if Jake isn't doing so bad this year. He sure ran off from Bruceville and I hope he beat Princeton on the 2nd.

I was just thinking about that stuff you sent from at N.Y. I sure would like to have seen it. I bet it was a big laugh.

You have been asking about the snow and cold weather. Well our snow is all gone. And we are having some of that same old mud we had two or three months ago. The rivers and streams are about twice their normal size. And it makes it bad for crossing.

I think the last letter I wrote to your or mom one, I was in another rest but now I am back to the old job.

You have told me some thing you have saw in the newspaper at home and you have been wondering if it was in the Stars and Stripes. And all most everything you write about is in it. I am going to try to send you one later on.

You were asking about Gerald McGee and Bob N. well I never did receive any answer from Gerald, and I haven't received any answer to the last letter I wrote to Bob. But I guess they are as bad at writing as I am.

I see where the big 3 meeting is on. I sure hope it gets the damn ware over sooner. And for good to. I would hate to see my son over here twenty years from now, that is if I ever have a son. (HA)*

Well I guess I had better cut this one short, as usual, and say Good Night. I'll try to write again very soon.

Love

"Bert"

*(It is interesting that just 4 1/2 years later Dad and Mom had that son he was talking about in this letter (me) and 10 years after he wrote this letter the United States became involved in the Vietnam War. And 27 years after he wrote this letter I received my Draft notice.)

January 25, 1945 – Somewhere in Luxembourg

Hello Sis:

Well, here I am again, and I guess it’s about time. I haven’t been to busy the last few days but have been too lazy to write, I guess.

I have been getting plenty of mail the last few day, but there all mixed up. I got some written January 9^th and some as far back as December 20^th. So, it makes it hard to keep up with the news at home. I got one letter saying you beat Petersburg, and about a week later I got one saying that you were playing then that night. But I’m glad you bet them anyway.

I’ve been wondering about this draft. Tell Jack if he has to go up for another exam to try his best to get in the navy. Because I hate to see anybody that has to go to this infantry.

I was just thinking about one letter I got from you. You asked me if we go our evenings off, and don’t you think that is a funny question to ask? Don’t you know there is a war going on over here? But I guess it is hard for you to think of what I am doing, and it is hard to explain in writing. All I can say is, War is hell. I guess you have heard that one before.

I have your basketball schedule looking at it now and have been wondering how you did in the Wabash valley. Hope you won it. And I would like for you to send me a list of the games that Bicknell has played this year and the score of them. I have some of them but missed out on some of them. I also see where you play Princeton the 30^th and I hope you beat them anyway.

Well, I have run out of anything to say so guess I will have to close for this time. Until next time I will just say so long.

Love,

Bert

(Would like to have some more fruit juice if you have rationed stamps.

Write, written by G.G.)