THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

DECEMBER 16-27, 1944

The next maneuver was to move into Belgium and look for any GI’s that may have been left in the area. Rumors indicated that German combat soldiers had killed and slaughtered several Allies on December 17th. Near the crossroads of Baugnez the German infantry saw the advancing American troops and opened fire on the squad. Any surviving Allies became prisoners and had no choice but to follow the Germans. After what seemed like miles, the Germans gave the Allies a break and a chance to rest. They were allowed to gather in a field far enough away from the Germans that they could be still seen. Trying to relax and appraise the current situation they were in, rounds of machine gun bullets whizzed through the area killing all 120 men. Some men remained on the ground feigning death but when the Germans discovered that they were still breathing, they were executed right on the spot. Buildings were burned and when everything was quiet and still, the Germans left.

A few stunned soldiers later emerged from their hiding places to assess the damage. The looked in awe at the devastation around them and then headed towards Malmedy where the Americans were fighting. Forty-three soldiers remained unscathed and took shelter among the American troops. The stories all were the same. Germans shot Americans without any warning and bodies were littered all over the ground.

It took almost a month to cover the distance into the town of Huy. (January 1945) The terrain was rough and steep and mostly inhabited. Investigating the charges and vivid descriptions of carnage made by the surviving soldiers meant that criminal charges were being considered against the responsible party. Troops of eight men, four on foot and four assigned to gun duty, pushed through the brush and wooded area of Huy. When the group approached the field, the scene was one so grotesque that it would never be forgotten. American soldiers were scattered all over the frozen snowy ground. Many of the bodies had been shot in half and body parts were everywhere. Torn pictures of wives and girlfriends were littered on the surface, GI identification papers were strewn everywhere and combat boots had been removed. Fingers had been cut off to remove any jewelry and any other object that might help to identify the soldier.

Working methodically, the Americans were able to push the Germans back to their original position before the Malmedy Massacre. The next move was to move inward and secure the land along the Rhine River. Since the Rhine River Valley was one of the busiest waterways, it was one of the best ways to gain control of Germany.