How many survivors from the Battle of the Bulge today?
WWII is now far away and there are not many war survivors from the battle of the Bulge, which occurred during the winter of 1944- 19945 in the Belgian Ardennes.
But the city of Bastogne keeps vivid memories of these troubled times. I took my guests on a special WWII tour yesterday and they saw that Belgium was still very much affected by what had happened then.
As soon as we arrived in Bastogne, we saw a Sherman tank on the main plaza, with a statue representing General McAuliffe. At the Bastogne museum, we were able to see many artifacts from the period, but the highlight was a documentary shot by the American army during the battle: it was extremely interesting. We then went to the American cemetery of Neupre where over 5,000 Americans are buried.
We ended the day at Germaine’s house: she was 11 years old during the battle and had to live in the stable of his parents’ home for 6 weeks during the battle. The Germans had taken over the farm to settle their hospital. She offered us coffee and Belgian cakes while sharing her memories with us. It was very moving and informative.
The American cemetery, Neupre, Belgium, August 2008.
All of us, Diana, Mary Anne, Rose, Karen, Rima, Caryl and Barb in front of the Medieval Veves Castle, Ardennes, Belgium, 2008.
The same crowd (plus Valerie in the center, minus Caryl) enjoying Belgian beer in Dinant, Belgium, 2008.
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
February 4th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
my grandfather martin john madigan, was an radio operator at battle of the bulge. can you help find out anything. thank you…donna perry
May 26th, 2011 at 5:48 am
My grandfather, Adolph Juergens (not a great name for an American soldier fighting that other “Adolf”) was also a radio operator at The Battle of the Bulge and was in one of the very few Sherman tanks that survived. He was part of the 1st Infantry Division, and I am trying to find out if he helped liberate the Nazi concentration camps at Zwodau and Falkenau an der Eger,
sub-camps of the Flossenburg concentration camp. They are both located in the country known today as the Czech Republic. Any information about my grandfather Adolph Juergens (birthdate, SSN, service number, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. Ancestry.com and MemoryLane.com refuse to let me
become a free member even temporarily since I do not have a credit card.
Please, please, please help me find out more about what happened to my grandfather AFTER he survived The Battle of the Bulge. Thank you. :-)
Rob Knight (856) 723-5301 / rak1914@gmail.com
May 31st, 2011 at 6:35 pm
My Dad was a survior of the Battle of the Bulge. His name was Robert Horn. He would never talk about it. I am trying to get information on it. I just wanted to let ya know. He is deceased now.
February 11th, 2012 at 11:19 am
My father was a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge. He volunteered for duty to get records out, expected to be a suicide mission. He was able to get to his destination and told the commanding officer that he had to go back and was told, “there’s nothing to go back to, they’re all gone”. That’s the only story he ever told about his service time and he’s gone now
February 14th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
My Uncle is still alive and well almost 90 i need to see if there are any others who would like to respond 84th redball ? he is living in Santa Rosa Ca
February 14th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Thank you all for your feedback. It is very touching. Unfortunately I would not know how to help you. I am a tour operator organizing tours in Belgium and other countries and we spend one day in Bastogne, Belgium to talk about WWI and visit the cemetery, etc…but that is it. I don’t have info about American soldiers in Belgium. I wish you all good luck in your search.
jackie
May 18th, 2012 at 10:34 am
comment sorry gentle men but a fellow survivor of Bastonge died the 12th of may this year peter Wassichalk AKA Pete the radio man