As the German plan called for the capture of St. Vith by 6 p.m. Dec. 17, the prolonged action in and around it presented a major blow to their timetable. Before dawn on Dec. 16, a German artillery bombardment preceded a powerful attack along a 40-mile front that overran the U.S. 106th and 28th Infantry Divisions. Msgr George J. Ryan at St Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Douglaston, NY, with military and NYFD firefighters as pallbearers.) This area is called Justenschlag. You can drive or walk up this fork road, which will lead you to the spot where the remnants of the 422nd surrendered. The German southern pincer, advancing from Bleialf against scattered American resistance, closes at nightfall on the Schnee Eifel Dec. 17. It’s quite a walk! Turning right immediately at the far end of the hamlet, will take you to the village of Laudesfeld where the 592nd FAB with its 155mm howitzers was emplaced. Enjoy your break or holiday in this part of the Ardennes, the scenery is breath-taking. Into Schonberg, this is another place that has been rebuilt, even the bridge across the Our River is in a slightly different location. During summer, needless to say, everywhere dries out, so fire is a big risk. Village strongpoints set up by the U.S. cavalry groups, plus sustained artillery fire from VIII Corps reserve units and 106th Division units, deny German units the roads. When the local priest emerged after the initial battle bodies were strewn everywhere, both American and German. Before dawn, the German LXVI Corps renews its advance on the Our River. At the bottom is the hamlet of Ihrenbruck. The 14th Cavalry Group, commanded by COL Mark Devine, moves into the area. First published on Warfare History Network, the article “The Battle of the Bulge: Avenging St. Vith” by our historian Kevin M. Hymel, recounts one of the critical battles fought during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944. The Germans then advance to the critical bridge at Steinebruck and past it, but are thrown back by a CCB 9th Armored Division counterattack. At the time of the Ardennes Offensive, most Allied military commanders were busy planning the next step on the road to defeating the German army. Attacking after dark at 5 p.m., the tanks fire star shells into American positions, blinding the defenders, and follow up with armor-piercing shells, destroying American defending vehicles. Many of the characters in this article give their personal reflections of the battle there.) Moving on will eventually bring you to Hill 504. Quite a pleasing site after scrambling around the rugged terrain. Generally, these plans were aimed at other parts of the front from the Ardennes where the Germans were building up. Its population in 1944 was about 2,000, and its citizens were very much pro-German. Moving on will eventually bring you to Hill 504. SEE REPORT PAGE 2 for After Action Reports of preparation and fighting of the entire 30th during the St. Vith Offensive of January, 1945. Soldier Memories about the Battle of the Bulge. This spot was where the Germans started nosing up the hill towards the 589th FAB. The five 2-D maps are fine (strategic situation, German planned routes, initial attacks of 6th Panzer Army, destruction of the US 106th Division, and defense of St Vith) but the maps do not fully portray the US defense of the Elsenborn Ridge and even Peiper's route is difficult to follow with these maps. Hastily dug foxholes and the remains of a 50 calibre ammunition box near the Ihrenbach Stream. The southern part of the Ardennes is also the northern section of Luxembourg, and on the southeast, the Eifel region continues into Germany. The people are very friendly on both sides of the border, each village no matter how small, seems to have a bar. The road that goes right leads to Brandscheid, a village held at that time by the Germans. Foxholes and debris of battle on Hill 504. Heavy fighting took place on this spot. Above all try and cast your mind back to that terrible December in 1944 and give your respect to those brave soldiers of both sides. They ranged from Ber… If you follow this road it will take you into the area of the other 106th Division regiment the 424th. Drive into the tiny hamlet of Herzfenn; the 589th FAB were based in and around here. As you come out of the woods there is a, Here there are still some original old buildings dotted about, but, as with the rest of the area, it took its share of destruction. Proceed south, all the woods on the left were held by the 106th, and attached VIII Corps Artillery units, you do not have to walk far anywhere along this road to find the evidence. , then, overlooked the flank and rear of CCB the flank and rear CCB. 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