Battle of The Bulge / Hurtgen Forest Recollections 2 of 2

[Gezoes]

Thanks so much for sharing this. Please give your dad my warmest Dutch respects and regards. I'm 39 now, and I don't plan on letting people forget. I need first hand info for that, and that is exactly what you and he gave. Wonderful sense of humor too, I share his spirit and character quite a bit, be well :-)

[obamasuck566]

that wiskey story was amazing, god i wish theyd issue me wiskey in Iraq haha (marines o-3 1st L.T. ) it would b AMAZING to get some wiskey in iraq haha but we still get alcohol lol

[haagseheld]

What a great stories !

Thanks for liberating my country .

Respect !

[Logic2Truth]

Im a huge fan of my freedom... THANK YOU sir for fighting for it. I know i dont have to tell the person who posted this hes a lucky man to have a hero for a father but Im saying it anyway.

[marrumba]

My Dad was in the Hurtgen too. He was wounded and captured by the Germans on November 7, 1944. He spoke of a fellow soldier by the name of 'Sparky'. I just wonder, could it be possible that this wonderful hero speaking, is the 'Sparky' my Dad spoke of to me?

[root2614]

1 German must have watched this>> what American could dislik this interview!!!

[aattack619]

can you get a camera out and interview your dad

[1swisher2sweets]

what a man, dont make em like your dad anymore. my grand farther witch rasied me like his on. was also in the 28th. pfc. james c. gardner, two tours of duty wounded twice. two purple hearts b.star. but he could not bring him self to talk much about the war. i would like to know if your dad shiped out of pa. an where he get his training, what base. if he knows or can recall.

[aattack619]

legend

[DreRamaSukana]

great interview althought i hated how the interviewer kept cutting him off from from some of the stories thank you for your service spark i learn alot from this video im leaving for basic in two weeks i hope i can live to recant my stories like you one day

[ad220588]

Your father does not seem to like the Germans.

[MrSmokin06]

GOD BLESS YOU YOU MAY HAVE BEEN A PFC BUT ID SALUTE YOU ANY DAY SIR

[MrSmokin06]

GOD BLESS YOU YOU MAY HAVE BEEN A PFC BUT ID SALUTE YOU ANY DAY SIR

[tomthefunky]

Can't thank you enough for this. What a story. What a guy.

[showdogmissy]

I really enjoyed Sparky's stories. I have watched/listened to quite a few WWi and WWII on youtube while working and this was the best tribute to our country's GIs. My father was stationed in London and went to Paris after the liberation. My sister lived in Saipan for a few years. I am learning that despite what war, humans have not learned from the past. Thank you.

[62heinkel]

Great video , your Dad seems like a sincere , decent and very humble about his experiences in WW2. PS , The Heinkel username is the 60's scooter and not the 40's Bombers !! Just thought I'd mention that. Noel , Dublin Ireland .

[RDS45]

Enjoyed this video very much. My pop served in the Navy in WWII...and fought at Iwo Jima. He passed two years ago. Give my best to your Dad.

[luckyluke925]

I appreciate this interview more than all the books and videos about the Hürtgen campaign. I grew up with stories from a relative who served in the German army in WW2 and it all sounds very familiar. I've been taking long walks in the Vossenack area since I first saw this video and visited L. Kowalski's grave in Henri-Chapelle. Most real WW2 veterans are gone now and this interview is like a little treasure. Many thanks and greetings from Belgium!

[64bolts]

There was a video called "When Trumpets Fade" that was about the battle of the Hertzgen Forest. Everyone talks about the Battle of the Bulge and how bloody it was, but the Hertzgen Forest was pretty nasty in itself. Thanks for the video.

[epiphaknee]

If your father has not had a chance to read General Gavin's book, it is a must read. General James Gavin essentially the father of the 82nd Airborne makes amazingly accurate and candid comments about the Hurtgen campaign. Your father and Gavin see the "leadership" in the same light. It was a slaughter with interlocking fields of fire, pillboxes, tank traps, paths having been zeroed, 88's, shellbursts. It was a living Hell. Machinery, equipment, bodies scattered everywhere. What a HERO!

[wkisse1]

@308punishment

If you remember during my Dad's interview he recalled being interviewed with a fellow from the press who stated "What's it like to be a hero".

My Dad got very angry and stated that "All those men under the crosses in the ground are heros, not me!".

IMHO the men who endured such horrible experiences and came home to push those memories to the back of their minds to become good husbands, fathers and citizens are the heroes we seldom recognize.

[atltom58]

WOW  dude your dad is freaking amazing, im suprised i havent found this online before now cause i seek out stuff like this it s just sort of a hit an miss sort of thing a lot of times.......i love hearing some one really telling storys from the heart like this without any extras and glory being added to it its hard to find at times......give that man a hug for me ok.....and a good stong handshake. oh and im a vet too 6 years in the navy

[wkisse1]

@atltom58

Call him!

I know my Dad would be delighted to hear from you and he will certainly be happy to tell you more.

He's always been a wonderful and engaging man and you will enjoy the chat.

He can be reached at 301-467-9723.

Regards.

Bill

[campbpar]

25:12 I love how he keeps saying grease gun here.

Grease gun. It's a good word.

[wkisse1]

@campbpar

Actually the "grease gun" was an inexpensive - about $50.00 - replacement for the Thompson sub machine gun which at the time was manufactured for $300+ per copy.

It actually DOES look like a real grease gun, cheap reliable and made in quantity.

[KleineHansel]

Very good interview. Good to know that some veterans are still as sharp as your dad.

[HereIsRick]

Is 'ol spark up for a follow up video? His experiences are amazing and he tells it better then any movie could. He should write a book about all of his experiences.

[zthetha]

Typical woman's question about the distinctive sound of a German gun's 'click' - "At night you can tell?" I once knew a woman who wouldn't drive at night because she couldn't see the pedals! They are, bless 'em, a different species.

[bleushift]

Great interview

i live in maastricht holland near aachen germany wich is very close to the hurtgenwald.

very nice interview and very intresting

alot of respect to this man

is he your dad ?

[wkisse1]

@bleushift

Yes he is and I am tremendously proud of him.

His humor through all of this - and also his reaction to all the troubles we all encounter in life - has always been an inspiration to me and I hope it can be of others.

[campbpar]

Listen, hun, you don't know the half of it, hun.

[MariferGS]

I loved the good humor that he had after all hope he is doing good ,Good bless him Thank you for your time to tell your own personal and private experiences and moments.

[GFUBAR55]

If I am able to have a memory as good as your dad seems to have I will feel very lucky. It's hard to believe how much he can remember so vividly after all those years,even the time of day.

[wkisse1]

@GFUBAR55

Even at 93 - he'll be 94 this June - he still reads the paper, numerous books and watches the Military Channel daily.

My Dad has an amazing recall indeed!

If the depression hadn't intervened during his younger years and he had the chance to go beyond the 7th grade I believe my Dad would have been a great executive or engineer.

[tompinoyger]

danke sir

[biltongbru]

Fantastic interview, thanks.

It is interesting how cheap a life becomes in a war situation; so easily and jokingly the German officer's life was taken because Spark's friend did not want to take the POW back 200m to the prison cage, too much trouble.....the balance between murder and authorised killing is very thin......

[gsdrex]

How is your dad recovering? I'm going to be in the Hurtgen area in late Sept. Sure would like to touch base with your dad if he is agreeable? Steve

[schicktd]

Spark, you're a hell of a guy...Thanx spark for your service and scarifice to make my America possible today...Or we might of today be speaking German or Japanese.

[homebuiltindoorplane]

I am so thankful to you and your dad for allowing us to have this interview. I wish you both the very best. I lost my father a month ago, he was a veteran also. I was holding his hand when he died. Although it is still very difficult to deal with, this has helped me a lot. So I thank you both very much. God Bless you both.

[wkisse1]

@homebuiltindoorplane

I can't thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind thoughts.

I am very proud to be my father's son and your comments have touched my heart.

Your sadness at the passing of a good man who represents a tender and loving father can only be lessened when you realize that the good qualities your dad represents have been instilled in you.

With my most sincere coldolences to your and your family.

Bill Kisse

[bleushift]

@homebuiltindoorplane hey man i lost my father last march 11

he served in the airforce for 35 years in the dutch army

his job was to guide aircraft and arrange wered they go feuls etc etc

he was a glider ilot and served for the war in bosnia and the cold war.

i know how dificult it is but in time you get better..

just a simle matter of time

cherish the good memories and learn from the bad.

Take care and goodluck

[wesawebi]

my dad was also a survivor of Bulge. he died in 1972.  I am sad that he was unable to share his experiences. he had nightmares all his life from his experience. he hated Patton. his guts our blood, he always said.........he never wanted to talk about his experience,,,,,,except, it was very, very cold.

[NanouFromBelgium]

Thanks to all the American Soldiers who gave me the opportunity to grow up in a free, democratic country. So many died on belgian ground, they will be remembered. If you visit Belgium one of these days, don't forget to go to Bastogne, and to the "Mardasson".

[thoumaturgica]

You know what I've observed here? 1) during the war he thought for himself and stood up to suicidal commands, ie, silhouette in doorway of pillbox, going to forward posit again, 2) he used wit in battle like historians say the best gunfighters of the Old West used to do: he ducked behind wall to catch breathe, he alternated which door to shoot at in pillbox assault. He's a sharp cookie.

[DIOSpeedDemon]

My father was nineteen and wounded during the buldge. A piece of shrapnel came down from a tree burst and took off part of his hand. He told me he should have "hugged a tree" during those attacks. He also almost shot a colonel who refused to give the proper password, as German infiltrators were posing as GI's. My father told me it was extremely cold and War is extremely Loud. He also said the most dangerous Germans were the young Hitler youth, as they were so unpredictable. 5 stars.

[Hrd2fndmale7825]

Please post more of your dads stories. I think they are very good. Not to many story tellers left. Thanks Again for the wonderful posts.

[patlyon]

You should upload more videos of him telling his tales. its very interesting and fun to listen too.

Thanks for sharing!

[oldmov1963]

Thanks for sharing this. My father was in the 28th Infantry as well and wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.

[kazn5more]

My grandfather was in the 28th Keystone Division, K Company and was from Marietta, PA. Sparky's stories and account of the war remind me of my grandfathers stories, emotions (when he talked about WWII) and opinions. I truly regret not videotaping his perspectives when he was alive, but have found this video helpful in sharing his experiences with my kids. My grandfather (Chuck), Sparky and all these men are true heroes and we should all be thankful of their bravery and sacrifices!

[sanjeev82]

what a smart guy

[bleushift]

what a great story and a great man this is i have alot fo respect for himbut i dont like how the interviewers interupt him atleast let the man finish his story

[jws54]

@bleushift

I go with that, a little less talk and a lot more action, he's the man, and her questions seem to piss me off.

[milesterry41]

SPC Miles A co. 1/112th

[milesterry41]

I am a 28th ID soldier today. I just came home from Iraq about 4 months ago. And what he is saying about officers and they're planning still rings true today. If we did something good the officers got the credit. If we fucked up, we got punished. Its amazing that commanders dont get taught different. You think we would've learned something by now

[bleushift]

as sad as it is that is the chain of command but normally if troops doing good they are given a word too by a co

[bleushift]

war is old men talking and young men dying

[mtbinpa31]

Your Father is a great American and excellent story teller, thanks so much for sharing the interesting stories!

Mark

[bodunchar]

god bless and thanks for this

[Rokket]

Please thank your Dad for telling his story, this generation needs to hear what war is like from the men who served, not from movies. And please thank him for what he did, it's men like him who have allowed us the life we have now, I bet he doesn't realise just how important what he took part in was. The US saved our backsides in the second war, we simply didn't have the men or equipment needed, we tried our hardest but we sure needed the help. All the best to you and your Dad, from Australia.

[FarmerFred6969]

From what I understand Australia is about the only country that remains grateful for America's help. The British and French of this generation have forgotten the sacrifices America made then. I salute you for your intelligence and integrity.

[Rokket]

Thanks FarmerFred6969. We never forget our mates. The city of Darwin, Australia, was bombed several times during WW2, there were Japanese subs that made their way into Sydney Harbour, and off the coast of Western Australia the Germans sunk HMAS Sydney, with all lives lost....there was no doubt what was going on, Australia was surrounded. We were not allowed to bring our troops back from overseas, Britain wouldn't let us. The US was here though, and were basically responsible for saving Australia

[bleushift]

iam dutch and live in holland and believe me we hav stil plates on the wall in about every house what sez

maastricht bevrijd door de amerikanen 17 september 1944

(maastricht liberated by the americans ) and were stil very grateful to each and every veteran that risked his life for our freedom and we stil honor them every year at liberation day and veteransday were massive parades are given and the vetarans get flowers and free drinks and stuff especially the canadians

[FarmerFred6969]

Thanks for adding this comment. I have been to Holland and you folks are really nice and kind. I have heard nothing but good things about how your country has treated our soldiers during and after the war.

[bleushift]

@FarmerFred6969

believeeee me

the dutch are still very gratefull

in myhouse

theres still a sign about our city with an gi on it

for liberating us...

we hold veterans day with ours and foreign vets.

and some units like the 82st airbourne are reached out medals still 4o years after..

[ozeangruen]

@bleushift exactly and every Dutch and French was in the Resistance ;)

[taz2u]

Thanks so much for sharing an extremely important & pivital time in history with us viewers.Although I understand,I wish my father & I were able to discuss this period in time.He served with the Elgin Regiment from Ontario Canada.Met & married my mother in England before shiping out.Presently in the midst of retrieving his service records.I wish to thank you/ your father for doing this,all he & his brothers did at a time when most needed.Very important for everyone to remember.Thanks Sincerely

[additupper]

hi bill, the first comment was deleted by accident so here it is again. just watched your dads video and have to say it was very interesting, he's got a wicked sense of humour and i would have been his battle buddy any day, and no doubt i would have wet myself laughing at him and not at the thought of the germans coming ! top top man, "god bless" from craig & family in britain. ""see"". ( your dads phrase ) brilliant !!!

[williamkisse]

Thank you again, Craig!

Your comments are sincerely appreciated, and I will pass this on to my Dad.

Warmest Regards

Bill

[MrBostonbandit]

@additupper i feel the same way. i m sure he save a lot of young men with his humor alone

[williamkisse]

Thank you Skip.

I have received a number of requests for more video of my dad's recollections.

I'd be happy to do this and welcome any specific questions which I'll have him address.

Warmest Regards.

Bill & Sparky

[TriumphTR5]

What a fantastic recollection from what looks like a great chap! Can you thank him for his efforts in the war from me? I don't think enough gratitude can be expressed by my generation who enjoy and cherish the freedom he fought so hard to protect. Hats off to him.

I think we definitely need more from him if he's up to it!

[kksiala]

Excellent narrative, shame its not longer. There are still so many quesitons that have remained unanswered. If the gentleman is still alive perhaps we could all send in specific questions. He touched on several very sensitive topics before moving onto others. Please do consider it. Thank you. Konrad in the Czech Republic

[williamkisse]

Konrad:

I am happy to say that at 92 1/2 my Dad is still healthy and alert.

He recently moved in with my family and we love to have him with us.

I am happy to take any requests from you or others if you'd like to know more.

I agree that the interview could have been longer and welcome the opportunity to add to this wonderful narrative.

Many thanks for your kind comments and that of the many others who have enjoyed my Dad's wonderful interview!

Děkujeme vám!

Bill

[Sttoney]

'' There doing it all with paper and scotch and we ar doing it with rifals an grenades ""

damn what a comment !!

[Oraius]

I started watching the first part of the interview in a commercial break of a movie i wanted to see on tv. Now its 23:32 in Germany and i am glad i didn´t watch that film. Great Interview.

[williamkisse]

Thank you, I'll pass on your comments to my Dad.

Regards.

Bill Kisse

[Rubeosky]

This is truly one of the better interviews out there on the subject from the perspective of the common soldier in WW2. I found myself just sitting here watching and listening the entire interview riveted to everything he is saying. Excellent and very candid.

[godboy50]

What a character! Fascinating video, no archival footage needed. There seems to be very few documentaries about the Hurtgen Forest battles. Thanks for the upload

[beefspareribs]

Fascinating interview, a true American legend, last of the finest, his kind exist no more.

[MBNaveed]

This interview is BEAUTIFUL. The imagery he portrays is so VIVID that you dont need any damn movie to imagine what it was like. BRILLIANT I loved this and enjoyed it THOROUGHLY.

[JustAintthatWay]

forgive my quibble here,

i thumbed up your comment

i listened to this gentleman's recollection

with great interest but 'enjoyed it'?

no

huurtgen forest from the little ive learned about it was a horror that was as pointless as it was murderous

full respect to the vets who survived it

no respect to the military 'intelligence' that planned it

it s the battle eddie slovik got shot as a deserter for i only wish the whole 28th infantry had followed him to the rear

[MBNaveed]

Hmmm. That was definitely a personal comment there. I know its not nearl enjoyable. There is a bombing a day in my country, Pakistan. The terror and trauma that just that brings is nothing compared to actually fighting in a war, but I know how UNDESIRABLE this menace is.

What I said was said solely with regard to my own love and thirst for knowledge and information and how I got that through this interview. That is why I enjoyed it. Not because the act of war itself is enjoyable.

[Bikerbloke99]

I've sat here for almost 2 fascinating hours just listening to this man and his experiences, laughing and at the same time horrified and what he'd been through and seen.

Pass on my best wishes to your Dad Bill, and many thanks for preserving this on record too. My grandfather was a firefighter in London during the blitz. I wish we'd done a similar thing with him and the many stories he could have passed on to future generations. Sadly it's too late now.

Many thanks.

[aaacidman]

This man is a very brave man with a great attitude - an attitude i aspire to.

[gullioso]

Hi there...

Just wanted to let all of you know that the konejung foundation which released the documentary "YOU ENTER GERMANY" about the battle of the hurtgen forest on DVD last year just posted some new and additional material on youtube. It consists of audio and video footage which can be used as podcast tourguides while walking the Kall Trail in the hurtgen forest. Just check out the video postings of user "mestrenger" and you'll find them...

[Rlee1862]

Hey williamkisse, the video of your dad is extremely entertaining and informative, I will be able to give my students some interesting stories by showing them this video. I live in PA about 40 minutes from the battle of the bulge reenactments. Im assumign the videos you post form there are when the reenactors have their personal battles that specators cant see? because the ones we are allowed to see are small, meanwhile in the mountains we can hear a BIG battle going on

[bachnagy]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!! Wish I could meet this man and talk to him.

[MoJiggity21]

my deepest regards--USMC/Beirut

[SegMista]

why does he sort of brake down at 14:15?

[timitzer]

This generation is truly the best! My father fought in the Hurtgen forrest. I have so much admiration and respect for armed forces it is overwhelming. To honor them, I served 20 years in the USNavy.

Thank you for this video, I will make one with my father.

Respectfully, Tim M

[soundhitman]

yah all of the men in my family ever since we can trace back for hundreds of years have joined the army (paratroopers once they came in the service )

[gert944]

Wow...

Loved every minute of this! I think Sparky is great.

Respect man!!

[AndJusticeForMe]

A highly informative and captivating video. Your father isn't just a hero and soldier, he is a funny and affable individual.

[Kapelannew]

0.45.00 my god thats sick.

[flapperhead]

boy, your dad looks great for 91..excellent memory and wonderful stories.. my dad also fought in ww2..All in the pacific.. he also had some great stories..

[matthewjdenn]

One comment about what he says at 1:18 though. According to the reading I've done, the Germans DID flood the river utilizing the dam and it delayed the allied advance until almost March of 1945 in the Hürtgenwald. However this was two months after this guy was shot and he probably didn't know that.

[waywardone4]

This is some of the greatest explanation of personal history I've ever heard. Thank God for you sir. You are one of the greatest that saved the world.

I discovered this interview through my interest in the Hurtgen Forrest battle. Just amazing.

[nicolas7594]

Thanks for sharing this interview. Sooooooooooo much interesting stuff on it. Nicolas, France

[williamkisse]

Nicolas:

It is my pleasure sharing this video with everyone.

I am very proud of my father and this is my tribute to his wartime experiences.

I am humbled at your comments.

I believe the only way to know the details you seek would be to speak with my Dad directly - he's still with us and just recently turned 91.

If you'd like to speak with my Dad email me your phone number and we'll call you.

Wishing you success on your project regarding the 28th Division "Bloody Bucket"!

[matthewjdenn]

Bravo. Well done, williamkisse. Excellent videos of you father.

[hauruckdiewaschfrau]

too few people are watching this video!

i guess a lot of em prefer the hollywood "truth"

[simonbath]

thanks again for sharing your grandfather's story-what a great man he is. dumb ideas! how real this makes the past.

[takeuchitb007]

I watched this multiple times, EXCELLENT video.. Your father is a great human being, he seems like such a good hearted down to earth man. God bless him, I hope him the best.. He's a hero in my books.. He's made me realize even more how lucky we are for what we have..Tell him he's got a friend up here in Canada.

Take care

[AntonHu]

100% honest and a clearly a wonderful man. And yet at least complicit in the killing of defenceless prisoners. Just goes to show that we must take account of the circumstances before we, in our comfortable world, 'blame' anyone, be they German, American or whatever.

It's the circumstances we need to fix so that men aren't put in those positions again.

[williamkisse]

I agree that horrible things happen in war, and when we put young men in situations like this anything will happen.

My Dad told me that the only way to retain your sanity was to try your best to put your emotions aside and just kill or be killed.

A horrible situation to thrust any human being into.

Too many DAYS of no sleep and continuous stress and strain of gunfire and artillery barrages, never knowing when/if/how you were going to be injured or killed is a horrible thing to endure.

[CaporaluB]

Congratulations from Romania for taping these war recollections.

Great job, man!

[Alex19451975]

Thanks for the story of your Dad.

I only know this history part of hell in this forest from that what my mother and my father told me, who were born in 1937 in the area of hurtgen forest. When I was kid I found many artefacts of this time in the forest sometimes a full bandoleer (?) in my grandpas barn.

Thank you to your dad - for his labours and blood to end this horrible war

Greetings from Cologne

[MattyGK166]

Thanks for the great video. I enjoyed it immensely. A brilliant way to tribute your Dad and the adventures he had and endured. I loved the last bit about the little French kid "hello sucker"...LOL, brilliant.

All the best to your family and your Dad.

Would always love to see more about Sparky and his experiences if you can.

Cheers Matt

[cruzgod]

Ny Dad, Harold Miller, from Salem, Mass. fought at Hurtgen Forest. He took a major amount of schrapnel in his next and back. He was a mortarman. He was one of only about 3 soldiers from his platoon. His feet were frozen from the water/ice in his foxhole. He's a hero for sure. ll of you there were.

[germanyforever40]

Bill, Your Dad may not think so, but he's a HERO in my book.

[williamkisse]

He's certainly a hero in MY book and he's always been my inspiration.

I am elated to share these videos with everyone, especially those who didn't have the opportunity to record a video of a father's or grandfather's recollections.

Bill

[germanyforever40]

Fantastic Video. Thanks for sharing it. I wish I wuld have done this with my Dad before he passed away.

Such truthfullness and sincerity is very refreshing. I really hated to hear the part about us killing the unarmed german POW's, but I guess this stuff happens in war, even by the "Good" guys.

[decafjnr]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. My Dad, who was also in the Battle of the Bulge, never shared any of his experiences. I am currently trying to piece together his military record (as his records were destroyed in the fire in St. Louis). I can tell you are very proud of your Dad, and rightfully so. Thanks again!

Jan

[williamkisse]

Jan:

Yes, I am very proud of my Dad and the awful things he endured in the war.

Many thanks for your kind comments.

Bill

[Brough1111]

I enjoyed this video very much, with guys like

you defending the free world the Nazis didn't

have a chance. Thanks to a vetran and may I pay respect tp my father who was a Marine WW-2

vetran.

[Tralgit]

Great guy, salt of the earth. Thanks for sharing and thank your father for liberating us.

[williamkisse]

I am very proud to be the son of a man who is regarded as "the salt of the earth".

Thank you from both of us.

[takeuchitb007]

fantastic Video, god bless your father

[williamkisse]

Please feel free to distribute this link.

I am honored to make this video available and welcome the opportunity to others to share his wonderful recollections.

Warmest Regards.

Bill Kisse

[joegalambos]

is there more?

[williamkisse]

I have videos from the 2007 reenactment that I have not posted here.

I've received so many requests that I will do my best to post shortly.

Many thanks for your interest and comment.

Bill Kisse

[joegalambos]

what year was this video made?  is your father still alive? i'm guessing it was filmed in the early-mid nineties.

[williamkisse]

My Dad is still with us and going strong at 90.

The video was taken in 2000.

[williamkisse]

This is all I have of my Dad's recollections that we took in a professional studio.

I will be distributing additional videos from other Battle of The Bulge reenactments as I can.

[0tt0ni0]

thanks for sharing these insights into the war with us

[barryb83110]

Dad was lighting a cigarette, standing on the back of a moving duece and a half when a piano wire slid up his wrist, took off his helmet and flipped him off the back of the truck. He thought it was hilarious. He was Polish and from Pittsburgh, 5th Army.

[Y0uEnj0yMyself]

thx for posting this.

[ashmgray]

Sorry to keep writing messages, but keep thinking of more to tell you.

My cousin's name was 1st Lt. Mert Rice, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. He was in Company E and then transferred to Company F right before the Hurtgen campaign. Mert was career Army. Served from 1935 to 1954. He was a Master Sgt. and went to officer school in 1942. Also fought in Korea. Retired in 1954 as a Captain.

[ashmgray]

I visited the Hurtgen Forrest in 2003 and 2004 while I was stationed in Germany. Went down the Kall trail and crossed the bridge over the Kall River. Your Dad is right, it is just a creek and the bridge is a small concrete bridge. The trail is still there and not very wide. The main trail goes from Vossenack to Schmidt and Kommershite.