I am just going to copy and paste the contents of an email I recieved regarding the Battle of the Bulge. This is written by Robert Borton who is my grandpa's brother. He landed in France 10 weeks after D-Day and fought clear across Europe. Erick did a video piece on him which aired on PBS a few years ago. We will have to get Erick to give us a link to the video. It is quite interesting.
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The local Chapter of VBOB=Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, is preparing an Exhibit & Programs in the Community Park Banquet Hall on So. Post Rd., running from 12-16-06 to
1-20-07, which is same time period this Major Battle of WW11 took place, only 62 yrs earlier.
Every member has been asked to describe a personal experience to be used during some of the Programs. So a few Days ago, I jotted down a note of one my most vivid memories and
e-mailed it to the program Chairman. He changed only one or two words of what I submitted.
I thot maybe some of you History Buffs might be interested. Each NEW YEARS EVE since then & sometimes on the 4th of July, I have fade backs to this Celebration of Freedom & Life.
Am sure you all have a eventful day, that is also etched in your memory! Bob
In the vicinity of WILTZ, Luxembourg on NEW YEARS EVE
by Robert G Borton
Company A, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division
I know I was in Luxembourg, but whether SW or NE of Wiltz, I can only make a good guess. I was never really aware of my location during the war. I’m sure this condition existed for almost anyone who served on the front line.
On New Years eve of 1944, my shift of guard duty was from 2200 hours through 0200 hours. We were positioned near the top of a tree lined ridge on a beautiful moonlight night and the temperature was well below zero. Perhaps 10 to 15 degrees below zero.
A few minutes before midnight, while I was standing behind a large tree, a sudden howling, screaming, half crazed 20-23 year old German soldier came charging toward me from behind another large tree, only about 5 to 6 feet away.
I had to decide in just a few seconds whether he was drunk (New Years Eve), suffering from the freezing weather, or if I was about to receive his bayonet? Fortunately, he wanted to surrender. As I took him down the slope to the company CP located in a small farm house, my own feet felt like heavy “fire plugs,” almost immovable. The executive officer quizzed me about the German prisoner and also asked about my condition.
I told him that I thought my feet were frozen. He stripped off my socks and boots, and propped my feet real close to a hot “pot-bellied” stove. After a short exam, he declared my feet were not frozen -- “but almost!”
He allowed me about a half hour to sit by the stove and get warm. During this time, he explained he had some “EYE SALVE,” which might be soothing for my feet. He then massaged my ankles, heels and toes with it. My dumbfounded comment was, “What! I’ve never heard of “Eye Salve” and couldn’t imagine it would help my feet.
The thing that really cause me pain was when he said the company was so shorthanded of men, at that moment, and that I had to go back up to the “line” after he rebooted my feet.
I finished this cold and beautiful night without further incident.
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