I usually just introduce new links, updates, etc., on the What's New page, but I wanted to give this website a little more exposure...

Many of you may be familiar with the CRIBA site, which has been around for several years, and under the fine tutelage of Henri Rogister. Unfortunately he has experienced a certain turn of events, and well, he has removed data including photos, stories, etc., and transferred them to his new site. A real shame this had to occur. After all, he had put many years of service into the old site. Sorry you had to go through this, Henri. Best of luck on your new site.

I've included a portion of his letter below, careful to remove any personal references, but you should still get the gist of his words.

Dear American friends,

 

...You know probably that I had created since a month (March 17) a new website site called: Battle of the Bulge Memories.

 

The reason of this new website is that I have some problems...

 

You know also that since many years, you sent me or I ask you the authorization to publish many stories published in our own newsletter. With these problems... all stories, pictures and information that I had posted had been transferred from CRIBA's website to my new website...I was the webmaster and that all these stories were my research's job during many years and since the first day (February 15, 1998).

 

...I hope to be able to work again with all of you in order to perpetuate the memory of all these Americans soldiers who were involved in the Bulge...

 

Best Regards at all of you

Your Belgian friends since many years

 

Henri Rogister, Webmaster

Captain

Group: Members

Posts: 247

Joined: 2-October 07

From: Wixom, mi.

Member No.: 395

Warn: (0%)

This has been around before, but rates a re-run.

If there are ex WII pilots out there , I would like to know if you were aware of this.

If so; enlighten us.

Chucktoo

__________________________________________________

From esteemed historian Carlo D'Este, World War II in the Mediterranean (published 1990), pages 156–157.

The approaches to Cassino lay in full view of the defenders.

A series of attacks in early February [1944] by the U.S. 34th Infantry Division threatened both the town and the heights of Monastery Hill. An excellent opportunity to have won what historians have designated the First Battle of Cassino was lost when no effort was made to reinforce the 34th Division.

Meanwhile the Germans had rushed in reinforcements to fend off this dire threat. Like the battles being fought at Anzio, the ferocious engagements fought in the jagged mountains surrounding Cassino were among the lesser-known horrors of the Italian campaign. Most of the battles of the heights were referred to simply by the numbers shown in meters on the maps of the participants. The Germans cleverly established their defenses on reverse slopes, with mutually supporting fires to cover an attack from any direction.

One of the keys to breaking the German grip of the Cassino heights was Point 593, which exchanged hands several times but ultimately ended back in German hands after a series of bitter battles with Major General Charles Ryder's 34th Division. Although forced to endure unspeakable hardships in the cold and brutal mountains overlooking Cassino, this National Guard division that Alexander [high command, British] a year earlier had pronounced unfit for combat in Tunisia had long since come of age, and was now one of the most battle-tested divisions in the entire U.S. Army. The performance of the 34th Division was so outstanding that not only were a private first class and a lieutenant awarded the Medal of Honor, but a British historian later wrote that their exploits "must rank with the finest feats of arms carried out by any soldiers during the war." After suffering enormous losses and with its troops at the very end of their endurance, the division was pulled from the line to rest and refit. Their respite was to be short-lived; in early March they were sent to bolster the defenses of Anzio.

This is for you, Rocky.

Peanuts

Hello to the forum,

All of you have been so helpful with my inquiries over the years that I am back for a little more help. I just received a copy of my great uncles military file. In hopes to complete the family medals display case I am making I have a question or two to ask about him. He was in the Navy. In his file it states that he was authorized to wear the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon but it says nothing of the medals that go with them. Do the ribbons ever get issued without the medals? I don't want to put them in or leave them out of the case depending on the situation.

Thank you again for the help,

Dan