Battle of the Bulge - 87th and 101st

[Walt's Daughter]

I sent this to James Hennessey this morning. While reading Don Burgett's book last night, Seven Roads to Hell - A Screaming Eagle at Bastogne, I came across a reference to Jim's unit, the 87th Infantry Division. I thought I'd share it with him and with you.

 

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Jim:

 

While reading Don Burgett's book last night, Seven Roads to Hell, I came across a reference to your unit. Here we go. This is where A Company, 506 PIR, 101st is north of Bastogne and south of Foy and the date is December 30th, 1944.

 

"General Patton entered our city on the thirtieth, took one look at the situation, and decided to launch an attack immediately, with whatever troops he had on hand.  He ordered two new divisions that had never been in combat before, the 87th Infantry and 11th Armored Divisions, to conduct the operation.  The 101st Airborne Division was to give support.

 

Patton's two green divisions moved out and immediately ran head-on into the large German force attacking southward at the same time in an attempt to reencircle Bastogne.  Patton's attack smashed the German thrust."

 

Thought you'd like to see this. It's so much fun (interesting) for me to run into references to ETO units where I now know someone from that unit. History is always more grabbing when you can relate it to a person or a group of men with a background.

 

Marion