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Resupply in the Ardennes

Discussion in 'Western Europe 1943 - 1945' started by Pepee, Aug 29, 2014.

  1. Pepee

    Pepee recruit

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    The veteran and member researchers of the National WWII Glider Pilots Association have recently updated their website for the Ardennes resupply missions. This covers from the 18th to the 27th of December and is broken down day by day. Topics include:
    • The Situation with a report from the 101st Headquarters as well as a transcript of Hitler’s Impressions of the American Stand at Bastogne. Find out what Hitler thought of the 101st being at Bastogne.
    • Para drop resupplies, Group and Squadrons involved.
    • Medical teams and supplies by gliders Group and Squadrons involved and crew list.
    • 50 glider resupply by the 439th and 440th TCGs Crew list, one by chalk and one by Last name and link to formation.
    Go To:

    http://www.ww2gp.org/ardennessituation.php

    Hope this research comes in handy

    Kind Regards
    Patricia
     
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  2. gtblackwell

    gtblackwell Member Emeritus

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    Patricia, perfect timing ! I am reading High Cole's "Ardennes" on Kindle using paper maps and this adds enormously to the supply situation and the price paid. I had no idea surgeons were glidered ( Not really a word ?) in. When I finish what I am reading I will look for more supply oriented material but this was just great.

    Many thanks,

    Gaines
     
  3. Pepee

    Pepee recruit

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    Gaines, I am so glad to see your comment and that the information may be helpful We know all 72 glider pilots who flew in the three missions. On the 19th of December the 326th Medical Company was captured and the 101st lost almost all their medical staff and supplies right away. Capt. Willis L. McKee asked McAulliffe to move his company into Bastogne because he felt he was too far out and would be overrun. McAuliffe told him to go back that he would be alright, later that day the medical company was captured. So it was important to get more medical personnel to Bastogne.

    There were three separate glider missions. One glider left with surgeons and other medical staff. Then 10 gliders with other medical supplies and personnel. I read that the medical staff were a little disconcerted when they saw they had boxes with the words indicating ammunition underneath there feet. These two glider missions had both two glider pilots for each glider. The 50 glider mission was mostly ammunition and rations but some medical supplies. They flew with one glider pilot, no copilot. I know a couple of the pilots who flew into Bastogne. Their experiences were amazing as well as the men who flew the tugs. Pete Houk saw his tow plane get shot out of the air and he had to release. He ended up as a POW until the end of the war. He psassed away in June of 2013. Some of Chuck Berry's comments are on the site. He is still with us and a great guy to talk with, with a great sense of humor, as did Pete.

    Well did not mean to go on...

    Kind regards
    P--
     
  4. Doc Sausage

    Doc Sausage Member

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    I can only echo Gaines' comment about perfect timing as I am reading the SLA Marshall account of the first 8 days in Bastogne as I will be unexpectedly passing through the area on the way down to Oktoberfest at the end of the month.

    My beloved is crying foul as we always seem to end up somewhere within spitting distance of some major action during the BoB but I point out that this time she chose the hotel so it's not my fault we come into Bastogne from the west then through Longvilly and Clervaux then up to the Skyline Drive through the Allerborn junction to stay on the banks of the Sure/Sauer river near Diekirch, and if I do happen to get lost and end up in Foy / Noville on the way, well, that's just fate and continental signposting.

    In the meantime I'm crunching every book and website on the subject so this comes as a welcome addition

    Thanks
    Steve
     
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  5. gtblackwell

    gtblackwell Member Emeritus

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    Patricia, by all means "do go on " whenever you wish, very illuminating. Single writings give the big picture and some details but your post makes me want to read more about specifics. Great that you have kept up with the glider men .

    Steve, I once took my long suffering wife and kids from Belgium to Arnhem along the route of XXX Corp ....of course we were headed to Shiphol to fly home. She kept says "Are you sure this is the best route !!!:" " Of course honey !! "

    Gaines
     
  6. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    What days will you be there?
     
  7. Doc Sausage

    Doc Sausage Member

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    It's funny how partners don't understand the vagaries of European navigation, Gaines. We were out in Berlin a couple of years back and having done the Reichstag, the bunker, the Soviet Memorials etc I suggested Gill chose somewhere; She decided we should take a drive out to the lakes and just see where the road took us - we ended up parking right outside the Wannsee house. Apparently it was my malign psychic influence that guided her

    Slipdigit, we're travelling down to Diekirch on Saturday 27 then on to Beblenheim just outside Colmar on the 28th (Op Nordwind which will be a nice surprise for Gill) then three days of big beers and sausages in Munich then back through Wurzburg on the 2nd Oct Roermond on the 3rd and home
     

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