Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In his book “The Victors” (Eisenhower and His Boys: The Men of World War II)* historian and acclaimed writer Stephen Ambrose tells the stories of soldiers who served under General Eisenhower. This is one of them.
The Victors
Pvt. Phillip Stark was a nineteen year old machine gunner in the 84th Division. He arrived on Christmas Eve at a position outside the Belgian village of Verdenne on the northern shoulder of the bulge. His company had been on the offensive for a month and as a result lost 175 out of 200 men. Replacements had brought it back to strength.
At twilight the German troops in Verdenne began to celebrate. “Sounds and songs carried well across the cold clear air.” Too well for Stark’s safety – officers at regimental level heard the songs and decided to give the Germans a reminder of Washington crossing the Delaware to attack the Hessian troops on Christmas Eve 1776. Stark’s platoon was ordered to attack and drive the Germans from the town. That meant going up a hill.
In the dark the company got to the top, only to be shelled by American artillery. Stark and his buddy Wib tried to dig in, but below the frozen earth there was rock. They were digging from the prone position, and despite frantic efforts, when dawn came “our hole was only about a foot deep and six feet long. Wib was 6’2″ and I’m 6’6″, but at least we were able to keep ourselves below the all important ground level.”
“This is how we spent Christmas Eve in 1944.”
Christmas morning, Stark got to talking to Wib about the stories he had heard or read from the First World War, when on Christmas the front-line soldiers would declare a truce. “We longed for a lull, for a day of peace and safety.” Instead they got a German barrage, intended to cover the retreat of German vehicles from Verdenne.
At dawn the following day, German infantry and tanks counter attacked. The remainder of the platoon retreated, but Stark stayed with his machine gun, even when Wib took a bullet in the middle of his forehead. “Now I was alone and for the first time I was sure that I too was going to die. But I kept on firing, hoping to keep them off. By now three enemy tanks were very close and firing their machine guns and cannon directly at my position. I was nearing the end of my second box of ammunition.”
A German bullet ricocheted off his machine gun, broke into bits, and slammed into his left cheek, blinding him in the left eye. He ran to the rear only to bump up against a burning German tank. Then over the hill and back where he had started three days ago, on Christmas Eve. He had lost an eye and won a Silver Star. In his sector, nothing had been gained by either side in the series of attacks and counter attacks.”
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On this Christmas Eve we thank God for the brave soldiers who protect us from tyranny. We humbly remember and honor their immeasurable sacrifices made in war. We give thanks to all the men and women in our armed services for their steadfast dedication and service to defend us and preserve freedom. We pray for their safety and for their families. We pray for peace on earth. Merry Christmas.
Mark Westcott
Previous Newsletters – Christmas 1776:
http://www.westcottupny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/78-Christmas-1776-Dec-24-2014.pdf
http://www.westcottupny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/49-December-24-2013-Merry-Christmas.pdf
* Note: Also in The Victors is the story of Private Fritz Niland who was the real Private Ryan from the award-winning film by Steven Spielberg. Two of Private Niland’s brothers were killed on D-Day, and a third was killed the same week in the China-Burma-India Theater. His mother received all three telegrams on one day. The U.S. Army removed Private Niland from combat. Other Stephen Ambrose books on World War II include Eisenhower, Pegasus Bridge, Band of Brothers, D-Day and Citizen Soldiers.