-
December 16
- Texas A&M University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
DECEMBER 16 Before December 16 both the 28th and the 106th divisions sent reports to U.S. Army headquarters and intelligence groups regarding increased vehicular activity in the German sector. However, little action resulted from the receipt of this information. In fact, the 28th discounted its own intelligence by referencing a similar level of activity three weeks earlier, when an enemy unit pulled out of the area and was replaced by another. The surprise to the Allies in the Ardennes on December 16 was thus almost complete. Early in the morning and well before first light on December 16, 1944, D.C. and the others heard artillery fire, and it was not their own. The Germans began their attack at 5:30 a.m. Sunrise did not occur until 8:29 a.m. in this dreary section of the Ardennes. Clervaux was a main objective of the German offensive, followed by Bastogne and its strategic crossroads. Clervaux had two vital bridges that crossed the Clerf River, which provided access to a major highway, and was therefore critical for the German army and its race to Bastogne. Hitler did not anticipate the fierce, if not fanatical, resistance by the U.S. forces. Individuals formed up with nameless groups and set up hastily prepared defenses. Even the disorganized nature of the U.S. resistance caused the Germans to second-guess the actual situation. The Americans retreated like an army, not a disorganized mob of defeated foreigners. The telephone lines connecting American-held villages in the area were destroyed early in the attack. Radios still functioned, but not in every case. The members of the Civil Affairs detachment hurriedly 84 Mrs. Cordie’s Soldier Son reported to their office at the former local post office. Later that morning everyone was ordered into the field, including D.C. With field packs and weapons, they went to a designated area to set up a defensive perimeter. For the first time, D.C. and the rest of the detachment were actually going to function as an infantry unit on the line. This was not compatible with his role as a clerk typist. The typical soldier from the provost marshal’s unit entered the field with his wool shirt, field jacket, leggings, and high-top combat boots. Proper gear had not arrived in sufficient quantity to allow winterizing for prolonged periods in the field. Considering the extreme cold, I am not sure that members of the Civil Affairs detachment could have been adequately winterized. As before, D.C. carried his M1 .30-cal. carbine. The soldiers did not take the time to acquire the normal shelter halves, sleeping bags, or even overshoes. The question that ran through their mind was simply, “Do we have what we need, and do we need what we Facing south from the front of the Hotel Koener. The building to the right is the Molitor Pharmacie, where, from the basement, German infiltrators directed artillery fire into the village during the battle to take Clervaux. (Photo by Sarah Miracle.) [3.239.162.98] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 08:10 GMT) December 16 85 have?” There was very little time to give much thought to preparations since the entire German army seemed headed right for them. This was not the Christmas D.C. had expected. Although the Allies did not know it at the time, the Germans were doing more than probing their lines. After D.C.’s unit took up their hurriedly assigned positions outside of Clervaux, they heard artillery fire again. Their commanding officer, Captain Johnson, an old field artillery officer, decided to take his driver, Harry Duncan, and see what was happening. Other than perhaps Captain Johnson, the soldiers had no information, and their field radios had limited range. For example, the frequently used handheld walkie-talkie was normally effective for a quarter mile. The surrounding hills may also have caused some interference for those short-range radios. Leaving Lieutenant Bowdery in charge, Captain Johnson told him that they were not to leave and to wait until he returned. With the snow falling, the captain and Harry left in the jeep, while the Germans fired at them periodically. What D.C. and the others did not then know was that the captain had orders to hold their position at all costs. Their position all along the line was worse than tenuous. Even D.C. knew that not having an opportunity...