V-MAIL
438th AAA AW BN
APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.
Belgium
9 September, 1944 1000
Hello darling!
A shortie this morning because I have several things to take care of and a couple of them have to be done before noon. This is Saturday again – and they sure roll around; Saturdays – you know, dear – always mean a report due to the Chief Surgeon’s office.
Yesterday I took care of one of my boys in another battery who received a very nasty scalp wound. He’s lucky he wasn’t killed outright. There weren’t any hospitals around to send him to; so I took care of it myself – although conditions weren’t ideal. Have to run over to see how he’s doing today.
The news is still good, sweetheart, and all our hopes are running high – as I know yours are too. I can’t imagine what reactions I’ll have when this thing is declared finished – but I have two bottles of Scotch (my ration for the last 2 mos.) and I’m ready to tie one on – I think. Have to stop now, darling – will write more tomorrow. Until then and forever after – I love you darling. Love to the folks –
A shortie this morning because I have several things to take care of and a couple of them have to be done before noon. This is Saturday again – and they sure roll around; Saturdays – you know, dear – always mean a report due to the Chief Surgeon’s office.
Yesterday I took care of one of my boys in another battery who received a very nasty scalp wound. He’s lucky he wasn’t killed outright. There weren’t any hospitals around to send him to; so I took care of it myself – although conditions weren’t ideal. Have to run over to see how he’s doing today.
The news is still good, sweetheart, and all our hopes are running high – as I know yours are too. I can’t imagine what reactions I’ll have when this thing is declared finished – but I have two bottles of Scotch (my ration for the last 2 mos.) and I’m ready to tie one on – I think. Have to stop now, darling – will write more tomorrow. Until then and forever after – I love you darling. Love to the folks –
All my love - Greg
* TIDBIT *
about the Liberation of Belgium
and the Continued Movement
of 3rd Armored Division, VII Corps
Here is a short clip about the Liberation of Belgium,
showing some of the reactions Greg has observed:
about the Liberation of Belgium
and the Continued Movement
of 3rd Armored Division, VII Corps
Here is a short clip about the Liberation of Belgium,
showing some of the reactions Greg has observed:
In this map, "VII" for "VII Corps" can be seen south of Paris and followed through Belgium, the northern arrow moving through Mons and Namur to Liege:
And the war goes on...
7 September 1944:
The 3rd Armored Division was now heading towards Liège. Increased opposition indicated that the Germans were preparing a defensive position along the Meuse River, but he division upset this plan. Combat Command B made a flanking movement around the south of the city, crossing a bridge across the Meuse in the process. They reached a position on the southeast side of the city by sunset, taking the defenders by surprise. Meanwhile, Combat Command A made a frontal assault on the city. This Command faced tougher defenses and was momentarily halted by a number of heavy anti-tank guns on the outskirts. Soon the enemy guns were located, and eight 105-mm anti-aircraft guns were forced out of action, destroyed or abandoned.
8 September 1944:
On this day General Bock von Wolfingen, the German commander of the city was captured, falling prey to a road block set up by Combat Command B (CCB). This Command was assigned the mission of clearing up the town of Liège south of the river. The majority of the bridges in the town had been blown up. Construction of a bridge across the Meuse River was begun at 1545 hours and completed by 2355 hours. Cleaning up operations were completed and the town secured by 1810 hours. CCB met only scattered opposition all day. The air CP fired on an old fort near Liège and destroyed an estimated 40 enemy vehicles.
9 September 1944:
3rd Armored Division continued its advance eastwards from Liège. Combat Command A, taking the northern route, advanced quickly to the high ground north of Dison (north of Verviers) and by nightfall had reach Limbourg and Pepinster. Combat Command B departed from Liège at around 11 am and met organized and heavy resistance for the first time in days. However, Theux (southwest of Verviers) was captured and the tanks then rolled into Verviers itself. The entire 3rd Armored Division joined them there on the same day, just 15 miles from the German border.
CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE
And the war goes on...
7 September 1944:
The 3rd Armored Division was now heading towards Liège. Increased opposition indicated that the Germans were preparing a defensive position along the Meuse River, but he division upset this plan. Combat Command B made a flanking movement around the south of the city, crossing a bridge across the Meuse in the process. They reached a position on the southeast side of the city by sunset, taking the defenders by surprise. Meanwhile, Combat Command A made a frontal assault on the city. This Command faced tougher defenses and was momentarily halted by a number of heavy anti-tank guns on the outskirts. Soon the enemy guns were located, and eight 105-mm anti-aircraft guns were forced out of action, destroyed or abandoned.
8 September 1944:
On this day General Bock von Wolfingen, the German commander of the city was captured, falling prey to a road block set up by Combat Command B (CCB). This Command was assigned the mission of clearing up the town of Liège south of the river. The majority of the bridges in the town had been blown up. Construction of a bridge across the Meuse River was begun at 1545 hours and completed by 2355 hours. Cleaning up operations were completed and the town secured by 1810 hours. CCB met only scattered opposition all day. The air CP fired on an old fort near Liège and destroyed an estimated 40 enemy vehicles.
9 September 1944:
3rd Armored Division continued its advance eastwards from Liège. Combat Command A, taking the northern route, advanced quickly to the high ground north of Dison (north of Verviers) and by nightfall had reach Limbourg and Pepinster. Combat Command B departed from Liège at around 11 am and met organized and heavy resistance for the first time in days. However, Theux (southwest of Verviers) was captured and the tanks then rolled into Verviers itself. The entire 3rd Armored Division joined them there on the same day, just 15 miles from the German border.
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