Re: 17th Airborne 1944-45, Doesburg, Germany

Wow,

Where do I start,The 17th airborne spent quite a wile a training outfit.They therefor only recruited the best candidtates. The group was in ingland when the Germans overran the allied lines in december 1944 Battle of the bulge. They were one of very few units that could be brought into the fREY. They had several very harrowing engagements in their first few days in battle.They were spearheading Pattons drive on the famous Bastone and ran into several armored collums.I understand that they fought untill they ran out of ammo and then charged the tanks with baonetts.Some of the units took up to 40 percent casualties (on the first day).I understand that when patton heard about the excessivly large casualities he said the famous " We could still loose this damn war.

Lokk up any book on the battle and you will find info on the 17TH.The older the book the more info you will find.Some of it will make you feel sad that our boys had to go through it.

TH