Chapter 3
The Intersection
3-1 The Intersection
When dad would talk about the war, it was not in the context of battles or key milestones. His recollections were rooted in events he could not forget. Two recollections stand out as being told from when I was quite young and being retold decades later. The first was told after my requests for dad to tell me about his war experience and with the encouragement of mom. It was only decades after this youth that dad completed the recounting. ... I refer to this first recollection as “The Intersection”.
While traveling at night, the M8’s approached an intersection and stopped to assess the situation. Upon assessing the situation, Tony informed Walson that there were other vehicles at the intersection. Of course, the big question for this encounter in the middle of night is, “Are they German”. Tony was close enough to here them talk. He informed Walson that they were speaking German. Walson, repeated his question, only in a slightly different manner, “Are you sure they are German.” Tony listened a bit more, and provided the answer, “Yes.” Walson gave the command to open first. For decades, that was the end of what Tony was willing to discuss.
What happened next was five M8 tanks emptying their 50 cal guns at point blank range to a large group of Germans sitting in vehicles on a cold winter night. The M8 crews suffered no losses. Tony’s was not to make decisions; his was to follow orders.
Dad was not a historian. His capabilities were hunting, farming, driving, and getting by since the 5th grade where most of his formal education ended. Nor was history my forte. It took decades and repeated retelling of the story with more details each time for me to comprehend what he was describing.
3-2 Three Days and Two Nights
On the 16th of December, 1944, 25 divisions would launch a surprise attack through the Ardennes, with the aim of crossing the river Meuse. On the 19th of December, Bastogne (Belgium) was substantially surrounded by the German forces with U.S. forces defending a parameter. By the 21st of December, all seven highways entering Bastogne were cut off by the Germans. On the 22nd of December, German General von Lüttwitz sent a messenger demanding the surrender of Bastogne and the encircled American forces to American Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe. McAuliffe sent the following communication to von Lüttwitz in response to the German demand: To the German Commander. “NUTS!”
On the morning of the 23rd of December, Patton initiated an attack with three divisions from the south to relieve Bastogne and stop the Germans from crossing the Meuse. As was the standard mode of operation, the M8 tanks would lead the initiative.
While superficially looking like light tanks, the M8s are more accurately referred to as armored cars. Wheels rather than tracks allowed them to be faster and quieter. Their duty was to locate the enemy forces in front of the main army. As necessary, they were to hold positions for the main army. Their primary mission was not to engage the enemy except for light resistances that hinder their primary mission.
Just as the M8 tank has its role in Patton’s army. Tony had his roll in the M8 tank. Tony’s primary roll was to man the 50 cal gun, to see the enemy before the enemy saw them, and to be the German language interpreter/voice for the M8 tanks. On the day of the 26th, that roll was expanded. Because the tanks were on the move 24 hours a day, he would also take shifts as the driver.
It was the role of the M8’s to perform recon at a speed greater than that of Sherman tanks. The M8’s were designed to be stealthy, especially at night. This is how it was since they entered France in July, and this is the way it was for the drive to Bastogne. Patton’s command knew the strategy of advancing until you make contact with the enemy. The point of the advance was expected to take casualties; by design they were expendable as part of an overall strategy.
The M8 tank crew consisted of the commander, gunner, radio operator, and driver. A squad consisted for five tanks with crew. The squad commander was Lt. Walson; and in Walson’s tank was Tony as gunner, Quin as radio operator, and Oyler as driver. Three squads of M8’s formed a Platoon. On the drive to Bastogne, the three squads took turns in the lead position with the squad commander’s tank in the lead.
When in the lead position, the squad was ahead of the troops. At night, they used no headlights; each tank had a small shielded red light at the rear that could be turned on to allow the squad to follow.
As the hours progressed, Tony felt fortunate. The weather was cold, and they had both the shelter of the tank and the storage of extra cloths and food in reach. When not taking the lead, they were often amidst foot soldiers and would allow them to catch a ride. The soldiers would take turns on the tanks.
On the night of the third day, the level of alert was high. To Tony, there was no difference between France and Belgium, the city of Bastogne only 5 miles into Belgium from Luxemburg. Tony was much more concerned about what lied in their path. However, Walson and Quin knew they were getting close.
When they arrived at The Intersection; they stopped as would be the routine. The intersection provided a nice location for getting bearings and adjusting course as necessary. It also provided an opportunity to regroup. They were not the first ones at this intersection.
As soon as Tony confirmed the other force was speaking German, the command was given to open fire. That engagement included up to 1,500 .30 caliber rounds and 400 .50 caliber rounds from each of the five tanks, plus the 37 mm gun as needed. Walson coordinated the attack, Tony manned the 50 cal above the turret, Quinn manned the 30 cal. gun in the turret, and Quinn was in the driver’s seat with the need for immediate response to Walson’s commands.
When the M8’s opened fire, they became a target for every opposition gun in range. The M8’s engaged with the element of surprise, but they were outnumbered. With the end of opposition movement and gunfire, M8s ceased fire. The squad had no casualties. They did not stick around, continuing to their destination leaving the intersection at the greatest of haste.
After a couple miles, they approached road barriers and what appeared to be a village within the next mile. The M8s set up a defensive position.
3-3 Relief to the Allied Forces at Bastogne
Walson instructed Tony to grab a rifle and to follow him. If they were at the right location, they had reached the lines of the American defense of Bastogne. Walson explained to Tony that his intent was to make contact with those friendly forces. The left into the darkness. After about a half an hour, they deemed their attempt sufficient, but fruitless. They returned to the squad.
When they arrived at the squad, there were more than the 18 men left to defend their position. There were over a dozen more soldiers, who were eating the C-rations of the squad as though it was one of the best feasts they had ever had.
No c-rations were left for Tony and Walson. Tony was not overly disappointed, as he was tired of c-rations. That was all they had eaten for the past three days. It would be well into the next day before the army reached them to replenish supplies. They squad was given more c-rations.
It all makes sense in hindsight. The M8’s were doing the task they were assigned. The German line at The Intersection was depleted in resources. At the point where Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe basically told General von Lüttwitz to go to hell with his replay of “Nutts”; General von Lüttwitz’s supplies had been sufficiently depleted that he could only mount a retaliatory bombardment against the American forces. The taking of Bastogne was not realistic. Those depleted resources allowed the lightly armored M8’s to quickly overtake the Germans when having the element of surprise at point blank range.
The sound of five M8 tanks unleashing the wrath of their might would not go unnoticed by the allied forces on the outskirts of Bastogne. The forces defending Bastogne were well aware that the recently unusual site of five M8 tanks approaching their line could be the good news they were awaiting. The allied forces made contact on their terms.
General Patton set out to Bastogne with three divisions and expanded that to a six division initiative over the three days of the drive to Bastogne. The drive to Bastogne had multiple spearheads, and included breaking through the German forces at several points. It is unlikely that any reached Bastogne earlier than this squad did in the mid night hours of the 26th.
The allied forces at Bastogne had won the battle. The had depleted the German forces in munitions and by forcing the Germans to defend an extended line around Bastogne from attack both on the Bastogne side and the Luxemburg side of that line. The German munitions had been substantially exhausted and they were out of reserves. That being noted, the relief and c-rations were very welcome, and the German threats to the M8 tanks were very real.
When Patton’s troops arrived by the path cleared by the M8s. They could not help but comment that they had passed through what they described as “the site of a major battle”. There were German bodies everywhere, but no American casualties. It was as if a ghost had cleared the path.
When dad would talk about the war, it was not in the context of battles or key milestones. His recollections were rooted in events he could not forget. Two recollections stand out as being told from when I was quite young and being retold decades later. The first was told after my requests for dad to tell me about his war experience and with the encouragement of mom. It was only decades after this youth that dad completed the recounting. ... I refer to this first recollection as “The Intersection”.
While traveling at night, the M8’s approached an intersection and stopped to assess the situation. Upon assessing the situation, Tony informed Walson that there were other vehicles at the intersection. Of course, the big question for this encounter in the middle of night is, “Are they German”. Tony was close enough to here them talk. He informed Walson that they were speaking German. Walson, repeated his question, only in a slightly different manner, “Are you sure they are German.” Tony listened a bit more, and provided the answer, “Yes.” Walson gave the command to open first. For decades, that was the end of what Tony was willing to discuss.
What happened next was five M8 tanks emptying their 50 cal guns at point blank range to a large group of Germans sitting in vehicles on a cold winter night. The M8 crews suffered no losses. Tony’s was not to make decisions; his was to follow orders.
Dad was not a historian. His capabilities were hunting, farming, driving, and getting by since the 5th grade where most of his formal education ended. Nor was history my forte. It took decades and repeated retelling of the story with more details each time for me to comprehend what he was describing.
3-2 Three Days and Two Nights
On the 16th of December, 1944, 25 divisions would launch a surprise attack through the Ardennes, with the aim of crossing the river Meuse. On the 19th of December, Bastogne (Belgium) was substantially surrounded by the German forces with U.S. forces defending a parameter. By the 21st of December, all seven highways entering Bastogne were cut off by the Germans. On the 22nd of December, German General von Lüttwitz sent a messenger demanding the surrender of Bastogne and the encircled American forces to American Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe. McAuliffe sent the following communication to von Lüttwitz in response to the German demand: To the German Commander. “NUTS!”
On the morning of the 23rd of December, Patton initiated an attack with three divisions from the south to relieve Bastogne and stop the Germans from crossing the Meuse. As was the standard mode of operation, the M8 tanks would lead the initiative.
While superficially looking like light tanks, the M8s are more accurately referred to as armored cars. Wheels rather than tracks allowed them to be faster and quieter. Their duty was to locate the enemy forces in front of the main army. As necessary, they were to hold positions for the main army. Their primary mission was not to engage the enemy except for light resistances that hinder their primary mission.
Just as the M8 tank has its role in Patton’s army. Tony had his roll in the M8 tank. Tony’s primary roll was to man the 50 cal gun, to see the enemy before the enemy saw them, and to be the German language interpreter/voice for the M8 tanks. On the day of the 26th, that roll was expanded. Because the tanks were on the move 24 hours a day, he would also take shifts as the driver.
It was the role of the M8’s to perform recon at a speed greater than that of Sherman tanks. The M8’s were designed to be stealthy, especially at night. This is how it was since they entered France in July, and this is the way it was for the drive to Bastogne. Patton’s command knew the strategy of advancing until you make contact with the enemy. The point of the advance was expected to take casualties; by design they were expendable as part of an overall strategy.
The M8 tank crew consisted of the commander, gunner, radio operator, and driver. A squad consisted for five tanks with crew. The squad commander was Lt. Walson; and in Walson’s tank was Tony as gunner, Quin as radio operator, and Oyler as driver. Three squads of M8’s formed a Platoon. On the drive to Bastogne, the three squads took turns in the lead position with the squad commander’s tank in the lead.
When in the lead position, the squad was ahead of the troops. At night, they used no headlights; each tank had a small shielded red light at the rear that could be turned on to allow the squad to follow.
As the hours progressed, Tony felt fortunate. The weather was cold, and they had both the shelter of the tank and the storage of extra cloths and food in reach. When not taking the lead, they were often amidst foot soldiers and would allow them to catch a ride. The soldiers would take turns on the tanks.
On the night of the third day, the level of alert was high. To Tony, there was no difference between France and Belgium, the city of Bastogne only 5 miles into Belgium from Luxemburg. Tony was much more concerned about what lied in their path. However, Walson and Quin knew they were getting close.
When they arrived at The Intersection; they stopped as would be the routine. The intersection provided a nice location for getting bearings and adjusting course as necessary. It also provided an opportunity to regroup. They were not the first ones at this intersection.
As soon as Tony confirmed the other force was speaking German, the command was given to open fire. That engagement included up to 1,500 .30 caliber rounds and 400 .50 caliber rounds from each of the five tanks, plus the 37 mm gun as needed. Walson coordinated the attack, Tony manned the 50 cal above the turret, Quinn manned the 30 cal. gun in the turret, and Quinn was in the driver’s seat with the need for immediate response to Walson’s commands.
When the M8’s opened fire, they became a target for every opposition gun in range. The M8’s engaged with the element of surprise, but they were outnumbered. With the end of opposition movement and gunfire, M8s ceased fire. The squad had no casualties. They did not stick around, continuing to their destination leaving the intersection at the greatest of haste.
After a couple miles, they approached road barriers and what appeared to be a village within the next mile. The M8s set up a defensive position.
3-3 Relief to the Allied Forces at Bastogne
Walson instructed Tony to grab a rifle and to follow him. If they were at the right location, they had reached the lines of the American defense of Bastogne. Walson explained to Tony that his intent was to make contact with those friendly forces. The left into the darkness. After about a half an hour, they deemed their attempt sufficient, but fruitless. They returned to the squad.
When they arrived at the squad, there were more than the 18 men left to defend their position. There were over a dozen more soldiers, who were eating the C-rations of the squad as though it was one of the best feasts they had ever had.
No c-rations were left for Tony and Walson. Tony was not overly disappointed, as he was tired of c-rations. That was all they had eaten for the past three days. It would be well into the next day before the army reached them to replenish supplies. They squad was given more c-rations.
It all makes sense in hindsight. The M8’s were doing the task they were assigned. The German line at The Intersection was depleted in resources. At the point where Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe basically told General von Lüttwitz to go to hell with his replay of “Nutts”; General von Lüttwitz’s supplies had been sufficiently depleted that he could only mount a retaliatory bombardment against the American forces. The taking of Bastogne was not realistic. Those depleted resources allowed the lightly armored M8’s to quickly overtake the Germans when having the element of surprise at point blank range.
The sound of five M8 tanks unleashing the wrath of their might would not go unnoticed by the allied forces on the outskirts of Bastogne. The forces defending Bastogne were well aware that the recently unusual site of five M8 tanks approaching their line could be the good news they were awaiting. The allied forces made contact on their terms.
General Patton set out to Bastogne with three divisions and expanded that to a six division initiative over the three days of the drive to Bastogne. The drive to Bastogne had multiple spearheads, and included breaking through the German forces at several points. It is unlikely that any reached Bastogne earlier than this squad did in the mid night hours of the 26th.
The allied forces at Bastogne had won the battle. The had depleted the German forces in munitions and by forcing the Germans to defend an extended line around Bastogne from attack both on the Bastogne side and the Luxemburg side of that line. The German munitions had been substantially exhausted and they were out of reserves. That being noted, the relief and c-rations were very welcome, and the German threats to the M8 tanks were very real.
When Patton’s troops arrived by the path cleared by the M8s. They could not help but comment that they had passed through what they described as “the site of a major battle”. There were German bodies everywhere, but no American casualties. It was as if a ghost had cleared the path.