|
|
| James
D. Branch revisits his former battle area |
Saturday, the 3rd of
April 1999
 I went into the
Ardennes with James D. Branch, 38th Rgt HQ I Bn (2nd Inf. Div.) and his
brother Bob Branch who was in action during the Korea War (1951 -
1954).
They had come to Holland already a few days before, and on
Saturdaymorning they where picked up by Karel (the "video-man"). This
time we didn't drive too early, and about 11.00 hours we came to our
first stop at the area of Baraque Michel (the usual Coffeebreak). James
came back for the first time after the War and seeing the Ardennes, the
trees already brought back many memories. The trip went on to
Buetgenbach where I had reservations for them in a Hotel. After a
(another) coffeebreak (we Dutch always drink a lot of coffee), we made
a little trip around the area, so James and his brother knew about how
the 1st Inf. Div. defended the area. Also a quick visit to the memorial
of the Big Red One.
At about 14.00 hours we picked up their rental car in the area of
Losheim, and drove off to the Heartbreak X- roads, from where James
came back into Krinkelt - Rocherath. Although many details had changed,
he did recognise some things. Coming into Krinkelt as he did in 1944,
only a few houses still are left as they stood there during the battle.
The church newly built was not the church anymore as James had it in
his memory. Also we where looking for the spot where in a house he
"killed" a German panther tank with
a bazooka, not far from the church. But we didn't find it. We did find
one of the local people, who lives not far from the X-roads (South) in
Krinkelt, and left on December 17th with the Americans, on the road to
Elsenborn. The man told us that in his farmhouse (still the same) he
had Americans fighting from out of the basement. He was one of the few
civilians left in Krinkelt because he had to feed the cattle (or what
was left of it). Then it started to rain very heavilly ("cats and
dogs") and after visiting the Church and a walk through the town we
"called it a day". Then we took the road as he and thousands of other
troops did, to Camp Elsenborn where they built up a new defense line.
The same road still exists, and we made a few stops to get it all
together.
We were all very tired, and we went to the hotel in Buetgenbach, where
James showed me some of the German souvenirs he brought with him when
he left France after the War. James and Bob stayed another 3 days so
they could drive to the Schnee Eifel where they were (Buchet), before
they where released by the 106th Inf. Div.
Karel and I made some nice pictures and also another part for the
"Video Diary". We came back to Holland at about 22.00 hours.
Afterwards James sended me a newspaper where
in a very detailed account of his trip was published.
|
|
