Battle of the Bulge

Belgium

The winter of 44/45 saw the Battalion in the Ardennes and Holland (we were the only Canadian unit to fight in the Ardennes in World War II).

(see Google Map)

On the 20th Dec/44 we were placed on 6 hours notice and commenced preparing ourselves for another engagement with the enemy.

After drawing our G10-98 we left in haste for Folkstone and onto the S.S. Canterbury for Oostende, Belgium where we climbed aboard trucks and began the long journey Southeast to put a stop to Field Marshal Von Rundsted's counter-offensive.

We drove non stop until evening and ended up at a village called Taintignies where we were temporary billeted in some houses.

Each home owner graciously accepting at least four soldiers so we were not left out in the cold. At dawn we again raced on Eastward. We finally met up with the enemy at Rochefort. (Images of Oostende courtesy of Cindy Wauters.)

Memorial to the 26 RCNVR sailors, who served in the 29th Motor Torpedo Flotilla, killed by an accidental fire and explosion in 1945.  Erected in the Oostende harbour area.
(more detail)

Field map of Bande carried during the operation.

The town of Bande is where we discovered 37 bodies of villagers who had been beaten to death by the retreating Germans. A misunderstanding in the wording of a plaque at the massacre shrine credits the 9th Battalion with the liberation of Bande due to the liberators being referred to as "Britannique" instead of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. 

Shortly after, engagement of the enemy became limited so we withdrew to Pondrôme for a short rest.

Pondrôme

Shortly after Bande, engagement of the enemy became limited so we took advantage of this and withdrew to Pondrôme area for a short rest, showers and a change of underclothing.

Sixty plus years later a very dear friend, Lidy Wauters of Brussels, whom I met via e-mail, volunteered to drive 150km and take some pictures of the Pondrôme area. Unfortunately it was winter time and fog made it difficult for her to take as many pictures as she would have liked but here are some for old times sake.

As Lidy approached Pondrôme she noticed a sign near the fields where the British Army had set up tents for us to shower and freshen up.
The area apparently is popular for horseback riding now.

From Pondrôme, where we were outfitted with fresh clothing, we were transported by truck to the Netherlands where we took up positions outlined on the map below, which was U.S 9th Army territory. Our task was to "harry and alarm the enemy" by constant patrols and raids until 20 February when we returned to England from Ostende once again, this time we returned up the River Thames.

After some much appreciated leave, March of '45 saw the Battalion making preparations for the assault on the Hitler's Rhine.

Me near Venlo.

Grubby me returning via boat from Holland and the Battle of the Bulge. (1945)