Today is December 20th. 75 years ago, Dad and 2nd Platoon, Company D of the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion were still up in the Hürtgen Forest more than 80 miles from the Nazi breakthrough in the Ardennes and Luxembourg. They were attached to the 5th Armored Division and
in supporting them they fired 178 rounds of HE and 2 rounds of WP in the direction of their attack on Bogheim. Dad recalls that they began to get word of a big Nazi offensive 3 or 4 days before Christmas but there were always rumors circulating.
The C Company combat diary gives no hint of what is coming and only a post-war editor’s noted in the 87th Battalion diary reads: “[Ed. note: At this time, battalion was receiving orders that would culminate in Ardennes campaign (Battle of the Bulge).]”
Since this was the last quiet day for Dad for quite a while, let me take some time to explain a little about the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion. Since I never served in the military I asked Dad to explain how things worked and also relied on online sources.
The 87th was comprised of a headquarters company and four mortar companies. Each mortar company was comprised of 2 platoons (25-50 men) commanded by lieutenants that were divided into squads of 12 to 25 commanded by sergeants. Dad recalls that he was in D Company, Platoon 2.
Chemical mortar battalions were unique in that they were not assigned permanently to a division. As other units went into combat, chemical mortar battalions were attached to them as support. Dad’s unit fired 4.2 inch mortar that could fire high explosive, white phosphorus, smoke,
and chemical shells (no chemical shells were fired during WW2). 3 men loaded and fired. One man from each platoon worked as radioman assigned to whatever infantry needed them in order to coordinate fire. Tomorrow, I’ll explain how being a radioman probably saved Dad’s life.
Meanwhile, many defeated and demoralized American soldiers were being driven westward by the Nazi offensive. One recalls "They shambled along in shock and fear ..I have never before, or since, seen such resolute terror in men." Here is what they looked like. #BattleoftheBulge 
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