Posted on 10/08/2009 5:18:58 PM PDT by SandRat
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.08.2009 advertisement Six decades after surviving a battle in which many soldiers froze to death, World War II veteran John Swett still dislikes the cold.
This week, he and scores of surviving comrades are basking in Tucson's warmth during the national reunion of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.
More than 100 of these 80- and 90-somethings, who were part of the biggest, bloodiest land fight in U.S. history, are in town for a week of sightseeing and remembrance ceremonies.
It's the first time their annual reunion has been held in the Old Pueblo, hosted by the group's Tucson arm.
"I'm hoping to see people I haven't seen in years," said Swett, 84, a southeast-side resident with the local chapter. The former soldier spent more than three months as a German prisoner of war, suffering frostbite and dropping from 180 to 105 pounds in captivity.
As old age claims more of these veterans, the reunions serve as reminders of what they achieved.
"We're going to be dying out pretty quick," said George McGee, 84, president of the Tucson chapter, which has seen membership dwindle from about 75 to 50 in the past five years. "When we're gone, we don't want people to forget what the battle was all about."
The historic showdown between Germany and America and its allies began nine days before Christmas 1944, when Hitler's troops mounted a massive surprise assault in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The Germans, shrouded in white camouflage to blend in with the snow, were aiming to break through the front line and capture the port city of Antwerp, Belgium, a major supply point for U.S. and Allied troops.
The Americans were not outfitted for winter warfare — few had heavy coats or snow boots. Nonetheless, they fought fiercely for weeks in frigid temperatures to repel the attack.
"Ohhhh it was cold," said former infantryman Buck Bloomer, 86, a midtown resident, who sustained nerve damage from frostbitten feet.
"Sometimes it got down to zero. It was almost always below freezing," he recalled.
At night, to keep from being killed by cold, soldiers huddled together for warmth. "Three of us usually slept together and switched off the center guy every 10 or 15 minutes," Bloomer said.
Initially, the Germans made some progress, forcing the front line to bulge back toward Antwerp, which gave the battle its name.
A month or so later, the Americans and Allies prevailed — but at huge cost.
About 19,000 U.S. personnel were killed — some by gunfire, others by the weather — and about 62,000 were wounded.
On Wednesday in Tucson, those lost in combat were remembered with a wreath-laying service at the Battle of the Bulge memorial at Presidio Park.
Officials from Belgium and Luxembourg flew to Tucson from their embassies in Washington, D.C., to be on hand for the ceremony.
Bloomer was among those who got choked up at the sight. "I still get tears in my eyes," he said. "It never leaves you."
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
You had a very courageous and dedicated Father. I know you are very proud of him and his memory.
My FIL got a silver star and purple heart here.
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