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Read Dr. Walt’s WWII blogs
December 29, 2024
In a briefing at his military command complex at Adlerhorst, Adolf Hitler declared in his speech to his division commanders on 28 December 1944 (three days […]
December 28, 2024
There were good boots available for the U.S. soldiers in Europe, of the type made popular by L. L. Bean after the war—well-insulated, with leather uppers […]
December 28, 2024
Here’s our Christmas and 2024 Year Summary. Items covered include: Our family and marriage, medical practice, my writing of books, blogs, a devotional, and magazine columns, […]
December 27, 2024
Phil and his new company were back at war. Daily the entire 30th Infantry Regiment maintained active and deep patrolling, improving defensive positions by clearing fields […]
December 25, 2024
Phil and most of the men attended a church service on Christmas morning conducted by their chaplain in a village church. Except for some shattered windows, the church […]
December 24, 2024
At first light on December 24, 1944, the sky was cloudless, the air crisp, and the temperature well below freezing. Not long after daybreak, Phil and […]
December 23, 2024
As we all, here in 2024, celebrate the day before Christmas around the world, here’s a reminder of what 4 million men and women were doing […]
December 20, 2024
The 3rd Division, to which Phil was returning, was transferred to the First French Army, relieving the hard-pressed US 36th Division, inheriting a sector 20 miles […]
December 16, 2024
As Phil was traveling to back to the front, having recovered from a serious leg gunshot wound, the weather turned from rain and mud to freezing […]
December 15, 2024
Northwest Europe in November and December of 1944 was a miserable place. A mixture of sleet, snow, rain, cold, fog, sure days and long nights cried […]