Search the blog
Read Dr. Walt’s WWII blogs
January 3, 2025
The first week of January 1945 brought welcome arrivals and a memorable party. The arrivals included Colonel Lionel C. McGarr, who returned to command the men of the […]
January 2, 2025
As to the cold, all suffered equally. How cold was it? So cold that if amend didn’t do his business in a hurry he risked a […]
January 1, 2025
The feeling was universal. The new year had begun. Surely this would be the last year of the war.[1]
December 31, 2024
The feeling was universal. The GI’s fighting to liberate Europe felt in their hearts that the coming New Year would be the last year of the […]
December 31, 2024
New Year’s Eve, 1944, provided Phil and his men another unique memory. Just like Christmas Eve, before midnight, all shooting stopped. Then, precisely at 0000 hours, the American […]
December 31, 2024
The votes are in (in the sense that you voted with your clicks). Here are the dozen most popular of my blog posts this last year […]
December 30, 2024
Some historians believe the GIs in Europe during the 1944-1945 winter had it much easier than Johnny Reb or Billy Yank during the Civil War winter […]
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 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 […]