Honors Essay Blog

January 8, 1945

U.S. First Army

Ardennes, Near Bastogne.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Aside from knowing that the Germans are trying to kill me and my buddies, I have seen some of Europe while I was back in behind allied lines as an replacement for the war effort. The people of France were charismatic about the Americans when I had arrived. They were very friendly and accepting, and I could swear that the chicks there liked me and the other American soldiers. During the time of my arrival to France our forces were moving up, taking territory from the Germans.

It was a quick transition and before I knew it, I was sent to the front lines. That was in the summer. Now I am here with my buddies, hollowed out German tanks, and the harsh frost.

I have been freezing my butt off for some time now. The European Winter is taking its hold on me, and I am developing symptoms of a cold and frost bite. The temperature is so cold here that our vehicles have been experiencing engine freezing when they aren’t running, and our weapons need to be looked after constantly. Other than the cold though, I am still in one piece.

My company has been facing the Germans for days, and now there has been some withdrawal on the German’s part. As my unit moves on, we have seen many German tanks and other vehicles, abandoned. A buddy of mine told me that they must have run out of gas, and by some of my own exploring in a tiger tank, I discovered that the arrow of the gas meter was pointed towards the bright red E.

Thank god, I would not want to be facing one of those things. I have seen them in action before, and nearly got blasted to bits; thankfully artillery took it out before the shooting started. As of now we do not know what to do with the abandoned tanks, the higher ranked men in the Company are probably planning what to do with the tanks.

I bet a Commander somewhere would like to take one home as a souvenir. So far the only souvenirs I will be taking from the war are influenza and maybe a bullet wound, considering my chances in the future.

These Germans are getting desperate as we close in little by little. They pulled out, which thankfully gives us the chance to zone in. I think that this is going to be big, even though I am just a part of infantry, there are chances that I could step foot in Germany, and show the Germans a thing or two about how to fight for one’s country.

I want to return home but at the same time, victory is so close. For now I can only follow orders and do my mission to the end. If only an assassin somewhere ended Hitler, then I wouldn’t have to worry about being shot up. I’ve lost some of my closest friends during this damned freezing war, And I hate to see new recruits get hit hard. It is very… grim to see one of my own company getting blown to bits or shot…

Orders are to move out in the next couple of hours. We are reinforcing the lines that were held before the German attack. We will be moving up more afterwards, and then the Germans will be sorry.

I have to prepare, before I end this letter, how have you guys been? Are you doing good, holding up since my deployment? Tell my little brother that if he is good, I will bring something back from the war. If he acts up and gives you any trouble then I might just put him through physical training for a week or two. Brutal stuff.

I hope to hear from you guys soon, whether the war ends or just another letter is sent…

May the war end soon, with an American Victory.

Love, your son,

Thomas Wills

(Wikipedia on Battle of the Bulge- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_bulge  )