The “Great Crusade” had already been delayed by bad weather over the English Channel, and that weather continued. Attempting the cross-channel invasion…and supporting it to successful expansion…in such weather would have been inviting disaster. When his chief weather advisor reported that he expected a brief break in the weather, it was in this map room of Southwick House that, at 0430 on 5 June 1944, General “Ike” Eisenhower made the critical decision on behalf of the free world: “Okay, we’ll go.”

Point du hoc

First, a visit to Point du hoc, where the American Rangers scaled the cliffs under fire, to assault and reduce the large-calibre German guns reported on the high ground above the point. Those guns could harrass the American landing forces both to the east and west. The Rangers found that they had been moved inland. Such is war.

Ste. Mere Eglise Area

Next, the team moved to the Utah Beach zone, to the area around Ste. Mere Eglise, where “Easy” Company, 506th was dropped the night of 5-6 June 1944. Morning found the team scattered across the countryside, and without its company commander, Lt. Meehan. Only much later was it determined that his plane had been shot down nearby. This monument marks the site of the crash.

Brecourt Manor

From there, the team followed “Easy” Company’s first organized wartime action, Brecourt, where Dick Winters led easy company to destroy a 105 Artillery battery . Now a monument stands in memory of all KIA Easy company members.”

From the field: Holland: “The Crossroads” and Belgium: Bastogne

“The Island: ” The Crossroads

Over the weekend, the team has spent a bit of time on the road, making the move from the Normandy region to Holland, and the area of Operation Market-Garden referred to as “the Island.” The Crossroads was interdicted by a German machinegun unit, with major troop movements in the area, and was the scene of a significant “Easy” Company assault.

“The series did a great job recreating the scene and the action.” – Jay

Bastogne

Leaving Holland, the team moved on to Belgium, basing in Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne Division spent a brutally cold and nightmarish December of 1944, during the “Battle of the Bulge.”

“On the square at Bastogne – a memorial to General Anthony McAuliffe, who replied “nuts” to the German surrender demands. The next photo will be of the La Nuts cafe, which is where we will dine tonight. We will also visit Easy’s foxholes today.” – Jay

Checking in later this evening, Jay sent a photo of Major Dale Robinson, USMC (Ret) inspecting one of the larger foxholes occupied by “Easy” Company in the forest called the bois Jacques, overlooking the village of Foy.

The limbs that have been added as cover lend a nice historical touch. All that’s missing is snow, ice, and German artillery. Unfortunately, the sun shone quite brightly on Maj. Robinson in this shot, but it is, after all, from the field. We know first-hand that this is a chilling experience.

In a late “extra” from the team in Bastogne, Jay sent a photo of “Le Nut’s” Cafe.

“We dined there tonight. We toasted the “Easy” Company men with calvados and had a great steak. Highly recommend the cafe. Bastogne is a very nice town.”

A good view of the tree line of the Bois Jacques, in which “Easy” Company was dug in during the Battle of the Bulge, observing the Germans about a mile away, in the town of Foy.

“Why we fight…” 

“Dachau was the first concentration camp — established March 1933, originally designed for political opponents of the Nazi party and social deviates. Easy company liberated a satellite camp in Landsberg.”  – Jay

Jay sends along photos that bring back very clear memories of my visit to Dachau a few years ago, when it was cold, dark, windy, and spitting rain. There is something haunting about such weather at this place.

“The Eagle’s Nest is closed again today owing to the snow and icy roads. We got close and could get a good view from binoculars. You should be able to blow it up on your desktop. It is 6000 ft altitude and Hitler did not like it as the high altitude had a bad effect on his blood pressure. If you recall in the HBO series Nixon had a field day in Goerring’s wine cellar here. 10000 bottles of the finest wines and Alton Moore absconded with Hitler”s private photograph album. Many Easy company members took Hitler’s private china and silverware. Winters and his men had a well deserved rest and relaxation.”  – Jay

“Although we could not ascend the road to the top- the museum was open. This photo greets you as you enter. I think it shows him in too positive of an image.”  – Jay






The narrow and road that proceeds from the museum to the tea house atop the mountain was cut by hand. The only access is by one of the specially built narrow buses, which are fitted with engines and brakes for the task. One would not care to attempt that naturally harrowing ride with snow on the road.