The Space Between

Morning all,
I was looking through my postings and realized that I'd-as usual-left quite a bit out. After Waterloo it was back to my "home away from home" in Eindhoven. At the Dorint as usual, which was nice-not quite home, but close. A great day on the Island with Cess and crew, the Nelsons got to enjoy their tour of the Island from the back of a half track. The weather was beautiful and it was pretty refreshing to be cruising around in the half track while nibbling on fresh cherries that Steph had picked up along the way. Nice dinner with our Dutch friends and a long day. Hats off to Maxine for hanging in there.

Back to Eindhoven for some shopping and relaxation and then the next day we covered the drop and landing zones, Son Bridge, Joe Mann monument, etc. My favorite spot in the woods by the Landing Zone still yields bits of glider, but fewer and fewer pieces.

THen down to the Hurtgen, as I mentioned. The meeting with Gottfried was fantastic. A panzer grenadier and PAK gunner with 7 T-34s to his credit! Also found some of the remnants of the battle, including loads of shrapnel, bits of mortar, German and American Ammo and pieces of a German shovel. The woods behind the German bunker near the hotel have been cut down and there is much more to see up the hillside. THe folks there also showed us some of the many artifacts they have uncovered, including a pair of Jack Boots, which was a little eerie.

From the Hurtgen down to the Bulge and the "NOrthern Shoulder" Yesterday it was back to Bastogne and the Bois Jacques. More rusted treasures; including a piece of comm wire running from the area of 2/506 HQ to the foxholes of the Third Platoon. I wondered what sort of orders passed down that line? Today it is off to the Bulge museum in Luxembourg and some more foxhole digging before heading out for "Der Heimat".

As we near the end of the trips things are slowing a bit, so hopefully I'll be able to keep this a bit more up to date. I see the Yankees are closing on the Sox, not to fear, we're just teasing them! Best to all,
Chris