TODAY IN THE BULGE

Today, 18 December, 1944, the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions rode in mostly open trucks to the Ardennes. The Germans had burst through and were threatening to split the Allies. As the only Theatre reserve, the two Airborne Divisions were sent piecemeal into the fray. The 82d to the North at Werbimont and the 101st to Bastogne.

Both divisions were recovering from Market-Garden and were not prepared for combat deployment. Many weapons were in Ordnance for repair, most of the shortfall replacements had not yet arrived and winter clothing had not yet been issued. Regardless, they went.

The acting Corps Commander, MG Gavin, dispatched the two divisions as fast as trucks became available. Many were large supply transport trucks taken from the Red Ball Express and had no top canvas. Units were packed as tight as possible and sent down the road without much instruction-a classic "We'll sort it out on the drop zone" program.

The ride was more than 12 hours, mostly at night with intermittent fog, sleet and snow.

By pure happenstance, being the first elements on the road, Gavin assigned them to Bastogne and sent the later 82d vehicles to Werbemont in the North, thus a division was at the point of the two German spearheads. One on the Southern point and one on the Northern.

Joining the 101st were elements of the 9th and 10th Armored Division as well as several artillery groups-one, a 155mm unit was one of the few all Black combat units in Theatre. Remnants of the 29th Division filtered through and were placed in line.

In the North, the 82d detrucked and immediately went into the line from Trois-Pont to Rochefort, a distance of over 40 miles and well past doctrinal distance for a division. The 82d was supposed to be reinforced by the 30th Division and the 7th Armored Division but they did not effectively join the line until three days later.

Within hours of detrucking, both units were significantly engaged.

It was very cold.

Due to distance, both units were arrayed in outpost configurations rather than the usual tied in lines connecting all elements. Units fought as sections, squads and platoons-all alone and all together.

This would test the individual and collective fortitude of all those who were there.

Here we stand-Alone. Together.