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الخميس، 18 أبريل 2019

Army WWII POW Battle Of The Bulge

By Carol Bennett


When it comes to World War Two, most people have read or studied Hitler and the Holocaust in Germany. What many are unaware of is that there were over 350 active GIs taken hostage and held prisoner over the course of the war. One of the most well known of these is an Army WWII POW Battle Of The Bulge.

During the battle for the Belgian city of Bastogone, Bob would endure combat, captivity and slave labor before being liberated from the POW camp at the end of the war. The young GI, while sustaining minimal injuries compared to a number of other soldiers, came home fifty pounds lighter than when first joining the armed forces. At which time, Bob began a public speaking career about experiences including time as a POW which occurred during the war, inspiring future soldiers yet unborn.

Bob Max's story began in New Jersey in 1922. During Max's childhood and teenage years in South Orange, the boy received several first place medals for sprinting. Whereas, as a teenager whom loved sports, Bob participated in different football leagues for teenagers, many of which played against teams from local high schools.

When world war two came to America in 1945, Bob joined the army and became a GI placed in what was known as the Super Sixth Armored Division, under the direction and guidance of General Robert Grow. While under Grow's command, the division also fought under the direction of General Patton while stationed in Brittany, Normandy and Lorraine.

Upon the launch of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, Bob's division was removed from an attack in Saar and directed 90 degrees north to fight in Bastogone. While the fourth armored division had liberated most of the city, there remained a great deal of fighting before the city could be secured. As a result, the 6th and 9th or Super Sixth divisions moved in to take over the fighting at the beginning of 1945.

It was not until several months later when Bob would be taken a prisoner of war by Nazi soldiers. The story of the capture is a long and varied one. Although, it is something the elder Bob Max will never forget. For, with a near escape, hooded soldiers with assault rifles, burning tanks and a shack in which American troops attempted to hide, there is no doubt any of those whom survived will ever do so.

Like so many others, Bob attempted to talk with the German soldiers. When the German asked, why the Americans were fighting in the war, Bob explained it had become an American war. Then, the German soldier reached into his pants for what Bob thought was a gun, only to pull out a wallet and share family pictures. After which, the German told Bob that the family would be living in New York City the following year.

Amazed at the confidence displayed by the German solider that Hitler would succeed in winning not only the war but the world, Bob began to sense an attitude change in the German. At which time, the German instructed that Bob would be housed at a local POW camp rather than face artillery fire. Bob was still anxious through elated to know that there would be a chance to return home to America at the end of the war.




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