The Bradford Era
December 17, 1999

Battle of the Bulge (Part 2)
'round the square column
BULGE II: We began to tell you yesterday about the involvement of two local soldiers in the Battle of the Bulge, and we conclude our report today.

Joel Frampton Gilfert of Sarzbüttel, Germany, formerly of Eldred, sent us a report about the heroics of Master Sergeant John L. Hall of Port Allegany which we covered yesterday, and about a soldier from the Eldred area, today's topic.

Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Kunkel was attached to L Company, 423rd Regiment, commanded by Captain John B. Pruett which were attempting to fight its way back to the American lines through Schoenberg. "Advancing west from their positions around Radscheid, Germany, on the morning of 19 December, they came under heavy artillery fire and were halted. Coming under enemy fire from the rear area also, Captain Pruett led those able to a wooded area on the slopes of Hill 504."

"With little ammunition, the L Company came under assault by the charging Germans later in the afternoon. Only 32 GI's from a normal company strength of 193 managed to survive and surrender." Kunkel was reported killed in action. On December 21, the last organized resistance east of the Our River ended. "The majority of the 422nd and 423rd Regiments and their supporting units surrendered rather than face annihilation. It was the largest surrender of American Forces in the European Theater of Operations and second only to the surrender of Bataan, Philippines, in World War II."

"Over 7,000 GI's would be spending Christmas 1944 in German Prisoner of War camps. Several hundred GI's tried their luck at infiltrating the German positions and make their way to friendly lines. Many succeeded, but many would fall into the hands of German patrols. "St. Vith, the Headquarters of the 106th Division, would eventually fall under the control of the German forces and areas like Bastogne would be surrounded." The Battle of the Bulge would last over one month until the Germans were beaten back to their original starting positions.

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