Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge – Foy, Belgium


Monument for Easy Company near Bastogne
Monument for Easy Company near Bastogne

Prelude to the Battle of the Bulge

During the Battle of the Bulge Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division dug in near the German occupied town of Foy in Jack’s Forrest. But before they were in action during Market Garden and parachuted on the city of Son in the Netherlands on 17 September 1944. They helped to keep Hells Highway open for the British armor to advance on the bridges on Nijmegen and Arnhem and with the liberation of the city of Eindhoven. In the aftermath Easy helped to get British soldiers back from Arnhem in rubber boats across  the lower Rhine river during Operation Pegasus. Easy was pulled out on the 28th of September towards Camp Mourmelon Le France, in Mourmelon France of course. While they recovered and enjoyed leave in Paris, the Germans unleashed Operation Wacht am Rhein on the 16th of December in 1944.

Names of the Fallen 'E' Company - Bois Jaccques
Names of the Fallen ‘E’ Company – Bois Jaccques
Monument for Easy Company - Jack's Forrest - Foy
Monument for Easy Company – Jack’s Forrest – Foy
Monument for Easy presented by Tom Hanks
Monument for Easy presented by Tom Hanks
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack's Forrest
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest

The Battle of the Bulge, ‘E’ Company near Foy

On the night of 18 to 19 December the 101st Airborne Division was jammed into trucks and rushed into battle, destination Bastogne Belgium. On the morning of the 19th the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment marched north and east from Bastogne towards the road from the town of Foy and Bizory in a place called Bois Jacques or Jack’s Forrest. Between the Railroad line and Foy they dug in during a gruesome cold winter with temperatures falling to minus 28 degrees Celsius (minus 19 Fahrenheit). Looking out of their foxholes they saw an open field between them and slightly below them a force majeure in the German occupied town of Foy. They 501st PIR was east of the rail road line and the 502nd was west of the tracks. The fighting in the coming weeks was harsh and brutal. The city of Foy changed hands at least six times. Easy company lost a lot of good men during this period.

Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack's Forrest - near the road from Foy to Bizory
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest – near the road from Foy to Bizory
A Foxhole line up of Easy Company in Jack's Forrest - near the road from Foy to Bizory
A Foxhole line up of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest – near the road from Foy to Bizory
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack's Forrest - near the road from Foy to Bizory
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest – near the road from Foy to Bizory
Line of foxholes of Easy Company in Jacks Forrest
Line of foxholes of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest – Foye, Belgium
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack's Forrest - Open Field towards Foy in the back
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest – Open Field towards Foy in the back

Ronald C. Speirs, a fearless soldier

During one of the assaults on Foy, ordered by former commander of Easy Dick Winters, 1st platoon was sent in a flanking motion on the town. First platoon was ordered to halt and take cover by Norman Dike. They were sitting ducks at this moment. Without means of communication first platoon had to receive orders to move on to Foy before being slaughtered. First Lieutenant Ronald Speirs ran to them, through the German lines, through Foy and surprised the German soldiers totally. And if that was not enough, after delivering the orders he ran back towards the line, right through Foy again and the still surprised Germans. The Germans even forgot to fire on Speirs! Ronald Charles Speirs was named the Fearless Soldier. His nickname was Sparky, although never mentioned to his face. Ronald Speirs and Bill Guarnere were the only two who were called “natural Killers’ by Dick Winters.

Peoples monument Jack's Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack’s Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack's Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack’s Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack's Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack’s Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack's Forrest Foy
Peoples monument Jack’s Forrest Foy

Aftermath

The first attacks on Easy came on 24th of December 1944. The position was bombed twice by friendly fire from American P-47s. During 9 January and 13 January the casualties were at its peak, but on the 13th of January 1945 Easy Company finally captured Foy for the last time. They left behind men like, Julian, Muck, Penkala, Sawosko, Shindell, H. Webb, K.Webb, Hayes, Hoobler, Mellett, Herron, Neill, Hughes and Jackson. After this Battle Easy company of 101th Airborne Division and this location was called ‘Bastogne Bastion of the Battered Bastards’.

On 18 January of the same year ‘E’ company was moved to the town of Alsace were they had to hold defensive lines until late February. They moved into Germany to discover the Kaufering Concentration Camp, which was a sub camp of Concentration Camp Dachau. Easy ended up in Berchtesgaden in the mountain retreat of Adolf Hitler, and his henchmen, named the Kehlsteinhaus, or nicknamed ‘the Eagles nest’. Easy eventually stayed in the Berchtesgaden area and in Austria until the War ended. On the Berghof and in Adolf Hitler’s residence the Second World War ended for Easy Company. At last the Eagles landed at the Eagles nest. The 101th Airborne Division had occupation duty in Bavaria and in Austria.

101th Airborne Division on occupation duty in Mittersill, Austria - Photo by Gary Martin from his dad Pfc Leopold Martin, 502nd PIR 'C'Company - 1st Battalion
101th Airborne Division on occupation duty in Mittersill, Austria – Photo by Gary Martin from his dad Pfc Leopold Martin, 502nd PIR ‘C’ Company – 1st Battalion

Band of Brothers & Monuments in Jack’s Forrest

Easy Company from the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment is portrayed in multiple books and in the TV series ‘Band of Brothers. In Episode seven ‘E’ company can be seen during the Battle of the Bulge when they enter Bastogne and take their positions in Jack’s Forrest near Foy. In episode four and five you will see the company during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands.

There are three monuments in or near Jack’s Forrest, one official by the Hanks Family and others, one is a peoples monument which can be found between the Foxholes and the last is a monument at the entrance of Jack’s Forrest. Unfortunately when we arrived it was vandalized (August 2016).

Visit

Spears, Bois Jacques, The Battle of the Bulge, Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division, Band of Brothers, Foy, Jack’s Forrest, Dick Winters, 506th PIR, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Bizory, Bastogne, Ardennes Forrest, First Lieutenant Ronald Speirs, Richard Winters, Bastogne Bastion, Battered Bastards,

Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack's Forrest - Foy, Bastogne
Foxhole of Easy Company in Jack’s Forrest – Foy, Bastogne


12 thoughts on “Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge – Foy, Belgium

James Hancock @(margaret ellingsworth) on

My great grandfather Willard Wayne Mincks was one of these brave men. He was one of only 5 men to make it out alive in his company. I am so blessed that he was willing to give his all. To all who served no words will express the gratitude me and my family have for your service.

Ray Berggren @(margaret ellingsworth) on

The first soldier into battle on D-Day was my Mom’s Uncle, who later got transferred to the 502nd PIR which was also surrounded at the battle of Bastogne. He got back home in one piece physically and mentally and died at age 55 of a heart attack. I am 55 now. My oldest Son looked exactly like him when they were both around 19, lol. Here’s an article on him that came out last August, I just found it today:

https://www.historynet.com/first-in-france-the-world-war-ii-pathfinder-who-led-the-way-on-d-day.htm

To read that article Uncle Frank was exactly like me, and also my Son!

Jim Patterson on

Called to do their duty they responded with dedication and resolve to defeat the forces of evil aligned against mankind. Band of Brothers!

jayne merz watson on

my father, Dr Jean J Merz I believe was using the Chapel of St Cunibert in Bizory as a hospital. He was in the 9th Armoured Division, had frost bitten feet and was evacuated, I believe, just before Christmas or after 1944.

Chris Dulcamaro on

My Father was John Dulcamaro and was in the 101st. He never spoke much about his experiences there. Does anyone have a link that goes into what 101st division battles throughout the war? He received a bronze star but never spoke of it.

Eddie Haskell @(Chris Dulcamaro) on

Chris Dulcamaro,
There’s a series called BAND OF BROTHERS. MY wife bought it for my birthday. It covers Easy Company (101st airborne) from training camp through their entire engagements of the war including drug in at Jack’s Forest. The foxholes are still there. Along with a beautiful recognition for their sacrifice. It’s at a pull off on the side of the road near Foy Belgium.
It’s been a few years since you asked for some information I hope you receive this in good health m

one of the best in the greatest generation.we sure could use them today in this up-side down world..God Bless.

Ray Berggren @(Georgea) on

Georgea, the first soldier into battle on D-Day was my Mom’s Uncle, who was later transferred from the Pathfinders to the 502nd PIR, also surrounded at Bastogne. Uncle Frank made it home in one piece, both physically and mentally. I just found an article on him today, written last August. To read that, Uncle Frank was just like not only me, but also my oldest Son! They looked exactly alike when they were both around 19.

I’ve been telling young men they’re made of the same “stuff” Frank was, he just had DETERMINATION! (It’s true) Every man in my family has proven ourselves impossible to kill. Lots of us are NOT letting this Country be forfeit in exchange for some gibs, which has been the plan for 107 years. Look how many people are ready for exactly that right now …

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