My interest in the Battle of the Bulge stems from my uncle, PFC Francis J. Latoche, who participated and was killed in the Ardennes Campaign on December 26, 1944. Frankie was originally in the 489th AAA/AW (SP) of the 4th Armored Division from April 12, 1943 until December 16th, 1944. The 489th AAA/AW landed on the Normandy coast after the D-Day invasion, and made its way throughout France as Patton's Third Army pushed across Europe.  The 489th played a role in many battles, and received accolades as being one of the most accurate AAA battalions of the war.  I will add information on the 489th AAA/AW as I finish compiling it. On December 16th, Frankie was transferred to the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion (also of the 4th Armored Division). Little did he know that on the day he was transferred and assigned to Company "C" of the 51st AIB, the German Army would launch a massive offensive with the aim of taking the port city of Antwerp. The operation, named "Wacht Am Rhein" by Hitler, was to be the last great throe of the German war machine.  What follows is a brief history of what happened to my Uncle and his unit from December 16th to December 26th, 1944. This information was taken from the Unit History of the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion.
 

My uncle's unit, Company C, met some resistance on December 23 outside of Martelange. At 1600 hours, one mile north of Martelange, company C came under 20mm fire. The fire was silenced and the column continued on to Warnach. Enemy opposition here was stronger. The tanks moved west and then advanced to the northwest while one platoon of Co. C entered Warnach, supported by 4 light tanks. After suffering severe casualties, the platoon and tanks were withdrawn. Casualties for the day included 1 killed, 4 wounded, 3 sick, 2 exhaustion and 3 battle injuries. Tallied enemy casualties by the unit were 3 prisoners, 3 wounded, 1 killed and 1 enemy command car captured.

At 0530 on the morning of December 24th, the attack on Warnach began anew. Company "B", with tank support moved eastward into the town. Small arms fire erupted, and savage street fighting occurred. The enemy withdrew into the northern end of the town after several hours of this combat. Beginning at 0900, friendly troops withdrew to the western corridor of the town while artillery and mortar units unleashed a barrage on the enemy held areas. Infantry moved back into the north, and bitter fighting continued throughout the day. At 1715, Warnach was finally cleared of enemy presence. During this time, Co. "C" advanced along the west side of the highway and took the woods north of Warnach. The town itself remained occupied by Co. "B", and was held despite repeated attempts by the Germans to reclaim it. Casualties for the day were 7 killed, 20 wounded, 4 exhaustion and 5 battle injuries. Enemy casualties were 135 prisoners, 160 killed, 140 wounded. Enemy materiel taken was 3 SP 75mm guns, 1 armored car, 1 light mortar, 4 machine guns, a 3 inch gun, plus several reclaimed US trucks and over 7000 rounds of reclaimed US .30 caliber ammunition. In addition several men from Co. "C" who were captured the previous day were returned. It was also discovered that the enemy force in the town was 2 battalions of the German 5th Parachute division.

The attack resumed on Christmas Day at 0800 hours with Co. "C" on the left and Co. "A" on the right, with the Martelange highway dividing them. Co. "B" remained in the town. Company "C" met some light resistance in a patch of words to the north. Enemy mortar, rocket and tank fire fell from the north while company "A" fell under small arms fire from the Bois de Melch. Light tanks from the 35th moved up to clear the area with heavy fire.

Later that afternoon, the forward elements of the 51st AIB were attacked mistakenly by American P-47s. The advance ground to a halt from the resulting confusion. When the advance continued, Co. "C" encountered slippery snow-covered slopes to reach high ground just South of Hollange. A patrol was sent out to determine enemy presence in the town. This patrol received small arms fire upon nearing the town. A mortar, now dug in, fired upon the town. Allied air reconnaissance had indicated that Hollange was held in strength by the enemy, and as a result the town received a heavy artillery barrage throughout the night. The day ended with 5 KIA, 12 wounded, 1 MIA, 30 sick, 7 exhaustion and 7 battle injuries. enemy casualties were estimated at 73 prisoners, 40 KIA 50 wounded. In addition, 2 enemy mortars and 1 of the vaunted 88mm guns were destroyed.

Hollange Falls - December 26th 1944

The day after Christmas began with one platoon of Company "C" along with 2 platoons from the 35th assaulting Hill 490, which sat northeast of Hollange. At 0940, the group received heavy artillery fire from the north and northwest. In addition, small arms fire erupted from the town itself. Company "A" continued their assault and came abreast with Company "C" at 1100 hours. Company "C", along with 2 tank platoons took Hill 490 at 1400. The group was still on the receiving end of heavy small arms fire from the town itself. Artillery fired upon the town at 1425. After the barrage, Company "C" and one platoon of A/35 attacked the town from the northeast. Hollange fell at 1730.

My uncle was one of the 4 KIA that day. In addition, the Battalion suffered 22 wounded. enemy casualties were: 7 KIA, 12 wounded and 174 prisoners. The enemy presence was determined to be Companies 6, 7 and 8 of the 14th Regiment, 5th Parachute Division.