From John McAuliffe - addressed to cmhonline
Dear Sirs:
For your information I have enclosed the famous and popular photo found in most Army History books related to the 'Battle of the Bulge'....Unfortunately most books do not give credit to the photo and identify it. The photo is of I-Company, 347th Inf.; 87th Inf. Div. It is an Army Siganl Corps photo with the caption, "On the road to La Roche".....Unfortunately the unit did not go to La Roche but went into action in January 1945at Moircy,Tillet, Bonnerue in Belgium. The unit arrives here to get the new issue of galoshes as seen in the photo. The soldier with carbine over shoulder receiving his portion is John Olson of Arlington Heights, ILL and still lives there. Other soldiers are identified. Tom Hewlet with the forlorn eyes died early after the war, but his son Tom Hewlett and wife Pat attend the 87th Div. Assoc. Reunions as does Olson and his wife.The Company Commander of I-Company, 347 Inf. was and still is Captain Ray E.Miles, who lives in Richmond, VA.
I am sending you this information for your observation and possiblity for your Headquarters to properly identify this photo for posterity.
My qualifications are that I am a former member of M-347; 87th Inf. Div WW-II. I am the Past Commander of the 87th Inf. Div. Association; I am current Vice Pres. of Chapters for the National Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Inc; I am current Pres. of the Cent. Mass. Chapt.-22;VBOB....
This photo tells a lot; Just look at it ; examine it and from the clothing and the surrounding snow draped fir trees, one may get an inkling of what it was like in the ARDENNES CAMPAIGN during WW-II.
Best Regards,
John E. McAuliffe
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"