Account from Edwin N. Blasingim,First Sgt., Company B, 160 Engineer Combat Battalion, as told to his son.
The Germans marched into Echternach in May of 1940, occupied the town and took vicious control of the entire country. The U.S.Army liberated most of Luxembourg and Echternach in September of 1944. In the Battle of the Bulge the Germans penetrated Echternach again and there was heavy fighting there until the Germans were pushed back across the Sure ( Sauer ) River in early January of 1945. Americans held the town now but the men thought that all of the Germans were not gone. There were still a few hiding and observing and passing what they learned to their friends across the river. Read this interesting account by Earl R. Stonefield,Sgt.,of the 160th, Company B. It is in the February 1999 issue of Bulge Bugle on page 9. His account is titled " Road Block ". Try this link. http://www.veteransofthebattleofthebulge.org/vbob/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1999-Feb.pdf
A few days before the assault crossing preparations were being made each night. Under the cover of darkness, boats were quietly hand carried into positions north of town along the river close to their launch points. Along with materials and supplies they were hidden behind whatever cover was available so that nothing could be seen from the far side of the river. Artillery was moved close to where it would be needed and placed out of sight so that it could easily be moved into firing position.
When the assault started in the early morning hours of February 7, Dad said that about the time the boats started launching the Germans lit the place up with Flares. " It was like daytime and we were all scared".Dad said that some men were hit before they could get into their boat. German artillery started two large fires on our bank that back lit the men crossing the river. They discovered that the Germans knew a lot more about what was going on than they thought.
The helpful people at the U.S.Army Engineer History Office sent me this account, I am not sure of the author but it is from someone from the 160th. I thank them and would like to share this with anyone who is interested in our engineers.
The first photograph is a picture of Echnernach and the Sure River. This view is looking east and Echternach is the town in the upper center of the view that has several spires. The first crossing point is just northwest of town.( this is a pre WW II photograph that shows the lay of the land )
The second photograph is of Echternach before WW II.
The third photograph is of Echternach while the 160th was there.
