European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 11, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A stars and stripes  december 11, 1994 army t an american Hal track passes a dead German Soldier in Belgium during the Battle of the bulge which started on dec. 16,1944. Battling the nazi bulge Byron Jensen Nurnberg Bureau the events in the ardennes 50 years ago this month had Little to do with the outcome of the second world War. That had been decided months earlier when the allies after successfully putting an army ashore in Normandy managed to break through German defences in Northern France and Send Hitler s troops backpedal ing toward Berlin. The nazi counterattack that has become known As the Battle of the bulge merely determined How soon the third Reich would collapse and the 6 year old War end. The brutal Battle took place in the Forest of ardennes in Southeast Belgium and in a Winter environment that froze weapons and toes. Because the attack failed the War ended that much sooner saving untold lives and preventing unmeasurable devastation and despite what Hollywood movies and some books and newspapers and the , postal service have been saying the Battle of the bulge was not won at Bastogne Belgium site of Many of this month s events marking the 50th anniversary of the Battle. That City was surrounded and the -._._. 101st airborne div was hanging by its fingertips on the eve of Christmas 1944. When the German command requested that the trapped soldiers surrender their commander. Brig. Gen. Anthony Mcauliffe is said to have refused with the simple reply  a sudden Clearing of the weather at Christmas allowing for air support was the Miracle that saved the City. But Victory at the bulge was secured veterans of the 99th inf div will Tell you. In the wooded hillsides of the Border Between Belgium and Germany where the main German thrust was made and repulsed an area known by historians As the North shoulder. We be been trying for some years to Point that out said Roger Foehringer an insurance agent in Genoa 111., and Veteran of the 99th. The Battle of the bulge was not won at Bastogne. It just was  Dick Byers said it s awfully hard to argue with  Byers was a staff sergeant with the 99th inf div. Now a retired manufacturer s representative in Mentor Ohio he knows where the Battle of the bulge was fought and won. He was there dug in along else born Ridge. But he knows that. Bastogne will probably forever continued on Page 4