On this homepage you can find news and updates regarding the 106th Infantry Division, its European legacy and the activities of the "Bulge Chapter" of the Division Association. 

It is with great saddness that we received the news of the passing of John R. Schaffner.  John was an absolute gem of a man, a mentor and a respected historian. We shall miss his wit, advice and inspiration. It was a true honor to know him as a dear friend. During WWII, John served as a forward observer with Battery B of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion and participated in the defense of Baraque de Fraiture crossroads. He was past President of the 106th Infantry Division Association and served for many years as Association Historian. He was 95. We'll never forget you, John. Till we meet again!

Locals from Schönberg and WWII veterans gather around the new POW monument. To the left of the stone is mayor Grommes of St. Vith. To his left WWII veterans Herbert Sheaner (US Army) and Nikolaus Bach (German Army).

Are you seeing blurry images like below? Don't worry, it's only temporary. The photo host of this website has decided to discontinue regular services and hold websites hostage. To avoid any further discomfort I will be updating all pages with new images for an optimal viewing experience. My apologies for the difficulties in viewing the site at present. 

- The Webmaster

In search of the fifty-four GI's of the 106th Division and their attached units, still missing in action. The Bulge Chapter of the 106th Infantry Division Association is actively cooperating with authorities in search of these missing men. Information about these individual GI's is always welcome. Go to the project page by clicking on the photo above or by clicking this LINK.

Update 12 May 2018 

On 18 December 1944 a vehicle column of the US 14th Cavalry Group was ambushed on the road from Poteau to Recht (Belgium). This Task Force, commanded by Major James Mayes, S-3 Officer of the 32nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, was destroyed by elements of the 1. SS Panzer Division's Kampfgruppe Hansen in a short but brisk firefight. Trapped on a narrow elevated road, Mayes' vehicles had no escape route and were abandoned. The fight for the small crossroads town of Poteau would last for several days and prove vital in creating an escape corridor for American units fighting in the St. Vith pocket. Meanwhile the abandoned TF Mayes convoy proved to be an excellent backdrop for propaganda images. This staged cine film was made by SS-Kriegsberichter (war correspondents) who were later captured by GI's of the 30th Division. Released by SHAEF for publication, this was some of the first footage seen by the Allied public in relation to the German drive in the Ardennes.

The wooden shack that can be seen behind the SS trooper around the 1:38 mark, stille exists. The pine tree that can be seen behind it in the 1944 footage has grown significantly since then. A photo of the ambush site in 2017 is posted below.

Updated 10 May 2018

As every year, the Flag of Friendship is presented to someone who has helped preserve and perpetuate the story of the 106th. The 2017 Award was presented to outgoing Burgermeister of St. Vith, Christian Krings. He has been a loyal and most supportive ally in regards to the annual Battle of the Bulge commemorations in his city and especially towards the 106th Division. He receives our gratitude for his assistance and dedication in this task of remembrance.

Updated 8 May 2018

On 7 January 2017 the Bulge Chapter of the 106th Infantry Division Association placed flowers at the monument for the 424th Infantry Regiment at Spineux, Belgium. 72 years ago the Regiment was tasked with the mission of attacking the villages of Lavaux and Coulée. A fierce battle and many casualties were the result. In 1989 a fitting memorial was inaugurated in Spineux, in honor of the men of the Fighting 424th. 

Updated 3 February 2017

On 17 December 2016 the fifth Flag of Friendship ceremony took place in St. Vith, Belgium. Since 2012 the 106th Division Association and its European "Bulge Chapter" award a U.S. flag to an individual who has shown great initiative in perpetuating the history of the Golden Lions and American  veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. The 2016 honoree was Solange Dekeyser of Belgium who has -for many years- honored US veterans through her work with the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery, as well as serving as President of the Wereth Memorial, honoring the men of the segregated 333rd Field Artillery Battalion that was attached to the 106th Division. Flowers were presented at the Division memorial by the City of St. Vith, CRIBA, the C-47 Club Ardennes Salm River Chapter, the Museum 'House of the Belgian-French Resistance' and the 106th Infantry Division Association 'Bulge Chapter'. Photo courtesy of Cedric Gregoire. More photos can be viewed HERE.

Updated 6 January 2017

The past blends into the present in one photo. German guards and prisoners of war distribute food at the Lagerküche of Stalag IX-A in Ziegenhain, Germany.  The present day village of Trutzhain was founded on the grounds of the former prisoner of war camp. In mid-January 1945 approximately 1,290 American NCO's arrived here from Stalag IX-B in Bad Orb. The camp was liberated by the 6th Armored Division on 30 March 1945. In October 2016 the Webmaster visited the former POW camp with the son of M/Sgt. Roddie Edmonds (422/HQ), who was the senior American NCO and barracks leader. Edmonds was honored as Righteous among Nations by Yad Vashem in 2015 for refusing to segregate the Jewish American prisoners in the camp. For more information on Stalag IX-A and this story click HERE.

Updated 29 October 2016

On 10 June 2016 five WWII veterans and their families visited the 106th Infantry Division sector  with help of the 'Bulge Chapter'. Two of the attending veterans served with the 106th Division during the Battle of the Bulge and naturally had an interest in retracing their footsteps. Marcus Bartusek was a machine gunner in Company "H" of the 424th Infantry Regiment and Henry Breton was a lineman of a Signal Battalion attached to the Division. Ben Berry served during the Battle of the Bulge with the 863rd Quartermaster Fumigation and Bath Company. Hartley Baird was a member of the 30th Air Depot Group of the 9th Army Air Force and served in Normany, while Vern Shoemaker as a Navy veteran was stationed at Pearl Harbor during WWII. Once again it was a great honor to welcome these men to Belgium and thank them for their service. They are truly the Greatest Generation.

Updated 22 September 2016

A lot has happened since first creating this website in 2008. Therefore it seemed time for a fresh coat of paint and some new content. On this homepage you can find a few interesting short articles on events and members of the 106th Infantry Division "Golden Lions".

A special page was created for the Annual Flag of Friendship Ceremony in St. Vith, with information on past and upcoming events. Donations are welcome for the flower fund. This page will also serve as the homepage for the Belgian "Bulge Chapter" of the Association.

In the webstore you can find a collection of T-shirts and memoribilia. New items will be added regularly.

I hope you enjoy the website.

With any questions, feel free to contact me personally.

Carl Wouters

13 July 2016

The following footage was made at the historical reconstitution at Joubiéval, Belgium during the commemoration weekend in December 2015. Belgian, German and American re-enactors faithfully recreated actual scenes from the early days of the Battle of the Bulge. This event was organized by Jean-François Noirhomme of the Bulge Relics Museum. An excellent museum that has an amazing collection of items recovered from the actual battlefields of the Ardennes.

Update 13 July 2016