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Journal Entry February 19 Transfer to 285th-and Cliff Hope



Feb 19th Transferred to 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion "To help replace men lost by Battery 'B'-murdered by Germans December 17th.

Roads to Bastogne nearly all out- one sea of mud.

Red Cross doughnuts.

Good roads to Pepinster (Near Viviers). Staying in Chateau.

Lu, in Ray Hight's book: In early February I was shocked to receive orders transferring me to the 285th FAOB. The news made quite an impact on me when I realized that I was one of the replacement troops needed after the great loss of life in the 285th during the Malmedy Massacre on December 17, 1944. This knowledge left me feeling especially responsible, and initially a bit uneasy, knowing I was filling in for a man who had been killed.

Cliff Hope: Within a few days Cpl. Lu Winsor, our note keeper, was transferred to the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion, a transfer which I am certain was occasioned by the terrible losses suffered by the 285th in the Malmedy Massacre. I was appointed to Lu's position and later was promoted to corporal.
... During the third week of February, Lu Winsor, Blades, and Cooper left as replacements for the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. I hated to see Winsor go, although, as previously mentioned, it was a break for me because I got his job as note keeper. It was a definite job in the army for the first time in almost two years of service.


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