Army WWII POW Battle Of The Bulge

By Carol Bennett


War is never easy for the countries and soldiers involved. As an Army WWII POW Battle of the Bulge soldier, this was definitely the case for Bob Max, an American GI. For, Bob fought a good fight though was taken prisoner along with over 350 plus soldiers over the course of the war.

Once captured, the young GI endured combat, slave labor and captivity before finding liberation from the Nazis. The young Bob Max returned home 50 lbs less than when joining the army, though still sustained far less injuries than many other soldiers whom suffered far worse or lost their lives in the war.

Bob Max's story began in 1922 on the East Coast in the seaport state of New Jersey. Born in Newark and raised in Newark and South Orange, Bob won several medals for sprinting. In addition, as a teenager, Bob played in different teenage football leagues, often against local high school teams.

When World War II came to America, Bob enlisted in the Army. On October 26, 1942, the young soldier was placed in what has become known as the Super Sixth Armored Division under Major General Robert Grow. While under the command of Grow, the division fought under General Patton's command while in Lorraine, Brittany and Normandy.

Upon the launch of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, Bob's division was removed from an attack in Saar and directed 90 degrees north to fight in Bastogone. While the fourth armored division had liberated most of the city, there remained a great deal of fighting before the city could be secured. As a result, the 6th and 9th or Super Sixth divisions moved in to take over the fighting at the beginning of 1945.

Bob did not realize the fate of becoming a POW at the hands of German soldiers until several months later. The story of Bob's capture is a rather long one but one the elder Bob Max will most likely never forget. For, with attempting to hide with other Americans in a nearby shack only to be rejected, a near escape from black hooded German soldiers with assault rifles, and flaming tanks, how could anyone really ever forget such an experience.

Like so many others, Bob attempted to talk with the German soldiers. When the German asked, why the Americans were fighting in the war, Bob explained it had become an American war. Then, the German soldier reached into his pants for what Bob thought was a gun, only to pull out a wallet and share family pictures. After which, the German told Bob that the family would be living in New York City the following year.

Bob was amazed at the confidence displayed by the German. For, the soldier seemed more than confident that Hitler would be winning the war. At that moment, Bob began to see a change of attitude in the German. Then, without warning, the German informed Bob that the GI would be sent to a local camp. While still anxious, the GI felt a sudden sense of relief that there might be a chance to once again see the United States, even if only a slight one.




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