A Day of Life in the Battle of the Bulge

The droning of the approaching tanks rang persistently in my years. I rubbed my stiff hands together apprehensively and breathed warm air on them. Beyond the white freezing plains, clouds of dust began to form. The mini tanks were extremely effective in battling in the densely forested areas of the Ardennes Mountains region. Soon, the first few tanks materialised. I could hardly believe that the forest had not filtered them. Instead, the tanks were charging towards us like a horde of provoked bees. It was almost impossible to fend off such a huge swarm of buzzing tanks with just a few anti-tank rifles. Our chief commander sprinted past our pits and hollered out instructions like a frantic monkey in a predicament. Just then, missiles and fires flashed past my eyes. It had begun.

I was hiding in a pit in the frontline. I dropped into the it and watched as blinding flash of light whizzed past overhead. Straining my ears, I tried to catch my chief’s instructions. However, his voice was drowned by the cacophony of droning machines and continuous firings. I knew it was my duty to defend the frontline. I summoned my courage and reloaded my anti-tank rifle. Within a few seconds, I felt the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. My whole body went limb and I collapsed back into the pit in agony. I could smell the boiling blood which was staining my uniform. I thought I was going to die as the vision around me blurred. I was unable to move any limbs and I stifle a cry of anguish to prevent myself from attracting attention from the advancing tanks.

The next moment, I felt myself being dragged out of the pit violently and I knew the Germans had captured me. I was dragged through the icy forest and away from the frontline. Gradually, the noises grew fainter. However, my pain became more unbearable. Realising something was amiss, I glanced upwards. It dawned on me that the medical units had rushed to my rescue and were treating to my wounds. However, I could not resist it any longer. My eyes were watering profusely and I clenched my fists so tightly that my knuckles ache. I lay on the snow and watched the medics fumbling with their tools. I felt a sense of security even though the pain was still tormenting me. The medics treated my wound expertly and brought me back to the camp in a vehicle. I hoped I would not be assigned in the frontline in future.