The extreme cold weather we have had in the beginning of this New Year is an example of what our troops had to survive in the early part of 1777, 1945 and 1951.
After the victory at Trenton, Gen. George Washington and his army returned to Pennsylvania. Because of the embarrassing loss at Trenton, British General Charles Cornwallis moved a reinforcing army from New York toward Trenton. Washington then moved his Colonials back into New Jersey and took some back roads in a silent march toward Princeton.
Cornwallis had established several garrisons in New Jersey between New York and Philadelphia. Washington had taken out one in Trenton. Now he moved on the one in Princeton. On Jan. 3, 1777, the Colonial Army was victorious at Princeton. The British anticipated that Washington would next attack at New Brunswick. Instead, Washington slipped his army behind the Watchung Mountains and the Great Swamp and started a winter encampment in the Morristown area. The mountains and swamp provided the army with protection from an attack from New York, which was a two-day march away. A promontory on the mountains provided Washington with an observation point to watch for British troop movements. The Colonial soldiers set about cutting trees to build huts and stack firewood to survive the winter.
After the Battle of the Bulge, the Allied forces could not encamp for the winter. Now with momentum on their side, they moved into Germany. It was no cakewalk.
The Third Reich was crumbling, but not without offering serious resistance. In defense of the “Fatherland”, Hitler, in his madness, could not capitulate. His remaining forces, including civilians pressed into service, aided by sub freezing weather and snow, fiercely battled the advancing Allies.
In January, the Russians, advancing into Germany from the East, liberated the Auschwitz death camp. Allied forces moving into Germany encountered prisoners escaping from forced labor camps in Poland. Before the winter would be out, U.S. and Allied forces would encounter and liberate many of the Nazi concentration, slave labor and death camps. What was once rumor was now verified. The Nazi disregard for humanity was the most despicable, evil and discussing actions a group of people could impose on another. Seasoned American soldiers became sick at the sight of this Holocaust. If there was ever justification to prosecute this war and seek retribution, this was it.
General Matthew Ridgeway assumed command of the forces in Korea after the motor vehicle death of General Walton Walker on Dec. 23, 1950. With the troops of Eighth Army and X Corps now below the 38th Parallel, Ridgeway was able to strengthen those units with fresh replacements and add newly arrived units to his command. A defensive line was established across the Korean Peninsula with support, service and supply units filling in areas behind the MLR. The cold weather was the enemy of everybody, including the attacking Chinese, who had trouble penetrating Ridgeway’s perimeter, and for the second time, had stretched their line of supply line to the breaking point.
The UN forces had come to Korea in the hot, humid summer. But as quick as you could throw a light switch, that summer turned into a severe winter on troops not equipped for it. Soldiers wore every item of clothing in their packs to keep from freezing.
The severe cold affected both men and equipment. The military slowly started to introduce parkas, pile caps, Mickey Mouse boots and galoshes to help troops keep warm and dry. White grease was passed out to keep weapons lubricated. The freezing cold impacted gunpowder and grub alike. Freeze injuries escalated to levels never contemplated. The resiliency of the American soldier to endure and survive these conditions was amazing. Slowly, the UN Forces, with a U.S spearhead, began advancing back to the 38th parallel. Gung Ho.
Richard Pender
North Brunswick
