Bastogne: The Story of the First Eight Days - US Army Center Of ...

126 BASTOGNE
provide a target for the large gun. Yet during the night the large
gun never did fire. The man in the foxhole also heard the German
ambulances make numerous trips into the area for the
purpose of taking out their dead and wounded.28
Major Galbreaith (executive officer of the 2d Battalion,
327th), reported to Colonel Harper at 2000, December 23, that
the German infantry were in the south end of Marvie and were
working through the houses. 21 (Map 16, page 125.) The tanks
which had been on Hill 500 and had shelled Marvie from there
were now moving toward the houses. Galbreaith asked Harper,
"Can't I get tanks?" Harper replied, "I'll try." But the line to
Team O'Hara had gone out. Colonel Harper tried the radio but
could only hear Team O'Hara headquarters faintly.
Major Galbreaith called Colonel Harper again, and said, "They
are all around us now and I must have tanks."28 "You call
O'Hara on your radio," replied Harper, "and say 'It is the commanding
general's order that two Sherman tanks move into
Marvie at once and take up a defensive position.' It
Colonel Harper had no authority for his action but he figured
this wasn't the time to stand on ceremony.29 A few minutes later
the two Sherman tanks move