The Star Tribune ran a story today that recounted the horror of the torpedoing of the S.S. Leopoldville by a German U-boat on Christmas Eve 1944.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 1944, more than 2,200 troops from the 262nd and 264th regiments were called to emergency duty in the Battle of the Bulge — the largest land battle of World War II, a battle that would ultimately decide the fate of Nazi Germany.
Carrying the combat infantry outfits of the 66th Division, the former luxury liner pulled out of the harbor in Southampton, England seven hours later. The dreary, cold weather, fueled by the holidays away from loved ones and cramped conditions within the former luxury liner all combined to leave the military men in a somber mood.
Without warning, shortly after 6 pm, the German U-boat fired a lone torpedo with precise and deadly accuracy, striking the bottom stern of the ship, ripping a huge hole in the hull.
According to Henry (Hank) Andersen, a former sergeant on board that fated vessel, hundreds of men were blown apart; while hundreds more drowned after being sucked under the ship as it lost its battle to stay afloat, or froze in the icy waters of the English Channel. When the final toll was tallied, more than 800 souls were lost — the worst disaster to befall an American infantry division as a result of an enemy submarine attack.
Survivors were taken to the Cherbourg maritime station. It was there that the meaning of Christmas came through.
Former Sergeant Anderson recalled:
Black quartermaster troops stationed in Cherbourg and segregated from white troops, offered survivors their Christmas dinner. Andersen, too grief-stricken to think of eating, didn’t want to go, but an order was an order. Soon, 2 1/2-ton trucks came to pick up the men and take them to the black troops’ stationing area.
“As we lined up for their dinner, gradually the entire quartermaster outfit surrounded us and began singing Christmas carols, gently, softly, magnificently.”
A strange and profound feeling swept over him. “In sorrow and wonder,” said Andersen, his voice breaking, “we began to sing with them.”
The music, he said, gave him sustenance to go on, something to believe in.
“Health. Hope. Comfort. Peace. When I left that place, I was healed.”
This gesture by their fellow soldiers was heartwarming, compassionate and made no distinction of the differences that so clearly divided the men in 1944.
This is something to think about just a few days before Christmas.
May God bless and keep safe the brave men and women who are fighting for our continued freedom in the War Against Terrorism.
Merry Christmas – and thank you – from a proud and grateful American.