Battle Of The Bulge Photos: Dead Soldier’s Pics Developed 70 Years Later
The Battle of the Bulge raged from Luxembourg for the timespan from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945.
Launched as a sneak attack by Nazi Germany against Allied Forces during World War II, the Allies were somehow able to turn the fight in their favor and score a decisive victory.
But that victory came with great loss of life. During the month of fighting, casualty estimates were around 80,987 Americans, though this varies wildly, with some estimates ranging from 70,000 to 108,000.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense the American forces suffered 89,500 casualties including 19,000 killed, 47,500 wounded and 23,000 missing.
An official report by the United States Department of the Army lists some 108,347 casualties, including 19,246 killed, 62,489 wounded and 26,612 captured and missing.
The Battle of the Bulge was the bloodiest of the battles that U.S. forces experienced in World War II, surpassing every other engagement for Americans killed.
One of those boys was Technician Fifth Grade Louis J. Archambeau. Archambeau left behind a camera with an undeveloped roll of film inside.
That camera was not found until 70 years after the fact when Captain Mark D. Anderson of the United States Navy and historian Jean Muller were walking through the mountainsides of Luxembourg, looking for artifacts from the infamous battle.
As they ventured into the battleground, they noticed a faint beeping on their metal detector. From there, they followed the sound until coming upon the camera.
It had been left behind in a foxhole, Viral Nova notes, complete with pictures taken shortly before Archambeau’s death.
While the pics are of degraded quality, they add a fascinating layer to the deadliest battle of World War II. Here they are:
Imgur user medrolific claims to be related to Archambeau, stating that the first pic you see below is actually in his living room, and adding, “My grandmother told me that he was an excellent boxer.”
If you’d like a solid film to help remember the Battle of the Bulge on this fine Independence Day, may we suggest director Ken Annakin’s Battle of the Bulge.
It was made in 1965, so the Hell of War is a bit scaled back — no Saving Private Ryan-like scenes here — but it’s got Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, and Robert Ryan in it, so at least you get some excellent performances.
Do you have any World War II or Battle of the Bulge survivors, living or dead, in your family? Share their experiences with us below.
[Image via Flickr Creative Commons]
