Werner Poetschke at Stoumont December 19, 1944

[Simon H]

I should also add that the battery lost at least one gun disabled as it ran into the mud whilst being emplaced and was thus not employed in the defence of the village. As already said they did open fire at close range with a 90mm (40-60yards) and knocked out a Panther. Exploding ammunition in a nearby trailer forced them to abandon this gun, whereupon an unidentified Infantry officer asked for volunteers for a tank killer team - Darago and Seaman stepped forward.

[Simon H]

Just wanted to add that on September 24th 2011 at the Dezember 1944 Museum at La Gleize a plaque will be unveiled to finally honour the men of the 143rd AAA Battalion who stalled KG Peiper in Stoumont and the rail station on December 19th 1944.

It promises to be a very special event and will attended by veterans of the battle as well as media.

More details can be found here:

http://www.lerenfort.fsnet.co.uk/page8aN.htm