BBC HomeExplore the BBC
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

BBC Homepage
BBC History
WW2 People's War HomepageArchive ListTimelineAbout This Site

Contact Us

Battle of the Bulge

by Mk2Eureka

You are browsing in:

Archive List > World > Belgium

Contributed by 
Mk2Eureka
People in story: 
Madge Dubois Rhodes
Location of story: 
Dinant, Belgium
Background to story: 
Civilian
Article ID: 
A6189113
Contributed on: 
18 October 2005

I read with interest the write up on the Battle of the Bulge, A1143451, but would question one of the facts.

In the editorial, it states that the germans did not get any nearer than 5km. to the Meuse.

My aunt, who was English, lived in Dinant throughout the war, and was part of the underground tranferring aircrew back to England. One of her statements was, 'That the 'Battle of the Bulge stopped at her back door'.

When I went over on a visit in 1952, she related the story, of noticing a tank out on the road, and the crew 'fussing' over it. She questioned what they were doing, and was advised that they had run out of fuel and had oders to blow it up. She said that 'The more they destroyed the better, but not in front of her house, as the explosion would cause it damage', and made them move it. The rusting hulk of same tank was still in the field at the back of her house in 1952, way at the far end.
This would seem to suggest that the leading edge of the battle got to within 1/2 mile of the river, as that is how far she lived from it.

Reference to the records at the Imperial War Museuum, will show that she was one of the last surviving members of the Escaping Society.

Her name was

Mme. Madge Dubois Rhodes.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.

Archive List

This story has been placed in the following categories.

Belgium Category
icon for Story with photoStory with photo

Most of the content on this site is created by our users, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. For any other comments, please Contact Us.



About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy