Command Central ordered us to travel to Bastogne. It was 3 miles away from Foy. We quickly marched forward. I preferred the M1903 Springfield rather than the M1 Garand. I was mostly a sniper in Easy Company. In my spare time I modded my Springfield. I even scoped it. Over my years in Easy Company, I rose from a Private to First Sergeant. Officers would come and go. You would see your superior officer dead and replaced any day. About a mile away from Bastogne, Captain Sobel ordered Sergeant Randleman and me to run ahead of the Company to scout the area. I quickly ran forward and got inside the closest tallest building. I quickly scoped and took a look around. Immediately I saw the dying city of Bastogne. Buildings were blasted apart, rubble everywhere. Then I saw the 28th Infantry Division retreating. They ran hard! Those kids, they threw their ammo and weapons on the ground. Anything to make them lighter so they can run faster and farther. What cowards I thought. “Don’t go up that hill! Germans will kill you!” They yelled at my Company. They didn’t even stop for a break, they ran like track stars. I ordered Randleman to follow me. We were walking up the road leading into Bastogne. We were almost near the entrance when I told Randleman to scope and take a look around. Immediately we saw German soldiers. They were spread out and searching the country side. As I kept watching, I saw a German yelling and pointing out something on the ground. More Germans came and pulled up a 28th Infantry Division soldier. He was crying and begging for mercy. I ordered Randleman to shoot the Germans and cover his escape. We both scoped and adjusted to the wind direction and distance. I aimed, and pressed the trigger. Two shots came from both of us. The Germans fell quick and effortlessly. The American got up but then was gunned down by German snipers. “Crap!” I thought. We came back to Major Winters and told him what happened. He ordered the Company forward. We split up into our three platoons and were ordered to come in from three directions. First platoon would come from the Rue De La Roche road. Second Platoon would come from Rue De Clervaux Road. My platoon would rush in through the front. I ran forward with Randleman and Captain Sobel at my side. I was searching the city for the best sniping position when I heard the distant sound of gun fire. Then I heard a whisper of surprise and someone falling. I turn my head and see Captain Sobel on the ground. I knew he was gone. That bullet shot all his organs out onto the street. I turn and run into the nearest apartment with Randleman right behind me. I quickly get down and start looking for my first victim. I’m searching and see a German sniper crouched on the road, he was looking right at me. Without hesitation I shot. POP! The German fell back. The fighting lasted 29 days. Occasionally I ran out of ammo and had to call out for some. Sometimes I even had to run across the battlefield and pick up guns or more bullets. Some days, grenades flew in through the window. I’d have to throw it back outside. At the end of the 29 days, the 55 German Divisions were repelled.