Blood and Armor in Development with Ardennes Group
"Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men." Gen. George S. PattonI have been commissioned to write and direct a new project with the Joseph Small and the Ardennes Group producer of The Wereth Eleven. It is a WWII feature film which we've titled, Blood and Armor. This is a two hour theatrical release not a television documentary or a docudrama. I am beginning discussions with potential strategic partners including the visual effects firm which completed much of the special effects for Brad Pitt's WWII tank film, Fury. Although this project is still in the development stage the writing has already begun. If I were to categorize this movie it would be your classic WWII action feature with heart stopping moments and edge of your seat action. This isn't your grandfather's Battle of the Bulge movie and I will keep you regularly updated with our progress.
Here's the story:
The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82nd Airborne) is ordered during the third day of Battle of the Bulge to do the impossible. Their assignment - seize and hold a heavily fortified German occupied town, capture a bridge and stop cold the thundering advance of German Waffen SS Commander, Joaquin Pieper’s armored divisions which stretch back sixteen miles.
The farthest advanced troops of Pieper’s armored SS are dug in on high ground at Cheneux, Belgium in impregnable positions. They command an arsenal of 30 tanks, a dozen 20mmm flak wagons, MG42 machine guns, 105mm howitzers and half-tracks with mounted 77mm cannons. Paratroopers of the 504th carry the M-1 Garand. The Americans have to advance across 1000 yards of open, snow encrusted ground and fourteen rows of barbed wire to attack the enemy.
Col. Reuben “Retreat Hell!” Tucker in charge of the 504th, a grizzled combat vet who Gen. Gavin calls, “the best combat field commander in the 82nd” knows for many of his men this attack will be their last. He compares his situation to the doomed final charge at Gettysburg as, “men against metal.”
With two battalions at his disposal and time running out before 25 German divisions engulf his position Tucker orders a bold daylight attack with two platoons. The assault is a disaster. Ordered to temporarily withdraw and regroup at 5:30P Tucker has no choice but to then order a nighttime attack at 7:30P. Two companies of the 504th, B & C attack Cheneux in echelon assault waves and storm the strongly entrenched enemy. Facing the heavy fire of 20 mm cannon, machine gun, mortar and small arms most of the Americans are cut down in the first 35 minutes of battle. One Sergeant reports, “the men fell like flies.
By 10P that night a wire was laid to Regimental HQ and Col. Will Harrison, was on the phone to Tucker. “Will! How’s it going?” Tucker anxiously asks his field commander.
“Pretty rough. We are in the middle of town.”
“How many men have you got?”
“15 in B and 8 in C” Harrison responds.
The blood drains from Tucker’s face, “My God Will!” What are you doing?” Harrison responds calmly, “We’re still attacking.”
* Dialog based on a letter sent after the battle.
With dog-faced determination out of ammunition but undaunted the 504th resort to primal hand-to-hand combat. The Germans match their intensity. Trench knives slit throats, rifle butts crack skulls and bayonet charges spill guts.
By the time killing ends, the First Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry has destroyed five companies of German SS Armored troops and large quantities of artillery, vehicles and one Mark VI tank. They seal a trap for thirty tanks and ninety-five trucks. The 504th incurs 225 casualties in 2 days. In the 1st battalion "B" company no officers remained while only 18 enlisted men survive. Only 3 officers with 38 enlisted men in "C" company walk away.
Pieper forced to reroute to the next town north Stoumont where the 30th Infantry Division finally halts his assault. On Christmas Eve, three days after the battle at Cheneux Pieper abandons his vehicles and escapes through the woods and deep snow with 800 men. 36 hours and 20 kilometers later he reaches German lines.
Pearl Buck Film Released on Amazon Today
Nice way to start the month, Pearl Buck: A Life, A Legacy, is now on Amazon on DVD. Streaming version soon to follow. Check out the life of a literary legend. Click the image at left to go to Amazon.
Tag :
Film,
Pearl Buck
WWII Unheralded Courage Presentation May 3rd
Edward Torres - Private First Class, Army - Fought in Battle of the Bulge,
Wounded in Action, Awarded 8 Medals
Frank Fazzalore – Corporal, Army - Wounded after crossing the Rhine River,
Awarded 5 Medals
Robert Hileman – Ship Service Second Class Petty Officer, Navy
Re-enlisted to serve in Korea, Awarded 4 Medals
When: Sun., May 3rd - 3 to 4 pm. Adults $5; Students Free
Where: Masonic Lodge - Edgewood & Heacock, Lower Makefield (Yardley, PA)
Sponsored by McCAFFREY’S MARKETS & KOHLBEK CONSULTING (I.T.)
Event Benefits Veteran Square Monument in Yardley www.veteranssquare.org
USS FRANKLIN: HONOR RESTORED
USS Franklin survived a direct hit by a Japanese armor-piercing bomb, and the events that followed made the story one of the most dramatic and inspiring in naval history.
THE WERETH ELEVEN
Wereth Eleven is the story of 11 Black GI’s who escaped capture during the Battle of the Bulge, only to be found killed by the Nazi SS.
Silent Wings chronicles the unsung heroism of America’s WWII Glider Pilots.
Tag :
War and Military,
WWII
Pearl Buck Film Available on Amazon in May
There most definitely was and myself along with my co-producers, Robert G. and Robert E. Campbell, of the Continental Film Alliance got down to work. It seemed quite a mystery to me that Ms. Buck such a literary giant was not more widely known and celebrated for her accomplishments. This film I hope will go a long way to help change all that. We had the full cooperation of Pearl S. Buck International and the film was shot on global scale with film work being done in the UK.
This was a departure for me from my mainstays of war and history but a refreshing one in both the writing and execution of the film. I am exceeding proud of the final result and many folks who have seen it are quite emotionally moved for which I am gratified and humbled. I wanted to do justice to Pearl Buck and it was quite a tall challenge I set for myself; bring this literary icon to life, humanize her, cheer for her and cry with her and ultimately make you a devoted fan of hers. You can judge the final result for yourself when the DVD becomes available worldwide next month. If you can't wait the film is currently now on sale at the Pearl S. Buck house gift shop in Bucks County. I'd recommend a trip there to see the site as well as meet the folks who are keeping her legacy vibrant and alive. It's well worth the trip!
Tag :
Film,
Pearl Buck
Excerpt from the forthcoming London Calling
This is the follow up Riley Spenser / Monuments Men thriller. This is the next book in the series led by The Russian van Gogh.
I wanted to share an excerpt from a chapter with you.
Chapter 4
St.
Stephens Tavern, London
The morning debrief had unfolded as Justin had expected - disastrous. He was not used to coming out on the short end of a mission. Being recalled home was the height of professional embarrassment. Transfer was a looming possibility, demotion or worse. Justin pondered it all and his next move as he raised a Dorset ale to his lips at a small black circular table near the curving mahogany bar. St. Stephens, a gilded age era pub, boasted tin-coffered twenty foot ceilings and dark paneled walls. It had a comforting old world feel that Justin needed right now. At his table by the window he regularly glanced back over his shoulder out to the busy street. Suddenly beside his table appeared the lanky man he was hoping to see. Justin turned back from the window surprised, “Director?”
The morning debrief had unfolded as Justin had expected - disastrous. He was not used to coming out on the short end of a mission. Being recalled home was the height of professional embarrassment. Transfer was a looming possibility, demotion or worse. Justin pondered it all and his next move as he raised a Dorset ale to his lips at a small black circular table near the curving mahogany bar. St. Stephens, a gilded age era pub, boasted tin-coffered twenty foot ceilings and dark paneled walls. It had a comforting old world feel that Justin needed right now. At his table by the window he regularly glanced back over his shoulder out to the busy street. Suddenly beside his table appeared the lanky man he was hoping to see. Justin turned back from the window surprised, “Director?”
“Never use the front door, Watson,
especially when there is a need for discretion,” Jeremy Lloyd deadpanned.
Justin nodded and motioned him to a
chair, “Thanks for seeing me.”
The Director of Special
Investigations had pretty much saved Justin’s hide during the recovery of the
van Gogh in Russia directing insertion of Georgian Special Forces and enlisting
CIA support. Justin knew he would be dead in a Grozny alley or worse if weren’t
for Jeremy Lloyd.
“ I cannot stay long but I will
have a pint,” Lloyd said as he turned back around and waved two fingers in the
air to the bartender who snapped to attention. In short order two frothy pints
arrived.
“I hear events did not go well.”
“Well? Disastrous might be a more
appropriate term.” Justin moaned.
“Syria is fluid. The situation
grows graver by the day.”
Justin nodded.
“And British strategy has been
constantly evolving.”
“And there’s the issue,” as Justin
leaned forward intense, “We are now propping up a regime that has killed
hundreds of thousands. First we are supplying arms to the rebels, next we are
cutting ties… No one trusts us. I had to put a bullet in the head of the Commander
I had sheparded arms to the month before. It is madness.”
“It is Britain’s new homeland
protection strategy. There is a looming chemical catastrophe in Syria. Assad
has vast stockpiles of Sarin, Ricin, mustard gas and VX. We have confirmed
usage from the Americans of multiple deployments of Sarin on bands of
opposition fighters.”
Now Available on Amazon America's First D-day film
Folks interested in a fresh retelling of the Crossing of the Delaware should check out the newly released DVD, America's First D-day Washington Crossing. It is the film I wrote and directed last year for the Continental Film Alliance, LLC
Synopsis:
Our first President is often remembered as a humble, grey wigged, elder statesman. But by 1776 the American Revolution almost came to an end. George Washington made a bold move that saved the American cause. The Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day to attack the Hessians in Trenton. This was America's First D-Day.
Happy Birthday today Alexander Hamilton
There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.
The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased.
A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.
The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.
Wereth Eleven to be Honored in Congress Today
I would like to let all know that Congress today is expected to vote on H.R. 4435 Fiscal Year National Defense Authorization Act. Rep. Jim Gerlach of Penn. last night introduced an amendment to this legislation, that will formally recognize the Wereth 11. Inclusion of that amendment was passed unanimously last night by the House of Representatives. It looks like after all these years these men will finally be given the honor and recognition they deserve.
