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The young men of American Patrol, a Dutch re-enactment group, listen to orders from their platoon leader on Dec. 14, 2014, in the forest of Proemerberg, the large hill between St. Vith and Schönberg, Belgium where the unit they're playing, the 106th Infantry Division, actually fought during the Battle of the Bulge nearly 70 years ago.

The young men of American Patrol, a Dutch re-enactment group, listen to orders from their platoon leader on Dec. 14, 2014, in the forest of Proemerberg, the large hill between St. Vith and Schönberg, Belgium where the unit they're playing, the 106th Infantry Division, actually fought during the Battle of the Bulge nearly 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

The young men of American Patrol, a Dutch re-enactment group, listen to orders from their platoon leader on Dec. 14, 2014, in the forest of Proemerberg, the large hill between St. Vith and Schönberg, Belgium where the unit they're playing, the 106th Infantry Division, actually fought during the Battle of the Bulge nearly 70 years ago.

The young men of American Patrol, a Dutch re-enactment group, listen to orders from their platoon leader on Dec. 14, 2014, in the forest of Proemerberg, the large hill between St. Vith and Schönberg, Belgium where the unit they're playing, the 106th Infantry Division, actually fought during the Battle of the Bulge nearly 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Herbert Sheaner visits the mostly Dutch World War II re-enactment groups that are portraying his unit, the 106th Infantry Division, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2014. Sheaner fought there as a 20-year-old soldier in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago.

Herbert Sheaner visits the mostly Dutch World War II re-enactment groups that are portraying his unit, the 106th Infantry Division, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2014. Sheaner fought there as a 20-year-old soldier in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Koen Monnickendam looks back at the line of foxholes he and other re-enactors occupied on Dec. 15, 2014, while portraying the 106th Infantry Division in the very forest that unit fought in 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge.

Koen Monnickendam looks back at the line of foxholes he and other re-enactors occupied on Dec. 15, 2014, while portraying the 106th Infantry Division in the very forest that unit fought in 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Dick Lockhart visits the mostly Dutch World War II re-enactment groups that were portaying his unit, the 106th Infantry Division, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2014. Lockhart fought there as a 20-year-old soldier in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago.

Dick Lockhart visits the mostly Dutch World War II re-enactment groups that were portaying his unit, the 106th Infantry Division, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2014. Lockhart fought there as a 20-year-old soldier in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Leonard van Oord takes his helmet off to listen for enemy movement while portraying a squad leader of the 106th Infantry Division as part of a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The 106th fought in the same forest 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge.

Leonard van Oord takes his helmet off to listen for enemy movement while portraying a squad leader of the 106th Infantry Division as part of a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The 106th fought in the same forest 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Mike Struik smokes a cigarette while portraying a soldier of the 106th Infantry Division during a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The 106th fought in the same forest 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge.

Mike Struik smokes a cigarette while portraying a soldier of the 106th Infantry Division during a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The 106th fought in the same forest 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Edwin Cotter digs a foxhole on Dec. 13, 2014,  in the same forest that the 106th Infantry Division, the unit that Cotter's re-enactment group is portraying, fought in 70 years ago in the Battle of the Bulge.

Edwin Cotter digs a foxhole on Dec. 13, 2014, in the same forest that the 106th Infantry Division, the unit that Cotter's re-enactment group is portraying, fought in 70 years ago in the Battle of the Bulge. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Re-enactors portray German forces on Dec. 15, 2014, as they fight re-enactors portraying the 106th Infantry Division in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th fought during the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago.

Re-enactors portray German forces on Dec. 15, 2014, as they fight re-enactors portraying the 106th Infantry Division in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th fought during the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Wesley van Reen displays his authentic looking cigarette case complete with a family photo, a 40s pin-up girl and homemade 40s replica cigarettes on Dec. 14, 2014. He and other re-enactors portrayed the 106th Infantry Division, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago.

Wesley van Reen displays his authentic looking cigarette case complete with a family photo, a 40s pin-up girl and homemade 40s replica cigarettes on Dec. 14, 2014. He and other re-enactors portrayed the 106th Infantry Division, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Dutch re-enactors portray the leadership of the 106th Infantry Division, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, during a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014.

Dutch re-enactors portray the leadership of the 106th Infantry Division, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, during a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Wesley van Reen patrols with his squad in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, during a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. He and others portrayed the 106th Infantry Division, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago.

Wesley van Reen patrols with his squad in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, during a re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. He and others portrayed the 106th Infantry Division, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Dutch re-enactors portray the 106th Infantry Division on Dec. 14, 2014, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th fought in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago.

Dutch re-enactors portray the 106th Infantry Division on Dec. 14, 2014, in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th fought in the Battle of the Bulge 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Dutch re-enactors portraying the 106th Infantry Division eat lunch that was made in a completely authentic U.S. Army field kitchen on Dec. 14, 2014. The Battle of the Bulge re-enactment took place in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th actually fought.

Dutch re-enactors portraying the 106th Infantry Division eat lunch that was made in a completely authentic U.S. Army field kitchen on Dec. 14, 2014. The Battle of the Bulge re-enactment took place in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th actually fought. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Dutch re-enactors, from left to right, Wesley van Reen, Rico Peters and Sjoerd Bijsterveld, warm up with small fires near their foxholes on Dec. 13, 2014. They were portraying the 106th Infantry Division, where it fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium.

Dutch re-enactors, from left to right, Wesley van Reen, Rico Peters and Sjoerd Bijsterveld, warm up with small fires near their foxholes on Dec. 13, 2014. They were portraying the 106th Infantry Division, where it fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Judith  Cornelissen, front, and Nicole Uyen portray administrative clerks in a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. The re-enactors portrayed the 106th Infantry Division, which fought German forces in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, 70 years ago.

Judith Cornelissen, front, and Nicole Uyen portray administrative clerks in a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. The re-enactors portrayed the 106th Infantry Division, which fought German forces in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Re-enactors portray German forces as they fight fellow re-enactors portraying the 106th Infantry Division on Dec. 15, 2014. The Battle of the Bulge re-enactment took place in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th fought 70 years ago.

Re-enactors portray German forces as they fight fellow re-enactors portraying the 106th Infantry Division on Dec. 15, 2014. The Battle of the Bulge re-enactment took place in the heights above St. Vith, Belgium, where the 106th fought 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Leonard van Oord barks out commands while portraying a squad leader of the 106th Infantry Division during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The re-enactment took place in the same forest the 106th fought in 70 years ago.

Leonard van Oord barks out commands while portraying a squad leader of the 106th Infantry Division during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The re-enactment took place in the same forest the 106th fought in 70 years ago. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Mike Struik, portraying a wounded U.S. soldier in the 106th Infantry Division, lies in pain during a  Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014.

Mike Struik, portraying a wounded U.S. soldier in the 106th Infantry Division, lies in pain during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

A re-enactor portraying a German soldier takes a smoke during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The re-enactment took place above the town of St. Vith, Belgium, where the U.S. 106th Infantry Division fought in World War II.

A re-enactor portraying a German soldier takes a smoke during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014. The re-enactment took place above the town of St. Vith, Belgium, where the U.S. 106th Infantry Division fought in World War II. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Dutch re-enactors portraying 106th Infantry Division soldiers are captured by Germans during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014, above the town of St. Vith, Belgium.

Dutch re-enactors portraying 106th Infantry Division soldiers are captured by Germans during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 13, 2014, above the town of St. Vith, Belgium. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Leonard van Oord,  portraying a squad leader in the U.S. 106th Infantry Division, is taken captive by a man playing the role of a German soldier during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 14, 2014.

Leonard van Oord, portraying a squad leader in the U.S. 106th Infantry Division, is taken captive by a man playing the role of a German soldier during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment on Dec. 14, 2014. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Re-enactors portray German forces as they fight the U.S. 106th Infantry Division above St. Vith, Belgium, during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment, on Dec. 14, 2014.

Re-enactors portray German forces as they fight the U.S. 106th Infantry Division above St. Vith, Belgium, during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment, on Dec. 14, 2014. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

Sam Williams fires blanks from his M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle as he portrays a U.S. soldier with the 106th Infantry Division during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment in the hills above St. Vith, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2014.

Sam Williams fires blanks from his M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle as he portrays a U.S. soldier with the 106th Infantry Division during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment in the hills above St. Vith, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2014. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)

24-Dutch re-enactors portraying U.S. soldiers in the 106th Infantry Division march to the front lines above St. Vith, Belgium, during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.

24-Dutch re-enactors portraying U.S. soldiers in the 106th Infantry Division march to the front lines above St. Vith, Belgium, during a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. ()

ST. VITH, Belgium — Pvt. Edwin Cotter kneels in the cold, wet mud of the Prümerberg, a large hill above St. Vith, near the German border, catching his breath as snowflakes float to the ground slowly blanketing the forest around him. Shovels rhythmically break ground and the barking commands of soldiers disturb the otherwise peaceful setting.

“Cotter!” ... schunk ... schunk...

“Use branches for cover, think about camouflage!” ... schunk ...

Soldiers with the 106th Infantry Division begin digging foxholes as they prepare to take their turn on the front lines in the Ardennes Forest. The date is Dec. 13, 2014, yet it feels and looks exactly as it must have 70 years ago when the U.S. and its allies were engaged in war against Nazi Germany. These soldiers are actually re-enactors, mostly from the Netherlands, who commit a lot of time and money to portray World War II U.S. infantrymen.

Cotter and about 20 others belong to a living-history group called American Patrol and they are the only group out of more than 100 in the Netherlands that portrays infantry divisions who fought in Europe in 1944. According to Leonard van Oord, a 19-year-old World War II re-enactor, American Patrol maintains a high level of authenticity. Focusing on different units every year, the group studies each unit in depth, looking at everything from the uniforms worn to the unit’s achievements and everything in between.

“We don’t just want to look good or pose in a uniform,” said van Oord. “We want to know the unit we portray and the history. We want to understand their living conditions.”

This year, for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, American Patrol teamed up with about five other groups to portray units from the U.S. 106th Infantry Division. According to Carl Wouters, the 106th Infantry Division Association’s Belgium liaison, the actions of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne overshadowed those of the 106th ID, but St. Vith arguably was an equally important road junction that had great tactical importance for the Germans.

Despite being stretched too thin with little-to-no experience, the young men of the106th, the last infantry division to be activated in World War II, truly lost their innocence overnight when the Germans attacked them on Dec. 16, 1944. Two of the division’s three regiments were surrounded and completely cut off from supplies and reinforcements. After three days of holding out and taking mass casualties, both regimental commanders independently decided to surrender what was left of their regiments on Dec. 19, 1944.

“The actions of the division made it possible for the other units to move in from the rear, join the fight and plug the hole in the ‘dam,’” Wouters said. “Against all odds, they put up one hell of a fight. For that, they deserve credit, praise and everlasting respect.”

Paying respect and remembering are largely the reasons American Patrol members participate in these re-enactments.

“We do this to remember the people who liberated Western Europe 70 years ago, to make sure they are not forgotten by current generations,” said van Oord. “They made great sacrifices, they came all the way from their farms in America to liberate us from German oppression and for that we are thankful.”

Two 106th ID veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Herb Sheaner Jr., 90, and Dick Lockhart, 91, came to the re-enactment site on Prümerberg, where actual fighting had taken place, to see what the young re-enactors were doing.

They were here for the third annual Flag of Friendship Ceremony held in St. Vith on Sunday. The re-enactors also stood in formation, performed a 27-gun-salute and carried flowers in the ceremony.

Sheaner and Lockhart saw the men in their foxholes and were given a tour of the headquarters, where they had coffee and talked with the re-enactor commanding officer before witnessing a mock battle with an advancing German unit.

According to Sheaner, the young re-enactors could’ve been his buddies 70 years ago at about the right ages and wearing the same clothing and gear.

“Those people absolutely look like Americans 70 years ago; it’s amazing what they did out here,” Sheaner said. “They would’ve been real good soldiers back in World War II; they would have. I’ll never forget this.”

demotts.joshua@stripes.com

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