[Editor's note: Christian Mattil and Kaitlyn Pyrtle are journalism students at Ansbach High School.]
ANSBACH, Germany (May 29, 2015) -- A veteran of World War II visited Ansbach Middle High School May 18 and shared his wartime experiences with Junior ROTC cadets, students and staff.
Ninety-two-year-old James "Dutch" Frye was visiting Europe for the 70th anniversary of V-E (Victory in Europe) Day and used the opportunity to visit the school.
Frye, a native of the Appalachian Region of the U.S., not only fought in World War II, but also taught math to high school students for several years.
During Frye's recounting of his years of combat, he began by describing war as "just a way to show your beliefs in what is going on currently."
Frye reminisced about his participation in the Battle of the Bulge, a battle lasting from Dec. 16, 1944, to Jan. 25, 1945, which resulted in more than 100,000 casualties all together.
He recalled that, at the time, he was confused about how the Axis Powers were able to assemble so many men and weapons in such a small amount of time and space. He conveyed his feelings of anticipation, saying, "Combat is more hurry up and wait than actual fighting."
Frye described the battle as an outright use of force by both the Allied and Axis Powers in close vicinity. He described the battle as if an entire soccer field were covered with 1,000 soldiers with artillery -- all trying to advance.
He delved into historical details, talking about the importance of Bastogne, Belgium. Although it was not a large city, Bastogne was a central location that gave the army in power access to a large network of roads to several locations. When the Allies were given an offer by the Axis Powers to surrender the city, the acting commander of the 101st Airborne Division replied, "Nuts!" which became a humorous, well-known quote within the Allied Forces.
Finally, Frye mentioned the notion that "Combat is not fun," and that, "You respect time in the foxhole, waiting for the enemy to come."
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