THE EXECUTION OF THE SIX GERMAN SPIES

Execution of German Spies

During the battle of the bulge in the Ardennes in Belgium, some German soldiers were caught wearing US uniforms.
A US court martial sentenced them to death.

A U.S. military policeman prepares the firing squad for German spies: Corporal Wilhelm Schmidt, 24, Officer-Cadet Guenther Billing, 21, and Sergeant Manfred Pernass, 23, after a court-martial by American authorities in Belgium during the Ardennes offensives.

Three Germans were captured wearing American uniforms, armed with American weapons and driving an American jeep during the ill-fated enemy offensive in December 1944. They failed to give the password of any proper identification when stopped.

They admitted their mission was to locate and sabotage communications and reconnoitre (survey) bridges and roads over the Meuse. Specially trained for espionage, the men had familiarized themselves with the American accent by mingling with U.S. prisoners of war in Germany.

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The Battalion was inactivated on January 27, 1945 and the remaining 110 survivors were absorbed into the 82nd Airborne Division.

All Heroes, Pvt Milo Huempfner, 551st Parachute Infantry Regiment, was honored with the Distinguished Service Cross in June, 1945 for his action during the Battle of the Bulge." (National World War II Museum and US National Archive)

⭐Pvt Milo Huempfner's Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class Milo C. Huempfner (ASN: 16091778), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 and 24 December 1944, in Belgium.

Private First Class Huempfner, on 23 December 1944 elected to remain in Leignon, Belgium after its capture by German armored elements despite the fact that he had not been ordered to do so.

His harassing actions within the city during the entire time it was occupied by the German forces, at great risk to his life, resulted in the loss to the Germans of two half-tracks, a machine gun position and a German officer and two enlisted men. His prompt action in warning allied forces of the presence of this German force prevented the loss of many allied vehicles and the loss of lives of American soldiers.

Private First Class Huempfner's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

After the war Milo returned to Green Bay, Wisconsin. He died on October 25, 1985 at the age of 67. The Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin stands in his honor.

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