Pee Dee veterans relive the Bulge

One of the biggest battles in history was brought back to life Thursday afternoon in Florence through a documentary film about the Battle of the Bulge.

Veterans, active duty military and others came to get a glimpse into the past through a soldier’s eyes as it happened more than six decades ago.

The Battle of the Bulge is one of the most famous battles of World War II. It was a major, albeit, last-ditch German offensive launched near the end of World War II. Fighting consumed a two-month period between December 1944 and January 1945, during one of the bitterest winters in European history.

The producers of the documentary sought to set it apart from others by shooting in locations where battles took place, talking to veterans involved and shooting film under the same weather conditions.

It painted not only a picture of what many consider a huge intelligence blunder on the part of Allied leaders, but also the harsh conditions the soldiers endured -- like minus-20 degree temperatures without proper cold weather clothing.

Florence veteran Kirke Powell, a former 3rd Army infantryman, said the documentary was pretty close to what it was like to be there.

Powell served under General George Patton who’s tankers spearheaded the relief column that saved the 101st Airborne and other units besieged by the Germans in the city of Bastogne.

“It was cold, always wet and cold,” Powell said. He said the film didn’t make him feel much different because it did a good job of showing what it was like.

“At times my fox hole was lined with icicles,” Powell said.

After the film was over, Powell joined several other local veterans onstage -- many of whom served in different capacities in the Battle of the Bulge.

“I’m glad they made this film and they’re taking the time to find out some of the things that went on,” Powell said.

Richard Lanni wrote and directed the film. Everywhere he exhibits the film he makes sure to invite local veterans.

Lanni said it’s important for people to know that veterans are alive today in our communities.

“If you can get some young people and some of these remarkable veterans to see this film it just changes their whole perception of the film,” Lanni said. “I think it’s imperative that the achievements of the Greatest Generation not be consigned to the dusty archives of ancient history that’s really important.”

The showing was sponsored by LivingBattlefield.org, a nonprofit organization that exists to preserve history by engaging American communities with stories of the past.

The Americans in the Bulge documentary is part of the “American Road to Victory” Documentary trilogy that takes people through three major conflicts, Normandy (D-Day), Holland (Hell’s Highway) and Belgium (Battle of the Bulge).