Resting, Recovering, and Refitting: Mourmelon-le-Grand: November 26-December 18, 1944 Summary and Analysis

In chapter ten, the Company was able to rest at Camp Mourmelon in France. Simple luxuries such as showers and mail helped to boost morale. To relieve stress, the paratroopers drank and brawled while in town. The men played sports and gambled. Many received weekend passes to visit Paris. Replacement soldiers fresh from jump school were assigned to Easy Company. Easy Company was changing due to the constant promotions, deaths and woundings. Easy Company men continued to advance up the military ranks. Men in the hospital, such as Liebgott and Webster requested early discharge to return to Easy Company. Overall, Easy Company was in high spirits, expecting Christmas in Mourmelon.

In mid-December, the company ordered to Bastogne. The Allied forces were overconfident and misjudged Hitler. The German troops had...