Did Lt Speirs really run through German lines?
During this battle, Lt. Dike had ordered a platoon to go on a flanking mission around the rear of the town. To countermand this order, Speirs himself ran through the town and German lines (as this platoon had no radio), linked up with the Item Company soldiers and relayed the order.
What happened to Lieutenant Speirs from Band of Brothers?
He retired from the Army in 1964 as a Lieutenant Colonel and stayed with his family in California. Speirs died in Montana on 11 April 2007.
Who was Lieutenant Colonel Ronald c.speirs?
Lieutenant Colonel Ronald C. Speirs (20 April 1920 – 11 April 2007) was a United States Army officer who served in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. He was initially assigned as a platoon leader in B Company of the 1st Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Why did Speirs kill six German prisoners of war?
Winters stated that Speirs was alleged on one occasion to have killed six German prisoners of war with a Thompson submachine gun and that the battalion leadership must have been aware of the allegations, but chose to ignore the charges because of the pressing need to retain qualified combat leaders.
Why did Speirs and Easy Company not attack the Germans?
Speirs and Easy Company were to hold positions and buildings on the South bank whilst the Germans held the buildings on the North bank. 1 Easy Company did not openly attack the enemy during this time because they had simply been ordered to hold the line, but there was the ever present danger of snipers and periodic bursts of artillery fire.
What did Lt spears do to the prisoners?
Did LT Spears kill the prisoners? With no means of managing the prisoners and needing to reach their military objective, Speirs gave the order to shoot them. According to fellow Dog Company member, Art DiMarzio, each man shot a prisoner. A few hours later four more German soldiers were encountered and this time Speirs shot all of them himself.
