Posted on 12/16/2005 8:41:26 AM PST by mainepatsfan
This Day In History | World War II
December 16
1944 Battle of the Bulge
On this day, the Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, Operation Mist, also known as the Ardennes Offensive and the Battle of the Bulge, an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. The Battle of the Bulge, so-called because the Germans created a "bulge" around the area of the Ardennes forest in pushing through the American defensive line, was the largest fought on the Western front.
The Germans threw 250,000 soldiers into the initial assault, 14 German infantry divisions guarded by five panzer divisions-against a mere 80,000 Americans. Their assault came in early morning at the weakest part of the Allied line, an 80-mile poorly protected stretch of hilly, woody forest (the Allies simply believed the Ardennes too difficult to traverse, and therefore an unlikely location for a German offensive). Between the vulnerability of the thin, isolated American units and the thick fog that prevented Allied air cover from discovering German movement, the Germans were able to push the Americans into retreat.
One particularly effective German trick was the use of English-speaking German commandos who infiltrated American lines and, using captured U.S. uniforms, trucks, and jeeps, impersonated U.S. military and sabotaged communications. The ploy caused widespread chaos and suspicion among the American troops as to the identity of fellow soldiers--even after the ruse was discovered. Even General Omar Bradley himself had to prove his identity three times--by answering questions about football and Betty Grable--before being allowed to pass a sentry point.
The battle raged for three weeks, resulting in a massive loss of American and civilian life. Nazi atrocities abounded, including the murder of 72 American soldiers by SS soldiers in the Ardennes town of Malmedy. Historian Stephen Ambrose estimated that by war's end, "Of the 600,000 GIs involved, almost 20,000 were killed, another 20,000 were captured, and 40,000 were wounded." The United States also suffered its second-largest surrender of troops of the war: More than 7,500 members of the 106th Infantry Division capitulated at one time at Schnee Eifel. The devastating ferocity of the conflict also made desertion an issue for the American troops; General Eisenhower was forced to make an example of Private Eddie Slovik, the first American executed for desertion since the Civil War.
The war would not end until better weather enabled American aircraft to bomb and strafe German positions.
These "German" commandos were often born in the U.S. They were traitors.
And a lot of them were rightly shot when discovered. Of course today we'd have to arrest them and give them lawyers.
My dad was there and said it gave a whole new dimension to the word 'cold'.
Todays DEM reaction "The President has misled the American people into quagmire based on false pretenses. The European war cannot be won!!"
My grandfather was with Patton down south at the time of the German attack. He and his buddies had to stuff hay in their boots to keep their feet from freezing.
No, they were "insurgents." (sarc)
Especially considering the daily casualties the US army suffered during this battle.
Patton wanted to slice the Bulge off at its base rather than push it back. Had he been allowed to do so, the war would have been several months shorter.
They were just defending their homeland (in Belgium). /sarcasm
No, they were "insurgents." (sarc)
Misguided yoots.
One of many proposals by Patton that would have shortened the war if they had been implemented.
Another significant difference is the opposition party. Despite a strong thread of isolationism prior to the war, I am not aware of any attacks on FDR or his administration that come anywhere close to today's rat attacks. The GOP then was the loyal opposition. Today's democrats are a fifth column working in tandem with the MSM, academia and much of big labor.
I got to talk with my girlfriend's grandfather over Thanksgiving about his experience at the Bulge. It was amazing to hear what those guys went through. He said that the Germans would launch artillery all day long. They got so used to it that they would joke that the Germans were making popcorn again because of the sound the rounds would make upon firing. It was really a neat chance to hear an account from someone who was actually there.
BUMP for the men who fight valiantly on behalf of the free world.
The Germans and Japanese tried to bombard us with propoganda but they weren't helped by our media. Sadly the opposite is true today.
My grandfather passed away a dozen years ago but before he did he used to talk to me and my cousins about the Bulge. He said that he and his buddies swore that if they got out of there alive they'd really appreciate every Christmas for the rest of their lives.
Amen!
Nice post Mainepatsfan, my neighbor fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and each year on 16 December I make it a point to talk to him about it, thank him... -I just brought him over a HUGE Brisket and offered my profuse thanks at least 3 times, it was nice to get in, log on and see your post!
My father was in the same area. He said that when he went to sleep that night the artilley close to his unit was firing at about a 45 degree angle. He got up later to take a leak and the artillery was firing at a lower angle. At about three o'clock the captain came roaring through the camp rousting everyone out of their tents and yelling to get the hell out. My dad noticed that the artillery was still firing, but at an almost horizontal angle. Unlike many other of his reminescences which were sometimes vague, his memory of this incident was very vivid.
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