Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge (Wacht am Rhein)

[Tidewater]

80 years ago today, the Wehrmacht launched the offensive which Hitler hoped would induce the Allies to sue for peace or at least kick them off the continent for a while so Germany could concentrate against the Soviets.

It was a long shot, but, to borrow a line from the film Argo, "this was the best bad option he had." Field Marshall Walter Model confided to a colleague, "This has about a 10% chance of working."

 

[Tidewater]

From The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge (pages 83-84):

The first thunderclap of the massed German guns and Werfers at 0530 on 16 December was heard by outposts of the 394th Infantry [Regiment of the US 99th Infantry Division] as “outgoing mail,” fire from friendly guns, but in a matter of minutes the entire regimental area was aware that something most unusual had occurred.... The German infantry delayed in following up the artillery preparation, which ended about 0700. On this part of the forest front the enemy line of departure was inside the woods. The problem, then, was to get the attack rolling through the undergrowth, American barbed wire, and mine fields immediately to the German front. The groping nature of the attack was enhanced by the heavy mist hanging low in the forest. The 2d Battalion, on the north flank, was more directly exposed since a road led into the woods position from Neuhof. At this point, close to the regimental boundary, the battle was carried by a fusilier company attached to the 990th Regiment of the 277th Volks Grenadier Division. The fusiliers succeeded in reaching the 2d Battalion lines about 0800 but were driven off by small arms fire and artillery. In midafternoon the 12th SS Panzer Division, waiting for the infantry to open the road to the International Highway, apparently loaned a few tanks to carry the fusiliers into the attack. Behind a smoke screen the tanks rolled out of Neuhof. An American sergeant spotted this move and with a soundpowered telephone brought friendly artillery into play. High explosive stopped the tanks in their tracks. A few infantrymen got through to the forest positions occupied by the 2d Battalion. There an unknown BAR man atop a log hut “raised hell with the Krauts” and the attack petered out. The 2d Battalion, during this day, never was really pressed. The chief enemy thrusts had gone to the north, where the right flank of the 393d Infantry was hit hard by the 277th Division, and to the south, against the center and refused right flank of the 394th. No word of events elsewhere on the 394th front reached the 2d Battalion command post, but the appearance of German infantry in the woods along the northern regimental boundary gave a clue to the penetration developing there, and the left company of the 2d Battalion was pulled back somewhat as flank protection.

 

[Tidewater]

14th Cavalry Group's fight in Krewinkel (page 147):

An hour before dawn a German shock company boldly approached the village in column of fours. The troopers held their fire until the enemy infantry were within twenty yards of the outer strands of wire–then cut loose. The column disintegrated, but the assault was quickly resumed in more open order and shortly the Germans were in the village streets. At one point half the village was in German hands, but eventually the defenders got the upper hand and the enemy withdrew. One of the last to leave shouted in English, “Take a ten minute break. We'll be back.” An exasperated trooper hastened to assure him profanely, “– – –, we’ll still be here.”

 

[FitToBeTide]

80 years ago today, the Wehrmacht launched the offensive which Hitler hoped would induce the Allies to sue for peace or at least kick them off the continent for a while so Germany could concentrate against the Soviets.
View attachment 47881
It was a long shot, but, to borrow a line from the film Argo, "this was the best bad option he had." Field Marshall Walter Model confided to a colleague, "This has about a 10% chance of working."

It worked about as well as the similar strategy of the Japanese in the battle of Okinawa, sans the kamikaze element. Stakes were similar, and both came with extremely high casualty rates.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

The whole premise was that the Wehrmacht would be able to capture enough fuel to keep the whole house of cards expanding, objective Antwerp. Without that success, the whole thing was bound to collapse. When I heard of the Ukrainian assault NE of Kharkiv, my first thought was that the Russians would apply the same solution we imposed on the Bulge. I was astounded that they didn't have the strength to do it, even with substantial North Korean help...

 

[Tidewater]

This was pretty interesting.
A montage of footage from today, re-enactor shots, archival footage.

I've been to a lot of those places. The Ardennes is my favorite part of Belgium.

 

[Tidewater]

Pretty good 13 minute video on the 10th Armored Division's fight at Noville (just north of Foy). The 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne Division reinforcing the 10th AD. The anniversary of this tight is actually tomorrow (19 Dec)

The delay in taking Noville meant the rest of the 101st could get into Bastpgne before it was completely surrounded.

 

[Tidewater]

As we wrap up the Bulge anniversary, here is a "then and now" video from various BoB sites.

 

[Padreruf]

As we wrap up the Bulge anniversary, here is a "then and now" video from variouds BoB sites.

Smithsonian Channel had a really good (from my uninformed perspective) episode on this -- with excellent footage rebuilt from that day. I knew it was tough but not how tough...

 

[Its On A Slab]

As we wrap up the Bulge anniversary, here is a "then and now" video from various BoB sites.

I have a friend who went on a tour of Belgian breweries a few years ago.

She came back aghast at all of the US flags and memorials there. I shook my head, and asked, "Do you even understand what happened in places like Bastogne?"

 

[Tidewater]

I have a friend who went on a tour of Belgian breweries a few years ago.

She came back aghast at all of the US flags and memorials there. I shook my head, and asked, "Do you even understand what happened in places like Bastogne?"

I think most western Europeans understand the sacrifices the US made to liberate Europe from the Nazis. And then the expense the US undertook to rebuild western Europe (and even offered to eastern Europe). Flying US flags is just a way to say, "Thank you."
Working and living in Belgium for years, the only time I saw Belgian flags was when the Red Devils (national soccer team) were playing. I have not met many Belgians that were proud of their country. I may love Belgium more than the Belgians. I found that kind of sad.

 

[Tidewater]

81st anniversary of the BoB (Fall Wacht am Rhein) today.
Walter Model, commander of German Army Group B said right before kick-off, "I give this about a 10% chance of success."
I think that was generous.
The BoB did seriously deplete Germany's remaining reserves of tanks, artillery, airplanes, fuel and manpower so 1945 went a lot smoother for the Allies (and the Soviets) than it would have without the offensive. I guess it was a good thing for the Allies. The defeating of the offensive was not a gimme, however.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Sounds kind of strange, but the World War II Museum in New Orleans has a travel agency and conducts a lot of overseas tours. Most are in Europe, but there are a few in the Pacific.

A couple of years ago, Mrs. Basket Case and I took the one that follows Easy Company (Band of Brothers) from training in Aldbourne outside of London to the Eagle's Nest near Austria. Covers D-Day, Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge and Easy Company's time at the Eagle's Nest. It's about two weeks, but they're packed. Could easily have made it a few more days.

Looks a little pricey until you consider that the significant majority of your meals are covered and include plenty of wine with dinner. If you've been to Europe you know how expensive even casual restaurants are, so this is a real selling point. We were several days in and realized we hadn't spent any money on anything other than souvenirs.

Point being, when you take all that into account, the price looks a lot more reasonable.

Excellent guides. Some are professional historians, many are local, all speak excellent English, and deliver information that's especially riveting when you're standing on the very ground where the event took place.

We spent most of an afternoon on the ground where Easy Company was getting bombarded through trees during the Bulge. It's fenced off now, beginning a hundred yards or so from the actual foxholes. So tour companies have to get special access.

If you're into World War II history, I highly recommend it.

 

[arthurdawg]

Sounds kind of strange, but the World War II Museum in New Orleans has a travel agency and conducts a lot of overseas tours. Most are in Europe, but there are a few in the Pacific.

A couple of years ago, Mrs. Basket Case and I took the one that follows Easy Company (Band of Brothers) from training in Aldbourne outside of London to the Eagle's Nest near Austria. Covers D-Day, Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge and Easy Company's time at the Eagle's Nest. It's about two weeks, but they're packed. Could easily have made it a few more days.

Looks a little pricey until you consider that the significant majority of your meals are covered and include plenty of wine with dinner. If you've been to Europe you know how expensive even casual restaurants are, so this is a real selling point. We were several days in and realized we hadn't spent any money on anything other than souvenirs.

Point being, when you take all that into account, the price looks a lot more reasonable.

Excellent guides. Some are professional historians, many are local, all speak excellent English, and deliver information that's especially riveting when you're standing on the very ground where the event took place.

We spent most of an afternoon on the ground where Easy Company was getting bombarded through trees during the Bulge. It's fenced off now, beginning a hundred yards or so from the actual foxholes. So tour companies have to get special access.

If you're into World War II history, I highly recommend it.

That is pretty awesome! I have added it to my trips to consider list!

Band of Brothers was a remarkable series, and the real life gentlemen it was based on were the true American heroes.

 

[Tidewater]

Sounds kind of strange, but the World War II Museum in New Orleans has a travel agency and conducts a lot of overseas tours. Most are in Europe, but there are a few in the Pacific.

A couple of years ago, Mrs. Basket Case and I took the one that follows Easy Company (Band of Brothers) from training in Aldbourne outside of London to the Eagle's Nest near Austria. Covers D-Day, Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge and Easy Company's time at the Eagle's Nest. It's about two weeks, but they're packed. Could easily have made it a few more days.

Looks a little pricey until you consider that the significant majority of your meals are covered and include plenty of wine with dinner. If you've been to Europe you know how expensive even casual restaurants are, so this is a real selling point. We were several days in and realized we hadn't spent any money on anything other than souvenirs.

Point being, when you take all that into account, the price looks a lot more reasonable.

Excellent guides. Some are professional historians, many are local, all speak excellent English, and deliver information that's especially riveting when you're standing on the very ground where the event took place.

We spent most of an afternoon on the ground where Easy Company was getting bombarded through trees during the Bulge. It's fenced off now, beginning a hundred yards or so from the actual foxholes. So tour companies have to get special access.

If you're into World War II history, I highly recommend it.

When I lived in the UK, every senior officer who visited wanted to go to the pub in Aldbourne (the Blue Boar).
I've been to most of the sites in the Band of Brothers tour, except Berchtesgaden. That would be a good tour.