70 years ago today, the epic “Battle of the Bulge” began. Two battle weary and mauled US infantry Divisions and two fresh inexperienced Infantry divisions in the quiet Ardennes sector were hit by four German Armies. The ensuing fight would be take place in one of the coldest winters in Europe in half a century. The soldiers on both sides would endure conditions for weeks on end that were just as deadly as their human enemies. When it was all over, the armored might of the German army in the west had been irretrievably broken, and the US Army will have proven its mettle for all to see. As we sit in our warm homes or workplaces today, take a moment to think and reflect on those brave souls in that frozen battleground all those years ago…
Thanks for bringing this up. it was a prominent turning point of the war . It also showed that the unheard of could be done.
Yes, from the lowest Privates, to the commanding Generals, there are numerous examples of determination, courage, and improvisation under severely adverse conditions…
I knew The Battle of the Bulge was in December but couldn’t remember the exact date. Now I know.
It started before first light on December 16, and was not considered over until January 22 or 23, IIRC.
I just changed my way of thinking about that battle. I knew of it, of course, hard to be a tank wargamer back in the old days and not have studied it.
But, I never before realized that it was sort of the “Army’s Iwo Jima” when it comes to a place to point to and say “that is what this service can do”.
Let’s all raise our glasses to Infantry that can hold off Armor for that long until their own Armor can get there,and in those conditions.
Rex
Hear! Hear!
And we can’t forget the now famous reply to German surrender command.
I just realised this last night but was on my way out. Thanks for reminding everyone Stik.
Many great unsung heroes…TRUE heroes! A great appreciation for their service and sacrifice! THANK YOU!
Eagle90
Makes me want to watch the BoB “Bastogne” episode again.
Joe Toye “we didn’t need to be fu*$+k*n rescued by Patton ! got that ?” loved it
Thanks SP, didn’t even think about it till your reminder!
Raualduke -
I’ll never forget it either.
NUTS!
My friend Jim’s dad was a driver in the Red Ball Express. He’s been back twice to visit the battlefield where his dad was surrounded. He was not African American, he was a Cherokee.
Bless all who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
With a special thanks to the unsung hero’s of Bastonge, Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division.They fought like the tigers they were.
Yes,the delaying action fought by the 10th Armored on the approaches to Bastogne allowed the 101st Airborne to take up positions that would lead to their famous stand (with help from other less famous units).
And the actions fought at the twin villages of Krinkelt and Rocherath on the nothern shoulder of the Bulge in the opening phase so disrupted 12th SS panzers advance timetables, that other units had time to get to blocking postions and 12th SS was held in check. Those brave unsung men should always be remembered.
BULGE is always one of my favorite wargame scenarios; campaign and individual battles, computer and board games (WACHT AM RHEIN). i drove though there with my frau on holiday when i was stationed in 3AD in germany in '76. winding roads leading down across a bridge to a town in summer and imagining doing it at nights in the snow in a king tiger. oh and turning the corner into the town square roundabout and coming face to face with a king tiger.
Good to remember. I was watching an episode of NCIS where Charles Durning plays an old Marine MOH recipient who comes in to turn himself in for a murder he thought he committed in 1944. Later on I found out that Charles Durning actually fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was one of the survivors of the Malmedy Massacre. Amazing man. All of them are amazing men who fought the Germans to a standstill in those conditions.
Yes, those were some hardy troops. Their exploits that winter are those that rank with other battles through the ages. Above and beyond.
hey DUKE
i think Charles Durning landed with the rangers at Normandy. in the NCIS episode his character was a marine at Iwo Jima but we find later in the episode he had been wounded earlier at Guadalcanal.