How to Better Understand the Battle of the Bulge of World War II
The Battle of the Bulge was a significant battle fought in World War II. It lasted approximately one month.
The first thing you will need to be aware in regard to this battle is the date and location of this event: This was a surprise German attack made on the Americans in the Ardennes sector of Belgium. The (precise) date was: December 16, 1944.
In the beginning, the Germans “gained ground” due to bad weather that prevented the Allied forces from using military aircraft.
However, American units were able to hold fast to significant (road) junctions, such as those located at Monschau and Bastogne. This action kept German forces from overtaking the area.
The battle lasted for approximately one month; and was won by the Allied forces through a strategic maneuver implemented by General Patton and his Third Army.
General Patton’s Third Army was able to re-capture all lost ground by the end of (the month of) January, 1945.
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Post CommentRalph Brandt
On March 27, 2009 at 2:48 pm
How to Understand the Battle of the Bulge? Find someone who understands it. This author obviously doesn’t.
The weather was a factor but the big factor was the Allies driven by British thinking (mainly Montgomery) thinned the lines in the North and reined in Patton’s supplies to the south so that Montgomery could sacrifice American soldiers to gain glory for his military non-existent skill.
By reining in Patton the Germans were able to move forces north to the Ardennes and prepare for an attack where the lines were perilously thin.
The bad weather was a plus for the Germans – it hamstrung Allied Air power which would have reduced the attack force substantially in days. It also prevented holdout bastions like Bastogne from getting needed supplies, causing more American Casualties. Several were overrun.
Montgomery got his assault later at Arhnem where over 6000 Americans and Brits were killed in “A Bridge too Far.”
And it wasn’t the weather but a military man’s ego.