ARDENNES - DECEMBER 1944

Battle of the Bulge, also called Battle of the Ardennes, (16 December 1944 – 16 January, 1945)

The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive on the Western Front in World War 2.

SS Soldiers, 1944

After the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, the allies had moved across northern France into Belgium but, by late autumn their advance was bogged down by a combination of exhaustion and stiff German defence. As winter settled in, American forces in Belgium paused their advance and General Bradley cycled fresh troops into the front lines to allow veteran soldiers a rest from the exertions of the Normandy landing and push through France. In December 1944, US General Omar Bradley had thirty-one divisions ranged along the western edges of Germany on a three-hundred-km front. North of the Ardennes were sixteen divisions, and to the south were ten divisions. Between these two concentrations, in the area of the Ardennes, were posted five divisions.

While the Americans settled down for what they thought would be a quiet Christmas, Hitler fixated on a plan to counterattack the allies in the region of the Ardennes with the goal of cutting through allied lines and retaking the port of Antwerp, which the British had  had captured in September. If Antwerp could be retaken, the Allies would be denied an essential supply port and, Hitler believed, this would stall the allied advance and allow German forces to regain the territory lost after the invasion. This was an audacious plan but doomed to failure. For it to succeed, the Germans had to have surprise, speed, enough men and supplies and, most importantly, continuing cloudy weather in order to neutralize allied air superiority. While the German General Staff mostly agreed that the Ardennes counterattack could not succeed, they lacked the influence to convince Hitler to abandon this plan. In the fall of 1944, senior German officers had plotted to assassinate Hitler, and while a bomb was set off in Hitler’s command bunker, he was uninjured. In the aftermath, there was a major purge of German officers, particularly in the Wehrmacht. This left a General Staff unwilling to challenge Hitler and dominated by SS commanders who would not question Hitler’s directions. 

Preparations for the counterattack proceeded in late 1944. Soldiers were found in the Hitler Youth and Volksturm (the Home Guard – all German men between the ages of 16 and 60) and by stripping away men from the Eastern Front. Overall command of the German attack was given to Field Marshall Gerd von Rundstedt. The plan was for the Fifth Panzer Army (under Hasso, Freiherr (Baron) von Manteuffel) to break through the American lines in the Ardennes, then swerve west and north across the Meuse River to Antwerp. As it advanced, it was to establish a defensive flank to prevent interference from American forces stationed to the south. Concurrently, the Sixth Panzer Army under SS commander Sepp Dietrich was to thrust north-westward past Liege to Antwerp, thereby cutting off British forces. Once Antwerp was taken, the combined German armies would then attack the isolated British force.

The choice of the Ardennes was problematic for the Germans. It was hilly and wooded, and so not particularly conducive to armored maneuver. High ground was intersected by deep valleys which caused natural bottlenecks and most roads passed through narrow defies where they crossed rivers. Most of the best roads ran south-west, yet the German attack required a west, northwest drive. As a result, the Germans would have to advance on secondary roads through winding river valleys or go cross country over ridges and through thick woods.  On the plus side, the thick woods made it easier to conceal the massing of German forces.

By early December the Germans had manage to cobble together an Ardennes attack force of twenty-eight divisions, but almost no reserve forces. By December 16, under cover of darkness and cloud, the Germans managed to move all the armor and men they could muster to the Ardennes without detection. Ominously for the Americans, this armor included numerous Tiger tanks, which were generally superior the armor available to the British and Americans and very hard to destroy.

The German plan of attack was over three sectors:

1.       In the northern sector, the immediate objectives of Dietrich’s 6th SS Panzer Army was to capture Monschau Map and Butgenbach Map and open the road leading northwest to Eupen and Virviers Map . A defensive force would remain in the area of Viviers while another force would drive toward Malmedy Map and Stavelot Map .

2.       In the middle of the sector, the 5th Panzer Army were tasked with the capture of vital road junctions at St. Vith Map and Bastogne. Map They would also engage American forces east of St. Vith and seize river crossings and bridges. The 5th Panzer Division would then push on to the Meuse.

3.       In the south, four infantry divisions of the 7th Army were to launch assaults from Vianden Map to Echternach Map and establish a firm flank guard .

American forces were thinly spread along the sector. General Middleton’s VIII Corps, which was responsible for most of the sector, contained three infantry divisions, one of which (the 106th) had never seen battle and the other two (the 4th and 28th) which had suffered heavy casualties in previous fighting and were fatigued. Also, in the sector was a single, relatively untested, armored division (the 9th).

In an effort to neutralize vastly superior Allied air power, the Germans launched their attack when the meteorological forecast promised them a natural cloak; indeed, for the first three days, mist and rain kept the Allied air forces on the ground. Aided by surprise, the German offensive started before dawn on December 16, 1944. Fourteen infantry divisions moved forward, the sound of their advance muffled by salvos of V1 rockets launched toward Antwerp.

The Germans made impressive progress in the opening days, creating alarm and confusion on the Allied side.  In the center, the American 28th Division was overwhelmed. The Fifth Panzer Army bypassed Bastogne (which was held throughout the offensive by the U.S. 101st Airborne Division under the tenacious leadership of Gen. Anthony McAuliffe) and by December 24 had advanced to within 4 miles (6 km) of the Meuse River. But a Panzer Army needed fuel to survive, and time and opportunities were lost through gasoline shortages as well as winter conditions. Worse for the Germans, after the first few days the weather cleared, and the Allies were able to renew air operations. Hit by increasing Allied air attacks, and the German drive faltered. The Germans also faced unexpectedly stiff defense from the Americans. Though outflanked, the American detachments held Bastogne and several other important bottlenecks in the Ardennes.

On December 22, at 11:30 am, four German soldiers waving white flags approached the American lines. Major Wagner from the 47th German Panzer Corps requested to see the US commanding officer to deliver a written message. The German soldiers were blindfolded and brought to Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe. The message was this: “December 22nd, 1944

To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.

The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.
If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours’ term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.

The German Commander.”

McAuliffe was furious and responded, “Us surrender, aw nuts!”

The German officers were still waiting the response from McAuliffe and a response was prepared:

“December 22, 1944

To the German Commander,
N U T S !
The American Commander”

Regimental Commander Col. Bud Harper was told to deliver the message personally. He delivered the reply to the German officers that were planning to discuss the US surrender terms. When asked what the reply meant, “Is that negative or affirmative?” Harper replied, “The reply is decidedly not affirmative. If you continue this foolish attack, your losses will be tremendous.”

“Nuts” turned out to be a rallying cry for the Americans and against all odds, McAulliffe  and his troops held out, and General George S Patton had his troops rushed in three days to relieve Bastogne.  

While the siege and resistance at Bastogne slowed down the German advance, it was fighting in the region of Eisenborn Ridge which closed off the German advance. This was the northernmost sector under German attack, where green troops of the American 99th Infantry Division faced Sepp Dietrich’s force. In early December, the American 2md Division had captured a crossroads called Wahlerscheld. When the Germans started their attack, the Americans thought this was only a counterattack to retake this crossroad. In reality, this was the leading wave of the main German assault, and the 2nd Division was soon pushed back to Eisenborn Ridge where the 99th Division was dug in. Capture of Eisenborn Ridge and the nearby municipalities of Monschau, Hoten and Rocherath-Krinkeldt were key to the German attack, as through this area was the clearest route to Antwerp. A fierce ten-day battle for control of the ridge broke out. Many times, the Germans penetrated the American line, and American commanders several times called down artillery salvos onto their own positions to halt German incursions. Despite superior numbers and tanks, the Americans made use of well-prepared defensive positions and coordinated artillery barrages to prevent a German break through. Eventually, the Germans abandoned efforts to push through Eisenborn Ridge and swung this part of their force to make an ineffective attempt to move past the Americans to the south of Monschau.

M18 Hellcat

American forces took heavy casualties crossing from Normandy to Belgium, mostly from effective German counterattacks. By December 1944 they had learned new tactics and adapted new weapons to counter the Germans. The Americans adopted tactics of defense in depth using cavalry squadrons of light tanks as forward screens to defensive positions and setting fortifications at choke points behind this screen in areas such as villages, bridges and passes. To try and match the power of German heavy tanks, 76 mm (3-inch canon) guns were mounted on Sherman tanks and the M18 Hellcat, and new anti-tank shells were developed by the British for the 57 mm anti-tank cannon. Anti-tank mines were used extensively, as were light anti-tank bazookas. Excellent communications also allowed the Americans to better concentrate artillery fire for maximum impact, made even more effective by new and improved proximity fuses. Finally, when weather permitted, the Americans made extensive use of tactical air support, led by P-47 Thunderbolt fighter bombers equipped with air to surface rockets.

The German advance was effectively stalled in the north, and while they had some better success in the center, their advance was eventually shut down in the center as well. Here, the 5th Panzer Army faced the US 106th and 28th Infantry Divisions and many Americans were either captured or became casualties. At St. Vith, the Germans were stalled by the 7th Armoured Division under command of Brigadier-General R. W. Hasbrouk. The Americans at St. Vith forced the German attackers to split their forces who soon became bogged down. Winding through the Amblève River Valley, one prong of this force almost reached one of the great American petrol dumps, which if captured would have been a major coup. But determined American defenders set up a roadblock of blazing petrol drums and kept it burning, so forestalling the German advance.

The southern part of the German attack was along the River Our. The Americans again offered stiff resistance, although some units were overwhelmed. It was in the south that the American 101st Airborne Division, part of the 10th Armoured Division and the all African American 969th Artillery Battalion defended Bastogne from attack from 21-26 December.

Fighting throughout the Ardennes was vicious and both Germans (at Malmedy and Wareth) and Americans (at Chenogne) massacred prisoners and both sides issue “take no prisoners” orders.

The Allied response was, to the Germans, unexpectedly quick and robust. British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery managed to quickly swing his reserves southward to forestall the Germans at the crossings of the Meuse and reinforcements from the 101st Airborne Division and 10th Armoured arrived by December 19. Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army relieved Bastogne on the 26th, and on January 3, 1945, the U.S. First Army began a counteroffensive. From 8 to 16 January the Allied armies concentrated their strength and attempted to pinch off the great German wedge driven into their front. Beaten but not defeated, the Germans carried out a skillful withdrawal that took them out of the potential trap.

While failing to meet any of its objectives, the Battle of the Bulge had been a profitable operation for Germany in that it upended the Allied tactical plans for the Winter of 1944-45 and significantly bloodied the invasion force. However, on a strategic level the German offensive was a spectacular failure. While the Allies suffered some 75,000 casualties, Germany lost 120,000 men and stores of matériel that it could not replace. Germany had thus forfeited the chance of maintaining any prolonged resistance to a resumed Allied offensive. It brought home to the German troops their incapacity to turn the scales and made it clear to the rank and file that the war in the west was lost.

Here is some contemporary film footage: movies battle_of_the_bulge

Ardennes today

Tourist attractions in  area around Bastogne are almost all related to the Battle of the Bulge. This is likely because this was the only really interesting thing that ever happened in this region of trees and farms.

Most sites are in or near Bastogne:

McAuliffe Square, Map named after Gen. Anthony McAuliffe,  is the heart of Bastogne. Like any French town, the central square is surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. The focal point is a Sherman tank, named “Barracuda”. There is also a bust of McAuliffe, and a visitor center. Rank 6

Barracuda

 On December 26, American troops under the command of General George S. Patton  relieved the besieged Allied defenders of Bastogne, and so he gets a memorial as well. Map Rank 2

Bastogne Barracks Map  is both a museum and  a functioning facility for tank restoration and repair. In 2019 the Barracks was closed to the public and control over it being transferred to a new group. Under past management the only way to visit the Museum was as part of a daily tour. At the time of writing this it was unclear what changes have been made with respect to the frequency of tours. Based on the past, this is an interesting and informative place to visit. .bastogne-barracks Rank 8

101 Airborne Museum Le Mess Map is a small museum with some quite realistic exhibits, particularly the bomb shelter 101airborne Rank 5

Outside of Bastogne

The Mardasson Memorial Map  is a monument honoring the memory of American soldiers wounded or killed during the Battle of the Bulge. Designed in the shape of a five-pointed American star, it is located near Bastogne. Located near the memorial is the Bastogne War Museum the Bastogne War Museum. .bastognewarmuseum Rank 8

101st Easy Company-Battle of the Bulge Memorial  Map During the Battle of the Bulge Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division was posted  near the German occupied town of Foy in Jack’s Forrest. The memorial to these men is not particularly impressive, but nearby are the remnants of foxholes which makes for an interesting stop. easy-company Rank 4

A neat project in the area has been to place Sherman tank turrets on all the major roads into Bastogne where the German advance to capture the surrounded city was stopped. These can be found at:

• Mageret Map

• N85 direction Neufchâteau Map

• Champs Map

• N30 south of Bastogne Map

• Marvie Map

• North of Bastogne on N834 Map

• Musee en Piconrue Map

• Rue de Witz, Bastogne Map

• Parc commémoratif la tourelle de char Sherman 40/45, Hotton Map

  For more information about these turrets, see Tank Turrets

The Musée de la Bataille Des Ardennes  Map in La Roche-en-Ardenne displays British, American and German artifacts in dioramas. A bit different from the other museums in the area, this one emphasizes the role played by the British during the Allied counter-offensive from 3 to 16 January 1945 and the liberation of the villages on the left bank of the Ourthe.  http://batarden.be/ Rank 8

In Joubieval is the Bulge Relics Museum Map containing a collection of recovered artifacts. The museum website also hosts some good archival films.   bulge-relics Rank 7

Cemeteries:

• Henri Chapelle US Cemetery - Remains of 7,992 US soldiers Map Website: henri-chapelle-american-cemetery

• Ardennes American Cemetery Map Website: ardennes-american-cemetery

• German Military Cemetery Recogne Bastogne Map

• Hotton Commonwealth War Cemetery Map

 For more information about memorials in the area, see paysdebastogne

If you are really tired of Battle of the Bulge sites, you may want to try Musee en Piconrue  which has exhibitions of objects, pictures and documents relating to life in the Ardennes today and yesteryear piconrue  Rank 4

For other places of interest in or near the Ardennes see Rocroi, Sedan

Finally, you might want to experience a flashback and check out the 1965 Battle of the Bulge movie Battle of the Bulge