Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Battle of the Bulge

After the successful D-Day invasion of Normandy, World War II seemed to be coming to a close in late 1944. However, the German army launched a counteroffensive attack on December 16th that would test the strength of the Allied forces and become known in infamy as the Battle of the Bulge.





Over 200,000 German troops and nearly 1,000 tanks took part in Hitler's last stand against the Allies.

1944
December 16th

The German Army launch their Ardennes offensive against elements of the American US VIII located between Aachen and Bastogne.


1944
December 16th
Initial progress on the assault is good for the Germans, however, the US 2nd and 99th Divisions hold fast at Elsenborn and Malmedy.

1944
December 16th
Bad weather soon sets in over the Ardennes region, limiting Allied air support to counter the German advances.

 
1944
December 17th
Allied prisoners of war are executed in cold blood by elements of the 6th SS Panzer Army. Some 87 prisoners are killed where they stand on direct orders from German Colonel Joachim Peiper.


1944
December 17th
The town of Stavelot is lost to the invading German Army.

 
1944
December 19th
By this date, two components making up the US 106th Division at the Schnee Eiffel region are surrounded by the Germans.


1944
December 19th
Some 6,000 Allied troops surrender to the encircling German Army at Schnee Eiffel.

 
1944
December 19th
Along the Ardennes line, US forces reform into intense defensive lines and some forces eventually mount counter attacks against the invading Germans.


1944
December 19th
The town of Stavelot is recaptured by the Allies.

 
1944
December 19th
Allied generals agree to commit elements of the Saar Front against the southern flanks of the German advance, this in the area between Bastogne and Echternach.


1944
December 20th
By this date, the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne is completely encircled by the German XLVII Panzer Corps.


1944
December 20th
The US 10th and 19th Armored Divisions are completely encircled by the German advance.

 
1944
December 20th
British General Montgomery is charged with heading up the progress along the north line of defense while American General Bradley is given command of the south.

 
1944
December 22nd
As the German advance continues, supply lines are stretched to the limit and flanks become over exposed prompting German General Rundstedt to ask Hitler to halt the advance - Hitler refuses.


1944
December 23rd
The foul weather over the Ardennes begins to clear.


1944
December 23rd
2,000 Allied air sorties are launched in improving skies against the Germans on the ground.


1944
December 23rd
Supplies are dropped from Allied transport planes to the beleagured forces held up at Bastogne.


1944
December 23rd
Allied ground attack fighters target and destroy German ground vehicles and troop concentrations. Without air support of their own, there is little that the Germans can do in response.

 
1944
December 25th
After achieving 60 miles of territory - the farthest march of the German Ardennes Offensive - the 2nd Panzer Division under Lieutenant-General von Lauchert is stopped by a combined force of British and American armor made up of the British 29th Armored Brigade and the American 2nd Armored Division.

 
1944
December 25th
German losses on Christmas Day include 3,500 infantrymen and 400 vehicles, 81 of these being tanks.

 
1944
December 26th
The American 4th Armored Division makes its way to the beleagured 101st Airborne forces at Bastogne and the situation at the village is stabilized.

 
1944
December 28th
Hitler orders a halt to the advance - but no retreat - leaving his exposed and tired units at the mercy of the replenished Allied forces across the Ardennes Front.

 
1945
January 1st
Weeks of fighting see German forces destroyed, taken prisoner or sent packing as the Allies regroup and respond.

 
1945
February 7th
By this date, all of the German gains of the Ardennes Offensive have been erased.

 
1945
February 7th
The German loss of life is a staggering 82,000 men, matched only by the 77,000 casualties suffered by the American
 
Information courtesy of the staff writer at secondworldwarhistory.com

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