On December 16, 1944, the Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, Operation Autumn Mist, also known as the Ardennes Offensive and the Battle of the Bulge, an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. The Battle of the Bulge, so-called because the Germans created a “bulge” around the area of the Ardennes forest in pushing through the American defensive line, was the largest fought on the Western front.
The Germans threw 250,000 soldiers into the initial assault, 14 German infantry divisions guarded by five panzer divisions-against a mere 80,000 Americans. Their assault came in early morning at the weakest part of the Allied line, an 80-mile poorly protected stretch of hilly, woody forest (the Allies simply believed the Ardennes too difficult to traverse, and therefore an unlikely location for a German offensive). Between the vulnerability of the thin, isolated American units and the thick fog that prevented Allied air cover from discovering German movement, the Germans were able to push the Americans into retreat.
One particularly effective German trick was the use of English-speaking German commandos who infiltrated American lines and, using captured U.S. uniforms, trucks, and jeeps, impersonated U.S. military and sabotaged communications. The ploy caused widespread chaos and suspicion among the American troops as to the identity of fellow soldiers—even after the ruse was discovered. Even General Omar Bradley himself had to prove his identity three times–by answering questions about football and Betty Grable—before being allowed to pass a sentry point.
The battle raged for three weeks, resulting in a massive loss of American and civilian life. Nazi atrocities abounded, including the murder of 72 American soldiers by SS soldiers in the Ardennes town of Malmedy. Historian Stephen Ambrose estimated that by war’s end, “Of the 600,000 GIs involved, almost 20,000 were killed, another 20,000 were captured, and 40,000 were wounded.” The United States also suffered its second-largest surrender of troops of the war: More than 7,500 members of the 106th Infantry Division capitulated at one time at Schnee Eifel. The devastating ferocity of the conflict also made desertion an issue for the American troops; General Eisenhower was forced to make an example of Private Eddie Slovik, the first American executed for desertion since the Civil War.
The war would not end until better weather enabled American aircraft to bomb and strafe German positions.
It is my sincere desire to provide readers of this site with the best unbiased information available, and a forum where it can be discussed openly, as our Founders intended. But it is not easy nor inexpensive to do so, especially when those who wish to prevent us from making the truth known, attack us without mercy on all fronts on a daily basis. So each time you visit the site, I would ask that you consider the value that you receive and have received from The Burning Platform and the community of which you are a vital part. I can't do it all alone, and I need your help and support to keep it alive. Please consider contributing an amount commensurate to the value that you receive from this site and community, or even by becoming a sustaining supporter through periodic contributions. [Burning Platform LLC - PO Box 1520 Kulpsville, PA 19443] or Paypal
-----------------------------------------------------
To donate via Stripe, click here.
-----------------------------------------------------
Use promo code ILMF2, and save up to 66% on all MyPillow purchases. (The Burning Platform benefits when you use this promo code.)
Growing up surrounded by men who survived world war 2 and developing an understanding what they had to do when I hear a rumbling in the earth it’s not an earth quake , it’s them rolling over in their graves for what the nation the defended has become !
Screaming eagle surrounded at Bastogne , National Guard first wave Omaha Beach , Marine Iwo Jima , Doctor performing surgery using flashlights as bullets ripped thru the field hospital .
Then there’s Miss Helen an army nurse that refused evacuation and stayed caring for wounded was captured and survived the Bataan death march and nearly 4 years in a Japanese prison came .
Became known as one of the Angels of Bataan !
Witnessing what has become of our nation they so valiantly fought to preserve and what passes in government for Honor and Integrity today I fear I have failed them in some way and hope they can understand and forgive me !
Same here. Like my friend Lenny Tobin was in the Airborne, he told me that at Bastonge he was out all alone on the the line, he heard someone behind him speak German turned around and sure enough it was some.Germans, He ended up in a Stalag, he said he decided to escape because he was starving to death, so he got away and almost got shot by the Russians so he turned the other way and made it to the American lines. Told me he wouldn’t put a POW tag on his car, unless they would put escaped POW.
then there’s them that didn’t come back, like my mom’s cousin who flew a B17 in the 90BG, 322 BS, and was shot down over the North Sea after a raid on the U Boat base in the Kiel Canal.
No question that if that generation were still around the response to things like the stolen election, medical industry murders and plandemic tyranny would have been different
Ahhhhh …. so THAT’S what ended the war. Better weather. Got it. Yea for Global Warming!!
History.com = history for morans.
My father was injured and gassed with mustard gas in the battle of the Sonne in WWI. He would be appalled at what this country has descended into. If his generation was still here DC would be a smoking hole in the ground.
History.com where history is only in the eyes of the Jewish victor.