Battle of the Bulge Dec 16 1944 to Jan 25 1945

[loaderXI]

Let us Remember

 

The 71st Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge 12/16/1944 to 01/25/1945

 

 

 

In December 1944, Adolph Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by means of a surprise blitzkrieg thrust through the Ardennes to Antwerp. Caught off-guard, American units fought desperate battles to stem the German advance at St.-Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize and Bastogne. As the Germans drove deeper into the Ardennes in an attempt to secure vital bridgeheads, the Allied line took on the appearance of a large bulge, giving rise to the battle’s name. Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s successful maneuvering of the Third Army to Bastogne proved vital to the Allied defense, leading to the neutralization of the German counteroffensive despite heavy casualties.

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge

 

 

The Germans' initial attack included 200,000 men, 340 tanks and 280 other tracked vehicles. Between 67,200 and 125,000 of their men were killed, missing or wounded. For the Americans, 610,000 men were involved in the battle,of whom 89,000 were casualties, including up to 19,000 killed. Along with the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Luzon, it was one of the largest and bloodiest battles fought by the United States in World War II

 

 

All gave some ...Some gave all

 

The forces at work here were as follows

 

Belligerents

•  United States
•  United Kingdom
•  France
•  Canada
•  Belgium
•  Luxembourgish resistance

The debt that we owe can never be repayed but our thanks and gratefulness shall live forever

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge#/media/File:117th_Infantry_North_Carolina_NG_at_St._Vith_1945.jpg

 

[little_old_man]

Great post Loader.

[bds1961]

I just found out about 4 years ago that a uncle of mine was there, growing up we always new he had foot problems but he never said how are why he had the problems. A few years ago he was invited with a group of other veterans to go back to Washington for a service remembering what they had done. It was only then that it was discussed as to what he had been through. Both of his feet had been partially frozen. That was a tough generation of men that gave a lot and never complained. He is in his 90s now and going strong even being diagnosed with lymphoma over 20 years ago. Great men

[Spartacus]

Unbelievable Men Fighting in Unbelievable Times...

Hard to contemplate the sacrifice for both sides...

[Leadfinger]

Thank you @@loaderXI

No one in my family participated in WWI or WWII but my father served in the Navy in the Korean conflict and as a youngster I was fascinated and scared shitless over the atrocities of war. The men who gave their lives in the Pacific and the battle against the Nazis in Europe had a set of balls that we will never know. The tasks their commanding officer ordered them to do would send modern men under the coffee table with their tail between their legs. Our troops fought under extreme adversity and triumphed . . . . . we shall never forget their sacrifice.

(Don't misinterpret what I'm saying here Our Modern Troops are tough as nails and I am very proud of our military.)

 

I find it appalling that the current generation does not show the respect that the men of these conflicts deserve and and it angers me that people who have immigrated here to this country either are ignorant of the sacrifices or just plain don't give a shit about the hell these men went through so that they could drive a nice car and text on a cell phone. Without the service of these men we all would be speaking a very different language and living a nightmare.

 

God Bless our Troops  

God Bless America 

Edited December 16, 2015 by Leadfinger

[PimpedOutPete]

Great post loader, thanks

[codpiece]

My grandfather was there. He was in the first division and got stuck behind the lines while on patrol. A German column came around the corner and he and the other guys could only throw themselves to the ground and play dead. There was no time to hide. The Germans rolled past and my grandpa hid out in a Belgian barn for a couple of weeks until the Germans retreated. For the rest of his life he could not listen to the song White Christmas. It was the hit song at the time. He hated it because he was crapping his pants about getting caught as well as freezing his balls off.

[Evil-Monkey]

Great post . Thanks for sharing 

[AyaqGuyaq]

Loader, that is indeed an excellent post, sir.

 

Hitler was delusional.  I'm a fan of the American Hero's Channel, and have seen many documentaries about many conflicts, and have read about many, as well.

 

Much has been made about the Nazi's ultimate defeat because Hitler was fighting a war on two fronts.  The narrators often fail to mention that the Americans and its stalwart allies were also fighting on two fronts:  one in Europe and one in the Pacific, whereby all the materiel ("material," for us English-speaking folk) had to be shipped via marine transport in both directions.

 

Hats off the "The Greatest Generation."  Ayaq

[loaderXI]

Loader, that is indeed an excellent post, sir.

 

Hitler was delusional.  I'm a fan of the American Hero's Channel, and have seen many documentaries about many conflicts, and have read about many, as well.

 

Much has been made about the Nazi's ultimate defeat because Hitler was fighting a war on two fronts.  The narrators often fail to mention that the Americans and its stalwart allies were also fighting on two fronts:  one in Europe and one in the Pacific, whereby all the materiel ("material," for us English-speaking folk) had to be shipped via marine transport in both directions.

 

Hats off the "The Greatest Generation."  Ayaq

My Gradfather was a Merchant Marine and he help move the supllies on the steamer  MS East Indian and missed being sunk by 6 months as he was doing trial runs on other ships they were being refitted

 

https://www.xtremeidiots.com/topic/58172-dec-7th-a-date-which-will-live-in-infamy/

[Spartacus]

Loader, that is indeed an excellent post, sir.

 

Hitler was delusional.  I'm a fan of the American Hero's Channel, and have seen many documentaries about many conflicts, and have read about many, as well.

 

Much has been made about the Nazi's ultimate defeat because Hitler was fighting a war on two fronts.  The narrators often fail to mention that the Americans and its stalwart allies were also fighting on two fronts:  one in Europe and one in the Pacific, whereby all the materiel ("material," for us English-speaking folk) had to be shipped via marine transport in both directions.

 

Hats off the "The Greatest Generation."  Ayaq

 

 

I think the point was Hitler was Fighting a Two Front war including the Russians (Who had Way more Equipment and not to mention Fighting Men).

For every ONE German Soldier that Died Fighting, FOUR to FIVE Russians would die (Including Civilian Casualties)

 

Total German losses: 5 790 459 killed, wounded, missing

Total Soviet losses: 26 579 242 killed, wounded, missing

 

The other front included the Americans whom where and enemy that could produce weapons and manpower that could not be Bombed or Matched by Germany...

Point being, Declaring the War was suicide by Hitler due to the fact he could not match his enemies manpower in the long run...

Edited December 16, 2015 by Spartacus

[loaderXI]

True story @@Spartacus Russia lost more then every Country combined in WWII

[codpiece]