The Battle of Bastogne Essay Example

the Artillery Observation Battalion. The Artillery Battalion placed themselves near the front line to visually observe and collect information using audio equipment.

However, confusion arose when German troops disguised themselves as American soldiers by wearing U.S uniforms, parachuting from planes, riding American jeeps, and speaking fluent English. These undercover operatives or decoys were assigned tasks such as providing false directions, changing road signs,and cutting telephone lines. Consequently,the Germans successfully pushed back American troops towards the Meuse River and laid siege to Bastogne.

During this critical period, General Anthony Clement McAuliffe assumed command not only of the 101st Airborne Division but also other attached troops.In a town located between Malmedy and Ligneuville, Schutzstaffel (SS) forces captured an entire American battalion,resulting in the loss of 80 soldiers' lives.The bodies of these soldiers were left at the scene,and this tragic event is now known as the Malmedy Massacre.The American troops strategically positioned themselves in Bastogne to defend against an upcoming attack. The defense included VIII Corps Artillery, which had seven battalions equipped with various types of artillery. By December 17th, commanders realized that more troops were needed for the Ardennes engagement. Within a week, 250,000 troops were deployed, including the 82nd Airborne Division. On December 19th, Col.Sherburne led the arrival of the 101st Airborne as Division Artillery commander in Bastogne by taking a shorter route through the town instead of a longer path. This decision ensured enough troops were available for effective defense. General Patton praised this move along with other measures taken to defend Bastogne. However, Hitler remained confident about defeating the Canadian, American, and British armies despite depleted supplies. As Commander-in-Chief, he ordered the attack to proceed. Although

initially successful due to its forcefulness, the German attack only lasted two days due to limited fuel supply hampering their armored capabilities. In response, Allies targeted and bombed German fuel depots to disrupt their supply and prevent Hitler's plan from dividing and conquering them.
The improved weather had a significant impact on the Allies' air power, allowing them to support American troops effectively. They launched bomber raids on German supply points and used P-47s to attack German troops on roads. In addition, the air forces dropped supplies such as medicine, food, blankets, and ammunition. The Germans managed to seize control of several major ports along the Channel coast but were unable to move due to the destruction of the French railroad system. Surprisingly, this destruction had even greater repercussions for the Allies who had to invest time and effort into repairing damaged tracks and bridges.

To address these challenges, the Red Ball Express was specifically created to deliver supplies to front line troops. The bombing of Romanian oilfields severely impacted Germany's access to oil and gasoline, while the opening of Antwerp provided some relief in supply issues faced in the West. However, these issues were not completely resolved due to the vast territory covered by Allied Armies from southern France to the Netherlands, which stretched them thin.

Various plans were considered for a major Western offensive, including a two-pronged attack and a blitzkrieg strategy called "Wacht am Rhein" or "Watch on the Rhine". Interestingly enough, blitzkriegs are often associated with watchful waiting approaches. Ultimately, Hitler chose the second plan as he believed it would lead to greater success.The objective of the Battle of the Bulge was to capture

Antwerp and trap four major armies, cutting off their necessary supplies. Hitler underestimated America's fighting capabilities and was confident they would eventually surrender. However, measures had to be taken to prevent oil and weapons from freezing as temperatures dropped significantly and reached freezing levels. Severe fuel shortages required trucks to run every thirty minutes. Despite successfully withdrawing, the Germans had no choice but to abandon most of their armored vehicles.

On January 7th, 1945, Hitler agreed to withdraw most or all of his forces from Ardennes, resulting in offensive operations being carried out. German troops finally pulled back from the Bulge on January 8th ,1945. The Battle of the Bulge stands as the largest battle fought by American troops during WWII. Estimated casualties vary greatly: American losses ranged between 70,000 and 81,000 soldiers.

During the Battle of the Bulge, British casualties were estimated at around 1,400 while German casualties ranged between 60,000 and 104,000. Over 100,000 German soldiers were captured as prisoners.The battle concluded when Germany suffered extensive losses in air power and manpower, leaving them with limited forces to defend their territory (the Reich). Although the advance was stopped,the overall situation remained perilous.The Battle of the Bulge officially ended on January15th ,1945 when two American forces met each other.During the battle in Bastogne from December 1944 to February 1945, artillery played a crucial role in supporting specific users and fostering collaboration among battalions within Combat Commands. The use of artillery was essential in determining effective attacking positions in snow-covered fields and enabling mutual firing between allied battalions for efficient engagement. It also served as a reliable communication system during adverse weather conditions, remaining unaffected by inclement

weather. Artillery aimed to weaken enemy fighting capabilities by harassing them and disrupting their activities during nighttime operations, denying them access to light and warmth while causing significant damage to personnel and equipment during counterattacks. Throughout the war, artillery played a vital part in concealing allied soldiers with thick smoke emissions (Battle of the Bulge). The success of Combat Command in the Battle of Bastogne can largely be attributed to their effective utilization of artillery (Frederick). The Allies utilized accurate artillery fires as counterattacks, resulting in destruction to personnel, equipment, and vegetation. This victory in Bastogne significantly contributed to ending the Second World War for soldiers from the United States, Britain, Canada, and France (Battle of the Bulge). Unfavorable weather conditions affected both armies throughout the battle.The Battle of Bastogne, the largest fight and biggest battle on the western front involving American soldiers, saw over 600,000 American troops mobilized. Sadly, around 20,000 were killed in action and another 40,000 seriously injured. Additionally, approximately 20,000 soldiers were captured. On the opposing side, more than 250,000 German soldiers occupied various Belgian cities including Bastogne. The Germans also suffered heavy losses with over 30,000 soldiers killed and more than 40,000 wounded. Furthermore, they had to deal with over 30,000 of their own being taken captive.

Desperate measures were taken by the Germans during this battle as even children were enlisted into service. To support their final stand in Bastogne and treat casualties adequately, the Germans allocated significant financial resources. Both sides employed different strategies for victory: the Germans disguised themselves as American troops by wearing their uniforms and speaking fluent English to infiltrate Bastogne using planes and jeeps. Conversely,

General Patton led the Americans and became aware of this planned attack ahead of time; he accordingly prepared his troops.

Under General Patton's leadership, excellent coordination was demonstrated by both sides throughout the battle. Although initially confident of victory at Bastogne's onset ,the situation began to change for the Germans as time went on. Within just two days (48 hours), General Patton had not yet devised a counter-strategy for dealing with the surrounding enemy forces.Despite concerns about the potential reinforcement of their allies, the fear of capturing Antwerp was present. However, orders were given to maintain fighting skills and courage in order to boost morale on both sides and make accepting defeat difficult. Leadership played a crucial role in strategizing and motivating troops during the Battle of Bastogne for both German and American leaders. In this regard, General von Rundstedt led a swift attack aimed at surprising the enemy on behalf of Germany. Additionally, significant progress was made when soldiers under General Patton's leadership surrounded American troops in Bastogne. Nevertheless, General Patton had concerns regarding Germans capturing Liege and Antwerp while freeing trapped soldiers. The leadership from both sides played a pivotal role in inspiring and commanding their troops while boosting their courage and combat skills. Despite initial success in capturing Belgian cities, German forces suffered defeat and lost ground as chaos ensued within allied front lines due to the failure to reach Antwerp by crossing the Ardennes. Hence, the Battle of Bastogne held immense significance during World War II as all three parties launched a surprise attack with hopes that seizing Bastogne would secure a vital victory.Ultimately, the Battle of Bastogne played a critical role

in Germany's ultimate defeat in the war as it indirectly contributed to an American triumph and depleted irreplaceable German resources. Even today, Bastogne remains a symbol of resilience for Americans who overcame formidable challenges in the Ardennes region.