The Battered Bastards.

Hi Reader, welcome back to our weekly coverage of what happened in the skies and on the ground during World War II. This week, we mark the anniversary of one of the most grueling battles in the European Theatre - The Battle of The Bulge. Join us as we delve into the history of one of the most pivotal conflicts ever and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Siege of Bastogne

This week in history, the Siege of Bastogne began on December 16, 1944, and concluded on December 26th, resulting in an American victory. Located in the Ardennes region of Belgium, the town of Bastogne held strategic importance as a vital transportation hub for the movement of German armor. Exhausted and ill-prepared, US troops defending the region found themselves scrambling to repel the unexpected offensive by German forces, prompting a rush to bring in reinforcements through harsh winter conditions. For several days, American forces endured being surrounded and outnumbered, facing relentless artillery bombardment and attacks from German infantry and tanks. The siege was lifted on December 26 when elements of General Patton’s Third Army successfully broke German lines and reached the exhausted troops. The victory at the Siege of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge marked a turning point in the war, allowing Allied troops to push into the heart of Germany.

Bastogne held 7 major roads that were critical to the movement of German armor and thus vital for American troops to maintain a defensive presence in the area. The American 28th Infantry Division, exhausted from several months of continuous combat, was stationed there, and the region had been relatively quiet before the siege. Intelligence indicated that nearby German troops were similarly weary and ill-equipped for any major offensive, and no Allied commander saw reason to believe an imminent attack was likely.

By December 16, 1844, Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz, the commander of the 47th Panzer Corps was given the order to capture the town of Bastogne in preparation to recapture Antwerp, a vital port city. German troops moved swiftly on the night of December 15, mobilizing men and equipment within distance of American troops. The siege began with the sudden barrage of German artillery followed by a large number of troops assaulting the unsuspecting Allied troops. By nightfall, German armor reached the front, pinning the American troops under intense pressure. Despite the fierce engagement and with minimal preparation, the 28th held back the German offensive, delaying their plans for several days.

By the second day of the siege on December 17, the 28th was near collapse, prompting orders to swiftly reroute nearby elements for the defense of Bastogne. General Patton’s Third Army dispatched units, and the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, recently recovering from Operation Market Garden, were also commanded to swiftly move to Bastogne the following day. Both divisions embarked on a 120km race to reach their defensive positions. The 101st arrived directly to support Bastogne, reaching the exhausted troops by December 19th. With heavy armor and artillery units now defending Bastogne, both adversaries engaged in a fierce battle for the town.

The Siege of Bastogne was fierce and troops on the ground troops experienced one of the worst winter weathers in recent history. The lack of air support due to severe weather allowed heavily prepared German Panzer groups to surround American troops who were lacking in cold-weather gear, ammunition, food, and medical supplies. On December 22nd, General von Lüttwitz ordered the surrender of the American troops, writing to his American counterpart, leading to the famous response from General McAuliffe who simply responded “NUTS!” By December 26th, elements of Patton’s Third Army successfully reached the weary American troops and broke through the German encirclement, allowing a line for reinforcements, successfully lifting the siege.

The Siege of Bastogne was a week-long, brutal battle, with the 101st Airborne Division suffering staggering losses. The 101st alone experienced 341 killed, 1,691 wounded, and 516 missing. Several regiments within the 101st were given the nickname "The Battered Bastards of Bastogne" due to the intense fighting in defense of the town. Nevertheless, the resulting victory provided an opening for American troops to push closer to the heart of Germany and was a much-needed boost in morale for the Allies.

Did You Know?

During the Battle of the Bulge, the Germans employed a tactic called "Ghost Division." They used inflatable tanks and trucks, along with sound effects, to deceive Allied intelligence about their troop movements and strength.

This "Ghost Army" was a highly secretive unit that successfully confused the enemy, creating diversions and drawing attention away from key German offensives.

Thank you for tuning in to this week's coverage of what happened on the ground and the skies during World War II. We hope to see you again next week for even more incredible true stories. And as always, see you in the skies.

-TJ

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