Battle for Bastogne - The Largely Unknownq

I've put up two documents about the Battles for Marvie, a village just south of Bastogne. The reports are:

1: 327 2nd BN Defense of Bastogne

2. 327 Co F Defense of Bastogne

The reports are nearly 40 pages each.

I think you will find the reports fascinating and actually good reads.

Co G which bore the bulk of the attack is not represented directly though they are discussed. Team O'Hara of the 10th is also mentioned but not directly represented.

Several tidbits I've gleaned from it.

In a synopsis, the Germans put heavy pressure on Marvie on Dec 20th, but did not take the attack seriously. They did not bring to the table but a small portion of their resources.

On the attack of the 23/24 of Dec, the enemy did bring major resources, but they failed in several ways.

1. The attacked across a broad front.

2. The attack did not exploit gains as they had decimated and overrun Co G.

3. The BN commander is incorrect about enemy gains. They did operate behind 327 lines and had a free shot into Bastogne having gained 4/5 tanks on the outskirts of Bastogne. I know this from other reports.

4. Both 327 unit commanders are very critical about BN supply not protecting the supplies.

5. An airborne unit wasn't really set up to withstand the attacks. There were not enough reserve units.

On a side note, 2nd BN S2 officer is Tom Niland. He was next door neighbors and first cousins of the famous Niland's (Ryan). He also was the uncle of Michigan coach John Beilein and was the first AD to hire him. There is a lot of interesting material in these reports.

2nd BN

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1124958717526999.1073741915.109600119062869&type=3

Co F

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1125002870855917.1073741916.109600119062869&type=3

 

This is amazing material, thanks for posting! Bastogne was a really interesting point in the war, especially in terms of planning and logistics. It's amazing that either side managed to push through.