Battle of the Bulge anniversary

As I'm still reading 'Corps Commanders Of The Bulge' the Battle is very much on my mind at present. Yesterday evening, as I sat in the warm while snow fell outside, I read the lines : -

'Memories of this attack are grim. The deep snow limited medical evacuation. And in the frigid temperatures, men who would otherwise have survived their relatively minor wounds perished from shock and exposure'.

'Bitter Woods', indeed......

 

The Battle of the Bulge often is associated with a scenery shrouded in snow.

However, remember that there was no snow in the initial phase of the German Offensive.

It had been snowing in late November 44 and the higher parts of the Ardennes and the Eifel had been covered by snow, but by 16 December 44, the day the Germans launched their big attack, most of it had disappeared. If you look at the film shots of the German advance in the initial phase of the offensive, you see no snow at all. Snow began to fall later.

Maybe there is some weatherexpert over here on the site, who could expand on this subject.

Cheers

 

In the initial phase ( of German initiative ) from 16-23 December, the weather was very cold, damp and misty. From 23-27 December, during the transition phase of the Battle, a strong Russian high pressure system moved over the Ardennes and temperatures dropped very low indeed, freezing the ground solid. As the temperature raised slightly toward the end of this period, heavy snow fell which immediately settled deeply on the frozen ground. The final phase of the Battle ( ie US initiative ) took place in the latter conditions.

All of these elements of the weather had very important effects on the fighting and course of the Battle.

Of course you're right, it's true that not all of the Battle was fought under snowy conditions ( just as Passchendaele wasn't all about mud or The Somme all about machine-gun slaughter ) but over time it has come to give the Battle a lasting image of inhospitable conditions.

 

Slipdigit. You are certainly right.

The Malmedy area is on the edge of the "Hautes Fagnes" plateau, which forms the highest part of the Ardennes, up to nearly 700 meters (at Signal Botrange) and is known for its rough climate. In this area of the Ardennes the snow had not fully disappeared. As is demonstrated by this picture, of soldiers of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division marching up to frontline near Bütgenbach in the initial stage of the offensive (about 19/20 december 44?). The meadows are still covered with a layer of (melting) snow. This area is to the east of Malmedy.



or ....





This one was taken in the La Gleize area, slightly to the west of Malmedy, some days later, showing no snow ...

 

Martin

Thank you for your reply.

I've been studying the British involvement in the battle of the Ardennes for a while. British units moved into the Ardennes from 27 Dec onwards and took over positions from the U.S. VII Corps at the tip of the German Salient (area Marche - Rochefort - Mirwart). The British records state that, at the end of December 44 snowfall, interspersed with sleet, and frost made road conditions very difficult. This fits in well with your statement, that after 27 Dec the temperature raised slightly and snow and sleet began to fall. This combined with a frost that set in at about 30 Dec turned roads into sheer sheets of ice, which made all vehicular movement very difficult.

Do you have a more detailed 'weather up-date' for January 1945?

 

That highlights another factor of the Ardennes microclimate ; as anyone who has ever been to a motor race at Spa-Francorchamps will know, you can stand at the startline in brilliant sunshine while cars are fighting through torrential rain a mile away...

Indeed, I can find no pictures at all of the La Gleize/Stoumont with any snow at all. At the same time places such as St Vith, Houffalize and Bastogne were inundated with snow. The quote in my first post refers, in fact, to the attack of the 1st & 2nd US Infantry Divisions at Ondenval on 18th January.

 

This is a picture taken near Poteau, south of Malmedy, around 18/19 (?) December 44, also no snow:





Whereas, in the so-called "Losheim-Gap" there was snow. But again this area, together with the Elsenborn Ridge, forms more or less a southward extension of the "Hautes Fagnes" and is known for its rough climate:

 

Your last photo was taken in Lanzerath stolpi, got a now picture for you.



I visited the bulge the weekend before the anniversary... did a lot of hiking around to reach a former 277VGD headquarters in the snow and damp forest. The snow was about a feet deep and the vissibility was poor, the weather situation was almost exact as it was in 1944. During the hiking proces I lost my boot in the snow and got soaking wet. No trenchfoot but bloody cold!

Oh and the picture with that blasted railway bridge was taken near Berg.

 

Excellent comparison, 272VGD, but for the snow, which is plenty around now.

I'm not certain about this photo, which was taken around 26 December 44 near the Meuse. It depicts soldiers of the 2nd U.S. Arm.Division in the battle for Humain. Looks like clear, frosty weather, but no snow on the ground. The picture is from Cole's The Ardennes.

Again this fits in well with your statement Martin:

"From 23-27 December, during the transition phase of the Battle, a strong Russian high pressure system moved over the Ardennes and temperatures dropped very low indeed, freezing the ground solid"

 

No, Slipdigit I don't think so. The photograph was taken, facing east.... that's the direction the POW were heading.

The hill of the I&R platoon is not visible. But I guess 272VGD has a picture of it. I've been there too and from the OP you really have a sweeping view of the area, right up to the Schnee Eifel.

In the meantime I found another photograph, a "no snow" one, which was taken near Bastogne, if I'm correct. This one was taken around 19/20 Dec 44 ?

 

Hi, sorry no photo of that! I have only visited the place where Lt Bouck and his platoon were only once and without camera.
The then and now was taken on this spot (arrow), LT Bouck position was to the forest edge on the north east side of the village.



Regards,

 

Maybe nice to show, just outside Lanzerath abandonned in the woods.
Who does recognize them? We did.





And another familiar object in Lanzerath.

 

Right ! That does it ! I'm going to Lanzerath.....

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/jgfive/Ardennes/Bulge001.jpg


....again.....

 

Ha! Nice photograph.
I see on mine there are less trees and bushes in the background, a little bit better for the then and now.

 

Mine was taken in Spring 2004......one of my favourite 'Then & Nows'. The original photo is so famous, it was great to find such a quiet spot today.......