THE ARDENNES OPERATION

I have quickly become addicted to learning about this battle known as: "the battle of the bulge." This operation consisted of a major German attack on a part of Belgium known as: "ARDENNES" and was according to Hitler a great place to attack. The Mostly American force holding this area was very thin and spread out due to the fact that the Americans thinking the weather was preventing any chance of a German offensive. However Germany thought otherwise. Hitler belived the terrible weather condition would stop allied planes, the fore making this a weak point in the ALLIES lines.

So my question to you is: Do you think the weather conditions were a good or bad thing for the ALLIED and how about the AXIS? Do you think this plan was perfect or do you think Hitler could have attacked somewhere else?

 

The weather didn't help the Allies but it was a major problem for the Germans. As for the plan, it was too little, too late and, in the wrong place. As for attacking somewhere else: It really doesn't matter at that point Germany had lost the war.

 

I agree! The war was lost by Germany at that time and they couldn't do much....

 

Germans should keep their army to defend their borders not to attack.
The plan was wrong, not for heavy gemans tank which had problems with moving through narrow mountain roads.
Farther germanas didn't have enough fuel to finish this atack. They thought they catch americans reserves.

 

What I've read a lot about is the fuel dumps,the u.s army had.It seems strange that there were large fuel supplies,but vie also read complaints from g.i's,that there were no winter uniforms.Why?.

 

Yeah aparently there was so few troops with not very much firepower but they had huge fuel, and food dumps? It makes no sense.

 

Hi Guys, I was trying to Recreate the battle of Bastogne and wondered if I got this TO&E right (I hope this is the right thread for this question)
US Airbourne infantry Battalion.

Battalion HQ Company
7 x Officers
156 x Men
8 x .30 cal LMG
4 x 81mm Mortars
9 x Bazookas

3 x Paratroop Companies each:
Company HQ
2 x Officers
27 x Men

3 x Paratroop Platoons each:
Platoon HQ
2 x Officers
1 x Platoon SGT
4 x Men
1 x .30 cal LMG
1 x Bazooka

2 x Paratroop Sections each:
1 x SGT
1 x Corporal
10 x Men
1 x .30 cal LMG
1 x .45 cal SMG
10 x .30 M1 Rifles

1 x Paratroop Section
1 x SGT
1 x Corporal
10 x Men
1 x .30 cal BAR
1 x .30 cal LMG
1 x .45 cal Carbine
10 x .30 cal M1 Rifles

This not the Glider infantry but Paras, its just that you find so many different TO&Es and this is the best I could find.
Thanks for any help, Yan.

 

Why is it strange to have large fuel supplies, the Allies were fielding thousands of tanks, trucks and other vehicles. They don't run on wishes. The winter uniforms had not been sent because some genius predicted the fighting would be done before it was needed.

 

The weather temporarily grounded the Allied air forces but the weather was not in favor of the Germans. Offensive operations in bad weather is not easy, especially with tanks with inexperienced crews (many of the panzer troops were not veteran fighters and inexperienced at driving their tanks properly.) No plan by Adolf Hitler was near perfect. This one used understrength divisions, the dream of captured fuel, another dream of being able to sustain the drive all the way to Antwerp, and one more dream that this would change the outcome of a lost war. The troops being used should have been held in reserve to protect Germany and their loss simply shortened the war. The attack was not expected by some and the surprise factor gives many the illusion that this offensive was more than it was. The reality is that the attack had little or no chance of producing any positive result for the German war effort. It is best to remember that Hitler was insane and at this point in time was losing what little grip he had on reality.

 

one of the problems that germans had was the routes in ardennes. Spoiled heavy tanks blocked narrow routes and there were now space to pass round. This situtation slowed down the atack and transport military supplies.

 

Hey jbark,which genius predicted thatt the fighting would be done?.

 

Thanks JW, I seen the George Forty book in the local library on wednesday night, that was one of the reasons I posted this TO&E, Forty had a lot of different numbers in brackets for certain changes and I was trying to nail a good standard TO&E to address this problem, thanks for the help and if you come up with some ideas I will be most greatfull.
Regards Yan.

 

I agree with Ulrich, the Germans attacked against the grain of the land and adding the fact of St Vith and Bastonge holding all the road juctions just added to the problem.

 

Yeah, but all together it was wrong place wrong time wrong everything! They had no chance what so ever.

 

Always is a chance, but this plan was not good. Mountains, forest, norrow routes and big tanks without enough fuel.

 

Read it in a couple of places and I know I saw it attributed to Bradley but I think that was one of those idiot books that think because a general says something to the press HE alone made the call. Essentially any decision like that would have been made by many but the buck stops with Ike, no?

 

Some books are messed up these days. I recently purchased 7 WWII books and now im loaded with information

 

Be careful what you buy, some books are definitely "messed up." It is quite easy for a historian, or anyone for that matter, to get a book published and many will simply believe what has been written because "I read it in a book." Learn to read bibliographies, research authors and if possible find a review of the book (Amazon-and take that with a grain of salt too.) Try to get corroboration on what you read...if no where else a place like this. Some of these guys REALLY know their stuff.

 

Thanks JBark thats GREAT advice ill look up the author and review before purchasing a book.