16th December 1944 Battle of the Bulge begins

Battle of the Bulge Memories


On December 16, 1944, when it was 5:30 in the morning, the Germans proceeded to deliver their initial assault by means of a large artillery barrage that lasted approximately an hour and a half, advancing about 130 kilometers over the territory in their hands. of the allied troops.

Immediately, great snow storms began to bury several regions of the Ardennes, which, on the other hand, allowed the Allied air force to remain on the ground without responding to this attack.

 

What You Need To Know About The Battle Of The Bulge

 

Weather Effects during the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy Invasion

A general description of the terrain of the Ardennes-Eifel area is given, and weather-related decisions concerning the final attack date and the buildup of the German offensive push are noted. Surface meteorological charts for 16 and 23 December 1944 are presented and show that a modified cold maritime polar air mass was over the Ardennes-Eiffel area when the Battle of the Bulge began. Weather-related instances on the battlefield are noted, particularly where fog or snow reduced visibility and where thaws or freezes influenced traffficability.

 

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December 19, 1944
The German Drive Towards Bastogne


The German drive towards Bastogne has almost reached the town while the VIII Corps headquarters has relocated to Neufchateau. Notice that the 101st Airborne Division is shown in Bastogne and the 82nd Airborne Division has moved to blunt the northern German advance.Interactive Timeline  |  The Battle of the Bulge  |  Articles and Essays  |  World War II Military Situation Maps  |  Digital Collections  |  Library of Congress

 

December 21, 1944
The German Main Advance


The German main advance through the center of the Ardennes sector has moved in a narrow corridor northwest to Marche after bypassing Bastogne. The 84th Infantry Division has moved to block the German northwestern advance.
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December 23, 1944
Bastogne's Envelopment Begins


Bastogne's envelopment begins as the German main advance widens and moves north and south of the town. However, the 4th Armored Division, 10th Armored Division, 26th Infantry Division, and the 80th Infantry Division from General Patton's Third Army have moved against the southern flank of the German main advance.

 

Aren't you a day early?

Today, December 22, is the day the Germans gave their ultimatum to the defenders of Bastogne. And of course famously, General McAuliffe replied "NUTS".

 

glad you added to it Chris thank you

 

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December 25, 1944
The 101st Airborne Division is Encircled


The 101st Airborne Division is shown as encircled in Bastogne with three German infantry division and one panzer division deployed around the town. The distinct bulge in the American front lines that gave the battle its name has formed.

 

Battle of the Bulge: diary entries of Capt. H Maskell

https://schoolshistory.org.uk/topics/world-history/second-world-war/bulge-diary/?amp

 

The 6th Airborne Division was put in the line between Dinant and Namur under command of the British 30th Corps to assist in the forthcoming Allied counter-offensive, and was ordered to advance against the tip of the German salient.

Ardennes | ParaData

The 5th Parachute Brigade tasked 13 Para (Lancs) to attack the village of Bure as part of this advance and breakthrough to Grupant, assisted by Sherman tanks from the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry.

Severe casualties resulted from the break-in to the village, which began on 3rd January 1945. Bitter fighting raged for three days with little sleep conducted in atrocious winter conditions. German infantry and tank attacks were repeatedly beaten back until with reinforcements from C Company 2nd Ox and Bucks and additional tanks from the 23rd Hussars, the whole village was taken on 6 January 1945. 13 Para suffered heavy casualties, the Ox and Bucks also lost nearly two dozen men whilst 16 Sherman tanks were destroyed.

 

December 27, 1944
The Encirclement of Bastogne is Broken


The encirclement of Bastogne is broken as the 4th Armored Division moves up from the south. With American units pushing from the north and south, the German advance stops and bulge is containedInteractive Timeline  |  The Battle of the Bulge  |  Articles and Essays  |  World War II Military Situation Maps  |  Digital Collections  |  Library of Congress.

 

Battle of the Bulge - Wikipedia
The primary military objectives were to deny further use of the Belgian port of Antwerp to the Allies and to split the Allied lines, which potentially could have allowed the Germans to encircle and destroy the four Allied forces.

 

THE ARDENNES OFFENSIVE 16 DECEMBER 1944 - 28 JANUARY 1945

 

Civilians,Battle of the Bulge

The Unknown Dead: Civilians in the Battle of the Bulge on JSTOR

 

I know some here dismiss Mark Felton as a historian, here is his latest: 'The Bastogne Brits - A Secret British Operation: Ardennes 1944@ and summary states:

Link:

 

Battle of the Bulge

 

January 1, 1945
British Reinforcements Move Against the German Advance


The reinforced British 6th Airborne and 53rd Infantry Division are shown moving against the western tip of the German advance. Notice that some German units that were identified in the bulge on earlier maps have begun to be listed as Unlocated in a box on the right portion of the map near Frankfurt.
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Malmedy massacre trial - Wikipedia