When i hear Bastonge on my mind aweys come the unbalivable courage shown by the American soldiers under the germans unmerciful artilary fire.
The Germans suffered too don't forget. I personally think the Germans are some of the most proffesional soldiers ever!! Anyway may i recommend the DVD Line of Fire: Battle of the Bulge (First 6 google links): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Line-Fire-Battle-Greg-Yaitanes/dp/B00009PBNH http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/Line_Of_Fire_The_Battle_Of_The_Bulge_DVD__5914347 http://www.jump.co.za/Product/Line-Of-Fire-Battle-Of-The-Bulge-148422.htm http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPC-Movie_Line_Of_Fire_The_Battle_Of_The_Bulge_5022802210185 http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/PROD/3-/128377/Line_Of_Fire_The_Battle_Of_The_Bulge/Product.html http://www.sendit.com/dvd/item/7000000083563
commendation The link will take you to a unit citation from Generals Paul and Patton. This citation refers to both the Bulge and the Relief of Bastogne.
Having seen Band of Brothers, how true a reflection did it paint of what happened at Bastogne? Did the Americans lead a disasterous frontal assault from the trees or was this dramatic licence on the part of the script writers?
The Americans were totally unprepared for the German offensive. The area had become a 'quite zone' for the Americans. So when it all kicked off the yanks were caught with their pants down. Montgomery was given command of more US divisions in the battle than the other three US commanders combined;Why was it that Patton's drive through three second class German divisions to relieve Bastogne made it into the history books, when in fact it was Monty who stopped the German armoured divisions heading for the key target of the river Meuse, and who won the battle.
What I'm getting at is basically it wouldn't have looked good for the American public to know that their soldiers were being commanded by a limey, so Montgomery's involvement was kept secret during the battle. The yanks have always needed a hero to worship and Patton was it. I'm refering to the Battle of the Bulge as a whole, which Bastone was the key. To this day the 101st say they didn't need rescuing at Bastone.
Paton was there version of our General Alexander ( butcher ) Haig.... Did'nt give a flying F*** for anyone except his own promotion and press!! he liked being a hero and no one was going to get in his way... In no way is this a reflection on the US troops who were just as good as bad as any other countries be it english or german...
General Alexander ( butcher ) Haig.... Sure you don't mean Douglas Haig. The man who turned the British Army into the best in the World by 1918. The man who lead the British Army to Victory over the German Army. Alexander Haig was someone totally different. Alexander Haig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reagan's chief of staff. Not my field but I'm firmly with Owen based on what I've read. Haig did a horrible job well.
Got me fore names mixed up sorry I do agree on his ability as a general just not the way he went about it..
its a shame the 101st needed help from garden units instead of holding open the road to arnhem longer.imho
Or the basically wiping out of the 106th Division on Elsenborn Ridge. The 106th was not at Elsenborne Ridge. It was further to the Southeast in the Schnee Eifel. They have been given the short shrift in the history. They held their ground while the 14th Cav to the north bugged out, not bothering to inform Gen Jones of this important piece of information. Add to this failure the fact the the two forward regiements were connected to the rear across the Our river by one bridge, their fate was sealed.
its a shame the 101st needed help from garden units instead of holding open the road to arnhem longer.imho And this has anything to do with the topic, how?
soldiers from many british units had to help the 101div.including my mate from 4th wilts.he said they had to get off there carriers and winkle jerry out of american positions several times.that is first hand.this all took lots of time,when 43div should have been up the road to arnhem.
This thread is very confusing, the whole 1944 campaign is being jumbled up so much that this thread is all over the place! Perhpas we should call it "various discussions on 101st Airborne Div"?
I still think the first post is kinda funny. Where is trumpetplayer anyway? I'm still waiting for him to carry on with his story where we get to choose what will happen next. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/gaming-discussions/6255-wwii-adventure-choice-game.html
soldiers from many british units had to help the 101div.including my mate from 4th wilts.he said they had to get off there carriers and winkle jerry out of american positions several times.that is first hand.this all took lots of time,when 43div should have been up the road to arnhem. I'm not so sure that it was quite so simple as that the 43rd would have been in Arnhem but for the inability of the Americans to hold off the Germans.
My Launch Code has almost been found. To prevent me from showing my butt and possibly inciting the ire of newly-minted mods and admins, not to mention the ones who've been holding down the fort for years now, I will use the button as indicated in this attached jpg.