Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper: The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Bulge

by Frank van Lunteren

Overview

In December 1944 an enormous German army group crashed through the thin American line in the Ardennes forest. Caught by surprise, the Allies were initially only able to throw two divisions of paratroopers to buttress the collapse—the 82nd Airborne, which was rushed to the area of St. Vith, and the 101st, which was trucked to Bastogne.

After their successful campaign in Holland, Colonel Reuben Tucker’s elite 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was resting and refitting in France when news came of the German breakthrough. Most dangerous to the Allies was the German spearhead of the 1st SS Panzer Division led by Jochen Peiper, which aimed to sever the Allied front. The 504th was committed to block the SS advance, and within 48 hours of their arrival Colonel Tucker’s paratroopers were attacking the SS-Panzergrenadiers of Peiper’s battlegroup, eventually forcing them to withdraw.

More ferocious fighting ensued as follow-up German units forced a U.S. retreat from St. Vith. In adverse weather conditions against the German 9th SS Panzer and 3rd Fallschirmjäger Divisions, the 504th lived up to it’s regimental motto—Strike and Hold. Although some rifle companies were whittled down to less than 50 paratroopers, the Americans doggedly fought on until victory was achieved.

Moving quotations of letters to the next-of-kin provide insight into the impact of their deaths both on the battlefield and homefront.

In this work Van Lunteren provides a fascinating, close-in view of the 504th P.I.R. during the Battle of the Bulge as well as its gallant sacrifice. Using never before published diaries, letters, battle reports and interviews with over 100 veterans, a comprehensive account is painted of a triumphant U.S. regiment in one of the fiercest fought campaigns in the history of the U.S. Army.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781636241289
Publisher:	Casemate Publishers
Publication date:	04/29/2022
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	621,736
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Frank van Lunteren was born and raised in Arnhem, the Netherlands. While studying history in Nijmegen, in the spring of 2001, he established contact with a WWII veteran of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Shortly after he graduated as a historian, Van Lunteren was guest speaker at the August 2007 Convention of the 504th PIR Association. There, veteran Francis Keefe (1924–2021) asked him to write “a book on the entire regiment.”

The research process of over twenty years culminated in five volumes: Birth of a Regiment (May 1942–September 1943), Spearhead of the Fifth Army (September 1943–April 1944), The Battle of the Bridges (April 1944–November 1944), Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper (November 1944–February 1945), End of an Odyssey (February 1945–January 1946). From activation to the New York Victory Parade, Colonel Reuben Tucker’s troopers are followed throughout World War II.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY FORMER 2ND LT. ROBERT E. BRAMSON, F/504
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1 CAMP SISSONNE: SISSONNE, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 15‒DECEMBER 15, 1944

2 A SERIOUS BREAKTHROUGH: WERBOMONT AND RAHIER, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 16‒19, 1944

3 THE ROAD TO CHENEUX: CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944

4 THE BATTLE OF CHENEUX: CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944
5 THE CAPTURE OF CHENEUX: CHENEUX AND MONCEAU, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20‒21, 1944

6 THE END OF KAMPFGRUPPE PEIPER: CHENEUX AND TROIS PONTS, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 22‒24, 1944

7 ENTRAPMENT AND ENDURANCE: BRA-SUR-LIENNE, EN FLORET, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 25‒26, 1944

8 BREAKING UP THE GERMAN ASSAULT: BRA-SUR-LIENNE, BERGIFAZ, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 26‒31, 1944

9 STRIKING BACK: BELGIUM, JANUARY 1‒6, 1945

10 VICTORY AT A HIGH PRICE: FARNIÈRES, MONT AND ROCHELINVAL, JANUARY 7, 1945

11 TWIN TOWNS: PETIT HALLEUX AND GRAND HALLEUX, BELGIUM, JANUARY 8‒11, 1945

12 RECUPERATION: REMOUCHAMPS, BELGIUM, JANUARY 12–24, 1945

13 ADVANCE BY ATTRITION: HUNNANGE AND HERRESBACH, BELGIUM, JANUARY 25–29, 1945

14 DECIMATION AT MANDERFELD: HOLZHEIM, EIMERSCHEID AND MANDERFELD, BELGIUM, JANUARY 30‒31, 1945

15 THE BATTLE FOR THE MERTESROTT HEIGHTS: MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945

16 BREACHING THE SIEGFRIED LINE: MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945

17 FROM ONE FOREST TO ANOTHER: HUERTGEN FOREST, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 3–21, 1945

POSTSCRIPT: UNITED STATES, JANUARY 1946–JANUARY 2015

APPENDIX A: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS RECIPIENTS
APPENDIX B: PRISONERS OF WAR CAPTURED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
APPENDIX C: B COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX D: C COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX E: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, DECEMBER 18, 1944
APPENDIX F: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 5, 1945
APPENDIX G: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 26, 1945
APPENDIX H: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE 551ST PARACHUTE BATTALION, JANUARY 7, 1945
APPENDIX I: THE PRISONER OF WAR EXPERIENCE OF 2ND LIEUTENANT HARRY ROLLINS

NOTES
CONTRIBUTING VETERANS
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Editorial Reviews

"Exemplary research highlights anecdotes galore and even includes 12 black and white maps that you can use to create small platoon on platoon, or two platoons on one platoon, skirmish scenarios."

Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"Frank van Lunteren gives us the rare privilege of hearing in personal and touching detail the stories of the Battle of the Bulge as recounted by the paratroopers of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Never have I actually felt the cold and desperation of the Bulge as I did while reading this book. Enduring the most brutal conditions of the winter war, the 504th went face-to-face with elite Waffen SS in Germany's final bid to conquer Europe. Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper is a timeless sago of courage, determination and victory."

Barbara Gavin Fauntleroy

"... exhaustively researched, compellingly written, and supported with detailed maps. It's a story of raw courage in the face of seemingly impossible odds, and it's a great read."

World War II

"...catapults us into the core of the triumphant 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment to fight alongside pure courage and bravery."

ARGunners.com

"The reader is thrust into the midst of the battle as if they were direct participants. One is engulfed in the personal experiences by named members of the 504th to include the verbiage of the citations for awards of bravery and self-sacrifice. One is also almost mesmerized by the, at times, excess of detail of both individual and elements of small unit actions. And this, not only from the perspective of the 504th but also, that of Peiper’s Kampfgruppe. For, in many ways, this book is a ‘two way street’ covering not only the U.S elements, but also the enemy’s—and that is what is necessary if one is to truly appreciate what the 504th achieved!"

Airborne Quarterly

"Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper continues Frank van Lunteren's superb series on the famed 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II. Masterfully telling the gripping account of little-known battles against the best-equipped, most elite and fanatical troops of the Waffen SS panzer divisions, the author details the brutal battles waged on the northern shoulder of the Bulge in Germany's last, desperate offensive during the freezing winter of 1944-1945. Over a hundred interviews, including many new and never-before-published first-person eyewitness accounts by both 504th veterans and their German adversaries take the reader into the midst of the fighting as Tucker's troopers charge across open ground to attack armored flakwagons and heavy reconnaissance vehicles with little more than small arms, grenades and machine guns. Van Lunteren's work stands as a lasting testament to the tremendous heroism and devotion to duty of the tough paratroopers of the 504th. I highly recommend this outstanding book."

Phil Nordyke

Full of first-hand accounts by 504 Parachute Infantry Paratroopers who fought at the Battle of the Bulge, Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper chronicles the long-overlooked contributions of the regiment in this pivotal battle of World War II. Frank van Lunteren has researched and compiled the personal accounts of these "Devils in Baggy Pants" into a story destined to be a lasting testament to the sheer determination and bravery of these men."

www.ww2-airborne.us - Dominic T. Biello

"An inspiring and heart-breaking account of just one part of one campaign in the bloodiest war on record.. "

Books Monthly

"Military historian Frank van Lunteren set himself three tall-order tasks: ferret out all relevant primary sources, no matter how obscure; weave the evidence together into an engaging narrative (and crafting clear tactical accounts is among the toughest of writing chores); and produce the most thorough history of the part played by the officers and men of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Ardennes Campaign. Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper scores high on all counts."

D.K.R. Crosswell

... exhaustively researched, compellingly written, and supported with detailed maps. It's a story of raw courage in the face of seemingly impossible odds, and it's a great read.

World War II Magazine

An inspiring and heart-breaking account of just one part of one campaign in the bloodiest war on record..

Books Monthly UK

The reader is thrust into the midst of the battle as if they were direct participants. One is engulfed in the personal experiences by named members of the 504th to include the verbiage of the citations for awards of bravery and self-sacrifice. One is also almost mesmerized by the, at times, excess of detail of both individual and elements of small unit actions. And this, not only from the perspective of the 504th but also, that of Peiper’s Kampfgruppe. For, in many ways, this book is a ‘two way street’ covering not only the U.S elements, but also the enemy’s—and that is what is necessary if one is to truly appreciate what the 504th achieved!

The AIrborne Quarterly

Frank van Lunteren gives us the rare privilege of hearing in personal and touchingdetailthe stories of the Battle of the Bulge as recounted by the paratroopers of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.Never have I actually felt the cold and desperation of the Bulge as I did while reading this book. Enduring the most brutal conditions of the winter war, the 504th went face-to-face with elite Waffen SS in Germany's final bid to conquer Europe. Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper is a timeless sago of courage, determination and victory.

author of The General and His Daughter: The Wa --Barbara Gavin Fauntleroy

Military historian Frank van Lunteren set himself three tall-order tasks: ferret out all relevant primary sources, no matter how obscure; weave the evidence together into an engaging narrative (and crafting clear tactical accounts is amongthe toughest of writing chores); and produce the most thorough history of the part played by the officers and men of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Ardennes Campaign. Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper scores high on all counts.

author of Beetle: The Life of General Walter B D.K.R. Crosswell