The Americans and Germans at Bastogne: First-Hand Accounts from the Commanders Who Fought

by Gary Sterne

Overview

"...does an excellent job of showing how those German leaders had to continually adapt to changes on the ground as the Americans showed flexibility under pressure and foiled their opponents goals." — WWII History Magazine

In December 1944 the Third Reich was retreating. It was almost inconceivable that they could mount a counter offensive.

To the Allies, the capitulation of the Third Reich was just around the corner. Or was it? Instead, could the Battle of the Bulge succeed in turning the tide of the war for the German high command?

The US 101st Airborne were the only Allied unit capable of slowing down the German advance towards Antwerp - and they were ordered to do just that - at a place called Bastogne.

The battle for the small Belgium cross-roads town is now world famous and to add to that historical narrative, the author has located declassified interviews with the German unit commanders who took part. Brought together for the first time - they provide a unique perspective on the battle as the Germans were forced to make continuous alterations to their plans - and the 101st resisted every attempt to dislodge them.

This book offers significant and fresh research on this famous battle and the narrative unfolds in words of the men who were actually there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526770776
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	07/22/2020
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	1,071,765
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Gary Sterne is a keen collector of militaria and was a co-founder of The Armourer and Skirmish Magazines. He has always been fascinated with the D-day landings and in particular was intrigued by the lack of precise information relating the mystery of the "missing guns" of Pointe du Hoc. His research led to the finding of a map which indicated the position of an "unknown" German gun position buried in the village of Maisy. After buying the land and some years of struggling with the French authorities, he was able to open the huge site to the public. The re-discovery of the Maisy Battery made headline news around the world and has subsequently changed the history of the Omaha Sector forever. The site is now one of the major Normandy D-day attractions. www.maisybattery.com

Table of Contents

Introduction vi

Chapter 1 September-7 December 1944: Setting the Scene 1

Chapter 2 10-15 December: The Plan of Attack 22

Chapter 3 16-19 December: The Americans in Bastogne 39

Chapter 4 19-20 December: Tank Battles in the Fog 94

Chapter 5 Closing in on Bastogne 112

Chapter 6 21 December: 'A Day of Bitter Fighting' 143

Chapter 7 22-23 December: 'Aw, Nuts!' 168

Chapter 8 24 December: Christmas Eve Attacks 214

Chapter 9 25 December: Christmas Day Crisis 224

Chapter 10 26-27 December: Breaking the Bastogne Encirclement 251

Chapter 11 German Commanders Assess the Reasons for Failure 266

Chapter 12 The US Bastogne Forces 283

Chapter 13 The German Commanders 289

Editorial Reviews

"...does an excellent job of showing how those German leaders had to continually adapt to changes on the ground as the Americans showed flexibility under pressure and foiled their opponents goals."

WWII History Magazine