Скачать или смотреть Battle of the Bulge - Ardennes Counteroffensive

It was a mixture of Allied complacency and disbelief that allowed the Germans to concentrate 25 divisions (10 of them armored) along a 60 mile front on the borders of Belgium and Luxembourg. ⁣
⁣
By December 15th 1944 they totaled - 275,000 troops, 1,900 artillery pieces and 950 armored vehicles. Facing this formidable force was just 6 U.S. divisions - 83,000 men, 394 artillery pieces and 420 armored vehicles; a flimsy defense exposed and spread thin on the German border.

The Germans recognized the threat of Allied air superiority on the success of their counter offensive in the Ardennes, so they planned their entire operation to coincide with the worse winter weather. Heavy snow and poor visibility grounded Allied aircraft, providing cover for their massive build up, (Reconnaissance planes were grounded) and their advance through Allied lines beginning December 16th, 1944. ⁣

The Germans punched a 80km (50 mile) dent into the Allied lines, creating a salient known as the “Bulge”. They advanced as far as Celles Belgium, along the Meuse River before they were halted by heavy allied resistance. (especially air attacks) The weather also hindered their supply lines creating fuel shortages. ⁣

Men of the 1st SS Panzer Division, (Kampfgruppe Hansen) are shown smoking American cigarettes and holding captured weapons in front of abandoned American vehicles; signifying their overwhelming successful surprise counter offensive. ⁣

I edited this video from historical footage from the US war department film “The Enemy Strikes 1945”. The music is from Medal of Honor Frontline - Border Town.