Battle of the Bulge: how did allied forces stop the Germans?

[swing_voter]

As I understand it, Hitler removed a large group of armor and infantry from the Eastern Front to attack American and British forces in the West. These troops had seen a lot of action and were well trained. Their equipment was top notch too, with Panther tanks, and Tigers.

So how did the allied forces keep from being pushed into the sea?

 

[Casper]

As I understand it, Hitler removed a large group of armor and infantry from the Eastern Front to attack American and British forces in the West. These troops had seen a lot of action and were well trained. Their equipment was top notch too, with Panther tanks, and Tigers.

So how did the allied forces keep from being pushed into the sea?

The allied forces regrouped and held, the Germans did not have the fuel supplies they needed, the plan was too ambitious even according to German High Command, and once the skies cleared the German forces were sitting ducks to the massive air superiority the Allies enjoyed.

 

[Mr Person]

"nuts"

 

[Luce]

As I understand it, Hitler removed a large group of armor and infantry from the Eastern Front to attack American and British forces in the West. These troops had seen a lot of action and were well trained. Their equipment was top notch too, with Panther tanks, and Tigers.

So how did the allied forces keep from being pushed into the sea?

The Germans failed to secured allied fuell, the bad weather passed, and the allied aircraft ate the Germans for breakfast.

 

[Jredbaron96]

As I understand it, Hitler removed a large group of armor and infantry from the Eastern Front to attack American and British forces in the West. These troops had seen a lot of action and were well trained. Their equipment was top notch too, with Panther tanks, and Tigers.

So how did the allied forces keep from being pushed into the sea?

It was doomed from the start. The German plan itself expected German forces to reach Antwerp by capturing US supplies of fuel. Hint, if your battle plan relies on being able to capture supplies from the enemy, and your ability to accomplish your objectives is based on that, it's not a good plan.

Second, most of the troops mobilized for Watch on the Rhine were not well trained or prepared; most of the SS Divisions had been shattered and only recently rebuilt. A lot of the other Wehrmacht forces were recent conscripts, including my Grandmother's uncle, who was killed at the end of December.

 

[zyzygy]

It was doomed from the start. The German plan itself expected German forces to reach Antwerp by capturing US supplies of fuel. Hint, if your battle plan relies on being able to capture supplies from the enemy, and your ability to accomplish your objectives is based on that, it's not a good plan.

Second, most of the troops mobilized for Watch on the Rhine were not well trained or prepared; most of the SS Divisions had been shattered and only recently rebuilt. A lot of the other Wehrmacht forces were recent conscripts, including my Grandmother's uncle, who was killed at the end of December.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the German soldiers suffering from illnesses not deemed severe enough to prevent them from fighting were placed in such a division. To keep them well enough to fight, they were fed on a specialised diet and were allowed their own latrines to avoid spreading their illnesses.

Stomach division - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

.

 

[NewfieMom]

"nuts"

Would you elaborate on that? I have no idea what you mean. I am getting the idea that most posters think that lack of German fuel (perhaps due to a bad plan to capture it from the Allies) and superior air power on the part of the Allies which showed itself once bad weather cleared, were the main, determining factors in the German defeat. The health and condition (being worn down by battle) of the German troops was an added factor in causing the Germans to lose this battle. I do not understand your comment, though.

 

[Mr Person]

It was the U.S. reply when the Germans demanded surrender

The story of the NUTS! reply

This story retraces the events of December 22nd, 1944 at Bastogne, Belgium, the day we received German surrender ultimatum and issued the subsequent

www.army.mil

 

[NewfieMom]

It was the U.S. reply when the Germans demanded surrender

The story of the NUTS! reply

This story retraces the events of December 22nd, 1944 at Bastogne, Belgium, the day we received German surrender ultimatum and issued the subsequent

www.army.mil

Thank you so much for that truly memorable story! I was once, eons ago, a history student (then teacher) but one learns very little military history studying a straight history curriculum. If it had not been for you, I might have parted this life without ever hearing that story. Charming. As I mentioned in another thread, my great-uncle took part in The Battle of the Bulge.

 

[apdst]

There were lots of factors, but the number one reason was the U.S. Army's ability to reorganize and make a stand.