Dec. 16th-Battle of the Bulge
 

BATTLE OF THE BULGE BEGINS:
December 16, 1944


With the Anglo-Americans closing in on Germany from the west and the Soviets approaching from the east, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler orders a massive attack against the western Allies by three German armies.

The German counterattack out of the densely wooded Ardennes region of Belgium took the Allies entirely by surprise, and the experienced German troops wrought havoc on the American line, creating a triangular "bulge" 60 miles deep and 50 miles wide along the Allied front. Conditions of fog and mist prevented the unleashing of Allied air superiority, and for several days Hitler's desperate gamble seemed to be paying off. However, unlike the French in 1940, the embattled Americans kept up a fierce resistance even after their lines of communication had been broken, buying time for a three-point counteroffensive led by British General Bernard Montgomery and Americans generals Omar Bradley and George Patton.

Fighting was particularly fierce at the town of Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne Division and part of the 10th Armored Division were encircled by German forces within the bulge. On December 22, the German commander besieging the town demanded that the Americans surrender or face annihilation. U.S. Major General Anthony McAuliffe prepared a typed reply that read simply:

To the German Commander:

Nuts!

From the American Commander

The Americans who delivered the message explained to the perplexed Germans that the one-word reply was translatable as "Go to hell!" Heavy fighting continued at Bastogne, but the 101st held on.

On December 23, the skies finally cleared over the battle areas, and the Allied air forces inflicted heavy damage on German tanks and transport, which were jammed solidly along the main roads. On December 26, Bastogne was relieved by elements of General Patton's 3rd Army. A major Allied counteroffensive began at the end of December, and by January 21 the Germans had been pushed back to their original line.

Germany's last major offensive of the war had cost them 120,000 men, 1,600 planes, and 700 tanks. The Allies suffered some 80,000 killed, wounded, or missing in action, with all but 5,000 of these casualties being American. It was the heaviest single battle toll in U.S. history

mwah:

gg Major winters and Lt. Speirs


In all seriousness,

I salute the soldiers hard work and perseverence to "pwn" the Krauts rock: beer:

There's a "BATTLE OF THE BULGE" taking place in my pants right now.

lol... but honestly, that was a hard fought battle, thanks boys!...

[quote="Mr.Buttocks":b0bf6]There's a "BATTLE OF THE BULGE" taking place in my pants right now.[/quote:b0bf6]

Not cool annoy:

December 16

1949 Swedish Carmaker Debuts

A Swedish company by the name of Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget produced its first motorcar. In 1965, the concern changed its name to Saab Aktiebolag, and a few years later simply to Saab. The first Saab automobiles were engineered with the precision of fighter planes--the company's other main product. Today Saab is known for producing safe, reliable, high-performing vehicles. In 1990, General Motors bought Saab's car operations, excluding its bus, truck, and military jet businesses. Ten years later, GM acquired the rest of Saab's automotive operations.

[quote="Mr.Buttocks":549c1]There's a "BATTLE OF THE BULGE" taking place in my pants right now.[/quote:549c1]

biggrin:

I salute the brave soldiers on both fronts who fought and died for thier countries, but especially for the courage of the americans in the 101st, i saw the breakthrough episdoe of BoB a couple weeks ago, which i hadnt seen before and i was moved, nowadays when its cold out i try to picture myself in the icy hell of bastonge

héhé this saturday i'm rising up to the Ardennes happy:
some reenactments and stuff, it will be worthed

...aahh it's easy to live in Belgium happy:

[quote=Swill]Not cool annoy:[/quote:47aee]


Stop!

Nuts!

[quote="Mr.Buttocks":83454]There's a "BATTLE OF THE BULGE" taking place in my pants right now.[/quote:83454] biggrin:

Isn't there a huge thing going on up there for the 60th anniversary? I heard that most of the Easy company guys that are still around are going and also Tom Hanks....You should check it out dude, they say it's the last time the guys will all go over there together before alot of them pass away.....

yeah, i think i will shake lotsa hands from veterans, and i'll hope i will see Tom Hanks happy:
i heard there will be some WW21 gear for sale

[quote="Mr.Buttocks":9cf57][quote=Swill]Not cool annoy:[/quote:9cf57]


Stop![/quote:9cf57]

Hammer Time