Battle of the Bulge: Hitler's Last Western Assault - Documentary
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Get Surfshark VPN at surfshark.deal... - Enter promo code INTELREPORT for 83% off and 3 extra months for free!
The Battle of the Bulge was Germany's last major offensive of the Second World War in the west. With the Americans caught completely by surprise, can the allied war machine rush enough troops to the area to halt the advance?
Our "Group Captain" tier Patreons vote on our next video subject. If you'd like to have your say on my next video, please check out my Patreon at the link below:
/ theoperationsroom
Bibliography
Beevor, Antony. Ardennes, 1944: Hitler's Last Gamble. London, UK: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Books, 2016.
Caddick-Adams, Peter. Snow & Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2017.
Cole, Hugh M. The Ardennes: The Official History of the Battle of the Bulge. St. Petersburg, FL: Red and Black Publishers, 2011.
Delaforce, P. (2010). Red Crown and Dragon: 53rd Welsh Division in North-West Europe, 1944-1945. Amberly Publishing.
Eisenhower, John S. The Bitter Woods. New York, NY: Ace Publishing Corps, 1970.
Jordan, David. Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours. London, UK: Amber Books, 2019.
Merriam, Robert E. Dark December. Yardley, PA: Westholme, 2011.
O'Brien, P. P. (2022). How the War was Won: Air-Sea Power and Allied victory in World War II. Cambridge University Press.
Whiting, Charles. Decision at St.-Vith: The Story of the U.S. 106th, The Division Hitler Smashed in the Battle of the Bulge. New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1969.
Zaloga, Steve, Howard Gerrard, and Peter Dennis. The Battle of the Bulge: St. Vith, the Northern Shoulder and Bastogne. Minnetonka, MN: History Channel Club, 2005.
Zaloga, Steve, Peter Dennis, and Howard Gerrard. Battle of the Bulge 1944. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2004.
Its really difficult to convey the type of terrain in the Ardennes in a video. The area is very, very old bedrock, about 2 mil years. In that time the rivers have eroded deep into the landscape, forming increddibly steep slopes around the many rivers, with high, hilly plataus in between.
I walked quite a lot in just this area on vacation. Driving there is a crime.
In winter, carrying full kit, you can't just 'walk up the hill'. Let alone drive a tank. You have to find one of the few, very steep roads to get from the river valleys up onto the plateaus. Those holding the high ground have an incredible advantage. And any fortified positions, of wich there where, and still are, a lot, réally command the area. The Belgians really went nuts building bunkers there before and after the 1st WW.
Behind my camping grounds, there is a piece of original road the Germans used in 1940. Its a gravel road. +/-3 m wide, with a 4 meter steep bank to the river, and a 30/40m steep, 60°, completely impassable hillside on the other. On this last little bid of history of about 2km there are 2 concrete machinegun bunkers, out of a bunker line of more than 300. Its a nightmare.
Being in the area, you really start to wonder how the Germans managed to push an armored force through it, at speed...twice.
Thanks for the background.
If the Belgians went nuts building bunkers and fortifications in such an incredibly defensible area, why did it fail to even slow down the Germans in either World War?
2 million years is not old, geologically. Do you mean 2 billion years?
@@GoldsmithsStats Slow response, YT didn't tell me.
No geologically it isn't.
And I might well have my numbers wrong.
This is what I have been told by someone I trust: This bedrock has consistently been right on the surface for 2 million years, making it one of the oldest places in Europe.
From this, I'm willing to beliefe this is an old area, and it looks the part.
@@Raptor747 Slow response, YT didn't tell me.
Because the Germans used combined arms warfare for the first time with 'modern' tanks, paratroopers, and had a plan that turned out to work?
You are ofcourse free to come to Belgian, take a roadtrip, and tell me all the bunkers by the road are...not there. I counted 24.
I dunno dude 😁
Jesus 7:29 Imagine you are trying to get your men reinforced and instead of your comrades you just hear the enemy say "we are here" and then comms go out. That mus have been horrific.
Straight out of a horror film.. Can't imagine the absolute dread the man must've felt
It sure as hell would've ruined my day.
My grandpa fought in the 84th infantry for the Americans in this battle. He had to wear a hearing aid the rest of his life afterwards because of a nearby explosion he barely survived. He was 19 at the time and passed in 1991 RIP. Thanks for the interesting upload!
My Grandpa was in the 28th and similar story, explosion nearby barely survived and hearing aid in later life. He was an old draftee at 34 in the Bulge and died in 2002
Sometimes I like to lay on the floor and pretend I'm a carrot.
No onions around these days :(
Distinct lack of onions
i uhh- think it's ok
@@Mmaly201 👍😃
Keep calm, and carrot on! I’m rooting for you. You may be old, but I don’t carrot all. Btw-do you know what one carrot said to the carrot next to him? You are my soil-mate.
BRUH, how do you see France’s mistake in 1940, AND MAKE THE SAME DECISION FROM THE SAME AREA?
“Commander, do you really think it’s a good idea to not reinforce the Ardennes against a possible offensive, just in case?”
Gets relieved.
Simple fact: I live in Eastern Belgium, right where the Battle of the Bulge took place. In our times of peace, I'm only a 20/30-minute drive away to the German border. In late 1944, someone should have thought that the German would try to defend their doorstep.
See my reply to clamum. The attacks in 1940 and 1944 were very different. Using the term 'Ardennes' for both makes them look more similar than they actually were.
Since Call of Duty: United Offensive was one of the first video games I ever played, and this battle is the opening campaign, I've always been fascinated by it. It's also a huge part of one of my favorite pieces of WWII media, Band of Brothers. Now, once again thanks to this channel, I know even more about it than I did before. Love these videos every single time, keep it coming.
Thank you for your video.
The atrocities by the Nazis were hardly equivalent to those of the Allies. Too many times the SS and Heer acted liked they were surrendering then murdered Allied troops. I have Belgium friends who told me of the horrible atrocities by the Nazis. Hardly equivalent!
He never said they were equivalent; he just said that the Allies committed war crimes as well
No side was free of war crimes. Especially the soviets ans nazis
Stalin and Hitler were basically the same person
For safe surrendering to happen both sides need to practice it. When in Normandy SS troops executed captured Canadians. After the Canadian Army found out surrendering SS troops were shot onsight. Paybacks are hell
@@Idahoguy10157 yea the last thing you wanna do is get in a war crime competition with the Canadians lol
Seems odd the Allies would think the Germans incapable of attacking through the Ardennes. Did they forget what had happened about 4.5 years earlier? Man if you look throughout history the times where someone underestimated their enemy and suffered for it are endless. Seems to be one of the worst mistakes you can make.
I mean they sort of were right considering that a large portion of the logistics planning was basically "pray to capture allies equipment"
Overestimating your enemy can be just as dangerous.
Never assume your opponent isn't a meth-addled megalomaniac, I guess.
The reasoning behind the laziness was sound and proved correct. The area was totally unsuitable for an offensive - but unlike the French the Americans didn't just fold, even though Bradley kinda shit the bed. Shout out to Monty for acting rapidly to seal the Meuse and holding the northern shoulder.
Exactly. Makes me want to do a Downfall meme
@@jonathanpfeffer3716 unless you’re George McClellan, I don’t agree
thanks for creating this video. really enjoy them
I like the fact that u made a vid to sum up all the other ones, very good as always !
Not going to lie, I put off watching this.
But this is a well balance assessment of Monty. His battlefield abilities, as well as his personality.
Hindsight suggests his narrow front chasing down of the Germans would have been more successful.
11:49 It's the 7th armored not the 9th armored division as you said. Anyway Great Job!
That was a good summary of the main action of the campaign. I was taken off guard at the end by the sudden acceleration into the spring of 1945, but it was good to understand how the outcome of the battle influenced subsequent events. Many thanks, as always, for your superior content.
Tf is this comments section 💀💀
I do enjoy your videos and work but I have to suggest your apparently off-handed remark suggesting equivalency between the SS and Allied/American units regarding atrocities in the Battle of the Bulge is well off the mark and does nothing for your credibility.
The US 11th Armored Division does seem to have blood on its hands in this engagement, to what degree is not agreed upon, but I think all would agree any amount is not good.
However, to make a general statement equating the behavior of the Allies to that of Germany during this time period is simply not acceptable or accurate.
1:14 --- what you came here for : )
it is a weird irony of history that the Allies would think the Ardennes impassable by armored forces and thus secure them only with weak second-line troops...twice!
I heard Stavelot and immediately I knew where this was. Malmedy, Blanchimont, and Eau Rouge are all close by.
The greatest racetrack on earth
Vroom vroom
The Bulge and Operation Bagration combined wiped out over 500,000 German troops, after these crushing defeats all they had left was 85,000 conscripts and civilians to defend Berlin.
Heheh m1 garand go PING
To my understanding and point of view,if the Germans did not launch this huge offence 'Battle of Bulge' towards west, the allies led by the Americans would've captured much larger grounds or area of Germany's territory then the Russians, further more then Berlin to the east.
Very much enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up as I always do
Comment for statistics
Germans would've made better gains if they limited their strategic scope to destroying allied armies through encirclement.
NordVPN, or yaknow.. Vivaldi browser.
An army in Europe: We cant be beaten
Russian winter and Ardennes forest: Now this looks like a job for me!!
you improved on your German pronunciation noticeably
I am a happy German now
Ptr.aliati aceasta ofensiva a fost o surpriza totala,tunurile si munitia au fost aduse cu caii,tancurile au fost aduse numai noaptea si s-au deplasat pe paie care ziua erau imprastiate,ptr.a ascunde zgomotul motoarelor avioanele germane zburau continuu deasupra lor,tancurile au fost ascunse in paduri,tunurile si munitia au fost ascunse in buncarele liniei siegfried ramase din WW1.
The loses are massive.....
These videos keep me sane
Um, so the Allies didn't think a major action could come through the Ardennes? WHAT? 😆
See my reply to clamum. The attack in 1940 was not the same as the attack in 1944, apart from that the Germans launched both.
Thanks!
In the end, it gained nothing but the loss of life and more severe PTSD...such a tragic loss all around 💔
That applies to the whole war. And a lot of other wars.
My uncle Armand was in this battle. He developed PTSD after. He never talked about the war to me.
Eisenhower should have put Patton in charge instead of Montgomery.
In charge of what?
Great episode. I wonder how many locals supported the Germans, plenty I bet.
An excellent video
I'm such a bastard, how am I paying for OnlyFans accounts when good people are making content like this?
Why the fuck would you ever pay for an OnlyFans? Porn is free and it’s better than anything some amateur cam girl would give you
Fantastic video!
knowing the atrocities' that took place. i'm glad you mentioned it. granted i would've liked you to highlight it cause of how wrong it is. but at least you mentioned it.
How exactly did the 99th Infantry division inflict 18x the casualties? I understand that the germans were understrength but did they just rush at them without any concealment? It is difficult to understand the tactical decisions made that end in such disaster.
Yea yea yea. We stil won.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
I bet the loss made him Fuh-reious
The Battle of the Bulge was strictly an American Battle.
The British had no part...
I'm not sure if you are tolling, being sarcastic, or ignorant of the battle?
@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 ,. Sounds like you're not sure of anything.
Especially history!
The Battle of the Bulge was strictly an American Battle.
The British had no part..
Any fool looking at the casualty figures would realize that fact.
@@unitedwestand5100
Do you consider that the USA had a part of the Battle of Britain?
@@thevillaaston7811 ,. Not that I agree with changing the topic from the Bulge to the Battle of Britain, but do you consider the Spitfire, or anything else Britain did, to achieve their defensive victory.
Or,
do you consider that Hitlers decision to change tactics from attacking fighter command to bombing cities, and Russia, to Britain's defensive victory?
Also,
Before I can answer America's full contribution, are we going to limit the timeline of the Battle of Britain, to the British timeline, or the German timeline? (There is a huge discrepancy in these timelines.)
@@unitedwestand5100
The Battle of Britain took place between 10th July 1940, and 31st October 1940.
Strictly speaking it was not the last assault in the west.
"we are here" is the most intimidating shit I've ever heard
*_Greets_* - I hope you string these together as a "Bulge" play list.
p.s. St Vith baby! ;-)
p.s. SigInt 1972-73
^5
💥
hi
It hurts to see Eisenhower making the same mistakes in December 1944 as the French made in May 1940
He didn't. See my reply to clamum.
@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 Ah thanks for the added context! Good to know
The use of animations from the other TOR videos in this one is effective, but it’s actually pretty difficult to decipher where the animations are in relation to the map. I think it’s an over reliance on those animations and not enough zoom in - zoom out that’s causing the problem
Bloody VPN spam
If you buy a Pixel 7a you get a free VPN. Simples. 😂
imagine not being first
couldn't be me
Thank you, Germany, for making the greatest of sacrifices to defend Europe. Heroes RIP
second
First!
Didn't we see this one already?
First
"...while American soldiers massacred enemy prisoners as well"... in retaliation. One is not like the other. Stop this moral equivalency where none exists.
Both were war crimes
"in retaliation" is an argument with no end. YOU just made it equivalent.
Understandable is not moral or ethical.
@@recoil53 Erm, no. The makers of the video made it equivalent by saying they did something and so did we. Our guys wouldn't have done what they did had not the SS done it first. I am not excusing it in either case. Both make the other less likely to surrender and I would have preferred that Germans felt comfortable surrendering.
Murder is okay if ours murder yours but not vice versa?
@@seanmccann8368 What?! Who said that?
Sorry, I usually love your commentary, but equating the "atrocities" on both sides is a bit over the top. After Malmedy and other blatant SS massacres, there were instances of Americans summarily executing SS, like the rabid dogs they were.
Both were war crimes
@The Intel Report Thank you for that confirmation.
@@timf2279 thank you for being an overly aggressive cunt on the internet 😁
@MrTexasDan war is ugly, an NO SIDE IS SQUEAKY CLEAN. You probably block out the knowledge that the US government imprisoned Japanese American citizens in concentration camps out west. But, hey we won the war in the end so it's okay right? Right? Right.
Fuck da SS
Battling my bulge everyday in the morning when I was 14
Must finish it before mom comes wake me.
Bruh
The Ukrainian command is trying to copy this offensive in Zaporizhzhia
AFU are fighting defensively by and large right now.
In my opinion, if one army flies the black flag and the other side responds in kind, the later should just be considered retribution. Butttt, I am an eye for an eye kind of guy.. 🤷♂
Well if your "retribution" are about killing pow, then you are commiting war crimes as well
Fortunately we don't speak German, we speak Arabic.
What???
@@jacklucas5908 I mean the Germans didn't invade my country but the Arabs are getting there.
I speak English. Unless you meant one of the middle eastern nations that were aligned with the allies.
child
@@stefanhansen3273 Im 31yo