2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 3, 2016 12:44:36 GMT -5
A book I read several years ago but one I recently reread. It chronicals with lots of first person recollections the desperate and amazingly successful delaying actions of the thinly held front line in the Ardennes. Most of the emphasis is in the corridor leading to Bastogne. This section was held by the 28th Infantry Division and scattered elements of both the 10th and 9th Armored Divisions. The German plan called for Bastogne to be captured or at least bypassed by the second day of the offensive. Anything passed 4 days doomed the offensive to failure. The seven road junctions being vital to the speedy passage of the massed armored columns. We all know about the desperate defence of the 101st there but the suicidal defence by in many cases isolated platoons, companies and even squads of men was really what enabled the 101st to enjoy their hour of glory. Sadly the impression most of us have of "the bloody bucket division" is they folded into mass surrender or fled in panic. As this book indicates this is patently unfair.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 5, 2016 13:50:48 GMT -5
An example of the 28th sacrificial role in these major campaign is the 110th Regiment where just over 500 of the 3250 men made it back to the Bastogne perimeter. The rest were killed captured or wounded. Their orders were to hold at all cost and many of those who surrendered did so only when out of ammo or in a totally fruitless situation. The Losses they exacted on the Germans greatly exceeded expectations from either side. Given that the 101st needed every hour they were given to get to and set up defenses around Bastogne the 28ths tenacity was the difference.
The incidents of isolated small groups,lack of communication and occasions where attacks, reinforcements and intermingling of troops from any direction was so common makes the Battle of the Bulge a logical one for Airsoft. The close combat that often resulted from fog, night action and sheer confusion also lends itself to our medium.
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