[2 of 21]
In the northern shoulder, the VII Corps absorbed a major German push.
In the northern shoulder, the VII Corps absorbed a major German push.
[3 of 21]
In the north, our boys received the first airdrop of supplies in three days (bad weather cancelled every airdrop since December 21)
In the north, our boys received the first airdrop of supplies in three days (bad weather cancelled every airdrop since December 21)
[4 of 21]
At this point in the fighting, Joachim Peiper, commander of Kampfgruppe Peiper, principal element for the initial push, finds himself on the horns of a dilemma.
[Peiper is pictured here in May, 1946, on trial for war crimes]
At this point in the fighting, Joachim Peiper, commander of Kampfgruppe Peiper, principal element for the initial push, finds himself on the horns of a dilemma.
[Peiper is pictured here in May, 1946, on trial for war crimes]
[5 of 21]
Peiper created the "bulge," but is now held up by the American skirmishes.
Peiper created the "bulge," but is now held up by the American skirmishes.
[6 of 21]
More importantly, Peiper's tanks are just about out of gas.
[unbeknownst to Peiper, the First Army depot with more than 2 million gallons of gasoline was within spitting distance of Peiper's front line troops and barely guarded!!!]
More importantly, Peiper's tanks are just about out of gas.
[unbeknownst to Peiper, the First Army depot with more than 2 million gallons of gasoline was within spitting distance of Peiper's front line troops and barely guarded!!!]
[7 of 21]
Peiper keeps calling for help, but the American defenses are clogging up the roads and keeping the 1st SS Panzer Division from resupplying Peiper.
Peiper keeps calling for help, but the American defenses are clogging up the roads and keeping the 1st SS Panzer Division from resupplying Peiper.
[8 of 21]
Peiper wants to turn back and consolidate, however, Josef "Sepp" Dietrich, Peiper's superior and commander of 6th Panzer Army, would not allow it.
He wants Peiper to stay put and break through, to keep making progress.
Peiper wants to turn back and consolidate, however, Josef "Sepp" Dietrich, Peiper's superior and commander of 6th Panzer Army, would not allow it.
He wants Peiper to stay put and break through, to keep making progress.
[9 of 21]
This is a really bad decision by Sepp Dietrich.
Dietrich commits every available resource to break through to Peiper; he feels success or failure will rest with Peiper.
[All the Nazi leaders we're talking about end the war dead or with mugshots like this]
This is a really bad decision by Sepp Dietrich.
Dietrich commits every available resource to break through to Peiper; he feels success or failure will rest with Peiper.
[All the Nazi leaders we're talking about end the war dead or with mugshots like this]
[10 of 21]
The 1st SS Panzer Division, desperate to get to the front of the bulge to spring Peiper and his troops, bear down.
To motivate the men, the advancing German Army broadcast Christmas carols, such as "Stille Nacht,"for its men over loudspeakers.
The 1st SS Panzer Division, desperate to get to the front of the bulge to spring Peiper and his troops, bear down.
To motivate the men, the advancing German Army broadcast Christmas carols, such as "Stille Nacht,"for its men over loudspeakers.
[11 of 21]
We're basically at a stalemate.
The German forces could not get to their front line, and their momentum had ground to a halt. The American units stopped the German counteroffensive but could not push the Germans back.
We're basically at a stalemate.
The German forces could not get to their front line, and their momentum had ground to a halt. The American units stopped the German counteroffensive but could not push the Germans back.
[12 of 21]
The Volksgrenadiers [basically dismounted infantry divisions] and Panzergrenadiers [mechanized infantry divisions], were more resilient than Eisenhower anticipated.
The Volksgrenadiers [basically dismounted infantry divisions] and Panzergrenadiers [mechanized infantry divisions], were more resilient than Eisenhower anticipated.
[13 of 21]
To the extent that they could, leaders tried to allow their men to observe the holiday. Some held makeshift Christmas Eve Mass services such as the one pictured here. Chaplains gathered their troops in concealed areas or in buildings.
To the extent that they could, leaders tried to allow their men to observe the holiday. Some held makeshift Christmas Eve Mass services such as the one pictured here. Chaplains gathered their troops in concealed areas or in buildings.
[14 of 21]
One positive: mail call!
Most units received their first mail push of the Bulge.
Soldiers giddily opened boxes from wives and parents, finding candy, fruitcake, and letters. passed around to his grateful battle buddies.
One positive: mail call!
Most units received their first mail push of the Bulge.
Soldiers giddily opened boxes from wives and parents, finding candy, fruitcake, and letters. passed around to his grateful battle buddies.
[15 of 21]
Some received Oh Henry! chewable candies. One GI received a bottle of bourbon hidden inside a tin of candy corn. The bottle was
Some received Oh Henry! chewable candies. One GI received a bottle of bourbon hidden inside a tin of candy corn. The bottle was
[16 of 21]
We should mention that not all Soldiers were able to receive mail. Mail could not be pushed to Bastogne due to the fighting there.
We should mention that not all Soldiers were able to receive mail. Mail could not be pushed to Bastogne due to the fighting there.
[17 of 21]
Near the Salm, the 371st Field Artillery of the shattered 99th Division tried to salvage the holiday by firing their 105-mm howitzers in synch with a group of Belgian children singing Christmas carols.
Near the Salm, the 371st Field Artillery of the shattered 99th Division tried to salvage the holiday by firing their 105-mm howitzers in synch with a group of Belgian children singing Christmas carols.
[18 of 21]
In Luxembourg, American Soldiers collected their candy bars for a Christmas Eve party they held in a church for the local children.
In Luxembourg, American Soldiers collected their candy bars for a Christmas Eve party they held in a church for the local children.
[19 of 21]
Meanwhile, the fighting goes back-and-forth all day. No one making real progress.
Meanwhile, the fighting goes back-and-forth all day. No one making real progress.
[20 of 21]
Just before 11PM on Chrirstmas Eve, a runner passed a message from the 6th SS Panzer headquarters for Peiper: "'Fröhliche Weihnachten!' (Merry Christmas!).
Just before 11PM on Chrirstmas Eve, a runner passed a message from the 6th SS Panzer headquarters for Peiper: "'Fröhliche Weihnachten!' (Merry Christmas!).
[END]
Peiper knew immediately that this was a prearranged code directing him to destroy all his vehicles and radios and prepare to escape eastward.
He was not feeling the Christmas spirit.
Peiper knew immediately that this was a prearranged code directing him to destroy all his vehicles and radios and prepare to escape eastward.
He was not feeling the Christmas spirit.
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