[1 of 9]
KILL SHOT
So let's step back from Bastogne a bit here. Let's zoom out from the tactical to the operational.
KILL SHOT
So let's step back from Bastogne a bit here. Let's zoom out from the tactical to the operational.
[2 of 9]
On this day 76 years ago, this fella, Lawton Collins, the VII Corps Commander, meets with Matthew Ridgway in the XVIII Airborne headquarters in Werbomont, Belgium.
Together, Collins & Ridgway devise a plan to take advantage of momentum gained by Patton's 3rd Army.
On this day 76 years ago, this fella, Lawton Collins, the VII Corps Commander, meets with Matthew Ridgway in the XVIII Airborne headquarters in Werbomont, Belgium.
Together, Collins & Ridgway devise a plan to take advantage of momentum gained by Patton's 3rd Army.
[3 of 9]
The plan: a kill shot.
The VII Corps & XVIII Corps attack from the North while Patton's 3rd Army pushes north and cuts off the Germans from the South. Essentially, they'll meet in the middle of the bulge, leaving an isolated pocket of German tank forces on each side.
The plan: a kill shot.
The VII Corps & XVIII Corps attack from the North while Patton's 3rd Army pushes north and cuts off the Germans from the South. Essentially, they'll meet in the middle of the bulge, leaving an isolated pocket of German tank forces on each side.
[4 of 9]
The idea: by pinching off the bulge from top and bottom, the Allies will cut the leading-edge Panzer forces off.
Then we could start chopping away against overmatched German Divisions to the east.
The idea: by pinching off the bulge from top and bottom, the Allies will cut the leading-edge Panzer forces off.
Then we could start chopping away against overmatched German Divisions to the east.
[5 of 9]
Collins and Ridgway had Patton on board.
Their problem: this guy.
Collins and Ridgway had Patton on board.
Their problem: this guy.
[6 of 9]
Montgomery is now commanding all forces in the North [a situation about which both Patton and Ridgway, who held Monty accountable for Operation Market Garden's failures, were furious.]
Montgomery is now commanding all forces in the North [a situation about which both Patton and Ridgway, who held Monty accountable for Operation Market Garden's failures, were furious.]
[7 of 9]
Monty believed the SS had more fight. He wanted a cautious approach.
[Pic: Collins, Monty, Ridgway at VII Corps HQ, Belgium, December 1944; specific date unknown]
Monty believed the SS had more fight. He wanted a cautious approach.
[Pic: Collins, Monty, Ridgway at VII Corps HQ, Belgium, December 1944; specific date unknown]
[8 of 9]
Monty wants to slowly push directly against the nose (the center) of the bulge rather than pinch it off from the North and South.
Monty wants to slowly push directly against the nose (the center) of the bulge rather than pinch it off from the North and South.
[FINAL]
Patton [pictured here with Tony McAuliffe] felt Monty's strategic instincts were all wrong. To Patton, we had just absorbed the Germans strongest blow and didn't blink.
Now it was time to deliver a knockout.
Patton [pictured here with Tony McAuliffe] felt Monty's strategic instincts were all wrong. To Patton, we had just absorbed the Germans strongest blow and didn't blink.
Now it was time to deliver a knockout.
• • •
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