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New Year's Day, 1945: THE HANGOVER
The Battle of the Bulge continues....
New Year's Day, 1945: THE HANGOVER
The Battle of the Bulge continues....
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On the morning of January 1, 1945, Hitler launches Operation Bodenplatte (Baseplate), an aerial assault by more than 900 Luftwaffe [Looft-wah-fah] planes flying at treetop altitude against Allied planes parked on airfields.
[Luftwaffe = aerial branch of the Wehrmacht]
On the morning of January 1, 1945, Hitler launches Operation Bodenplatte (Baseplate), an aerial assault by more than 900 Luftwaffe [Looft-wah-fah] planes flying at treetop altitude against Allied planes parked on airfields.
[Luftwaffe = aerial branch of the Wehrmacht]
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Keep in mind that by this time, the Luftwaffe was neutralized by Allied air superiority and had lost a sizable chunk of its trained pilots to Allied air strikes.
The Germans had no control over the skies.
Keep in mind that by this time, the Luftwaffe was neutralized by Allied air superiority and had lost a sizable chunk of its trained pilots to Allied air strikes.
The Germans had no control over the skies.
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To survive much longer, the Wehrmacht command had to do something to level the playing field.
This was desperation time.
To survive much longer, the Wehrmacht command had to do something to level the playing field.
This was desperation time.
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So, the goal of Bodenplatte was to cripple Allied air power to allow for another German ground thrust into Bastogne to penetrate the bulge.
So, the goal of Bodenplatte was to cripple Allied air power to allow for another German ground thrust into Bastogne to penetrate the bulge.
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During Bodenplatte, many Luftwaffe pilots, having just returned from wild New Year's parties, flew in their full dress uniforms.
These pilots referred to the operation as "The Hangover Raid."
During Bodenplatte, many Luftwaffe pilots, having just returned from wild New Year's parties, flew in their full dress uniforms.
These pilots referred to the operation as "The Hangover Raid."
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Two notes:
1. Some Germans later said they were not partying and the "Hangover Raid" moniker was gallows humor.
2. We should note that there are also many accounts of Allied air crews partying on New Year's Eve as well.
Two notes:
1. Some Germans later said they were not partying and the "Hangover Raid" moniker was gallows humor.
2. We should note that there are also many accounts of Allied air crews partying on New Year's Eve as well.
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Nonetheless, at ~ 8:30 AM, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, a Royal Air Force squadron leader was having breakfast at his headquarters on a runway when he heard: "My God, the bastards are here!"
The surprise attack was on.
Nonetheless, at ~ 8:30 AM, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, a Royal Air Force squadron leader was having breakfast at his headquarters on a runway when he heard: "My God, the bastards are here!"
The surprise attack was on.
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Once again, Allied intelligence failed to detect the enemy's intention.
The Luftwaffe hit 17 Allied airfields, destroying 150 parked planes and damaging more than 100.
Once again, Allied intelligence failed to detect the enemy's intention.
The Luftwaffe hit 17 Allied airfields, destroying 150 parked planes and damaging more than 100.
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German pilots raked airfield after airfield.
However, alert Army Air Force P-51 Mustang pilots shot down more than 300 German aircraft. [By this point, the Luftwaffe could not absorb a blow of this magnitude]
German pilots raked airfield after airfield.
However, alert Army Air Force P-51 Mustang pilots shot down more than 300 German aircraft. [By this point, the Luftwaffe could not absorb a blow of this magnitude]
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By noon Bodenplatte was finished. The surviving Germans fled in ones and twos back toward Germany, leaving smoking airfields in their wake.
By noon Bodenplatte was finished. The surviving Germans fled in ones and twos back toward Germany, leaving smoking airfields in their wake.
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The Germans never achieved air superiority on New Year's Day and Bodenplatte was a failure.
The Germans never achieved air superiority on New Year's Day and Bodenplatte was a failure.
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Also, since the struck Allied planes were grounded, Allied aircrew casualties were minimal. Our anti-aircraft, meanwhile, killed more than 200 German pilots.
At this point in the war, the German command was unable to replace such a large number of pilots.
Also, since the struck Allied planes were grounded, Allied aircrew casualties were minimal. Our anti-aircraft, meanwhile, killed more than 200 German pilots.
At this point in the war, the German command was unable to replace such a large number of pilots.
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New Year's Day was the death ride of the Luftwaffe and its largest single-day loss.
New Year's Day was the death ride of the Luftwaffe and its largest single-day loss.
[END]
Bodenplatte effectively destroyed the Luftwaffe.
The end of the Reich was near.
Bodenplatte effectively destroyed the Luftwaffe.
The end of the Reich was near.
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