Dark December: The Full Account of the Battle of the Bulge [Illustrated Edition] by Robert E. Merriam

Author:Robert E. Merriam [Merriam, Robert E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2014-07-14T00:00:00+00:00

WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

The German moves were startling and sudden. Our forces reacted slowly, and only slowly did the news of the forceful German attacks trickle up the chain of command to Paris. Hitler, confident that Eisenhower was only a puppet in the hands of the “democratic demagogues,” Roosevelt and Churchill, was basing his high hopes for quickly reaching the Meuse River on the theory that before Eisenhower could abandon his planned offensives, lie would first have to assess the true German intentions, and then speak to his masters. While Eisenhower was making such duty consultation, Hitler further prognosticated, the Germans would roll through the hills and forests of the Ardennes, cross the Meuse River, and be well on their merry way toward Brussels and Antwerp.

But Hitler was wrong. General Bradley was closeted with Eisenhower when first word of the German attack came through, discussing the serious replacement problem facing his armies. Although claims have been made that Eisenhower instantly gauged the seriousness of the situation, the truth is that none of the Allied commanders, from Eisenhower down, realized the true extent of the German attack on that first day. Eisenhower did suggest to Bradley that he send an armored division to each side of the apparent attack area. So the 7th and 10th Armored Divisions, from Ninth and Third Armies respectively, were ordered to move during the night of December 16-17 into the Ardennes. Always aware of bombastic Patton, Eisenhower told Bradley that if “Blood and Guts” objected to losing a division, Bradley was to inform him that: “Ike said he is running this damned war.” But not until the 17th, when the German paratroopers were discovered, and the Skorzeny “Greifer” told all, did even Middleton, the corps commander, realize the extent of the German plan. Ample evidence of this is offered by Hodges’ insistence that Gerow’s V Corps continue its attack toward the Roer River dam on December 16.

“Fold with the attack,” Major General Kean, Hodges Chief of Staff, told Middleton early in the attack. Middleton wasn’t just sure what that meant, but did what he could to stop the penetrations. Both General Bradley and General Hodges agreed that the attitude of all forces should be strongly offensive, that the armies should check the enemy with local counterattacks, and then hit him from both sides with a co-ordinated attack on the flanks. This was in the first days of the attack, before its full force had been felt. General Patton went even further, and said, “Fine, we should open up, and let them get all the way to Paris. Then we’ll bite off the rear of their attack.” But more sober heads ruled at SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force).

By the morning of December 17, the local commanders were finally aware that the Germans were planning something quite out of the ordinary. It had already become painfully apparent that the Germans had an excellent opportunity to break out in the clear if American troops were not bolstered. Strangely enough, Supreme Headquarters had no reserve of its own.

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