ARDENNES
December 17, 1944 to February 17, 1945
“The Battle of the Bulge”
At dawn, December 16, 1944, due to a battlefield intelligence failure, three German armies, over 500,000 men, suddenly appeared out of the blinding mists and heavy snows of the densely forested Ardennes.
This was Hitler's last desperate gamble to destroy the allied forces, and save the Third Reich. Six hundred thousand American soldiers fought in what was called the “Battle of the Bulge.” One of the most decisive battles fought in Europe during WW II. Some historians believe that it was the greatest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army.
In December 1944, the 508th PIR attached to the 82nd Airborne Division was in Sissonne, France preparing quarters (more beautification of the area) for a comfortable winter. Passes to Paris had started in late November and it looked like everyone would get to the city before Christmas.
The general feeling was that it would be some time before the 508th PIR was assigned another combat mission. That was not to be!
About 7:00 P.M. on December 17, 1944, about thirty-six hours after Hitler had launched his desperation attack, the XVIII Airborne Corps was alerted to join the battle.
Ironically, not many XVIII Airborne Corps senior officers were available to lead the corps into battle.
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The Corps Commander, General Ridgway, was in England at XVIII Airborne Corps rear headquarters.
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The CG, 101st Airborne Division, Major General Taylor, was in Washington trying to persuade the War Department to increase the strength of airborne divisions.
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The ADC 101st, Brigadier General Higgins, and five 101st senior commanders were in England conducting a critique of Market (airborne assault on Holland).
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