On December 16, 1944, Germany suffered its first defeat at the Battle of the Bulge at the Western Front in Belgium. Hitler wanted to shatter the Western Front and the Allied alliance. Germany attacked the stations in the forested Ardennes, including Gibson’s 82nd Airborne Division. The German armies broke through the American front, advancing towards Meuse River. This was a desperate attack by Germany, conquering St. Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize, and Bastogne.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded armies to hold the front, defending crossroads, burning fuel, and interrogating possible Germans disguised as American soldiers. There were more than 100,000 casualties suffered. An American rifler, Seymour Toll, recounts the event: “Several dark and frigid hours later, "screeming meemies" (rocket mortar shells) began meter-by-meter "marching fire" across the valley and up toward us.” The US won the battle, due to Germany’s shortage of fuel. General George S. Patton’s decision to defend the town of Bastogne instead of Lorraine was the key move that the US played that allowed them to win the battle. |