On June 6, 1944, Allied Forces conducted an amphibious assault of Normandy, France. The invasion, known as D-Day, served as a major turning point for Allied Forces during World War II. The ability for Allied forces to land on Normandy’s beaches in the summer of 1944 catapulted their advanced through France, moving them closer to Germany. With the German Army in disarray from the success of D-Day, Allied Command became complacent, believing it was only a matter of time before the Third Reich collapsed. In mid-December 1944, Germany would attack Allied Forces as they were stretched out over 100 miles of the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxemburg. The Germans called the offensive “Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein” or Watch on the Rhein. Media …show more content…
By December 21, the Germans had encircled the town. It took a historic effort by the 101st Airborne Division to hold off the German Panzer Corp. The Germans, believing their efforts in Bastogne were enough to cause an American surrender, sent a delegation to negotiate with American command. “But calling themselves the “Battered Bastards of Bastogne,” the 101st U.S. Airborne Division refused to surrender— Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe's answer to a German delegation was “Nuts”—and held down five German divisions.” (Chambers II, 2000). On December 23, the weather began to clear, and the Army Air Force began flying for the first time. Much needed supplies were air dropped to the men still waging battle in Bastogne. Despite the supplies reaching the 101st Airborne Division, the fighting was still intense and severe. On December 26, relief finally came in the form of GEN George Patton’s Third …show more content…
Germany was very familiar with the lay of land, having already fought there four years prior. It was safe for the Germans to assume that Allied Forces had become complacent. Six months prior, the Allies scored a major victory both morally and tactically by taking Normandy. American newspapers were predicting an end to the war was all but assured. A sudden and surprising large-scale attack, causing significant casualties could cause despair and morale issues amongst men, especially coupled with the already harsh winter weather. Timing greatly affected the outcome. If Germany was not slowed by fuel shortages and the inability to capture American fuel, their advance through Bastogne may not have been slowed enough for GEN Patton’s Third Army arrival to reinforce the Paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division and the Army Air Corp to provide air drops of necessary supplies. Germany’s ability to roll through Bastogne and capture Antwerp would have extended the war in Europe and continued to cause military and civilian casualties on both