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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE
From the Kerosene Cowboy’s SPORTS PAGE
By: Charles W. Boatright
The Sacrifices Made by Our Military– Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War where a total of 7,058 soldiers were killed on both sides. One of the turning points during World War II was The Battle of the Bulge started on Dec 16, 1944
The Last Ditch Effort by Hitler
The last ditch effort of the Germans to turn the war into their favor with an offensive battle that took place in the Ardennes forest across Belgium and Luxembourg. Hitler was hedging his bets on two advantages, one was a new Tiger Panzer (tank) to lead his offensive to divide the Allied forces in hopes of reaching the port of Antwerp for much needed supplies.
The second advantage that Hitler had going for him was the weather that was to bring low hanging foggy conditions, record cold temperatures, and snowfall that would continue until just after Christmas of 1944. These weather conditions ground all Allie air support that reigned supreme over the skies of Europe. As soon as the Allies could get their fighters, bombers, and cargo aircraft into the air the surge by Hitler would be neutralized.
What was thought to be Germany’s Waterloo
It was with air superiority that most Allies commanders were under the mindset that German resistance were weakening and crumbling where the Allie forces could mount a final push into Germany at the start of 1945. The Allied forces took December of 1944 to allow their frontline forces to take a break and rest and reorganize for the final push to defeat the Nazis.
Most of the front lines leading up to Christmas were made up of green replacement troops that had very limited battlefield experience. This was no match for the Germans that were equipped with the new Tiger Panzer that had very little difficulties forming a wedge between the Americans and British forces.
The Spread head of the German Forces, the Battle of the Bulge
This wedge became known as the Battle of the Bulge where an estimated ~19,000 U.S. ARMY service personnel were killed (KIA) during the Battle of the Bulge that lasted from December 16th, 1944 until January 25th, 1945.
There were many heroic units that responded to the German’s offensive, especially at Bastogne where they held off the Germans that outnumbered and out equipped them until December 26th, when Patton relieved the 101st.
Those Damn Engineers
There were also the unsung Combat Engineers that I have to admit I am partial to because where I served in 12-Bravo, Combat Engineers. The 51st, 111st, and 291st Combat Engineers totally spoiled the plans of one of Germany’s highly decorated Panzer Division commanders, Lt. Col. Pieper.
It was the Combat Engineers that held up the German Panzers by detonating bridges over both the Salm and Amblève rivers. It was such a setback that Lt. Col. Pieper remarked about the Combat Engineer with this quote, “Those Damn Engineers,”
We honor all Service Personnel Active or Veterans that have served one of the Greatest Country that Isaiah in 9:6 described as For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I wish for all this Christmas and Hanukkah season not only peace from strife, but peace of mind and soul for all.
Just a note about the Battle of Gettysburg that started on July 1st and ended on July 4rd, 1863 where 7,058 soldiers were KIA over a three- day period. What was a relief to President Lincoln was that Vicksburg surrendered on July 4th, 1863 after Grant mounted a siege to the city.
FOOTNOTE: Both President Ulysses S. Grant and President Dwight D. Eisenhower were unsung Presidents, that were both wartime generals, that dealt with segregation in the Democratic South. President Grant’s biggest issue was that he trusted too many people. If you get an opportunity during the holidays to see the miniseries entitled GRANT you need to take the time, I enjoyed the in-depth history on Grant.
My List of Books on Kindle under my name, Charles W. Boatright:
01-THE QATSPY® MELIORA Health & Fitness Program Turbocharged DIET w/ Age-Defying Results!