Siege of Bastogne - Art of War: Defense

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Awesome. This is personal to me, my great uncle Art Shaffrick was a medic at the battle of the Bulge. Thank you.

I have thoughts ... The strategic situation prior to the "Bulge" is very similar to the situation that Napoleon in the days leading up to Waterloo. He was outnumbered, the Prussian commander had outmaneuvered Napoleon's number two, and Napoleon was physically sick. But imagine if Napoleon had won. According to some historians, Napoleon was still outnumbered by more than 1 million men in the continental armies. After his losses at Waterloo, Napoleon had virtually no opportunity for victory. The same was true for Germany. Even by taking Antwerp, Hitler would be only delaying the inevitable. Victory at "bulge" also did nothing to slow the Soviets.

I think the VT (proximity) fuse does not get enough credit in the telling of this story. This was absolutely devastating to the German units that were being hit with nearly perfect airbursts every time.

Fantastic video style. Absolutely well done. Speaking as a history nut, a Second World War history nut, you have put this information in to terms that most people can understand. You don’t have to be a “historian” to understand what’s going on. The graphics presentation is also on par. Well done sir… Well done indeed.

Such a great style of storytelling. Could Listen to you describing famous battles for hours

We owe so very much to the battered bastards of Bastogne. Thank you gentlemen. You are the embodiment of honor and bravery!

As mentioned, the Allied supply line came all the way from Cherbourg, while Antwerp(en) was already liberated. Not mentioned, in December 1944 the estuary of the Schelde river into the North Sea was still in German hands. Check out the battle of Walcheren, where Canadian, British and Polish troops fought hard for my (grand-)parents freedom.

Having had the honor of speaking to veterans of the WW2 European theater, I had a vet explain the Battle of the Bulge to me “ before the Malmedy massacre it was a job fighting the Germans , after it was a god damn crusade . “. He still after decades got a fire in his eyes .

I love the details that other channels miss regarding this battle.

Small note on the Market Garden part. It was not the 2nd SS Panzer division, it was the 2nd SS Panzer Corps consisting of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Division refitting at Arnhem. The 9th stayed and fought at Arnhem and the 10th went to Nijmegen to fight there and hold the bridge long enough against the 82nd Airborne division. Pretty small detail since both divisions were smaller than 1 fully equipped Panzer division. Your pronunciation of Dutch cities is perfectly fine by the way! Thank you for all the podcasts you've made. Greetings from The Netherlands.

11:10 Actually, Antwerp's port was captured intact. The reason it couldn't be used was that the Germans still held the Scheldt estuary and thus controlled the entrance to the port. After Market Garden failed, the First Canadian Army had to clear the Germans from the Scheldt in October.

An old story but the best telling I've heard yet

I remember reading where Steven E. Ambrose interviewed Dwight Eisenhower and asked him if he thought Operation market garden was a good idea. Eisenhower said he would do it all over again. If you look at a map you can understand what he was saying. If they could have crossed the Rhine and gotten to the Ruhr valley; Germany's industry would have been crippled. Add that it was a straight shot to Berlin from there, and I can understand what he was talking about. One of your questions you asked if the general should have taken Bastogne or bypassed it like he did: Hitler gave them strict orders to keep on moving if they encountered stiff resistance. He was just following orders. Hindsight is 20/20. This is very well done and your research is thorough. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. This is the first one I've seen and I enjoyed it very much.

Paton saw it coming. "Brad could get in a lot of trouble up there. I want three different plans ready in case he does."

This completely made my week!!!!! I honestly don’t know this story yet. I don’t know much about battles generally (except im named after one), so I cannot wait to listen to this. Plus my grandfather was on the beaches of Normandy and I really should know more.

Fantastic content. My grandfather fought in the 75th which I believe to be on the northern side of the bulge. Was awarded two bronze stars in the action. Unbelievable fortitude by so many.

This video was amazing! You did a fantastic job providing a thorough introduction that nicely set the stage for the seige. I'm glad you mentioned the Soviet contribution; love them or loathe them, the price they paid in casualties (27 million) was essential to hastening the conflict to its successful conclusion. The Russians justifiably refer to WWII as the Great Patriotic War. As someone who has experienced two military deployments, your astute explanation of the critical, and often overlooked, role of logistics in warfare had me grinning. Omar Bradley and Napolean both had incredible quotes that truly encapsulate the value of logistics: "amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics" and "an Army marches on its stomach." As far as Bastogne is concerned, being of paratrooper stock, General McAulife was one poised and cool character that truly had incredible ability to think clearly, seemingly impervious to the fog of war, if you will. In this way, he reminds me of Ulysses S. Grant. This video produced a full spectrum of emotions from joy and laughter -- courtesy of your logistics explanation and your repeated derisive pronunciation of Monty's name -- to envy. A true masterpiece brother! PS: the envy came from seeing your grandfather's incredible hairline! Lol

Bastogne was important because it was the crossroads. To control the town was crucial for victory.

Sir as a history nut myself i am most impressed with all the info u just gave on this event in the history of our world. To answer one of your question I believe the general in charge of bastogne did his best in the situation he was in. Just like general patton he keep as calm as he could for his men who looked to him for courage in a hard time. Because of his courage and those famous words of NUTS just says it all. Keep bring more I look forward to hearing more.