December 24th, 1944, marked one of the most memorable Christmas Eves in history. On this day, Allied forces were entrenched in the Belgian town of Bastogne, surrounded by German troops during a period known as the Battle of the Bulge. This battle was one of the largest and bloodiest engagements during World War II, and Christmas Eve in Bastogne would prove to be no exception.
1. A Christmas Eve Without Truce
By Christmas Eve, the German march had stalled mere miles from the Meuse River. Both British and US forces were protecting Dinant, Givet, Namur, and other bridges in that area. Their supplies were running thin due to outrunning their supply lines – a shortage of fuel and ammunition was becoming increasingly pressing. Until this point, the German casualties had comparatively been minor, and armor losses were minimal aside from Peiper’s unit. But on the evening of December 24th, General Hasso von Manteuffel implored Hitler’s Military Adjutant to end all offensive operations as well as a retreat back to The Westwall (literally ‘Western Rampart’). Unfortunately, despite his plea for caution in battle, Hitler refused it. This opportunity for decisive action was squandered due to disagreement and confusion among Allied command.
On Christmas Eve, the 26th VG was reinforced with a Panzergrenadier regiment from the 15th Panzergrenadier Division in preparation for an onslaught on Bastogne. In response to the American’s refusal to surrender, Luftwaffe bombers struck at 7:00 PM that same day; 21 people were killed at one of the aid stations during this bombing raid. The XLVII Panzer Corps had insufficient troops and those available from 26VG were near burnout – thus they opted to attack specific points around Bastogne successively rather than attempting a unified assault across all sides simultaneously. The battalion of infantry carried on the backs of 18 tanks charged through the 327th’s 3rd Battalion, breaching their defense lines until they reached as far as the command post in Hemroulle.
Despite being surrounded, the 327th held their ground tenaciously and repelled wave after wave of infantry attacks, eventually taking 92 German soldiers as prisoners. The enemy panzers that had broken through into Champs were then divided with one column attempting to encircle them from behind – only for two 1st Battalion 502nd PIR companies under Lt. Col. Patrick F. Cassidy and four tank destroyers from the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion to utterly decimate them.
Bastogne’s Allied dominance posed a crucial hindrance to the German armed offensive, and news of their brave resistance against the siege spread across other regions on the Western Front, infusing morale among fellow Allied forces.
On Christmas Eve, the 2nd Armored Division launched an attack geared towards cutting off and halting the advance of the 2nd Panzer Division near Meuse while keeping the 9th Panzer Division at Marche busy with support from units in the 4th Cavalry. The plan was successful as some parts of the 2nd Panzer were cut off, but other forces managed to relieve them partially. Over the next two days, this perimeter was strengthened for further security against enemy advances.
2. Christmas Eve Traditions in the US Army
In the US Army, Christmas Eve is a special time of year. Many soldiers and their families have traditions that they follow on this day in order to make it even more special. Here are some of the most popular Christmas Eve traditions in the US Army:
• Dinner Before Midnight Mass: Many soldiers and their families go out for dinner before attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve. This is a great way to spend quality time with each other before celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Wreath Placement at Gravesites: Some soldiers visit gravesites to place wreaths on them as a tribute to fallen comrades. This is an especially touching tradition that often brings tears to those who participate in it.
• Gifting of Care Packages: Soldiers in the US Army often give their fellow soldiers care packages as a way of showing appreciation for their service and sacrifice. These gifts can range from food items to comfort items such as blankets and pillows.
• Decorating the Barracks/Dorms: Many soldiers will spend time decorating their barracks or dorms with lights and decorations in order to bring some holiday cheer into their living quarters. It’s also a great way to make sure that everyone feels like they are part of the celebration.
These are just a few of the many Christmas Eve traditions that US Army soldiers follow every year. They help provide an extra bit of festive spirit during this special time of the year and remind everyone of the importance of service and sacrifice.
No matter where they are stationed, US Army soldiers can be sure that Christmas Eve will always be celebrated with joy and love.
3. Christmas Eve in the German Army During WW2
As with the US army, Christmas Eve was a time of celebration for those stationed away from home. The Christmas Truce of 1914 was a legendary event. Soldiers would gather around campfires and toast to the holiday season with their friends. They sang traditional Christmas carols, shared stories, and exchanged traditional German Christmas gifts like nutcrackers and cuckoo clocks.
While these activities helped bring some joy to soldiers in an otherwise difficult time, it was also a reminder of what they were fighting for and the loved ones they had left behind. As the festive celebrations came to an end, many of these men wrote letters home expressing their love for family members, wishes for a safe return home and hopes of peace in the coming year.
Christmas Day was celebrated in much the same way as other days during war; however, there was a special emphasis on providing the soldiers with some respite from the harsh realities of war. Special rations were provided, as well as extra blankets, warm clothes, and sturdy boots to help protect them against the cold weather they would face in the coming months.
The German army also held religious services to commemorate Jesus’ birth and offer hope for peace in the distant future. These services were often conducted by chaplains who had volunteered their time away from home, giving up any chance at celebrating Christmas with family or friends.
Despite these efforts to bring joy and peace into an otherwise difficult situation, a sense of sadness came along with being so far away from home during such a special time. The men could not help but to remember those they had lost, and the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on them.
However, this Christmas season in the German army was also a time for reflection and hope. Despite all of the hardships and uncertainties, these brave men found comfort in each other’s company as they celebrated the special holiday and looked forward to an eventual end to their struggles. By uniting together for Christmas Eve during such a difficult period and taking time to reflect on what truly matters most, they were able to bring some joy into an otherwise dark situation. These soldiers would never forget that first Christmas Eve away from home, nor would they ever forget what it represented: hope for a better tomorrow.
4. The More You Know
4.1 M36 Tank Destroyer
The M36 Tank Destroyer was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. It was developed as a variant of the M10 Wolverine and featured a more powerful 90mm gun mounted in a fully traversing open-topped turret. The heavier armament gave the vehicle greater anti-tank capability against German armor than the M10 Wolverine. The M36 also had thicker armor than its predecessor, able to withstand a direct hit from most enemy tanks at normal combat ranges.
It saw action in the European Theater of Operations from late 1944 until the war’s end. While it proved to be effective against Axis armor, it often suffered from mechanical issues due to its higher weight and complexity compared to other Allied vehicles like the M4 Sherman. Additionally, its open-topped turret was vulnerable to infantry attack and artillery fire, resulting in numerous casualties amongst M36 crews.
Nevertheless, the M36 Tank Destroyer played an essential role in Allied operations, particularly on Christmas Eve during the Battle of the Bulge, which helped stop the German advance. It was highly respected by both Axis and Allied forces alike for its firepower and survivability. After the war, many M36s were sold or given away to other countries as part of military aid programs. The M36 also served in several Middle Eastern conflicts up until the 1990s.
Overall, the M36 Tank Destroyer has gone down in history as one of World War II’s most successful American tank destroyers. Its versatility and firepower earned it great respect from both sides of the conflict, and its legacy continues to this day.
4.2 Problems German Panzer Commanders Faced in 1944
In 1944, Panzer commanders in the German forces faced a variety of problems. The combat situation had become increasingly difficult as Allied air power took its toll on German tanks, making it difficult to move and maneuver quickly. In addition, the decreasing number of available tanks meant that replacement parts were scarce, which further hindered mobility and repairs. Another key challenge was the increasing amount of anti-tank weaponry developed by Allied forces, particularly in the form of specialized artillery guns and rockets with greater accuracy and range than earlier models.
Furthermore, supplies for tanks were becoming harder to come by due to Allied advances. This scarcity led to shortages in fuel and spare parts as well as inconsistent quality control of tank ammunition, all factors which contributed to a decrease in tank performance.
In addition to these logistical and technical issues, Panzer commanders also had to contend with the ever-changing landscape of war. As Allied forces gained ground in 1944, especially during Christmas Eve during the Battle of the Bulge, they were often able to target German tanks from entrenched positions or with superior numbers. This made it difficult for the Germans to even engage in battle and forced them into a defensive stance.
Finally, morale amongst troops was low as Germany’s chances of winning the war faded away, leaving Panzer commanders without much motivation or hope for success. Thus, it is clear that by 1944, Panzer commanders were facing numerous challenges and difficulties that ultimately contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.