Advance and destroy: Patton as commander in the Bulge PDF
Preview Advance and destroy: Patton as commander in the Bulge
Advance and Destroy AmericAn WArriors Throughout the nation’s history, numerous men and women of all ranks and branches of the U.S. military have served their country with hon- or and distinction. During times of war and peace, there are individuals whose exemplary achievements embody the highest standards of the U.S. armed forces. The aim of the American Warriors series is to examine the unique historical contributions of these individuals, whose legacies serve as enduring examples for soldiers and citizens alike. The series will pro- mote a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the U.S. armed forces. Series editor: Roger Cirillo An AUSA Book ADvAnce AnD Destroy Patton as Commander in the Bulge J n r ohn elson ickArd T U P K he niversiTy ress of enTUcKy Also by John Nelson Rickard Patton at Bay: The Lorraine Campaign, September to December 1944 The Politics of Command: Lieutenant-General A.G.L. McNaughton and the Canadian Army, 1939–1943 Copyright © 2011 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508–4008 www.kentuckypress.com 15 14 13 12 11 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Rickard, John Nelson, 1969- Advance and destroy : Patton as commander in the Bulge / John Nelson Rickard. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8131-3455-0 (hbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8131-3456-7 (ebook) 1. Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945. 2. Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945− Military leadership. 3. World War, 1939-1945—Campaigns—Western Front. I. Title. II. Title: Patton as commander in the Bulge. D756.5.A7R55 2011 940.54'219348--dc23 2011023205 This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials. Manufactured in the United States of America. Member of the Association of American University Presses The only way you can win a war is to attack and keep on attacking, and after you have done that, keep attacking some more. —Patton Patton was your best. —Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt contents List of Illustrations ix Key to the Maps xiii Series Editor’s Foreword xv Acknowledgments xvii List of Abbreviations xix Studying Patton 1 Part I. the road to the Bulge 1. Origin of the Ardennes Counteroffensive 13 2. The Opposing Armies in December 1944 25 Part II. Panzers in the Ardennes 3. Onslaught 55 4. Enter Patton 73 5. The Verdun Conference 94 Part III. Descent on Bastogne 6. The Ninety-Degree Turn 113 7. Third Army Attacks, December 22–23 137 8. A Rendezvous with Eagles, December 24–26 166 Part Iv. the Incomplete victory 9. Patton’s Alternative Lines of Action 181 10. Path to Attrition, December 27–29 200 11. Slugging Match, December 30–31 226 viii Contents 12. Culmination, January 1–4 241 13. The Harlange Pocket, January 5–8 261 14. No Risk, No Reward, January 9–25 275 15. Assessment 303 Appendixes A. Eisenhower’s Order of Battle, December 16, 1944 325 B. German Order of Battle, December 16, 1944 335 C. German Reinforcements versus Third Army, December 22, 1944–January 18, 1945 346 D. Selected ULTRA Messages 347 E. Weather Conditions in Third Army’s Area, December 23, 1944–January 10, 1945 350 F. XIX TAC Daily Fighter and Fighter-Bomber Sorties, December 22, 1944–January 28, 1945 351 G. Third Army Reinforcements versus Casualties, December 22, 1944–January 28, 1945 352 H. Patton’s Staff 353 Notes 355 Selected Bibliography 427 Index of Military Units 447 General Index 472 Illustrations Photographs Following page 170 Bradley, Eisenhower, and Patton in the ruins of Bastogne Patton and Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe in Bastogne Bradley decorates Patton with the Distinguished Service Order, December 29, 1944 Major General Joseph Lawton Collins and Field Marshal Sir Bernard L. Montgomery Lieutenant General Courtney Hicks Hodges Major General John Millikin Patton and Major General Manton S. Eddy Major General Troy H. Middleton Major General Willard S. Paul Major General Paul W. Baade Major General Stafford Leroy “Red” Irwin Major General Hugh J. Gaffey Major General Otto P. Weyland Field Marshal Karl Rudolf Gerd von Rundstedt Field Marshal Walter Model General Erich Brandenberger General Hasso von Manteuffel General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz Figures 4.1. Third Army’s G-2 Section 79 7.1. Patton’s Tactics for the Advance 143 7.2. Third Army Arrayed for Battle, December 22, 1944 146
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