Chapter One
Despite warning signs, Allied Intelligence failed to uncover the size or location of Hitler’s offensive. Neither General Dwight Eisenhower, SHAEF’s commander nor General Omar Bradley, Twelfth Army Group’s leader believed that the Germans possessed the amount of material or men to launch such an offensive. Here it is smiles all round as the two generals discuss their own projected offensive with General Louis Craig of the 9th Infantry Division. 111-SC-199344
Already exhausted by the fierce battles for ‘Bloody’ Aachen and the Hurtgen Forest, the crews of these M10‘Hellcat’ tank destroyers were expecting a respite as the weather across the Ardennes closed in. 111-SC-197366
Overstretched and undermanned. Four infantry divisions, two severely weakened by the fighting in the Hurtgen Forest, the remaining two in action for the first time, faced the entire weight of three Armies. These men occupy a shallow front line position while a Sherman tank covers the forest trail in the background. Positions like this will have been overrun all along First Army’s front during the first twenty-four hours of the attack. 111-SC-198177
With Christmas approaching a private of the 2nd Infantry Division rests on a box full of shells as he addresses Christmas cards emblazoned with the ‘Indian head’ insignia. Two weeks later the shells would be used to help defend the St Vith sector from 5th Panzer Army’s attack. 111-SC-197242
Mist and snow during the first few days of the offensive would prevent the Allies from using their overwhelming air power to smash the German armoured columns. These men fight the elements on Krinkelter Ridge a few days before the battle opened. 111-SC-197337
Infantry silently patrol the snow covered Krinkelter Woods in search of German positions on First Army’s front. Four days later the brunt of the German offensive would break through General Courtney Hodges’ thinly stretched front. 111-SC-197350
Forty-eight hours before the blow struck, General George S. Patton meets General Alexander McC Patch at Seventh Army’s headquarters. While Patton’s Third Army would have to rush to the aid of Hodges’ First Army around Bastogne, Seventh Army would face First Army’s subsidiary attack in northern Alsace, code named Operation NORDWIND. 111-SC-197450
Just hours before Hitler unleashed his armoured divisions, the 129th Ordnance Battalion was pictured bringing a captured Panzer VI King Tiger back to their headquarters. Little did the crew know that two Panzer Armies armed with monsters such as these were gathering opposite First Army’s front. 111-SC-197752
Men of the 2nd Infantry Division hug the sides of a shallow ditch as German shells rain down on their positions. First Army’s weak line had little chance of holding back a determined armoured thrust. 111-SC-197304
There are anxious faces as these GIs shelter in the cellar of a ruined house from the German bombardment. The attack was heralded by a short hurricane bombardment designed to shatter the front line troops and cut communications to the rear. By the time First Army headquarters knew it was under attack the infantry divisions spearheading Fifth and Sixth Panzer Armies’ attacks would have swept the roads clear for the armour. 111-SC-197920
In the north Dietrich’s Sixth Panzer Army had orders to drive to the Meuse and cross on both sides of Liege while infantry divisions covered the flank. This line of American prisoners marches into captivity as a King Tiger rolls forward. Taylor Library
Allied air superiority was a constant source of worry for the German commanders. If the bad weather broke the sky would be full of American fighters and bombers. These guards and prisoners search the skies for signs of aircraft. Taylor Library
In the centre Manteuffel’s Fifth Panzer Army encountered difficulties to begin with as American rearguards stalled the initial attack. The weight of numbers soon began to tell and once breakthroughs were made, large numbers of GIs found themselves cut off and low on ammunition. Taylor Library
Panzergrenadiers were the German equivalent of the American Armoured Infantry. Elite soldiers, mounted on halftracks, accompanied the Panzers as they carved their way through First Army’s lines. The men on the left are comparing differences between the American M3 halftrack and their own vehicles. Taylor Library
Huge stocks of ammunition, fuel and supplies had to be left behind in the retreat. German supplies were often lacking and this group of soldiers are searching for useful items. Taylor Library
The censor has erased the faces of these unfortunate GIs. The size and speed of the German attack had overrun the majority of VIII Corps’ front line positions by the end of the second day. A misunderstanding at 106th Infantry Division’s headquarters left two regiments in an exposed position on Schnee Eifel and by 19 December over 7,000 men of 422nd and 423rd Infantry Regiments had been captured. Taylor Library
A German soldier inspects an abandoned anti-aircraft gun carriage, left behind in the retreat. The line of Swastika markings underneath the gun barrels indicates that the crew had been successful in the past. Taylor Library
As the columns of Panzers broke free and raced ahead to their objectives, American troops were often cut off behind enemy lines. Many were evacuated to prisoner of war camps but occasionally SS troops massacred groups of captured GIs by the side of the road. Kampfgruppe Peiper acquired a degree of notoriety after killing over 100 prisoners on the outskirts of Malmedy. Taylor Library
The lucky ones escaped to fight another day. This group are hoping to meet reinforcements as they head back to new positions. Once news of the German atrocities spread, it forged a new will to fight in the American soldier. Taylor Library
The first armoured elements to reach the Ardennes stood no chance against the might of two Panzer Armies. 9th Armoured Division was split into its three Combat Commands and committed piecemeal to the east of St Vith and Bastogne. These M5 Grant tanks quickly fell prey to the larger German vehicles. Taylor Library
In many cases the poor road network and winter conditions delayed the German advance more than American action. There were few opportunities to outflank roadblocks, leaving no option but to batter a way through. This group are struggling to free a staff car which has become bogged down in deep mud. Taylor Library
The cold weather was everybody’s enemy. Although they were well armed, many German soldiers lacked winter clothing and sturdy footwear. These men are stripping the dead of their winter shoes. On this photograph a censor has scribbled through the place names on the road signs. Taylor Library
Despite overwhelming numbers the Germans did not have it all their own way and scattered groups of GIs fought on to block the German advance. Privates Fred Thompson and Edward Kast have set their .05 calibre machine gun up in a commanding position ready to catch German troops moving through the Bavigne valley. 111-SC-199256
Anti-tank guns, mines and bazooka teams all contributed to stalling the German armour while the American Armoured Divisions turned towards the Ardennes. These two soldiers are puzzling over the spectacular demise of this Panzer IV. Taylor Library