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Posted by faran1 (U2570961) on Monday, 22nd May 2006
I have been wondering if the germans could the battle of the bulge.As we all know the germans had all the advantege during this battle untill Patton arrived with his forces.
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
Its unlikely.
The Germans were wildly optimistic about how much ground they could cover, they were short on fuel and ammunition, and were reliant on the weather conditions grounding allied aircraft which had total air supremacy.
Had they attacked on a narrower front they might have made better penetration, but this would have added to the congestion experienced whilst bridges were built.
The only way I can see them achieveing better results would have been to put more battle tested and elite units in the first waves, as many newer units did not press their objectives as firmly as might have been expected, leading to delays and failures to capture key strategic targets.
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And what about the 6th SS panzer army.
Well the germans were needed bridges to supply their forces.Also the germans had the advantage of surprise during this battle.
I think that new units could be more effective then older units.The germans first target was to block the advancing russians and the older units were probably tired from the war.but new units were fresh for fighting.They could also move more faster.
for the allies air supremcy didn't help them.the ardennes was heavy forested area.I bekive that massive american armor and infantry support them during that battle.
Don't you agree with me
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
The roads were still vital for the movement of trucks of supplies plus the heavy tanks, and these were vulnerable to air attacks.
In too many cases small rearguard actions by American troops tied up huge numbers of German's because they did not press their attacks, and sat and waited for reinforcements to overcome platoon and company sized defenders.
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Okey you certainley right about that the germans waited for reinforments.But don't forgert that the older units that fought in the ardennes were tired from the war.
If I'm not mistaken the german main targets were to take brussles and st.vith.
I think that the british forces could be an easy target for the germans and also the germans paratroopers did an amazing sabotage on the american line.but considerind that it could take the americans only several hours to repare the line the germans in this time could move more heave forces.also the king tiger was enter that front that could destroy the allies.
But I belive that the need of forces on the eastern front delayd the arrivle of the german reinforcement
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
Hitler, as usual, quarreled with his generals. Being the gambler he was, Hitler aimed for Brussels in the hopes of stalling the Western Allies. His generals, OTOH, thought their best chance was the more limited objective of cutting off the American troops in Aachen.
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okey but all I said was that the germans didn't use the correct time to make sucsses and is not hitler to blame.the german general von runtstet recived the command of the assult and he also planed the plan and hitler accept that.
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
What would count as a German "victory"? Surely the best they could hope for would be to make the war last a bit longer , as there was no way they were going to destroy the Allied forces in the West.
Meanwhile the biggest threat - the Soviet army - was able to advance with almost no opposition, as there were no German reserves left. In fact you could argue that the main effect of the battle was to help the Russians to take over Eastern Europe after the war.
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
I think that the advantage of surprise could esist the germans on winning that battle.because the germans started the attack very orginised and with alot of speed
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
I'm just throwing this out there as a possibilty but the Germans decided to adopt the approach they used in WW1 in that they would bypass strong points to maintain the speed of their advance.
The problem with this was that in WW2 communications and fire support were much more advanced.
Yes the Germans could bypass dug in defenders, but the defenders then got on the blower and whistled up cab ranks of JaBos and atillery support to disrupt the Germans.
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
You cetainly right about that.
But I think that the germans could use with more fresh units or using the waffen SS that the only force from the SS that fight the allies and soviets.
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
tjh further they went = the sooner the war would have 8een over
pity they didnt get to antwerp
st
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
"tjh further they went = the sooner the war would have 8een over"
I assume you mean the Germans would have lost sooner. Didn't Patton want to let them drive on further, thus creating a bigger salient which the allies could then close up destroying/capturing more men and materiel? An even bigger Falaise Pocket would ave dramatically shortened the war in the west.
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Agree with Stalteriisok,
This was very much a last hurrah for the German army and it's difficult to see what even the most optimistic of their leaders could have been hoping to achieve.
The Germans could stay in the fight as long as the petrol for their tanks lasted and cloud cover grounded the allied airforce. Once these had gone the attack ground to a halt and the plan was exposed as complete folly.
The attack stripped vital troops, fuel and supplies away from the East opening the door further for the Russians.
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
SW
think u r correct and it was patton - didnt he say let them go to antwerp ??
DD
imagine what all those fresh troops and equipment could have done if used in a defensive battle on either front
Link to this forum: could the grmans succcses in the battle of the arddens?
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