Battle of the Bulge 1944 (2): Bastogne (Campaign, 145)

The Battle of the Bulge is one of those subjects in military history that has been so over-covered that readers must be wary of new volumes on this subject, many of which only repackage what other writers did earlier. Fortunately, Steven Zaloga's second volume in the Osprey Campaign series is a well-written narrative that can stand on its own merits. This second volume focuses the southern half of the Ardennes front, including the fighting around Bastogne. Zaloga's writing style is in fine fettle in this volume and although much of the material is familiar, it is presented with incisive comment and penetrating analysis. Even if you have other "Bulge" books on your shelf already, this volume and its companion are well worth having. Zaloga's opening sections on the strategic situation, opposing plans, opposing leaders and opposing armies are a bit shorter than usual since much of this material was also covered in the first volume. The order of battle provided is a bit overly succinct since it lists only division-level units; certainly the German Volks artillery corps and the US engineer units at Bastogne should have been listed. The elements of Patton's 3rd Army that broke through to Bastogne as well as the 101st Airborne Division are omitted. Zaloga provides five 2-D maps (German objectives in the southern sector, 5th Panzer army vs. 28th Division, 7th Army vs. XII Corps, Patton's Relief of Bastogne, Eliminating the Bulge) and three 3-D maps (Bastogne Encircled, Battle for the road junctions, Blunting the Spearhead). The three color battle scenes by Peter Dennis and Howard Gerrard are: Christmas in Bastogne, Operation Bodenplatte and Spearhead to the Meuse. The author's description of the 5th Panzer Army's attack on the 28th Infantry Division is excellent, although I wish he had given some mention of what was left of the "Bloody Bucket" after this 2-day epic fight. As Zaloga describes it, the German Panzer Lehr Division had a brief opportunity to get into Bastogne on the third day of the offensive (December 18) but squandered the chance due to over-caution. Although Bastogne was the major intermediate objective for 5th Panzer Army, it is clear that the Germans never allocated sufficient forces to deal with this thorn in their side. Zaloga also briefly covers air operations over the Ardennes, although much of the focus is on Operation Bodenplatte, the surprise German air attack on New Years day. Zaloga also covers the futile attack of the German 7th Army on the southern flank (which is usually ignored in many accounts), the final German effort to push 2nd Panzer Division and Panzer Lehr toward the Meuse and the Allied counterattack. Zaloga also includes some of the controversies of the campaign, such as Field Marshal Montgomery's temporary command over US forces near the Meuse and his unwillingness to counterattack the over-extended Germans. Like most authors, Zaloga also believes that the Allied failure to cut off the German salient in a pincer operation was overly-cautious and allowed more Germans to escape to fight again. In sum, this volume provides an excellent operational summary of a hard-fought and close-run campaign.

In December 1944, Hitler elected to roll the dice in the West, scrapping together enough troops and tanks for one last offensive. His chosen point of attack: The Ardennes, the rough and forested ground in Belgium and northern Luxembourg. Facing the oncoming German offensive was the U.S. VIII Corps, holding a huge front with two battered veteran divisions and one very rookie division. The story of the battle that followed has become an epic of the Second World War."Battle of the Bulge 1944" is a two part Osprey Campaign Series entry; this review on Part Two, which covers the battle on the Southern edge of the Bulge, particularly the battle for the key crossroads town of Bastogne. The author is the experienced historian Steve Zaloga; illustrations are by Peter Dennis and Howard Gerrard. The narrative recaps some of the basics of the first book, but the focus is primarily on the offensives by the German Fifth and Seventh Armies and the American response. On the U.S. side, credit is given to the heroic fight of the outnumbered and outgunned 110 Infantry Regiment, which imposed just enough of a delay on the Germans to allow the 101st Airborne Division to reinforce Bastogne. The 101st famously held out in an encircled Bastogne, accompanied by a Combat Command of the 9th Armor Division and a variety of Corps artillery units. Other units played key roles as well, especially Patton's Third Army, which pivoted its direction of movement and attacked north in a most timely fashion. Despite the concise narrative, due diligence is provided on the mounting problems of the attacking Germans and the realization by their tactical leadership that opportunity was slipping away...The text included the expected comparison of opposing commanders, their armies, and their plans. The text is nicely supported by a good selection of period photographs, maps, battle diagrams, and illustrations. The narrative does a nice job of sorting out a confusing fight for the general reader in less than one hundred pages, while maintaining some of the natural suspense of the story. This book should be read in conjunction with the first volume for the best reading experience. Recommended.

Excellent historic account of the siege of Bastogne. As usual, as with any books written and authored by Steven J. Zaloga, you can count on excellence. There are detailed maps, disposition of forces, photographic material and graphics that help to explain the events contained in this book. The text in itself is never boring but highly informative. Of course, if someone would like to go deeper into the subject at hand, there are other Books available, who may give a more thorough examination of the Battle. But for those who would like to have an immediate approach to it, this is the one to buy.

This book tells all from one of the most important battle of World War 2.

ONE OF OSPREY PUBLISHINGS BEST. IT BREAKS DOWN THE ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BULGE IN A CLEAR AND CONCISE WAY. EVEN AN HISTORICAL NOVICE WOULD FIND THIS BOOK VERY INFORMATIVE.

Bought this book for my son's birthday. He is a military history buff and said it was very good. We have several "Opsrey" books and most are excellent!

Great item and service! A+++++++++

More of a beginners look at world war 2 in general and the Battle of the Bulge. Does do a good job of explaining troop movements and a very basic overview of the battle...very short.-not bob levy

Excellent small publication on a high interest subject. Dealing with the later stage of the Battle from both the Allied and Axis forces points of view with detailed graphic explanations of the events that finally lead to the failure on behalf of German offensive at Bastogne. Many references to actual events, and the actions of individuals and military units during the battle.

Another excellent Osprey book and a much needed companion volume 1. Informative with excellent maps and photographs and very reasonably priced, A nice addition to my WWII Kindle library.

Enjoyed this book fantastic

l'information est à la hauteur des livres Osprey normale. Arrivé à l'heure, bien emballé. Illustrations et cartes montrent l'information brièvement et avec précision.

Quick delivery, great book with detailed information! A must for everyone with an interest in that topic or that era.