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Battle of the Bulge: U.S. Army 28th Infantry Division’s 110th Regimental Combat Team Upset the German TimetableWorld War II | 17 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post August 1944 was a disastrous month for the Third Reich. In the West, American, British and Canadian armies had driven the Wehrmacht out of France and back to the Siegfried Line. In the East, the situation was even worse. Army Group Center, defending eastern Poland, was smashed by the Soviet summer offensive, and now a torrent of vengeful Red Army soldiers were pouring westward to the borders of Germany itself. Subscribe Today
Radical action was needed if Adolf Hitler was going to have any chance to dramatically alter the course of the war. An early winter offensive in the East would be of little value. Not only would the climate and topography probably defeat such a thrust, but even if it succeeded, at most it would only result in the destruction of 25 or so Soviet divisions and limited territorial gains. In view of the size of the forces the Russians had at their disposal, such a success would have little effect on the overall situation in the East.
In Western Europe, however, things were not so bleak. An offensive launched through the wooded Ardennes region could provide the Führer with the decisive results he needed. In perhaps the Third Reich’s greatest triumph, it was there in 1940 that General Heinz Guderian had punched a hole through the French lines, crossed the Meuse River below Sedan and raced to the sea in just two weeks. The Ardennes thus had a certain emotional attraction. Furthermore, the American troops who now defended the region had yet to fight in a winter campaign and, if the attack could be organized quickly and launched early enough in the winter months, the weather could markedly reduce the effectiveness of Allied air cover.
All factors seemed to point to the Ardennes as the place for the Germans to launch their last great offensive. Having decided upon his course, Hitler began to strip away badly needed units from the Eastern Front and comb the Reich for additional manpower to bring his battered formations up to strength. He also hoarded precious fuel and armored vehicles. Aware that surprise was a critical component to success, the Germans carried out these preparations with the utmost secrecy.
Through stinginess and stealth, during the fall of ‘44, the Führer was able to assemble a strike force whose size and strength had not been seen by German soldiers for years. As a final gesture to convince the Allies that the Germans had no plan for an offensive, Hitler’s last gamble was dubbed Operation Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine).
The Führer’s plan called for two panzer armies, the Fifth and Sixth–consisting of seven armored, one parachute and eight Volksgrenadier divisions–to punch through three American infantry divisions, the 99th, 106th and 28th, which were spread along the Ardennes’ border with Germany.
After breaching the American line, the two panzer armies were to drive northwestward to the Belgian port of Antwerp and the sea, splitting the Allied line in two. Two other German armies, the Fifteenth and Seventh, would protect the northern and southern flanks of the principal German advance. Hitler hoped that such a blow would split the unity of the Allied alliance and cause it to crumble or, at the very least, so disrupt the Western Allies’ advance that he would be able to shift badly needed forces to the East to counter the Communist threat.
One of the principal units in the operation was General Heinrich von Lüttwitz’s XLVII Panzer Corps of General Hasso von Manteuffel’s Fifth Panzer Army. Lüttwitz’s panzer corps was to breach the American lines between the small towns of Marnach and Weiler, seize two main roads that ran east-west through those towns and cross the Clerf River on the offensive’s first day. After cracking the American line, Lüttwitz’s tanks were to pass through the crossroads city of Bastogne on the second day and seize the bridges over the Meuse just south of Namur and Dinant. In addition to the territorial objectives, Lüttwitz was instructed to support General Josef ‘Sepp’ Dietrich’s Sixth Panzer Army drive to Antwerp and the sea. The keys to the operation, in Hitler’s mind, were speed and audacity, just as they had been in 1940. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts, World War II
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17 Comments to “Battle of the Bulge: U.S. Army 28th Infantry Division’s 110th Regimental Combat Team Upset the German Timetable”
My father was killed in Munshausen Lux, around the 16th or 17th of December 1944 during the battle of the bulge. He was in Company C, 110th Infranty Regiment. His name was PFC Windell E. Callen. He was buried in the church cemetery in Munshausen the first time then reburied in Foy Belgum, then reburied in Stratford Okla. Is there anywhere I can find a Morning Report or After Action report to determine how he was killed. I was his only son. Thank you
By charles Callen on Mar 27, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Charles,
Company C of the 110th was deployed on the northeast corner of Munshausen in support of one of the 11oth’s cannon companies. They were overrun on the morning of the 16th by the 2nd Btln of the 2nd Panzer Div. Company C was able to protect the howitzers long enough such that their direct fire on the Germans cause many casualties. What was left of Company C displaced to the north moving along the Clerf river until they reached Clervaux and took up positions as the CPs security company. Most of Company C was lost during the defense of Clervaux. Rest easy in the sure knowledge that their sacrifice that morning allowed time for the 101st to take positions in Bastogne. Heroes in every sense of the word. Heartfelt condolences to you for the loss of your father.
Sincerely,
Tom Pinkston
McKinney,Texas
By Tom Pinkston on Apr 16, 2009 at 2:48 pm
my father’s best friend was a wonderful person who passed away18 years ago. His name was George Jackson and I know he was from Michigan before the war. He served with the 110th but I have forgotten what Company he was with. I remeber as a child hearing him talk to my dad about the trenchfoot, the tree bursts, and places like Schmidt and the Hurtgen Forest. He also related a story about hearing and seeing a german jet fighter for the first time while using a field latrine! I know he was wounded and received the purple heart. He was one of the toughest individuals I have ever known and a pefect representation of the “dogface” in europe. If you could provide me with any more information than what I have it would be greatly appreciated! I would like to know exactly what unit he served in and what battles he paticipated in. Thanks!
By john e. kregel on May 16, 2009 at 11:23 pm
My second cousin Private Victor J. Mangin was killed in Munshaven sometime between the 15th and 20th of December. He was a member of the 110th. He was buried in Munshaven cemetery and the army was informed by the the parish priest in Munshaven of six bodies buried there and they were moved to Foy Belgium and he is now buried in Henri-Chappelle cemetery in Belgium.
Sounds like the same action. Any further information is greatly appreciated.
By Mike Healy on Jun 28, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Looking thru the personnel records I have of Victor J. Mangin, I see the names of the six men buried together in the Munshausen cemetery. They are:
Norman T. Hahs
Richard J. Thorpe
Nicholas Binder
Wendell E. Callan
Chester Hudzinski
Victor J. Mangin
By Mike Healy on Jun 28, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thank you for this thorough story of the 110th. My father fought in the Bulge with the 28th Div, 110th Infantry, Company I. He’s gone now and hardly spoke of the war, but reading this made it possible for me to practically trace his footsteps. I have learned a lot. I’m writing a book about his WWII experiences and giving a copy to each of the grandchidren and great. I want them to know how he fought for our country. His name was Salvatore Ciaburri. Thank you,
Lisa
By Lisa Hogan on Jul 21, 2009 at 9:40 am
My father was part of the replacement troops that joined the 28th Infantry Division, 110th Infantry Regiment in Nov 1944 after their suffering major losses in the Hurtgen Forest. Like many others, my father rarely spoke of his experiences in Europe and passed away in 1993.
My mother recently showed us a folder she had that contained an application for VA benefits with the details on this capture during the Battle of the Bulge and pursuant POW experiences. Due to the Freedom of Information Act, I was also able to obtain from the VA Hospital where he was later treated, missing information that my mother did not have and I would encourage others to pursue all possible sources. Your VA Regional Office will also help provide any records they can obtain (took 3 months) as well as the National Personnel Center (due date is six months out from initial request so be patient). All offices I spoke with trying to determine all my resources were very patient and helpful.
There are also many, many useful websites to fill in missing pieces of information if you are willing to take the time to search. I have also read a Time Life book on the Battle of the Bulge that references the 28th many times and helps put into perspective, both the Allied and Nazi strategy or lack of, that influenced the outcome of the battle.
By Alice Flynn on Jul 22, 2009 at 1:53 am
Alice, thank you for your information. I will contact my local VA office to see if they have information on the hospital my father was in and out of for two years. It was the Halloran Hospital in Staten Island, NY. Little by little I’m putting all the pieces together and coming up with an amazing story.
By Lisa Hogan on Jul 22, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Lisa, contact the Halloran Hospital Records Office directly. They may have to pull his file out of archive and may take several weeks but I assume that he filled out an application for VA benefits and I would think a copy would be his file for the medical staff that treated him. You will also have to show proof that you have authorization to receive this information. I pulled a copy of the social security death certificate off ancestry.com for my Dad and copied my own birth certificate along with a form they sent me to sign.
By Alice Flynn on Aug 5, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I just finished a very good book on the 110th actions in the Bulge. It’s called “Alamo in the Ardennes”. Bastogne would not have been possible without the actions of the 110th and other units of the 28th division.
By Mike Healy on Aug 7, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Thanks Mike. I actually read that book two years ago and that’s what sparked my interest in the Battle. It was a fascinating book.
By Lisa Hogan on Aug 12, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Hello,
My stepfather’s Dad (I never met him) apparently fought with 28th in Battle of the Bulge. His gravestone says “Kansas, PFC, Co L, 110 Inf, 28 Div, World War II, PH” My Dad always said his unit was overrun and based on what I’ve read, since he must have been in Holzthum, that was about the worst place to be. I am trying to 1) confirm that i interpreted the above inscription correctly and 2) find as much supporting medical/military records as to the date of his injury (i think it must have been Dec 17th, as he laid under a Mark V tank all night according to the story my Dad told me and was injured the next day 3) find any info/stories, etc pertaining to him personally. His name was Raymond H. O’Neal, he would have been about 30 years old (was drafted) and he’s from Weir, Kansas. Not sure why he’d have been with the Pennsylvania outfit, but i think perhaps he’d only been with them for about a month, thus maybe a replacement to the 28th after Hurtgen Forest fighting. Any info or suggestions welcome, thanks. Todd Story, Fort Mill, SC 29708
By Todd Story on Aug 24, 2009 at 6:49 pm
To john kregel and those searching for information:
I have discovered the National Archives has a huge database and
can probably help you if you have some basic information on the person you are looking for. http://aad.archives.gov/aad/.
Out of curiostity, I looked and there are 101 George Jackson’s from Michigan in WWII. If he was captured and went to a POW camp, details would be at the bottom of his record, if known.
I have recently spoken with two veterans of the 110th and they both have said the best book that describes the experiences of the 110th in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest is “Follow Me and Die.” There are also a number of good references to the Hurtgen Forest battle on this Website, http://www.huertgenforest.be/
Also, many of the men in the 110th captured during the Battle of the Bulge wre initially sent to the POW camp Stalag 9B at Bad Orb. Several different accounts I have read have similar stories: the POWs were marched to Prum, and then possibly Gerolstein, before being loaded on boxcars to be shipped to POW camps. Prum was the closest German town with RR and was centrally located along the 30 mile stretch covered by the 110th. Very little food was provided the first week to 10 days and POWs were often held in the boxcars for 3-5 days at a time with only water and bathroom breaks and the occasional morsel of food. The Germans were not well prepared for the massive amount of POWs captured during this battle (over 23,000), thus the delay in getting them relocated to POW camps as it was a logistical nightmare as well as the dilemma of how do we feed them.
Details on Stalag 9B at Bad Orb can be found at http://www.lonesentry.com/badorb/. There is also a partial prisoner list on the website of names found at the camp when it was liberated in April 1945. Enlisted men typically remained at the camp from Dec until April but officers were quickly transferred to other locations. The list must have been made in early January as my father’s name was on the list and he was only there for approximately 10 days before being sent to another camp with the other officers.
Good luck.
By Alice Flynn on Sep 2, 2009 at 12:47 am
My husband’s father was in C Company of the 110th, his name was Thedore Brobston. He was married with 3 kids and from Iowa. My husband was born after the war. His dad would never talk about the war. We watch Ken Burn’s the war and saw what we think was a shot of this father with some fellow soliders celebrating a belated Christmas. My husband is trying to find out if there is anyone out there that may have been stationed with his dad or remembers his dad.
By A. Brobston on Nov 7, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Im searching for more informatiom on my grandfather lloyd askell dodd if anyone knows anything please contact me he was 110 28 december 1944 thank you Michael Myers oklahoma city oklahoma michaelmyersrocket@yahoo.com
By michael myers on Nov 11, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I am looking for anyone who may have infor on my father. His name was Rollins Fritts Sr. With Co A and Co H of the 109 Inf. He had a friend name Robert L Cain,
By Rollins Fritts Jr on Nov 18, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Does anyone have a roster of company C? jmhealy@rtccom.net
By Mike Healy on Nov 20, 2009 at 2:53 pm