Veterans...Get the hell in here now!

smokinrav

Well-Known Member

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
Today in Military History:
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On December 16, 1944, the Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, Operation Autumn Mist, also known as the Ardennes Offensive and the Battle of the Bulge, an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. The Battle of the Bulge, so-called because the Germans created a “bulge” around the area of the Ardennes forest in pushing through the American defensive line, was the largest fought on the Western front.

The Germans threw 250,000 soldiers into the initial assault, 14 German infantry divisions guarded by five panzer divisions-against a mere 80,000 Americans. Their assault came in early morning at the weakest part of the Allied line, an 80-mile poorly protected stretch of hilly, woody forest (the Allies simply believed the Ardennes too difficult to traverse, and therefore an unlikely location for a German offensive). Between the vulnerability of the thin, isolated American units and the thick fog that prevented Allied air cover from discovering German movement, the Germans were able to push the Americans into retreat.

One particularly effective German trick was the use of English-speaking German commandos who infiltrated American lines and, using captured U.S. uniforms, trucks, and jeeps, impersonated U.S. military and sabotaged communications. The ploy caused widespread chaos and suspicion among the American troops as to the identity of fellow soldiers–even after the ruse was discovered. Even General Omar Bradley himself had to prove his identity three times–by answering questions about football and Betty Grable–before being allowed to pass a sentry point.

The battle raged for three weeks, resulting in a massive loss of American and civilian life.


Nazi atrocities abounded, including the murder of 72 American soldiers by SS soldiers in the Ardennes town of Malmedy.
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Historian Stephen Ambrose estimated that by war’s end, “Of the 600,000 GIs involved, almost 20,000 were killed, another 20,000 were captured, and 40,000 were wounded.” The United States also suffered its second-largest surrender of troops of the war: More than 7,500 members of the 106th Infantry Division capitulated at one time at Schnee Eifel. The devastating ferocity of the conflict also made desertion an issue for the American troops; General Eisenhower was forced to make an example of Private Eddie Slovik, the first American executed for desertion since the Civil War.

The war would not end until better weather enabled American aircraft to bomb and strafe German positions.


 

Singlemalt

Well-Known Member
I'd love to see the mounts of the 16 in guns, before and after. The torque of a full broadside had to be incredible. I read once that some guns on the opposite side had to be fired simultaneously to prevent the ship from rolling over after a broadside
 

Gavg

Active Member
Stop ya bitching American fanny farts
Big kiss from a UK vet who was thrown out of the army for smoking the shit we all grow here
 

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
I'd love to see the mounts of the 16 in guns, before and after. The torque of a full broadside had to be incredible. I read once that some guns on the opposite side had to be fired simultaneously to prevent the ship from rolling over after a broadside
FWIW, here's what I found.
 

smokinrav

Well-Known Member
I seem to remember that the airframe limited the speed. The engines had more to give, but that would have overheated it. It’s supposed to be a bit faster (at max safe airspeed) than its larger and more famous sibling.

damn spellcheck knew better and put it’s
SR-71 ftw
 
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