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Stephen Ambrose introduces us to his book by setting the scene on the morning after the Allies begin their assault on the European continent. We are introduced to Lt. Waverly Wray, the XO for Company D of the 505 th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Through the next few pages of the prologue Ambrose illustrates heroism within Lieutenant Wray demonstrating a certain strength that would carry the U. S.
and her allies through the War. In terrain unfamiliar to American soldiers Lt. Wray moves through thick hedgerows unbeknown to several enemy officers Wray suprise's them and kills eight Germany soldiers with a single shot to the head. Later in this section Ambrose asks the question how well General George C. Marshall and that relative handful of professional officers serving in the U. S.
Army in 1940 had done in creating and army of citizen soldiers... ? . From his utilization of Lt. Wray, Ambrose seems to indicate that the American men of this decade would rise to this task. After Allies established themselves on the beaches of the European Continent the difficult push through the French countryside began.
As the American Army advanced they became hindered by the unexpected nature of this terrain. From ancient times French farms had been separated by tall thick brush known as hedgerows. These Hedgerows proved difficult for an advancing infantry to move through. The difficult nature of movement was further enhanced by the excellent covered defenses the hedgerows provided to the Germans. The fighting in these terrain features had not been expected by the U. S.
Army, intelligence had overlooked these obstacles and soldiers as a result did not receive the proper training needed. Techniques to overcome these obstacles had to be learned as the infantry advanced. This inadequate preparation cost lives and time. Slowly, American ingenuity prevailed as tank crews and infantry members tested methods to defeat the encountered obstacles. Working together, the tank and infantry developed successful methods of breaching these features. One such improvement that would latter proves to essential to American success, was that of improved communications between armor, infantry and aircraft.
In truly united fashion the infantry supported tanks, aircraft supported infantry all in a combined efforts to push toward Germany. Once the push out of the hedgerows had succeeded, the Allies had the Germany Army on the defensive closing the distance toward Germany. The communications that developed from the hedgerow fighting worked at near perfection devastating enemy positions. Ambrose illustrated this teamwork in the example of Hill 317. Lieutenant Robert Weiss and the men of the 2 nd Battalion held a key position on Hill 317. As German forces surrounded these men for five days they successfully held with the help of air support and artillery.
From their vantage point on the hill 2 nd Battalion was able to observe enemy movements and call for supporting fire. As the days went by and ammunition supplies dwindled it seemed that the men of the 2 nd would be forced to surrender. Attempts to resupply the 2 nd failed, batteries were near dead eliminating their capability call support, at almost the last minute the 2 nd Battalion was relieved by elements of the 35 th Division. The efforts of those on Hill 317 halted the German thrust to the coast. The wounded German Army was forced to retreat or be annialhated. The retreating Army soon became a running mass of individuals.
The combined efforts of air and ground forces tormented the retreating Germans at an unstoppable pace. As one Corporal from the 2 nd Panzer Division recalled, the only thought many had was Out! Out! Out! . As thousands of Germany's most rugged were running for the protection of their border, many chose to exit the war by surrendering to the British or American Armies.
One such example was that of the American soldier unknowingly finding a spot to rest next to a German soldier who in the morning wakened the American so he could surrender himself to this GI. The push had been successful and the Germans were on the verge of defeat. The push toward Berlin brought the allies to Hurtgen Forest. The landings of D-Day had taken a large toll on combat units yet they marched forward. At certain point within the chapter Ambrose tells us that many units suffered in excesses of 100 percent casualty rates. The Hurtgen Forest is described as a thick, dark, and ominous location to make an effort to dislodge the enemy from its fortified defense.
American soldiers were unable to utilize their effective support that had been so beneficial through out hedgerows. Terrain and rendered tank support useless and the thick forest canopy prevented use of air support. Movement forward was slow and costly, German fortifications proved to be formidable. Soldiers went days without rest and dry clothing having a discouraging effect on the troops. Ambrose also hints at the inadequacies of the Army's senior leadership.
A key point mentioned, was the lack of true understanding by senior leaders of the combat situation facing their troops. Leadership tended not to visit the front lines failing to comprehend the difficulties of those at the front but the strengths of junior officers and NCOs carried the Army through. This ineffective command as Ambrose points out, lead to many lives being lost without real reason. The soldiers in the Hurtgen forest gain territory that impact positively on the efforts against the Germans. A successful push to the German boarder had promoted an atmosphere of contentment; soldiers turned their attentions toward home and were caught off guard as the Wehrmacht pushed forward. In its early moments only General Eisenhower understood the complete implications of this development.
Hitler had gambled that The Allies would be slow to act allowing a firm foothold from which to regain the upper hand. The Germans succeeded in breaking the American lines in the Ardennes. Caught off balance many American units fell quickly to the giant German force mounted to regain the momentum the Germans enjoyed in 1940. This new German force was unknown to American Intelligence and was equipped with the latest tools to roll off production lines. The ensuing confusion promoted many to retreat and later it became a mass exodus for individuals. Eisenhower, grasping the situation ordered the 82 nd and 101 st to reinforce the shoulders of the penetration.
As these soldiers were transported into position they came in contact with their fellow soldiers running for safety. The Germans inflicted a serious wound on the American lines but not on the American will to right a wrong. The Allies would seize this opportunity to cute off and chew em up. The Germans were about to receive a pounding. The retreating American soldiers came to a place where they would no longer be allowed to fall back. Even after a difficult march the tired and weary soldiers had a heart felt determination to hold at the village of Elsenborn.
Occupying a key position between Excel and Antwerp the Germans need this previously neglected point. The determination the American soldiers held at Elsenborn would signal to German leadership the underestimation placed on the American warrior. This courage is best illustrated in Ambrose's highlighting of the surrounding of Bastogne and the 101 st. Along with elements of the 10 th Armored, combat engineers, anti-aircraft units the 101 st was surrounded by a German Division. These soldiers held off the Germans time after time.
At one point the German Co would ask for the honorable surrender of those with in the encircled town. The reply to this request was a simple and defying Nuts. These units received further supplies and continued to hold off the Germans until the dramatic rescue by the forces of General Patton. The weather had prevented the Allied use of Air power yet as the weather improved and missions were flown, the German advance truly came to crippling halt. 1944 like every other year brought the otherwise joyous celebration of Christmas.
For both German and American this was a time set aside the horrors of combat for the peaceful thoughts of the season. During the Ardennes Campaign there was no agreed to cease fire, but soldiers enjoyed a sense of peace, if only within themselves. Ambrose writes of Christmas carols being sung on both sides of the line. Such small scenes were spread through out the ETO. Front line soldiers decorated foxholes, men in burnt-out buildings enjoyed feast of scavenged goods.
The very terrain in which they fought provided a setting fitting the occasion, the tall green trees, pure white snow and the stillness of nature. With all of this the war continued. Bombing runs continued, Ambushes conducted and foxholes dug and men died. This chapter highlighted the mental and emotional anguish war places on the individual.
Years of technological advancements altered the conduct of WWII enabling Armies to kill around the clock. The once secure darkness now added to the dangers of combat. Warming fires could not be lit; the slightest noise arose suspicion and tension...
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