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Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper: The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Bulge
In December 1944 an enormous German army group crashed through the thin American line in the Ardennes forest. Caught by surprise, the Allies were initially only able to throw two divisions of paratroopers to buttress the collapse—the 82nd Airborne, which was rushed to the area of St. Vith, and the 101st, which was trucked to Bastogne.
After their successful campaign in Holland, Colonel Reuben Tucker’s elite 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was resting and refitting in France when news came of the German breakthrough. Most dangerous to the Allies was the German spearhead of the 1st SS Panzer Division led by Jochen Peiper, which aimed to sever the Allied front. The 504th was committed to block the SS advance, and within 48 hours of their arrival Colonel Tucker’s paratroopers were attacking the SS-Panzergrenadiers of Peiper’s battlegroup, eventually forcing them to withdraw.
More ferocious fighting ensued as follow-up German units forced a U.S. retreat from St. Vith. In adverse weather conditions against the German 9th SS Panzer and 3rd Fallschirmjäger Divisions, the 504th lived up to it’s regimental motto--Strike and Hold. Although some rifle companies were whittled down to less than 50 paratroopers, the Americans doggedly fought on until victory was achieved.
Moving quotations of letters to the next-of-kin provide insight into the impact of their deaths both on the battlefield and homefront.
In this work Van Lunteren provides a fascinating, close-in view of the 504th P.I.R. during the Battle of the Bulge as well as its gallant sacrifice. Using never before published diaries, letters, battle reports and interviews with over 100 veterans, a comprehensive account is painted of a triumphant U.S. regiment in one of the fiercest fought campaigns in the history of the U.S. Army.
Table of Contents
FOREWORD BY FORMER 2ND LT. ROBERT E. BRAMSON, F/504
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
1 CAMP SISSONNE, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 15‒DECEMBER 15, 1944
2 A SERIOUS WERBOMONT AND RAHIER, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 16‒19, 1944
3 THE ROAD TO CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944
4 THE BATTLE OF CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944
5 THE CAPTURE OF CHENEUX AND MONCEAU, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20‒21, 1944
6 THE END OF KAMPFGRUPPE CHENEUX AND TROIS PONTS, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 22‒24, 1944
7 ENTRAPMENT AND BRA-SUR-LIENNE, EN FLORET, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 25‒26, 1944
8 BREAKING UP THE GERMAN BRA-SUR-LIENNE, BERGIFAZ, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 26‒31, 1944
9 STRIKING BELGIUM, JANUARY 1‒6, 1945
10 VICTORY AT A HIGH FARNIÈRES, MONT AND ROCHELINVAL, JANUARY 7, 1945
11 TWIN PETIT HALLEUX AND GRAND HALLEUX, BELGIUM, JANUARY 8‒11, 1945
12 REMOUCHAMPS, BELGIUM, JANUARY 12–24, 1945
13 ADVANCE BY HUNNANGE AND HERRESBACH, BELGIUM, JANUARY 25–29, 1945
14 DECIMATION AT HOLZHEIM, EIMERSCHEID AND MANDERFELD, BELGIUM, JANUARY 30‒31, 1945
15 THE BATTLE FOR THE MERTESROTT MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945
16 BREACHING THE SIEGFRIED MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945
17 FROM ONE FOREST TO HUERTGEN FOREST, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 3–21, 1945
UNITED STATES, JANUARY 1946–JANUARY 2015
APPENDIX DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS RECIPIENTS
APPENDIX PRISONERS OF WAR CAPTURED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
APPENDIX B COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX C COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, DECEMBER 18, 1944
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 5, 1945
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 26, 1945
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE 551ST PARACHUTE BATTALION, JANUARY 7, 1945
APPENDIX THE PRISONER OF WAR EXPERIENCE OF 2ND LIEUTENANT HARRY ROLLINS
NOTES
CONTRIBUTING VETERANS
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
After their successful campaign in Holland, Colonel Reuben Tucker’s elite 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was resting and refitting in France when news came of the German breakthrough. Most dangerous to the Allies was the German spearhead of the 1st SS Panzer Division led by Jochen Peiper, which aimed to sever the Allied front. The 504th was committed to block the SS advance, and within 48 hours of their arrival Colonel Tucker’s paratroopers were attacking the SS-Panzergrenadiers of Peiper’s battlegroup, eventually forcing them to withdraw.
More ferocious fighting ensued as follow-up German units forced a U.S. retreat from St. Vith. In adverse weather conditions against the German 9th SS Panzer and 3rd Fallschirmjäger Divisions, the 504th lived up to it’s regimental motto--Strike and Hold. Although some rifle companies were whittled down to less than 50 paratroopers, the Americans doggedly fought on until victory was achieved.
Moving quotations of letters to the next-of-kin provide insight into the impact of their deaths both on the battlefield and homefront.
In this work Van Lunteren provides a fascinating, close-in view of the 504th P.I.R. during the Battle of the Bulge as well as its gallant sacrifice. Using never before published diaries, letters, battle reports and interviews with over 100 veterans, a comprehensive account is painted of a triumphant U.S. regiment in one of the fiercest fought campaigns in the history of the U.S. Army.
Table of Contents
FOREWORD BY FORMER 2ND LT. ROBERT E. BRAMSON, F/504
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
1 CAMP SISSONNE, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 15‒DECEMBER 15, 1944
2 A SERIOUS WERBOMONT AND RAHIER, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 16‒19, 1944
3 THE ROAD TO CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944
4 THE BATTLE OF CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944
5 THE CAPTURE OF CHENEUX AND MONCEAU, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20‒21, 1944
6 THE END OF KAMPFGRUPPE CHENEUX AND TROIS PONTS, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 22‒24, 1944
7 ENTRAPMENT AND BRA-SUR-LIENNE, EN FLORET, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 25‒26, 1944
8 BREAKING UP THE GERMAN BRA-SUR-LIENNE, BERGIFAZ, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 26‒31, 1944
9 STRIKING BELGIUM, JANUARY 1‒6, 1945
10 VICTORY AT A HIGH FARNIÈRES, MONT AND ROCHELINVAL, JANUARY 7, 1945
11 TWIN PETIT HALLEUX AND GRAND HALLEUX, BELGIUM, JANUARY 8‒11, 1945
12 REMOUCHAMPS, BELGIUM, JANUARY 12–24, 1945
13 ADVANCE BY HUNNANGE AND HERRESBACH, BELGIUM, JANUARY 25–29, 1945
14 DECIMATION AT HOLZHEIM, EIMERSCHEID AND MANDERFELD, BELGIUM, JANUARY 30‒31, 1945
15 THE BATTLE FOR THE MERTESROTT MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945
16 BREACHING THE SIEGFRIED MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945
17 FROM ONE FOREST TO HUERTGEN FOREST, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 3–21, 1945
UNITED STATES, JANUARY 1946–JANUARY 2015
APPENDIX DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS RECIPIENTS
APPENDIX PRISONERS OF WAR CAPTURED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
APPENDIX B COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX C COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, DECEMBER 18, 1944
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 5, 1945
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 26, 1945
APPENDIX ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE 551ST PARACHUTE BATTALION, JANUARY 7, 1945
APPENDIX THE PRISONER OF WAR EXPERIENCE OF 2ND LIEUTENANT HARRY ROLLINS
NOTES
CONTRIBUTING VETERANS
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2015
141 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 18, 2025
As the title of the book already betrays this book is about the US para's fighting against the German SS 'elite' panzer forces in the Ardennes. This time it is not about Bastogne, but about several other battles that were decisive in stopping the German attack in the St. Vith area.
The author has interviewed many of the units' surviving veterans over the years, which gives the whole thing a really personal touch. So many recollections of moments of misery, fear, terror and bloodshed. Since the unit, nor the Allies, did expect that anything would be happening soon, the sudden German attack meant that the men were unprepared and often underequipped. Improvisation was the key, and this is what they did. One thing that could be something to get into first, is that the many recollections make following the overall story difficult at times.
Now I am not sure if it is present only in my edition of the book, but the maps are placed in the wrong chapters. The map of a chapter is placed in the next chapter. Annoying since the maps help the reader to better understand what is happening.
The way of writing by Frank really 'takes you there' and the use of after action reports and different points of view of the participants is a good way to show how battles on this scale developed.
Another great read but, like in the first title, the editing could have been tighter.
The author has interviewed many of the units' surviving veterans over the years, which gives the whole thing a really personal touch. So many recollections of moments of misery, fear, terror and bloodshed. Since the unit, nor the Allies, did expect that anything would be happening soon, the sudden German attack meant that the men were unprepared and often underequipped. Improvisation was the key, and this is what they did. One thing that could be something to get into first, is that the many recollections make following the overall story difficult at times.
Now I am not sure if it is present only in my edition of the book, but the maps are placed in the wrong chapters. The map of a chapter is placed in the next chapter. Annoying since the maps help the reader to better understand what is happening.
The way of writing by Frank really 'takes you there' and the use of after action reports and different points of view of the participants is a good way to show how battles on this scale developed.
Another great read but, like in the first title, the editing could have been tighter.
December 9, 2020
Boring
It took me a long time to read this book. Perhaps I was just burned out. I've read so many true accounts of WWII lately that I guess this was just overload. Also, I'm not familiar with military abbreviations and would get confused by them - PIR, GIR....? I'm not familiar with military equipment, so was often uncertain what was being referred to. Too technical for me.
It took me a long time to read this book. Perhaps I was just burned out. I've read so many true accounts of WWII lately that I guess this was just overload. Also, I'm not familiar with military abbreviations and would get confused by them - PIR, GIR....? I'm not familiar with military equipment, so was often uncertain what was being referred to. Too technical for me.
December 3, 2022
The book provides excellent detail on the individual actions throughout the campaign. The authors devotion to naming every individual trooper involved in the actions makes it a difficult read. It's difficult to strike a balance between these two things.
December 25, 2018
Gripping
This factual account of war and hellish conditions during the final days of the war in Europe validates use of the moniker “The Greatest Generation.”
This factual account of war and hellish conditions during the final days of the war in Europe validates use of the moniker “The Greatest Generation.”
February 26, 2019
Great on personal details, not very coherent when describing the battle. This is definitely at the company / platoon level.
July 20, 2020
Thank God for the paratroupers
It's easy to forget their sacrifices. This book reminds use of our debt to them. God bless America. I'll never forget them.
It's easy to forget their sacrifices. This book reminds use of our debt to them. God bless America. I'll never forget them.
June 20, 2021
A long list of facts with no narrative holding it together.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews