What do you think?
Rate this book
The Battle of the Bulge
ON DECEMBER 16, 1944, in the heavily-forested region of the Ardennes in Belgium, the German army made one final attempt to turn the tide of the war. At 5:30 A.M., 8 German armored divisions and 13 infantry divisions launched an all-out attack on 5 divisions of the US First Army. If the Wehrmacht were to succeed in their plan to split the Allied armies and capture the strategically important port of Antwerp, it was crucial that they make rapid advances into Allied territory and capture key crossroads and bridges on the first day.
Nicknamed the "Battle of the Bulge," because of the "bulge"-shaped frontline created by the German advance, the fighting lasted for the next six weeks. It was the largest land battle in the western sector of the European theater: more than a million men fought through cold mid-winter weather, including some 600,000 Germans and 500,000 Americans.
With the aid of specially-commissioned maps, Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours describes the dramatic history of the beginning of the Ardennes offensive, with a blow-by-blow account of maneuvers as they occurred. The book begins with a brief overview of the Allied campaign from the Normandy landings onwards, before examining the German preparations for the offensive and the weak Allied defensive positions.
Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours then goes on to describe the main assault by the Sixth Panzer Army on the US V Corps and the ensuing battle with the American 7th Armored Division; the Fifth Panzer Army's more successful assault on the US VIII Corps; and the limited effect of the weaker German Seventh Army's push across the River Our in Luxembourg. The author goes on to describe the Allies' response, including the 101st Airborne Division's legendary defense of the crucial town of Bastogne, before summarizing the consequences of the battle.
With first-hand accounts from both sides, vivid photographs, detailed fact boxes, and maps of the main combat zones, Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours is a comprehensive examination of the first 24 hours of the campaign whose defeat ensured the ultimate success of the Allied armies in Western Europe.
David Jordan is a lecturer at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Wiltshire, England, where he teaches on Intermediate and Advanced Staff courses. He has held posts at the Universities of Birmingham, Worcester, and Keele, and the Open University. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham. He is the author of Wolfpack, Aircraft Carriers, The U.S. Navy Seals, and The Fall of Hitler's Third Reich. He currently lives in Wiltshire, England.
Nicknamed the "Battle of the Bulge," because of the "bulge"-shaped frontline created by the German advance, the fighting lasted for the next six weeks. It was the largest land battle in the western sector of the European theater: more than a million men fought through cold mid-winter weather, including some 600,000 Germans and 500,000 Americans.
With the aid of specially-commissioned maps, Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours describes the dramatic history of the beginning of the Ardennes offensive, with a blow-by-blow account of maneuvers as they occurred. The book begins with a brief overview of the Allied campaign from the Normandy landings onwards, before examining the German preparations for the offensive and the weak Allied defensive positions.
Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours then goes on to describe the main assault by the Sixth Panzer Army on the US V Corps and the ensuing battle with the American 7th Armored Division; the Fifth Panzer Army's more successful assault on the US VIII Corps; and the limited effect of the weaker German Seventh Army's push across the River Our in Luxembourg. The author goes on to describe the Allies' response, including the 101st Airborne Division's legendary defense of the crucial town of Bastogne, before summarizing the consequences of the battle.
With first-hand accounts from both sides, vivid photographs, detailed fact boxes, and maps of the main combat zones, Battle of the Bulge: The First 24 Hours is a comprehensive examination of the first 24 hours of the campaign whose defeat ensured the ultimate success of the Allied armies in Western Europe.
David Jordan is a lecturer at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Wiltshire, England, where he teaches on Intermediate and Advanced Staff courses. He has held posts at the Universities of Birmingham, Worcester, and Keele, and the Open University. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham. He is the author of Wolfpack, Aircraft Carriers, The U.S. Navy Seals, and The Fall of Hitler's Third Reich. He currently lives in Wiltshire, England.
- GenresWar
Unknown Binding
First published November 1, 2003
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 10, 2019
If I was to buy one book on the weeks leading up to the fall of Berlin post D-Day it would be this one.
I guess the German breakout in what became known as The Battle of the Bulge has always been a focal point to me and this book captured my imagination and brings everything into focus.
Battle of the Bulge: Germany's Last Offensive December 1944 - January 1945 (24 Hours) by David Jordan is almost a definitive book on this subject.
I really appreciated the illustrations especially the details and pictures of the armaments available to the opposing armies. The background information is fascinating and as the armies seemed to be taking up defensive positions suddenly the German war machine started rolling. The defending US Army units were stretched out and were preparing for a green light of their own at a different part of the front.
I loved Band of Brothers both as a TV series and reading the outstanding book. That was a journey. Here we have battle hardened German troops breaking through allied lines right across the front. That the average GI was going to do more than their bit in Europe and through training, improvisation and the ability to adapt hold their own.
The book does not glorify war;,elements of the battle seem through-backs to World War I and the acts of bravery and courage under fire are awe-inspiring.
I understand the tension of an expected assault; it musty of been terrifying to be looking across no-man’s land and imaging shapes forming in the smoke.
I felt I was with the troops. What was also brought home to me was the courage of the local people in villages that were overrun by the German advance. They did not bear arms; these were Ordinary folk in their homes and walking their country roads.
This is a book that is balanced and provides historical details to a struggle that was ultimately to defeat The Nazis. It is an insight to that greater conflict and perhaps through the heroism shown shortened the war and therefore saved lives. War is still being waged across our world and civilians suffer greatly.
As we remember those who serve and defend their country spare a thought to the displaced, refugees and victims of terror.
I guess the German breakout in what became known as The Battle of the Bulge has always been a focal point to me and this book captured my imagination and brings everything into focus.
Battle of the Bulge: Germany's Last Offensive December 1944 - January 1945 (24 Hours) by David Jordan is almost a definitive book on this subject.
I really appreciated the illustrations especially the details and pictures of the armaments available to the opposing armies. The background information is fascinating and as the armies seemed to be taking up defensive positions suddenly the German war machine started rolling. The defending US Army units were stretched out and were preparing for a green light of their own at a different part of the front.
I loved Band of Brothers both as a TV series and reading the outstanding book. That was a journey. Here we have battle hardened German troops breaking through allied lines right across the front. That the average GI was going to do more than their bit in Europe and through training, improvisation and the ability to adapt hold their own.
The book does not glorify war;,elements of the battle seem through-backs to World War I and the acts of bravery and courage under fire are awe-inspiring.
I understand the tension of an expected assault; it musty of been terrifying to be looking across no-man’s land and imaging shapes forming in the smoke.
I felt I was with the troops. What was also brought home to me was the courage of the local people in villages that were overrun by the German advance. They did not bear arms; these were Ordinary folk in their homes and walking their country roads.
This is a book that is balanced and provides historical details to a struggle that was ultimately to defeat The Nazis. It is an insight to that greater conflict and perhaps through the heroism shown shortened the war and therefore saved lives. War is still being waged across our world and civilians suffer greatly.
As we remember those who serve and defend their country spare a thought to the displaced, refugees and victims of terror.
December 5, 2015
Battle of the Bulge – The First 24 Hours is an account of the opening phases of the Wehrmacht counterattack in Belgium on December 16, 1944. Published in 2003, this book is illustrated with many superb period photographs and a few illustrative maps. Inevitably, a chunk of the book is devoted to the events leading up to the events of December 1944, as well as the aftermath of those events – necessary to place the main subject in the right context. The text is mainly operational details of the developing battle, with occasional breaks for technical details of the equipment and biographical details of some of the key personalities. Many of the photos have appeared before in many other publications, but all are reproduced well. The captions are mostly okay, but there are a couple of howlers. There are also quite a few errors in the text, although these all seem to be on technical details, a common problem – the historical detail is very good. An enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews