Bastogne Siege

The words

1. Abrams

   Lieutenant Colonel Creighton Abrams commanded the 37th Tank Battalion. He proposed the dash through Assenois that helped open the route into Bastogne.

   U.S. Army: Cobra King and relief (opens a new tab)

2. Air Drop

   When the weather cleared on December 23, 1944, supply flights could reach Bastogne. Transport aircraft dropped parachute loads into the surrounded position.

   Army history: Bastogne’s air supply (opens a new tab)

3. Bastogne

   Bastogne’s roads opened routes westward through the Ardennes. Holding the town denied German forces a valuable junction during their offensive.

   Ch. XIX, p. 444, opening objective and road complex · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

4. Christmas

   German tanks and infantry attacked on December 25, 1944. American defenders held key positions even as the siege continued.

   Ch. XIX, pp. 477–479, the Christmas Day attack · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

5. Cobra King

   The Sherman Cobra King led Charles Boggess’s column toward Bastogne on December 26, 1944. Its crew linked up with American defenders north of Assenois.

   Did you know?

   Cobra King’s name began with C because it belonged to Company C, following a tank-company naming practice.

   U.S. Army: Cobra King and relief (opens a new tab)

6. Command Post

   The 101st Airborne Division directed the defense from Heintz Barracks. Headquarters staff received the German surrender demand and prepared the American reply.

   U.S. Army: the Bastogne headquarters (opens a new tab)

7. Fourth Armored

   On December 26, 1944, the 4th Armored Division opened a narrow corridor. The route needed securing before supplies could move freely.

   Ch. XXI, pp. 553–555, contact and road clearance · Army history: the relief of Bastogne (opens a new tab)

8. Foxholes

   American soldiers guarded the approaches from foxholes. German envoys seeking surrender passed these positions before their message reached division headquarters.

   U.S. Army: the Bastogne headquarters (opens a new tab)

9. Garrison

   Bastogne’s defenders included paratroopers, tank crews, engineers and artillerymen. These different units shared the task of holding the perimeter.

   Ch. XIX, pp. 459–461 and 471–472, combined defense · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

10. Kinnard

    Lieutenant Colonel Harry Kinnard was the division’s operations officer. He suggested turning McAuliffe’s spontaneous “Nuts!” into the formal reply to the surrender demand.

    U.S. Army: the Bastogne headquarters (opens a new tab)

11. Noville

    Noville guarded the northern approach to Bastogne. Its defenders delayed German armor before withdrawing toward the town on December 20, 1944.

    Ch. XIX, pp. 451–455, Noville defense and withdrawal · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

12. Resupply

    Air supply used both parachutes and gliders. Gliders carried ammunition that was difficult to pack efficiently into containers for parachute delivery.

    Army history: Bastogne’s air supply (opens a new tab)

13. Shelling

    German guns struck Bastogne’s perimeter and the town itself. The defenders had to hold their positions under repeated artillery fire.

    Ch. XIX, pp. 464–465, attacks and shelling · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

14. Siege

    German troops cut Bastogne’s roads, isolating its defenders. Air supply helped sustain the perimeter until a ground corridor opened.

    Ch. XIX, pp. 460–461; ch. XXI, pp. 554–555 · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab) · Army history: the relief of Bastogne (opens a new tab)

15. Team Desobry

    Team Desobry combined tanks and infantry at Noville. Paratroopers reinforced the blocking force as German attacks threatened the northern approach.

    Ch. XIX, pp. 451–452, roadblock and reinforcement · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)