80th Anniversary of Bastogne: Tanks, Jeeps, and History in Action!

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The Battle of Bastogne, a pivotal engagement in the larger Battle of the Bulge, took place during the winter of 1944-1945 in the Ardennes region of Belgium. This battle was a crucial part of Germany's last major offensive on the Western Front during World War II. It aimed to divide Allied forces and capture the critical port of Antwerp, thereby disrupting Allied supply lines and potentially forcing a negotiated peace. Bastogne’s strategic importance lay in its position as a hub for seven major roads, making it a vital target for both German and Allied forces.
The Prelude to the Battle
The German offensive, officially named “Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein” (“Operation Watch on the Rhine”), began on December 16, 1944. Spearheaded by elite panzer divisions, the operation initially achieved surprise due to poor weather conditions that grounded Allied air support and the underestimation of German capabilities by the Allies. Bastogne, a small Belgian town, became a focal point due to its strategic location. The Germans aimed to capture it quickly, while the Allies recognized its significance and rushed to defend it.
The Siege of Bastogne
By December 19, Bastogne was surrounded by German forces. The 101st Airborne Division, along with elements of other units, had been rushed to defend the town. These soldiers, under the command of Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, faced severe shortages of ammunition, food, and medical supplies. The freezing winter conditions further compounded their challenges.
Despite these hardships, the defenders held their ground. When the Germans demanded surrender on December 22, General McAuliffe famously replied with a single word: “Nuts!” This defiant response symbolized the resilience and determination of the Allied forces.
Relief and Victory
The siege was broken on December 26 when elements of General George S. Patton’s Third Army arrived, fighting through snow and fierce German resistance to reach Bastogne. This relief effort marked a turning point in the Battle of the Bulge. Although fighting continued into January, the German offensive was ultimately repelled, leading to heavy losses for their forces and solidifying the Allies' path to victory in Europe.
The Vehicles of the Battle
Both sides relied heavily on their vehicles during the battle. The terrain and harsh winter conditions made mobility and armored support crucial.
Allied Vehicles
Tanks: The M4 Sherman was the backbone of the Allied tank forces. It was versatile and reliable, though outmatched by heavier German tanks like the Tiger and Panther. Variants such as the M4A3E2 “Jumbo” offered additional armor.
The M18 Hellcat, a fast and agile tank destroyer, was also deployed.
The M36 Jackson, with its powerful 90mm gun, was effective against German armor.
Jeeps and Trucks: The Willys MB Jeep was indispensable for reconnaissance, troop transport, and supply runs. Larger vehicles like the GMC CCKW truck (known as the “Deuce-and-a-Half”) ensured the movement of supplies and reinforcements.
Other Vehicles: The M3 Half-track provided armored mobility for infantry, while the Bren Carrier, though British in origin, was occasionally seen in Allied operations.
German Vehicles
Tanks: The Panzer IV and Panther tanks formed the backbone of German armored forces. The formidable Tiger I and Tiger II (King Tiger) tanks were also deployed, with their thick armor and powerful guns making them fearsome adversaries.
The Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger were specialized tank destroyers used effectively against Allied armor.
Half-tracks and Trucks: The Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track served as a versatile transport and support vehicle. Opel Blitz trucks were widely used for logistics.
Other Vehicles: The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III), a self-propelled assault gun, was heavily utilized for both offensive and defensive operations.
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary
Now, 80 years later, the Battle of Bastogne remains a symbol of courage and resilience. This anniversary serves as a time for both remembrance and celebration. Veterans, historians, and enthusiasts gather to honor those who fought in the bitter cold of the Ardennes.
#ww2 #battle #anniversary #military #vehicles

[@peghead]

Heart-felt appreciation to all individuals and benefactors responsible for restoring these vehicles to running condition, it's so important to save them for posterity.

[@ardjan94]

So many vehicles 🚙

[@FordMustangry-wu7mh]

Being a U.S army vet, and having a passion for WWII history, I love watching all the american vehicles that were used in the war, only thing I chuckle about us the guys and girls dressed as american G.I.'s that can barely speak English, rolls reversed, I guess. Thank you for honoring the memory of both my grandfathers who served in army during WWII.

[@maxwrzesinski]

Impresionante.

[@flitsertheo]

0:40 Skoda's haven't changed much in 80 years ...

[@military-vehicles]

☺️

[@andymoore7337]

Luckily 80 years on no snow.👍

[@alerossi8564]

Wow also the german captured bren panzerfaust/panzershrek carrier

[@kearnsey64]

Somewhere, there is photographic evidence that 3rd Panzrgrenadiers did use British Bren carriers in action and were set up like this one. Someone did their research!

[@photoholic6369]

Super interesting video, unfortunately I missed this event. What kind of tank is this German camouflaged tank starting from min 10:00 ? Looks like a Panzer IIIa , but the turret is more like a late panzer iii ?

[@ducomaritiem7160]

I read on reddit it's like a converted British FV432 apc... an other person mentioned it's a pzkw III Ausf A which had only 5 road wheels...

[@flitsertheo]

@@ducomaritiem7160 Then I think it's the FV432. The idler wheel of a PZIII was spoked, not full.

[@VicariousReality7]

12:00 What is this?? It looks like a Panzer 2 masquerading as a Panzer 3

[@military-vehicles]

Yes Panzer III replica! ☺️

[@Jeromejeanbaptiste-l3n]

Nice you are in bastogne nice make america great again !!!

[@grenadierthomas6084]

Super! priwjet from USSR

[@erlendlundvall]

Are these vehicles privately owned? Also: Where does the guys in this video buy their clothes?? I want some 40s stuff..

[@military-vehicles]

Both, from private collections as well as museums. Sorry, I don’t know how they acquire their clothing. Maybe through military fairs?

[@Pursche09]

When was this ??? / What time ... I was there today ( saturday december 14. ) but didnt saw them 😮

[@merlinharley77]

I think it was friday because today (saturday) the weather was cloudy , snow and mud in the afternoon.

[@merlinharley77]

And this is not Bastogne but Manhay.40km from Bastogne (I live in Bastogne....so... 😂 )

[@Pursche09]

@merlinharley77 oh okay ...yea the weather was Not so good 😅 Thanks for the answer👍🏼

[@military-vehicles]

This was indeed in Manhay on Friday 13 december 2024 ☺️👍

[@Pursche09]

@@military-vehicles okay 😁👍🏼

[@KeyStone-p8h]

Manhay - No Bastogne

[@military-vehicles]

You’re right! 👍

[@H5N1X]

We want to see the king tiger

[@remus3960]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oavXqpdnl7N1aacsi=YhHLihXLThSc8Ggy

[@peghead]

@11:33; An early model Panzer III Ausf. A, very few were manufactured..

[@flitsertheo]

The road wheels aren't correct for any PZ III

[@peghead]

@@flitsertheo That fact and the number of return rollers prompted me to look up the model in my copy of "German Military Vehicles" by David Doyle. According to Doyle, it was the very first version (Ausf. A) with only 10 constructed and photographs of this version in combat is rare, this publication has three grainy pics, one of which is a snapshot of this vehicle during the invasion of Poland.

[@CoreMaster111]

This vehicle is poor quality replica of Panzer III. Nothing more.

[@peghead]

@@CoreMaster111 On page 29 of David Doyle's book; standard catalog of "GERMAN MILITARY VEHICLES", there are three, albeit, grainy photos of this vehicle. One of the captions reads ' The Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf. A could be distinguished by the five large road wheels on each side'; another caption reads 'With only 10 of the Ausf. A Panzerkampfwagen III constructed photographs of them in combat service are difficult to locate. A photographer snapped this one during the invasion of Poland.' The placement of the front return rollers are between the first and second road wheels in Doyle's book, regardless, an early Panzer III with five large road wheels existed in very few numbers, whether this tank at the Bastogne 80th Anniversary event is a bastardized facsimile or an authentic restoration is moot.

[@CoreMaster111]

@@peghead Vehicle shown in this video is not a real Panzer III. It's fake aka replica.

[@Rikodou100]

Un faux PZ 3 ^^

[@hansstrouf]

du n’importe quoi un full trak transporteur de troupe en 40? Il se trompe de guerre c'était au Vietnam