82nd Airborne - Holding The Line In The Battle Of The Bulge

[@tommytaylor4458]

Thank you for this video! Stokes Taylor was my Grandfather. After he held the AT position to allow his men evacuate , he made a run towards the bottom of road he got within a couple hundred yards and a lone German step in the road ,shot him.he fell , he got up half walking stumbling off the side.they made him comfortable.he could not be evacuated across the river.the found his remains after the war. I have been thier,you nailed the E Co line and gun positions for me! Don McGee of F Co told me they were along an old road just inside the tree line that border the main road,he said they shot the Germans up bad so E co could evactuate. Thank you so very much for what you Do!,,

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I hope it did your Grandfather’s memory and that of his buddies justice and will bring their story to a new audience. Im honestly so pleased you’ve seen it and to be able to connect through your Grandfather’s actions there that day is really very humbling for me.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@Eric-kn4yn the bridge at Stavelot

[@georgeallen4495]

The greatest generation to be sure.

[@sharkbites9977]

God bless him, airborne all the way!!

[@christopherjenkins2373]

Thank you for this! My father was there in the 82nd at the Battle of the Bulge. He dies when he was only 48 years old and I think this battle shortened his life. He would never talk about the war and me brother and I would get in trouble very quickly if we ever brought it up. Me dad was a Sargent and platoon leader. His expertise was as a marksone. Unfortunately very few of the soldiers in his platoons survived the battle. It always haunted my father. I remember the nightmares he had all through the 1950s when I was young. Thank for adding to my knowledge of the terrible battle. I must admit it was difficult for me to watch this account!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for sharing that. I hope it helped to show some of those areas that would have been familiar to your father during those terrible days.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@@WW2Wayfinder your video was certainly enlightening to me. I know very little about the Battle of the Bulge and my father would never talk about it before he died in 1974. I just know the broad strokes of that battle and want to know so much more. I know that my father went into Nazi Europe the night before D-Day in a glider. He was the navigator. I also know they we dropped by the plane in the wrong area. I have my father’s uniform as well as his draft card. He also managed to bring back three weapons from the war - a German sniper rifle which I understand he used as he was a sniper sometimes. My brother has that rifle. I shot it once when I was 12 and it knocked me down, my father used it to shoot down mistletoe out of tall trees every Christmas for our friends and neighbors. I have two evidently quite rare long barrel his and her dueling pistils he found in some bombed out castle or so the story goes. - Chris

[@dipseavet]

Great video. In 1995, I met a trooper from the 82nd on the northern hill showing his grandson where he was during the fight.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@dipseavet thank you! I bet that was quite the experience. Did the veteran share any of his stories with you?

[@dipseavet]

@@WW2Wayfinder Yes. He showed were he was and the route he took down the hill. I told his grandson to be very proud because his Grandpa was a hero even if he says he wasn't.

[@firstcitytraveler]

Another excellent video. Not being able to cross the bridges at Trois Ponts, Piper had to move back north and would never get any closer to the Meuse. Thanks, Jon for these informative videos.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It’s quite incredible to walk the ground there knowing how a few, very determined Engineers were able to blunt his assault west, then with the 505th there were able to keep his forces at bay long enough to cripple the advance. Thanks again for taking the time to watch 😃

[@D2C3R5]

Ditto. great video. have been there many times. imagine peiper trying manuever his 10 mile long column through the valleys.@@WW2Wayfinder

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@D2C3R5 it’s a great location isn’t it and no idea how he thought he’d be able to get through so many choke points and areas so suited to the defender!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@Eric-kn4yn they were since rebuilt. The railway bridge in the video was built soon after and you can see the engineers sign up stating they built it!

[@maxsoon1097]

So much talk about 101st in the battle of Bastogne but very few we heard about 82nd Airborne division. You did well by covering this division. Great.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. I agree, while the 101st have my upmost respect, the role of the 82nd in those opening days was crucial. I have one more video about the 82nd in the Bulge which will be out in the next month I think which I hope you’ll enjoy!

[@sabii416]

Outstanding video very precise and informative. Trois Ponts was a turning point for Peiper beyond these bridges lay more open and better roads to the Meuse. With a stall in the advance his losses grew. Enjoy the Ardennes content very much.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I really like Trois Ponts and the hills around there are stunning but seeing it in the winter time with the knowledge of what took place there I can only imagine how brutal it was for the engineers and the men of the 2/505th who fought there. Thanks again for taking the time to watch!

[@doraramos2930]

Yes Piper should be stop❤

[@doraramos2930]

Peiper❤

[@bgroovin1343]

As always, great detail and easy to follow. I especially appreciate the extra details at the end along with the citation and photos. It's a proper way to honor them.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hopefully it goes a small way to keeping the memory of these men alive for the next generation!

[@lajolla200]

Outstanding video that offers a clear perspective of the terrain at Trois Ponts which is difficult to appreciate looking at a map. Clear and precise, well done!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@lajolla200 thank you! It’s one thing to stand at the bottom of the cliff faces there but another to get to the top and look into the town. When I was filming it really gave me a good idea of just how tough the terrain can be in that part of the Ardennes!

[@nickgoodwood4812]

Excellent work! I have visited Trois Ponts, and stayed in a old farmhouse , which was surely there in WWII. The terrain there is indeed very steep. Now thanks to your video I will return once more and follow the roads and bridges and the steep mountains guided by your video and some books. It is also a beatiful area, and you can take there great images. Never forget.

[@rgriffinRETIRED_SHEEPDOG]

Excellent video!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much!!!

[@sharkbites9977]

I was proud to serve in the 82nd 307th Engineer 79 to 81 proud because of these brave men. AIRBORNE!!!

[@GStatusMusicChannel]

Awesome video. The way you put these together is outstanding. So much info and easy to follow. Thanks for your hard work!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Trois Ponts is a great place to visit and some amazing history there!

[@muffinsbear]

Thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support!!

[@terrycrowley9323]

Im glad you did this one because it makes it all very clear what happened there. Id herd about this battle but now it's clear to me, thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! Trois Ponts is such an important battle but so overlooked as it was relatively quick but hopefully this helps to preserve the memory of what took place there over those few days.

[@popnmeg]

Excellent , what a great historian keep them coming Great viewing 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I’ve still got a few more episodes from the Ardennes to come!

[@RichardBaldwin-f3z]

My father was in E Company at the Trios Pont battle - he was proud of his service which eventually led to his death by Alzheimer's due to his WW II traumatic brain injuries.

[@doraramos2930]

Glory to your father❤

[@davideden9765]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@donl1846]

This was excellent, thank you for posting. Very informative and well researched.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Master50582]

Awesome video! My old battalion 2Panther (1986-1992). Got to meet Lt Col Vandervoort during the reactivation of 3rd Battalion and the Regimental HQ in 1987. He was great and lived in my hometown of San Jose, CA.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh fantastic! I bet he had some stores to tell!

[@regisbrasil4082]

Excellent video. Great story. Great generation. Perfect narration. Greetings from Fortaleza, Brazil

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! And very cool you’re watching from Brazil! I must do an episode on the Brazilian P-47 pilots!

[@paulrobinson8263]

Thanks for that once again, very informative and well put together, Robbo 👌👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Robbo. Trois Ponts is a favourite of mine in the Ardennes and very significant in terms of what the Engineers achieved there, I just wish it got more coverage as it’s such an important battle.

[@johnsimms4501]

Excellent stuff. When you add the arrows that show the approach of the Germans it really helps picture the situation.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I’m trying to develop the routes of advance side of my videos when editing them to try and make every element as clear as possible so I’ll defiantly keep doing this for future episodes.

[@mitchmahoney5586]

I served with the 82nd 3 decades later. Those were HUGE boots to fill. Go Airborne!

[@alanclark4255]

Thank you so much for showing their valor to us at home. Great research and presentation.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@joemabry9643]

Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@mikehall5815]

Jon great video! Again thanks for the history lesson. Always left wanting more!👏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Mike, glad you enjoyed it! Next weeks episode will be slightly different again but a poignant one.

[@dougkruse1301]

Thank you so much for what you are doing, my dad was at Parker’s corner and these videos are really interesting. Thanks again.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! I was able to visit that spot this time but I’d like to on a future trip as the defence the men put up there was incredible.

[@leoanto1954]

Grazie per questo interessante video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@richardyoder3646]

Another great one jon

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@NDB469]

Outstanding video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@johnrye6752]

Another 1st class episode, cheers.....

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@stevensmith662]

Another excellent informative video Jon Many thanks for all your hard work and research Neil

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Neil, glad you enjoyed it. Trois Ponts is one of those spots that was vital in stopping the Germans drive west but gets so little mention sadly.

[@YuriBeckers9thID]

Thank you for the research and information, I really enjoyed it.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! The 82nd don’t get enough coverage for the defence they put up in the Bulge so I hope this goes some way to rectifying that.

[@zcam1969]

my dad's Military record has this battle listed as the Ardennes . he was there in Dec.1944, 82nd Airborne Field Artillery .he said the same thing Capt Meddaugh ''a foot of snow and froze his ass off ''

[@greggriffin1]

Always great history vid from you very indebt, never miss your content thank you so much.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! I think the 82nd actions in the Ardennes are so note worthy so was a pleasure to film at Trois Ponts! Thanks again for taking the time to watch 😃

[@paulopraieiro5947]

The videos are fantastic! I'm a Brazilian passionate about WW2, I hope that in the future I can document Brazil's participation in WW2 (Brazilian Expeditionary Force) - Italy. Congratulations👏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@StephenBaird-cp1fc]

Excellent

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi Jon Beautiful area, with such a dark history. Thanks again for sharing another informative and very interesting story of the Ardennes campaign. Cheers from Australia ❤😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@robertvirtue]

Another beauty. Well researched and presented.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@bettylaselli2048]

However it is a beautiful place, thanks for sharing!

[@robertjessen1554]

Outstanding video. You were able to bring the action into focus.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@clementaut7287]

Just finished Nordyke's book Four stars of valor abour the 505th PIR. This video is right on time !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

That’s a cracking book! Nordykes work is the definitive on the 82nd in WW2.

[@Baskerville22]

Great on-the-spot account, as usual.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@thenoworriesnomad]

Another fantastic and well done video...👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@maartendezwaan9715]

Another awesome video Jon, and thank you very much for for your effort and time making these video’s! Been to Trois Ponts a couple of times myself, love the Ardennes and its interesting WW2 History. Looking forward to your next video!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Trois Ponts is a great spot and glad you’ve been able to see it for yourself! My next episode next Friday will be a different one again!

[@spyroslazarides8189]

Great work for military history!!! All the best

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@dnldcow]

Thank you for the great video , being able to see the spots they defended if not for the thinking on the run who knows how for Piper would have gotten.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Trois Ponts really is a story of ingenuity and quick thinking by the men on the ground and the fact that the engineers blunted Peiper’s advance is so cool!

[@muckmirrors2512]

Great video well researched.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

"Those g-ddamned engineers" -J Peiper

[@StevenNoonan-o5b]

Fantastic content! All The Way!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@richardmardis2492]

You gone from a dude that’s has an interest in WW2- to a true historian!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it helps keeps the memory of these men alive for the next generation so they’re not forgotten. If that happens then it’s been worth it!

[@richardmardis2492]

@@WW2Wayfinder You are surely doing your part- that you for caring so much🫡👍

[@crissrails7539]

fantastic video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@bettylaselli2048]

Wow what shocking scenes!

[@stephenarno2032]

My dad was a combat engineer in the ETO..the greatest generation.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The engineers don’t get as much coverage as they deserve. Those men kept the army moving forward and, like at Trois Ponts, they fought like lions when they had to!

[@stephenarno2032]

Thankyou WW2 Wayfinder for the amazing content!

[@jasonford7826]

Great video as always. Would you happen to have information regarding 1st battalion of the 505th and their actions during the battle of the bulge?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Jason! Nothing off the top of my head ref 1/505 but the Phil Nordyke book on the 505th (4 Stars of Valor) is a great source of information

[@jasonford7826]

Awesome! Thank you for the reference

[@georgeallen4495]

What a great video!! Very very well done. I never have heard of this before and have been studying the war in Europe for 50 plus years as my father was in the 3rd armored at this time. I would love to read a book about this do you know of a good one? How cool to visit these battle areas, thank you for taking us along.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! AS for a book I would recommendFour Stars of Valor: The Combat History of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II by Phil Nordyke. his work on the 82nd is second to none!

[@georgeallen4495]

@@WW2Wayfinder Thank you, I will get a copy.

[@nails3394]

Your ability to rece the ground/homework...then relay whilst filming/positioning whilst filming/clear comms about where/what your filming 🤦‍♂️. This is the best that is on the internet in our geek interest community. There of course are other WW2 historians that do exellent content. But of this Macro/Micro type of content. Nothing close. Thankyou.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so. Half the time I feel like I just ramble to myself while walking alone in the woods!

[@maryholder3795]

​@@WW2Wayfindernope you're making sense. Don't sell yourself short.

[@ww2recon]

Great video mate, I need to get over there with you at some point

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate! And yes we definitely do need to get over to the Ardennes for a tour

[@montanamountainmen6104]

My great uncle was I Company, 505th 82nd. He was killed 3 Jan 1945 around Basse Bordeau. He and his comrades were killed and wounded by heavy German artilley and machine gun fire.

[@surfart5448]

Any information on Ivan Woods and Floy Bond 82nd

[@cameronkedas3375]

Do you think you could do a video of the 509th PIR? My great grandfather fought with the 509 throughout North Africa but was transferred to the 505th PIR at Sicily, then to the 101st at Normandy, Holland, and Bastogne, as well as Germany. I have had trouble finding information of the 509th PIR from everywhere in the war. I figured that if anyone can find some information, it’d be you. But, I’m sure you’re very busy with other content so if you can’t, I understand. I would really appreciate if you could. Nice video by the way, because like I said he was with the 505th in Sicily.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

If you’re able to drop me a message at contactww2wayfinder@gmail I can help you out with some 509th sources!

[@marionjohansson4235]

❤Wow brave men.

[@angloaust1575]

Good to see other units being Mentioned The easy company were only A fraction of the airborne units! The 82nd had more combat Experience sicily normandy Holland Belgium and Germany!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Exactly, while I’m a huge fan of the 101st, I’m always keen to see more emphasis on the 82nd, 17th Abn and the independent airborne units!

[@nigeh5326]

Just curious at 9’55” there is a sign saying Trois-Ponts Gare underneath it lists the distance to Malmedy and Stavelot then Coo 30 is in black. Any idea of the reason for it being in black does it indicate a path rather than a road or a cycle path? I know a funny question but it caught the attention of my ADHD mind 😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re correct, it’s a cycle/hiking path. Lots of hill walking/mountain biking in the Ardennes and it’s all really well sign posted!

[@nigeh5326]

@@WW2Wayfinder thank you another great video btw 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@nigeh5326 no worries! Glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@33rdusa]

The only way to get an understanding of the action is to walk the ground, which you do. The steep hillsides and narrow roadbeds make you understand the constricted movements available to the tanks. Maps cannot adequately convey this.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Absolutely agree! Trois Ponts on a map doesn’t look like much but when you’re stood in the town and looking up to the hills it’s a defenders paradise and the choke points etc become plain to see.

[@seanmcmanamon3773]

Where was Company C of the 307th deployed? Asking for a family? Thanks.

[@eamo106]

I wish I could understand 30% of what you said, thank you for your journeys, your research and your video expertise ! I guess animation, showing the progression of the battle would help me. , can anyone help Wayfinder ?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

There are closed captions/subtitles on every video.

[@eamo106]

@@WW2Wayfinder I know, I am just Visual as most of us these days. Absolutely I could spend 6 hours understanding every post you make. My fault not yours, I love your posts ! Eamo' Texas .

[@eamo106]

@WW2Wayfinder... the REMY were the UK logistic corps in WWII, my father in law a Churchill tank transporter truck driver in WWII. Noone has ever done a Video on the REMY - there were thousands of UK 'Supply Chain" troops in the war. ?

[@paulstan9828]

My uncle was in WW2. Unit of Service: Battery C, 143rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion during the battle of the bulge. Do you have any information on that unit?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I don’t I’m afraid but if you’re able to email me at [e-mail] I can have a look

[@Madinfidelprepper]

Well considering it was a terrible winter and flights were impossible, he basically sat around shivering.

[@motthomas4220]

👁👁 I came I saw I liked

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@troykauffman3963]

Outstanding video as always Jon, very informative, well done sir. Your attention to detail is amazing! Using map symbols, distinctive unit insignias and actual award citations is greatly appreciated…again well done.🫡

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Troy, glad you enjoyed it! Trois Ponts is quite the location to film in.