Battle of the Bulge Episode 4 - The 99th Division gives the 6th Panzer Army a bloody nose.

[@uncreate10]

My dad was in the 99th division he past away in 2017 at 95 he prayed every night.he was a great dad and will be mist.

[@juergenschneider6472]

great research work

[@robertbenson9797]

This episode means so much to me personally. As a kid, I would listen to my dad tell stories of the Battle of the Bulge and Losheimergraben, Belgium. As a 1st Lieutenant, he was in charge of a platoon of 57mm anti-tank guns, attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment. When the 99th Division moved into this area in early November, G-2(intelligence) assured the 99th that this was a quiet sector with one German horse-drawn artillery piece across the Siegfried line from them. When the German artillery barrage started, one GI said, “Boy, they’re working that poor horse to death!” Regardless of any GI humor, the 394th and other parts of the 99th Division were fighting for their lives. The Company Commander of Company A deserted in the middle of the artillery barrage. My dad assumed command of Company A, a position he held as a 1st lieutenant, until the end of the war. For his actions during and immediately after the start of the Bulge, he was awarded the Silver Star. 1st Battalion of the 394th was awarded a Presidential Unit for the actions around Losheimergraben and the Twin Villages. Interestingly, only one Medal of Honor was awarded to a soldier in the 99th Division. Dad had told me that he was originally put in for a Distinguished Service Cross. The rumor among the troops was that Eisenhower’s headquarters decided to drop each medal awarded during the Bulge down one step. I’ve never seen anything else written about the situation but for only one MOH to be awarded to the 99th Division is, unusual.

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Thank you for sharing this. These stories keep me going. The concept of downgrading medals is is bizarre and the second time I have heard of it. The first was in an obscure history of the Normandy Airborne operation that the 82nd and 101st had quotas on the number of MOHs. It is at my local library and has a ton of amazing stories. S.L.A. Marshall in his book, "Night Drop: The American Airborne Invasion of Normandy" points out the most glaring example where PVT Harry Summers almost single-handedly killed over 30 Germans and captured several dozen more. Reports say the paperwork was "lost" for his MOH. Summers has been called by many the "SGT York of WW2."

[@bodieburtt31]

​@@MilitaryHistory317love it:)

[@jbellos1]

This was great! My Dad was B/393 and was at Elsenborn Ridge after retreating and re-organizing. It would be wonderful to see your breakdown of his company's sector and the 5-day defense at the Ridge. Thanks!

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Thank you! I always appreciate hearing how this hits home with a viewer. It keeps me going.

[@barryeggleston7881]

Same here, jbellos....my Dad was in L/393.

[@stevemoot9891]

I agree, very well done! A video of the 393rd sector and Elsenborn Ridge would be great. My father- in-law was with F/393rd.

[@aleenaaleenapearce9892]

I am glad I came across your channel

[@ericflagg80]

This is an excellent military battlefield analysis and would help a field visit by most anyone in a car or van.

[@Sgt.Oddball87]

Awesome video! My grandfather was in M/394. Wonderful to see the the 99th being discussed!

[@LEGOGladiators]

My grandfather, JC Overman, was a SGT in 99th in Hofen. He was seriously wounded Jan. 5 or 6, 1944. I grew up in Germany (dad was US military) and my grandfather got to come back over and visit Hofen again in 1987. I remember he told me his unit had to hide out in a barn in Hofen. Patrols going around them constantly.

[@jg4015]

My father was a gunner on a 105 howitzer with the 99th. On the line just east of Krinkelt, wounded Dec 17th. Given a bronze star for taking out a panzer with his howitzer. He never talked much about the Bulge, but I once asked him how close to the front was he? He replied the front was 3 miles behind them.

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Thank you for the comment. That generation suffered so much.

[@stevewixom9311]

Really love the research necessary for vids like this. Good Job

[@naomiwebster5735]

I never have enough words to express, this video is just a informative story but can't imagine the reality

[@dorisstagner6077]

I once visited the battle of the bulge museum and it was worth visiting.

[@hollydavidson5219]

the way you created the maps, are so easy to understand.

[@jimplummer4879]

Excellent as always.

[@rebeccastone5620]

Respect for the soldiers that fought and gave up their lives

[@scottstambaugh8473]

Love this. Thank you so much. One quibble: I'm a musician with more than a little recording experience. You need a pop filter. Hope you take that in the spirit in which it is intended. This is a great video, and I enjoyed it immensely.

[@MilitaryHistory317]

I hear you loud and clear. I now have one! Additionally, the Carmel, IN library now has two sound recording studios I am using free of charge. They are brilliant. The mics are Rode with pop filters. The filters are going Kaput from overuse, so I bring my own now.

[@scottstambaugh8473]

@@MilitaryHistory317 Outstanding. You have a great channel. Thanks.

[@macialtenwerth1530]

this series made the history so interesting, i always found it boring earlier

[@zoehargreaves8442]

My great great grandfather was a part of some segment...

[@redaug4212]

The decline in quality of German soldiers and officers is on full display here. Apparently some field officers requested that reconnaissance be conducted before the attack, but were denied by 6th Panzer Army in order to meet the timetable. There also appears to have been little attempt at infiltration at the local level. Excellent illustration of the 99th's zone of action. Surprised I haven't watched this sooner.

[@ronaldhall2489]

My dad was in the 99th. Sgt George Donald Hall

[@zoehargreaves8442]

we are still unaware of so many things happened during the war

[@aliceross9961]

This was the bloodiest battle

[@dennymeyer7410]

When is your next installment - miss them?

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Denny, it certainly seems I have been delinquent in getting things out there. I am in the process of collaborating with a professional media firm on content that would be on this channel and, if it pans out, cable TV. I should have an announcement on that next week. I have delivered all my requirements, so I will be back on the Bulge ASAP.

[@dennymeyer7410]

@@MilitaryHistory317 well you deserve this. Your content is exceptional. I would watch anything you produce. Good stuff!

[@heatherrivera411]

The tank is still there with damage, that's what I have heard

[@ernestgardner7439]

This battle cost so many families in return

[@eloisehunt1787]

I don't know the real reason why Montgomery is so much respected?

[@santiagohills6364]

the era of wars was so disturbing

[@hannahfry4490]

The records are still unclear

[@johnzajac9849]

In his book, 'The Blitzkrieg Legend: The 1940 Campaign in the West', Karl-Heinz Frieser also noted the tendency of German armored vehicles to break down in large numbers. The book is interesting because the author challenges the established idea that there really was a 'blitzkrieg' in May, 1940.

[@tommiehill2387]

The Germans were so intelligent though

[@emilyhumphreys6110]

This war was not even necessary

[@lauralaurac.jacobs8587]

German engineers were so much more qualified even during those times

[@MysteriousMaes]

Amdrew tates voice

[@roseclemons6522]

I am glad I came across your channel

[@rosieharvey5437]

Respect for the soldiers that fought and gave up their lives

[@leahgarrett7995]

This war was not even necessary

[@Robert-nu4vc]

Tell that to he millions of innocent people who were murdered with no mercy

[@haroldharoldj.myrick6357]

The Germans were so intelligent though