Battle of the Bulge, Terrain Walk Excerpt, The Twin Villages and Kampfgruppe Peiper

[@alschroeder4468]

Great work. Interspersed maps and photos set the conditions for the viewers.

[@robertbenson9797]

Thank you for a great video! The names of the towns are all ones that I’ve heard from my dad. He was in the 99th ID, 394th Regiment. He was part of the defense around Losheimergraben. For the actions of the 1st battalion of the 394th Regiment during the first couple of days of the Bulge, they would be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. When the 99th Division took up positions in the Ardennes, G2 (intelligence) told the 394th that the Germans had one horse drawn artillery piece opposite their position. On the morning of December 16th, as the 394th regiment and the rest of the 99 th Division, endured the longest artillery barrage on the Western Front during the war, on of Dad’s men remarked, “ Lieutenant, they’re sure working that poor horse over there!” Because the company commander deserted just after the start of the artillery barrage, Dad assumed command of the company and organized a defense of Losheimergraben. He remained as the de facto company commander until the end of the war. For his actions in organizing a withdrawal back to Krinkelt and Rocherath, Dad was awarded the Silver Star.

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Amazing story. I can't thank you for sharing this enough!

[@robertbenson9797]

@@MilitaryHistory317 My wife and I were able to take a Battle of the Bulge tour in 2018 thru the National WWII Museum. I read the Presidential Unit Citation for the 394th Regiment to our tour group at Krinkelt, where there is a memorial to the 99th Division. One thing Dad told about the town villages that it was there that the GIs found out that the Molotov Cocktail was very effective against German tanks when thrown from a 2nd story window! Thank you again for a very meaningful series.

[@joee9118]

My one uncle was in the 394th Anti Tank Division. I just found that information out. Iwish I could have asked him about his experience before he passed away. They were all brave men.

[@Custer0706]

Briliant work establishing all these locations, and a lot of dedication to be there at the exact time of the year when it happened 78 years ago. Looking forward to the Stoumont part, I have been walking this section back in 2015. Regards from Germany.

[@toddjanney]

I worked the Nat'l D-DAY memorial in Bedford VA. As a Bldg. Code inspector , I met Mr. Bill Merican there, he was a survivor of the massacre in Mamedy, Bill was a good man.

[@jg4015]

My father was in the 99th, a gunner on a 105 howitzer. Wounded the 17th as they retreated to Elsenbon ridge. He described going thru the twin villiages.

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Thank you for the comment and sharing about your father! I shall be getting to the Twin Villages after the next several episodes of Kampfgruppe Peiper.

[@jg4015]

Looking forward to your video on Krinkelt. I have an account of my fathers outfit that someone compiled from the moringing reports. @@MilitaryHistory317

[@davidarmstrong7549]

Great video! You tell the story so well.

[@jennybays3526]

Where are all of the people?!? Great Video. So in depth

[@joelhart4027]

Fantastic video, just found your channel and subscribed

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Thank You. There is a lot more content to come very soon!

[@Eds_PanAm]

wow, this video popped into my feed, very glad I watched it...very interesting...subbed, Now I need to watch the other videos lol 19D here...

[@twanvanleeuwen6718]

Great video, was looking for info about an soldier. Pfc William J Stacey, 2nd Inf Div, 38th Inf Regt, 3rd battalion, K-Co. He was KIA near Krinkelt on 18 dec 1944. Do you have any info about him or his unit, also were he got KIA. I have adopted the gravesite of him, Buried on HenriChappele. Thank you

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Let me have look. Give me a week or so to try and find something. If nothing else, I can give you some information on K Company.

[@joee9118]

Hey, you mentioned hunters just like western Pennsylvania. Are you from here?

[@MilitaryHistory317]

North Dakota. However, I have driven through there many times and have a couple of Army buddies from that area.

[@johnzajac9849]

We read so much about the invincibility of Nazi tanks. What did the Americans use at the crossroads and the bend of the road to knock out those tanks? If the Americans were surprised by the Nazis, what weapons did they have with them which were powerful enough to destroy Panthers?

[@MilitaryHistory317]

Mostly bazookas. There were some artillery hits and a couple of self-propelled tank destroyers got in some shots. There was even one instance of 2 G.I.s throwing a gas can on the back deck of a Panther and setting it ablaze with a Thermite Grenade. The poor visibility greatly aided the defenders.

[@johnzajac9849]

@@MilitaryHistory317 Thanks. It must have been a bloody fight.

[@cmanningdeal6228]

Second Infantry, Second to none. 1985-86.