Bastogne and Hurgen Forrest Photos
- Thread starter ShooterMcGavin
- Start date
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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That is a Thompson on his right side and I think he has part of a flamethrower under his reserve.
Coyote Ugly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It's a Blue Collar Luncheon Meat crossed with Bologna, Wieners and Cigarette Butts, imported only from China.
OK, who's going to volunteer to jump the M2 Flamethrower? Those things weighed 43 lbs dry and 68 lbs when charged. I've never seen anything on those actually being used in airborne ops.
We haven't used them for a long, long time. I recall getting a call from a guy who wanted to borrow one when I was in 1 Bde HQ in Calgary 40 yrs ago. I told him that we didn't use them anymore and asked what he planned to do with it. He replied that he wanted to use it to burn grass and weeds off of berms surrounding fuel storage tanks.
We haven't used them for a long, long time. I recall getting a call from a guy who wanted to borrow one when I was in 1 Bde HQ in Calgary 40 yrs ago. I told him that we didn't use them anymore and asked what he planned to do with it. He replied that he wanted to use it to burn grass and weeds off of berms surrounding fuel storage tanks.
Thanks for the heads up on Stuff to do here in North Germany. i have been to Bergen Belsa, but I wont put photos online, it is not a very pleasant place.
There is also a U-Boat type 21 here in town set up as a museum that I have been to before. It has just re-opened for the season and I will check it out this weekend or next week. And a U-Boat bunker/factory just out side or Bremen that is near by that is now open for tours on Sundays that I am going to do as well. But I am definately going to head back to the Hurtgen. Alot of those trees were that large and were taken out with Artillery and fires. Years after the war the White Phosphorus from un-exploded US munitions caused many forest fires. And quite often the locals would let them burn as the woods were too dangerous with mines and such to enter.
100 ex-munitions men, died in the 50's clearing the woods of ordinance. They buried them with the war dead. it is a very interesting place.
There is also a U-Boat type 21 here in town set up as a museum that I have been to before. It has just re-opened for the season and I will check it out this weekend or next week. And a U-Boat bunker/factory just out side or Bremen that is near by that is now open for tours on Sundays that I am going to do as well. But I am definately going to head back to the Hurtgen. Alot of those trees were that large and were taken out with Artillery and fires. Years after the war the White Phosphorus from un-exploded US munitions caused many forest fires. And quite often the locals would let them burn as the woods were too dangerous with mines and such to enter.
100 ex-munitions men, died in the 50's clearing the woods of ordinance. They buried them with the war dead. it is a very interesting place.
Saw the sub a few years ago, there's also a Walther hydrogen peroxide engine in the museum there and a PT boat as well, I belives. Was a kid in Bremerhaven, dad worked at the US service club there. See you're from Niagara. Have you toured the Port Burwell sub ? Must have been a real pain to haul it that far inland on a barge, just to have a tourist attraction.
Grizz
OK, who's going to volunteer to jump the M2 Flamethrower? Those things weighed 43 lbs dry and 68 lbs when charged. I've never seen anything on those actually being used in airborne ops.
We haven't used them for a long, long time. I recall getting a call from a guy who wanted to borrow one when I was in 1 Bde HQ in Calgary 40 yrs ago. I told him that we didn't use them anymore and asked what he planned to do with it. He replied that he wanted to use it to burn grass and weeds off of berms surrounding fuel storage tanks.
Flamethrower dets landed as glider troops.
Never attack a prepared enemy at a time and place that is advantageous to him and disadvantageous to you. The allies needed a breakthrough where they could use all of their advantages of mobility, firepower, and air superiority and then exploit success using good road networks. It was a very unwise decision to grind away at the Germans in the close terrain, poor roads and unfavorable weather. The Hurtgen area should have been outposted with forces concentrated at another more favorable location.
MIRAMICHIER
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Miramichi,Nb
Awesome Pics.History forever.
You are right but, unless you have to. E.g. because higher command says you must.
They screened the Ardennes with relatively weak forces (inexperienced and/or weakened formations)so they could concentrate elsewhere and they got a significant German counter-offensive out of there.
People asked why no birds and the answer was - "An all pervasive aura of death within the camp." Even the birds could sense it.
Ironically some of the US divisions which were in the Ardennes when the German offensive struck on 16 Dec 44 had been sent to this previously quiet sector for refitting after being badly mauled in the Hurtgen fighting.
Thinning out of lines, leaving an open flank, outposting/screening or bypassing enemy are economy of force decisions which always involve a calculated risk. When this is done there is a need for constant intelligence, patrolling and observation as well as a requirement for highly mobile reserves to counter enemy moves. Complacency had taken over in the Ardennes with a live and let live attitude on the ground and a mindset among senior officers that it might all be over before Christmas. The German offensive was a nasty surprise and was one of the biggest allied intelligence failures of the war in NW Europe.
People never seem to learn. 6 years later in Korea the US Army was caught flat-footed by the Chinese intervention and again paid dearly for this. All the while MacArthur was putting out soothing messages, downplaying intelligence reports from sources other than his own HQ, and was again working the "bring the troops home for Christmas" message.
Thinning out of lines, leaving an open flank, outposting/screening or bypassing enemy are economy of force decisions which always involve a calculated risk. When this is done there is a need for constant intelligence, patrolling and observation as well as a requirement for highly mobile reserves to counter enemy moves. Complacency had taken over in the Ardennes with a live and let live attitude on the ground and a mindset among senior officers that it might all be over before Christmas. The German offensive was a nasty surprise and was one of the biggest allied intelligence failures of the war in NW Europe.
People never seem to learn. 6 years later in Korea the US Army was caught flat-footed by the Chinese intervention and again paid dearly for this. All the while MacArthur was putting out soothing messages, downplaying intelligence reports from sources other than his own HQ, and was again working the "bring the troops home for Christmas" message.
NavyShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- XMU Local .303
When you visit the U-Boat, take the time to visit the underground chamber up the hill by the tower. It's one of the best monuments I've seen. Picture a large underground circular room, with a small walk-way around the perimiter. At the top center of the chamber is a small port hole, letting in the only light. It's a commemoration to the lost submariners. Chilling.
NS
