World War Two was the deadliest military conflict in history, with an estimated 85 million deaths, mostly in the Pacific, and Europe's Western Front and Eastern Front.
On the Eastern Front, one major clashes with National Socialist Workers Party - Nazi - was the Battle of Sevastopol, 1941-42, which had 200,000 casualties. Roosevelt stated March 1, 1945:
"I saw Sevastopol and Yalta! And I know that there is not room enough on earth for both German militarism and Christian decency."
On the Western Front, Nazi forces commenced their last major offensive of the war in the bitter cold winter of 1944 - the Battle of the Bulge.
It is considered one of the largest and bloodiest battles the United States fought in during the war.
There were 89,500 American casualties and over 100,000 German casualties.
Adolf Hitler personally devised the plan to send his remaining forces in a last-ditch effort to break through the Allies' line.
His intention was to recapture the sea port of Antwerp, Belgium, to have access to its shipping and oil.On December 16, 1944, three Nazi armies were amassed, consisting of 13 Panzer and Infantry divisions, made up of an estimated 300,000 men.
On December 16, 1944, three Nazi armies were amassed, consisting of 13 Panzer and Infantry divisions, made up of an estimated 300,000 men.
Being caught off-guard, the Allies were hard-pressed to keep their lines from breaking under the intense assault.
Allies' lines "bulged," but did not break.
Over 2,000 black American soldiers volunteered to be sent to the front lines, over 700 of whom were killed in combat.
Eisenhower stated in his order, DECEMBER 22, 1944:
"By rushing out from his fixed defenses the enemy may give us the chance to turn his great gamble into his worst defeat.
So I call upon every man of all the Allies, to rise now to new heights of courage ... with unshakable faith in the cause for which we fight, we will, with God's help, go forward to our greatest victory."
Six Nazi Panzer divisions were on a mad rush to occupy it, but the night before, in freezing sub-zero temperature, American troops of the 101st Airborne were trucked in to hold it.
"To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.
The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units.
More German armored units have crossed the River Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
... There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town.
In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.
The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.
-The German Commander."
"To the German Commander.
NUTS!
-The American Commander."
This unusual response caused the Nazi commander to hesitate.
Then the Nazis attacked -- over 50,000 Nazis assaulted the 15,000 Americans.
General McAuliffe wrote to his troops, December 24, 1944:
"What’s Merry about all this, you ask? We’re fighting — it’s cold, we aren’t home.
All true but what has the proud Eagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades the 10th Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and all the rest?
Just this: We have stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North, East, South and West.
We have identifications from four German Panzer Divisions, two German Infantry Divisions and one German Parachute Division.
These units, spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the advance.
How effectively this was done will be written in history; not alone in our Division’s glorious history but in World history ..."
"The Germans actually did surround us, their radios blared our doom.
Their Commander demanded our surrender in the following impudent arrogance ..."
"Allied Troops are counterattacking in force.
We continue to hold Bastogne.
By holding Bastogne we assure the success of the Allied Armies. We know that our Division Commander, General Taylor, will say: 'Well Done!'
We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas."
Marching to their rescue was General George Patton and the U.S. Third Army.
Unfortunately, the Third Army was pinned down due to foul weather which prevented planes from flying to give air cover.
Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations.
Amen."
He instructed O’Neill to tell the Third Army’s 486 chaplains of 32 denominations, and all officers and soldiers in over 20 divisions to:
“Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day. Pray for the cessation of immoderate rains, for good weather for Battle … Pray for victory. Pray for our Army, and Pray for Peace."
"To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory.
May God's blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day.
--G.S. Patton, Jr., Lieutenant General Commanding, Third United States Army."
Patton wrote: "We can and will win, God helping ... Give us the victory, Lord."
Brigadier General Harry H. Semmes wrote that Patton:
"... always read the Bible, particularly the life of Christ and the wars of the Old Testament. He knew by heart the order of morning prayer of the Episcopal Church. His thoughts, as demonstrated daily to those close to him, repeatedly indicated that his life was dominated by a feeling of dependence on God ... Patton was an unusual mixture of a profane and highly religious man."
General Omar Bradley stated:
"He was profane, but he was also reverent. He strutted imperiously as a commander, but knelt humbly before his God. ”
Miraculously, the next day the weather cleared and the planes gave air support. Air controllers announced "visibility unlimited."
Clergyman Daniel A. Poling wrote that soldiers "believed firmly believed that God stopped the rain in answer to their prayers."
Patton wrote in his diary "What a glorious day for killing Germans."
General Patton's troops punched through the Nazi lines to rescue the exhausted 101st Airborne and thwart the Nazi advance.
Running out of fuel, Nazi tanks ground to a halt.
The Battle of the Bulge ended January 16, 1945.
Patton wrote: "Perhaps God saved me for this moment."
Less than four months later, Hitler was reported to have committed suicide, the Nazis surrendered, and the world was saved from the iron-fisted totalitarian rule of national socialism.
Shortly before his death, December 9, 1945, Patton wrote: "At least I have done my best as God gave me the chance."
A popular Christmas carol during World War II was "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," written in 1942 by Irving Berlin.
Irving Berlin, a Russian Jewish immigrant to America, had served in the U.S. infantry during World War I.
He is also credited with writing some of the country's most popular songs, including "God Bless America."
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow ...
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white."
"It is not easy to say 'Merry Christmas' to you, my fellow Americans, in this time of destructive war ...
We will celebrate this Christmas Day in our traditional American way ... because the teachings of Christ are fundamental in our lives ... the story of the coming of the immortal Prince of Peace."
--
American Minute is a registered trademark of William J. Federer. Permission granted to forward, reprint, or duplicate.
Thank you to all of our Military who have served in all generations! May God bless the USA and our brave Military that serve and preserve our liberties & freedoms around our world! May we bend our knee to God, ask His protection over our Military & our country leaders, as we go through the challenges of putting God first & back into government & schools, teaching our little ones the History of how our forefathers gave, fought & died for our freedoms, and how precious we truly are! They were our first Military! May we not lose the lessons of our History of personal sacrifice for the good of our nation & mankind! May God bless their sacrifices!
My father was field Surgeon with Patton his brother was a surgeon with the 101st. They met at Normandy on D+3, Bill said hello good to see you now go to work over there in the OR (Tent) they next met when Dad’s unit broke thru to relieve the defenders. The exchanged greetings and both got back to work. 2 days later Bill got a Christmas package from his wife in Austin Minnesota, a Whole case of SPAM she worked for Hormel Bill and the hospital loved it.
My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge! I have so much respect for all the men and women who served and are serving this great nation! God bless the USA!
My father. Ralph Winfield Hampton, landed at Normandy on D-Day. He was in combat 271 days, the hedge rows, Ardennes, the Hurtgen Forest, and the Buldge.
He was glad to be discharged at the end of the war. We lived in Pittsburgh as he worked for United States Steel. Just as he was advancing, the Korean War began and he was recalled to active duty. Instead of Korea, he was ordered to Germany with the occupation.
As a result, he remained on active duty for 28 years. After the Soviet Union collapsed, DOD offered recognition for personnel who helped bring down the Soviet Union.
My dad deserved the recognition certificate and the accompanying (unofficial) medal. I asked for his DD214 to request the certicate.
There I saw, for the first time, that had received the Croix du Guerre Bronze Star and the Fourragere with Grade du Chevaliere.
Dad, I said, you were knighted!
“Ahh,” he said, “I just did what I had to do.”
What a generation. May we all honor their memories and keep up the fight against totalitarianism.
My father. Ralph Winfield Hampton, landed at Normandy on D-Day. He was in combat 271 days, the hedge rows, Ardennes, the Hurtgen Forest, and the Buldge.
He was glad to be discharged at the end of the war. We lived in Pittsburgh as he worked for United States Steel. Just as he was advancing, the Korean War began and he was recalled to active duty. Instead of Korea, he was ordered to Germany with the occupation.
As a result, he remained on active duty for 28 years. After the Soviet Union collapsed, DOD offered recognition for personnel who helped bring down the Soviet Union.
My dad deserved the recognition certificate and the accompanying (unofficial) medal. I asked for his DD214 to request the certicate.
There I saw, for the first time, that had received the Croix du Guerre Bronze Star and the Fourragere with Grade du Chevaliere.
Dad, I said, you were knighted!
“Ahh,” he said, “I just did what I had to do.”
What a generation. May we all honor their memories and keep up the fight against totalitarianism.