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Patton's Third Army relieved the 101st Airborne at Bastogne 81 years ago today...
Posted on 12/26/25 at 8:31 pm
Posted on 12/26/25 at 8:31 pm
December 26, 1944.
Ten days after the Battle of the Bulge began with a massive German counteroffensive in the Ardennes Forest, the Wehrmacht suffers a decisive blown when the U.S. Third Army under Lt. General George S. Patton broke through the southern flank of the Bulge and relieved the beleaguered soldiers of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, thus ending the famous siege of the important Belgian crossroads town.
This was the climax of a brilliant campaign where Patton disengaged and pivoted his force of 250,000 men 90 degrees and attacked aggressively into the exposed southern flank of the German counterattack in just over 48 hours.
Ten days after the Battle of the Bulge began with a massive German counteroffensive in the Ardennes Forest, the Wehrmacht suffers a decisive blown when the U.S. Third Army under Lt. General George S. Patton broke through the southern flank of the Bulge and relieved the beleaguered soldiers of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, thus ending the famous siege of the important Belgian crossroads town.
This was the climax of a brilliant campaign where Patton disengaged and pivoted his force of 250,000 men 90 degrees and attacked aggressively into the exposed southern flank of the German counterattack in just over 48 hours.
This post was edited on 12/26/25 at 8:32 pm
4
Posted on 12/26/25 at 8:44 pm to RollTide1987
Gen. Troy Middleton, later President of LSU, was the one who ordered the 101st Airborne Division to hold Bastogne at all costs. The decision arguably won the battle.
Posted on 12/26/25 at 8:49 pm to Missouri Waltz
101st said that they didn’t need saving.
Tough hombres.
Tough hombres.
Posted on 12/26/25 at 8:54 pm to RollTide1987
My grandad was there in the 3rd
Posted on 12/26/25 at 9:02 pm to RollTide1987
This makes me want to watch Band of Brothers again to see this scene.
Posted on 12/26/25 at 9:06 pm to Catahoula20LSU
quote:
101st said that they didn’t need saving. Tough hombres.
I’ll give the OP credit. His title specifically stated, “relieved” the 101st.
I’ll also give credit to Patton and his army for racing over 100 miles over icy, clogged roads and trails to relive the 101st in under 3 days.
Posted on 12/26/25 at 10:59 pm to RollTide1987
It’s crazy how tough military members were back then. The lack of warm clothes, boots, and food were just dealt with.
Today there would be a congressional investigation for a hang nail damn near.
As a vet when I look at what the WWII and WWI guys fought with I’m amazed. We are so soft now comparatively.
Today there would be a congressional investigation for a hang nail damn near.
As a vet when I look at what the WWII and WWI guys fought with I’m amazed. We are so soft now comparatively.
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