how many german tanks were used for the battle of the bulge

The Americans had also reached their objectives. However, one British battalion did find a way through the German perimeter around Arnhem, and by 8pm on the first day, they had captured the northern end of the road bridge across the Rhine.

It was impossible to co-ordinate the attack properly, because no one could communicate. They quickly found that their radios didn't work properly. The British paratroopers began their advance towards Arnhem, and were soon under attack. The Germans were quick to organise against the airborne troops. It was 40 minutes before they moved again. It was defended by small groups of determined German infantry.Īs the XXX corps tanks approached, they picked off the leading nine vehicles, bringing the whole column to a standstill. The road up which XXX corps would have to travel to reach the bridges was narrow, just wide enough for two vehicles to pass. American and British gliders and parachutists drifted down on target, gathered up their equipment and began to move towards the bridges they had to take. Montgomery believed that a powerful, narrow thrust deep into German lines would be more effective than an advance on a broad front, which had become difficult to supply from the few ports controlled by the Allies, and this was why he devised Operation Market Garden. Victory for the Allies seemed close.īut Hitler's forces were regrouping, and as the Allies pushed nearer to Germany's borders, German resistance stiffened. For the next three weeks they rolled through France and Belgium, liberating Paris and Brussels. The glittering triumph of the D-Day landings in France had become bogged down in the slow and costly progress through the Normandy fields and hedgerows, which the Germans defended with skill and tenacity.ĭespite this, after weeks of heavy fighting, the Allies had finally broken through.

The plan was conceived by General Bernard Montgomery, commander of the British forces in Europe. They would relieve the airborne troops, and then cross the intact bridges. Thirty thousand British and American airborne troops were to be flown behind enemy lines to capture the eight bridges that spanned the network of canals and rivers on the Dutch/German border.Īt the same time, British tanks and infantry were to push up a narrow road leading from the Allied front line to these key bridges. Market Garden was one of the boldest plans of World War Two.

How many german tanks were used for the battle of the bulge