Battle Bulge facts
While investigating facts about Battle Bulge Map and Battle Bulge Movie 2018, I found out little known, but curios details like:
During The Battle of The Bulge, General Patton ordered a chaplain to compose a prayer for good weather that was desperately needed for an advance. The chaplain complied, the weather cleared, and Patton awarded the chaplain a bronze star on the spot.
how long did the battle of the bulge last?
The 1964 war movie 'The Battle of the Bulge' was so historically inaccurate that President Dwight D. Eisenhower came out of retirement and held a press conference just to denounce the film.
Who won at the battle of the bulge?
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering what was the battle of the bulge. Here are 50 of the best facts about Battle Bulge Casualties and Battle Bulge Location I managed to collect.
where was the battle of the bulge fought at?
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During the Battle of the Bulge, German troops who could speak English were air-dropped behind Allied lines while wearing American uniforms to cause confusion for the Allies
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When Kurt Vonnegut served in WW2 he was captured by Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a POW in Dresden and survived the bombing of the city by hiding in a meat locker in a slaughterhouse where he was imprisoned. This inspired him to write the anti-war novel Slaughter-House Five.
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The 1965 film ‘The Battle of the Bulge’ was so Historically Inaccurate, That President Eisenhower Came Out of Retirement & Held a Press Conference Just to Denounce the Film.
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Mel Brooks was a combat engineer at the Battle of the Bulge. When the Nazis played their propaganda over loudspeakers, he responded by setting up his own sound system and playing music by Jewish singer Al Jolson
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Comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks not only discovered Dave Chappelle, he also discovered Gene Wilder (The original Willy Wonka). He also served as a Combat Engineer in the Battle of the Bulge, defusing explosives, and set up his own loud speakers and sang to enemy propaganda loudspeakers.
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During the Battle of the Bulge, American MPs trying to uncover German infiltrators would ask soldiers questions that every American should know. General Omar Bradley was briefly detained after he "incorrectly" identified Springfield as the capital of Illinois. The MP thought it was Chicago.
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The 1964 Hollywood War Spectacular 'The Battle of the Bulge' was so historically inaccurate, that President Dwight D Eisenhower came out of retirement and held a press conference just to denounce the film.
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Marcella LeBeau, a WWII Army Nurse who served in the wake of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. She received the French Legion of Honor, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits. The Native American woman is 98 and still active in her community in South Dakota.
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Comedian and actor Mel Brooks served as a combat engineer in WWII and was trained to defuse explosives. His unit was sent to Europe in the first week of the invasion, and he fought through the battle of the Bulge. He recalled how all the refugees were starving and called it "horrible"
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During the Battle of the Bulge, American MPs trying to uncover German infiltrators would ask soldiers questions only a real American would know. General Omar Bradley was briefly detained after he "incorrectly" identified Springfield as the capital of Illinois. The MP thought it was Chicago.
Why was it called the battle of the bulge?
You can easily fact check why did the battle of the bulge happen by examining the linked well-known sources.
David Niven was the only British star in Hollywood to enlist during World War 2. When suspicious American guards asked during the Battle of the Bulge who had won the World Series in 1943, he answered "Haven't the foggiest idea ... but I did co-star with Ginger Rogers in 'Bachelor Mother'!"
The Wereth 11, a group of eleven black soldiers separated from their battalion during the first few days of the Battle of the Bulge. Even though the eleven men surrendered to the Germans, they were taken to a nearby field where they were tortured and then murdered. - source
During the Battle of the Bulge, English-speaking German commandos impersonated U.S. military and sabotaged communications. This led to such suspicion among troops that General Omar Bradley had to prove his identity three times–by answering questions about football and Betty Grable. - source
J.D. Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye, fought in D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Hürtgen Forest, helped liberate sub-compounds of Dachau Concentration Camp, and later served in counterintelligence unit, where he would interrogate war criminals.
When was the battle of the bulge?
American general George Patton led much of the defensive on the ground.
How did the battle of the bulge end?
President Eisenhower came out of retirement and held a press conference to criticize the 1965 movie "Battle of the Bulge" for its gross historical inaccuracy.
Although a number of different Allied forces took part in the battle, it was overwhelming an American versus German battle. Only 200 British were killed in the battle.
After the battle Winston Churchill addressed the House of Commons and said, "This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory."
The senior German generals who led the offensive were led by Walter Model and Gerd von Rundstedt.
The Germans referred to the offensive as "Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein:" "Operation Watch on the Rhine."