In January 1945, as Patton’s 3rd Army moved from south to north for nearly 90 degrees in the campaign, it rushed to aid the American troops surrounded by Bastogne, heralding The Allied counterattack at the Battle of the Ardennes began. On the 25th, all the German troops were chased by the Allied forces, and they were all driven back to the initial position where the battle started.
For the officers and soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army, this is a happy and disappointing thing. Happily, I finally "say goodbye" to the days when Bastogne was short of food and clothing. After the mission was completed, he could take a break. However, disappointingly, Eisenhower had no such plan and ordered the paratroopers to continue the attack.
The U.S. Army wants to take Berlin in one go.
First of all, the Battle of Ardennes was the last large-scale German offensive. It can be said that the last bit of German strength was also exhausted. At this time, it is advisable to "bring the remaining brave to chase the poor." When the morale of the German army is declining and the war potential is exhausted, the opponent should not be given any chance to breathe.
Again, the domestic situation in the United States is not optimistic. Since joining the war, domestic military production and manpower resources have also reached their limits. Eisenhower had no spare reserve team at hand, so he had to use the airborne troops performing special operations as infantry. Although it was a little "overkill", there was no way.
Secondly, Montgomery, who commanded the 1st Allied Army Group, was too cautious and even "indifferent", which made Eisenhower very disappointed and anxious. From his heart, he no longer counted on the strength of the British. He decided to rely on the American army and ordered Patton's 3rd Army and the American forces on the Western Front to start a counterattack. The battle of
was tragic. Although the result was the victory of the Allied forces, the US military paid the price of 100,000 casualties. In sharp contrast with the US military, the British army suffered less than 2,000 casualties. This made Churchill feel sorry for himself and had to praise the bravery of the American army in the Battle of the Ardennes, calling it "the greatest American battle in World War II."
Of course, the Soviets launched the Battle of the Vistula on the Eastern Front, forcing the Germans to transfer 6 armored divisions to the Eastern Front and also reducing the Allied forces in the Ardennes. The pressure has become the key to victory. But the problem is that the Soviet army has a strong offensive and has the momentum to control Western Europe. This is the last thing Britain and the United States want to see.
Despite the difficulties, Eisenhower still ordered the airborne division to conduct a quick assault. The results were brilliant, they fought all the way to Germany; the losses were also heavy. The E company first arrived in Belgium with 121 people, and only 61 people were left when they returned to France to rest. This was the worst loss of E Company in all previous battles.
The veterans of E Company hated and avoided war during the rest period. The
E company returned to Mammion, but did not live in the barracks, but was arranged in a military tent that could accommodate 12 people. However, there are still many entertainment venues around, including bars, clubs and so on. This gave the officers and soldiers a lot of relief. They washed away the dirt on their bodies for 10 weeks, cut hair, shaved, put on new uniforms, and went to the "outside world" to vent.
However, the military did not seem to be planning to let them rest. On the second day of arrival, Winters’ 2nd Battalion was converted to the 506 Regiment Reserve. The recruits and weapons were all ready, and intense combat training began. The endless exercises and physical training took up all their rest time. Dissatisfaction is getting higher, especially among veterans.
First, the remaining veterans who have passed the test of life and death are "combat elites". General training is useless in their eyes. They think that they can come back alive and be able to "control" everything on the battlefield. Of course, the officers also understood the feelings of the veterans, and sometimes "open one eye, close one eye" and let them go.
Secondly, the veterans have fought a lot in wars and saw many deadUp. The freshness, excitement and excitement of the first battlefield were also consumed by the cruel war. While rejoicing that they could come back alive, they became increasingly afraid of death. They wanted to go home, but the constant recruitment of recruits made them realize that the next battle would come at any time.
What makes them even more annoying is that in the rear far away from the battlefield, they see piles of supplies in the port, and wine, coffee, cans are powerful and powerful. People took it first, and even the auto soldiers in charge of transportation arbitrarily embezzled the materials sent to the front line. Many people even started a "black market transaction", leaving only bullets and dry food in their hands.
Thinking of the lack of food and clothing in Bastogne, they hated the "darkness" of the army even more. They are fighting desperately in the front, while the people behind are "swallowing" the supplies they deserve. This sense of imbalance suddenly rushes to their hearts, "Why is it worth our hard work?" They don't want to do it anymore. This war is paid.
E company officers have paid off.
Another benefit of rest is "reward on merit". After the war, the battalion and company-level officers changed their ranks, and those who had acted as agents were all "righted up." On March 8th, Major Winters was appointed commander of the 2nd Battalion, and Sergeant Lipton of Company E was also promoted to platoon commander. Even Lieutenant Jones, who had just graduated from West Point Military Academy, was promoted to lieutenant for performing a reconnaissance mission.
The only regret is Captain Nixon. He was demoted from regimental staff to battalion staff. This was mainly due to his alcoholism. Colonel Zink admired his talent, but he did not expect that Nixon drank almost every day. He couldn't stand such a staff and transferred him back to the 2nd Battalion. Of course, Winters who heard the news was very happy because they were good friends.
What made him "relieved" was that he met the former company commander Captain Sobel one day on the road. Just when the two were close at hand, Sobel lowered his head without saluting. Winters yelled: "Captain Sobel, saluting is based on the rank, not the person." Sobel saluted him helplessly, and the non-commissioned officers next to him all smiled intentionally.
Some friends think he is not kind, and some are "small belly chicken intestines". But it is understandable that Winters is also an ordinary person, he has the right to express his ideas, he does this, his own reason. First of all, as a hierarchical army, Sobel has no officer, Winters has the responsibility to help him correct.
Secondly, if there were only the two of them at the time, Winters might not make a difference. But there are many of his subordinates beside him, and many non-commissioned officers who dislike him. Sobel's actions are obviously "not giving face" and deliberately making him embarrassed. Anyone with a "tempered temper" will not tolerate such a thing.
Of course, Winters approves of Sobel's "strict" training, but hates his practice of doing nothing, jealous, and overpowering others. The two even almost went to the military court. What is even more annoying is that Winters was also demoted from deputy company commander to platoon commander. This tone may have been the one he had been holding back, and to scold him was just to despise his past practices.
Do you think Winters’s approach is correct? Welcome to leave a message and discuss.
References: "The Complete History of World War II", "The Second World War", "Brother Company"
Welcome to search and pay attention to "talking about history under the poplar tree" // Learn history and spread positive cultural energy //Unauthorized, please do not reprint!
