I've long wondered, and in fact have been counting on these threads to explain, why this mighty German invading force couldn't overcome lightly-defended Bastogne, and I think you've distilled the answer for me.
Bastogne was not only defended by the 101st Airborne, whose troops were trained to fight in isolated positions, there were a ton of troops and materiel from a large variety of units who had filtered in as they were driven back. It was a hodge-podge, but a potent hodge-podge, once it got organized for defense. They sustained a lot of casualties, but they gave the Germans one hell of a bloody nose.
They deserve all the glory they’ve gotten. But so do the men who fought hundreds of other crucial actions throughout the Battle.
The Americans were greatly helped by the huge logistical failures on the Germans part.
If the traffic jams on the Americans side were bad the ones behind the Germans lines were epic!
The Germans had stockpiled some 4 million gallons of fuel for the offensive. That is a lot of gas but only about 20% of the fuel was at the front. The rest was stored east of the Rhine to keep it out of the Allied hands Did I mention the traffic jam problem?
By day 3 Allied airpower started hammering at the rail and road junctions between the Ardennes and the Rhine creating further delays in getting supplies to the front. When the weather broke on Dec 23rd Allied tactical air came into play in full force. From the Dec 23rd to Dec 27th for German forces to move in daylight meant almost certain death at the hands of the Allied Jabos.
It is always fun to play what if but a couple of things stand out:
1} What if the German traffic jams had not been as bad as they were? Fortunately for the Americans that was not the case. Many times the timely reinforcements for the Germans were held up in traffic jams in the rear. This gave the Americans crucial time and space to get ready for the next attack.
2} What if the Germans had brought up 50% 0f the available fuel instead of the 20%. Panzer units would not have been sitting idle waiting for fuel to move out on the attack. The lack of fuel played a part in the German failure to take St. Vith and Bastogne in a timely manner because units had to wait on fuel to keep moving.
Part of the German logistical issues were due in part top Hitler’s meddling but a fair part was due to poor staff work. Mistakes that were not made by the Geramsn staff in 1940.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}