82nd Airborne - Holding The Line In The Battle Of The Bulge

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4 ай бұрын

82nd Airborne - Holding The Line In The Battle Of The Bulge
The 101st Airborne Division are well known for their actions at Bastogne, defending the vital crossroads town. It was even depicted in HBOs mini-series Band of Brothers.
But their sister division, the 82nd Airborne would play and equal role in the northern sector of the bulge during the Ardennes Counter-Offensive.
This was especially true at the Belgium town of Trois Ponts.
Here the famed 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division along with Engineers from the US Army would block the way for Kampfgruppe Peiper and his armour, as Peiper attempted to push west to the bridges over the Meuse River.
It was a Trois Ponts where the Salm River meets the Ambleve River that Peiper would have the bridges denied to him and then the valiant defence of Easy Company against Schnellgruppe Knittel would see the Germans kept at bay.
#battleofthebulge #82ndairborne #bandofbrothers #easycompany #505 #engineers #usarmy
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Пікірлер: 134

@tommytaylor4458 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video! Stokes Taylor was my Grandfather. After he held the AT position to allow his men evacuate , he made a run towards the bottom of road he got within a couple hundred yards and a lone German step in the road ,shot him.he fell , he got up half walking stumbling off the side.they made him comfortable.he could not be evacuated across the river.the found his remains after the war. I have been thier,you nailed the E Co line and gun positions for me! Don McGee of F Co told me they were along an old road just inside the tree line that border the main road,he said they shot the Germans up bad so E co could evactuate. Thank you so very much for what you Do!,,

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

I hope it did your Grandfather’s memory and that of his buddies justice and will bring their story to a new audience. Im honestly so pleased you’ve seen it and to be able to connect through your Grandfather’s actions there that day is really very humbling for me.

@Eric-kn4yn 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder how did KT2s get to trois pont which bridge did they cross

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

@@Eric-kn4yn the bridge at Stavelot

@georgeallen4495 4 ай бұрын

The greatest generation to be sure.

@sharkbites9977 4 ай бұрын

God bless him, airborne all the way!!

@maxsoon1097 3 ай бұрын

So much talk about 101st in the battle of Bastogne but very few we heard about 82nd Airborne division. You did well by covering this division. Great.

@WW2Wayfinder 3 ай бұрын

Thank you. I agree, while the 101st have my upmost respect, the role of the 82nd in those opening days was crucial. I have one more video about the 82nd in the Bulge which will be out in the next month I think which I hope you’ll enjoy!

@sharkbites9977 4 ай бұрын

I was proud to serve in the 82nd 307th Engineer 79 to 81 proud because of these brave men. AIRBORNE!!!

@clementaut7287 4 ай бұрын

Just finished Nordyke's book Four stars of valor abour the 505th PIR. This video is right on time !

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

That’s a cracking book! Nordykes work is the definitive on the 82nd in WW2.

@Eric-kn4yn 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder these bridges throughout the ardennes would take weight of 70ton tiger tank a few were in trois pont the end of the german advance how did they get there

@firstcitytraveler 4 ай бұрын

Another excellent video. Not being able to cross the bridges at Trois Ponts, Piper had to move back north and would never get any closer to the Meuse. Thanks, Jon for these informative videos.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! It’s quite incredible to walk the ground there knowing how a few, very determined Engineers were able to blunt his assault west, then with the 505th there were able to keep his forces at bay long enough to cripple the advance. Thanks again for taking the time to watch 😃

@D2C3R5 4 ай бұрын

Ditto. great video. have been there many times. imagine peiper trying manuever his 10 mile long column through the valleys.@@WW2Wayfinder

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

@@D2C3R5 it’s a great location isn’t it and no idea how he thought he’d be able to get through so many choke points and areas so suited to the defender!

@Eric-kn4yn 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder were there 3 bridges intact after the fighting there

@Eric-kn4yn 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinderskorzeny's commandos task was to stop these vital bridges being destroyed a failed mission

@sabii416 4 ай бұрын

Outstanding video very precise and informative. Trois Ponts was a turning point for Peiper beyond these bridges lay more open and better roads to the Meuse. With a stall in the advance his losses grew. Enjoy the Ardennes content very much.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! I really like Trois Ponts and the hills around there are stunning but seeing it in the winter time with the knowledge of what took place there I can only imagine how brutal it was for the engineers and the men of the 2/505th who fought there. Thanks again for taking the time to watch!

@terrycrowley9323 4 ай бұрын

Im glad you did this one because it makes it all very clear what happened there. Id herd about this battle but now it's clear to me, thanks

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

My pleasure! Trois Ponts is such an important battle but so overlooked as it was relatively quick but hopefully this helps to preserve the memory of what took place there over those few days.

@popnmeg 4 ай бұрын

Excellent , what a great historian keep them coming Great viewing 👍

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I’ve still got a few more episodes from the Ardennes to come!

@montanamountainmen6104 3 ай бұрын

My great uncle was I Company, 505th 82nd. He was killed 3 Jan 1945 around Basse Bordeau. He and his comrades were killed and wounded by heavy German artilley and machine gun fire.

@paulrobinson8263 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for that once again, very informative and well put together, Robbo 👌👍

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Robbo. Trois Ponts is a favourite of mine in the Ardennes and very significant in terms of what the Engineers achieved there, I just wish it got more coverage as it’s such an important battle.

@GStatusMusicChannel 4 ай бұрын

Awesome video. The way you put these together is outstanding. So much info and easy to follow. Thanks for your hard work!!

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Trois Ponts is a great place to visit and some amazing history there!

@johnrye6752 4 ай бұрын

Another 1st class episode, cheers.....

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@bgroovin1343 4 ай бұрын

As always, great detail and easy to follow. I especially appreciate the extra details at the end along with the citation and photos. It's a proper way to honor them.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Hopefully it goes a small way to keeping the memory of these men alive for the next generation!

@Master50582 4 ай бұрын

Awesome video! My old battalion 2Panther (1986-1992). Got to meet Lt Col Vandervoort during the reactivation of 3rd Battalion and the Regimental HQ in 1987. He was great and lived in my hometown of San Jose, CA.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Oh fantastic! I bet he had some stores to tell!

@zcam1969 3 ай бұрын

my dad's Military record has this battle listed as the Ardennes . he was there in Dec.1944, 82nd Airborne Field Artillery .he said the same thing Capt Meddaugh ''a foot of snow and froze his ass off ''

@donl1846 4 ай бұрын

This was excellent, thank you for posting. Very informative and well researched.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@dougkruse1301 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for what you are doing, my dad was at Parker’s corner and these videos are really interesting. Thanks again.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Oh wow! I was able to visit that spot this time but I’d like to on a future trip as the defence the men put up there was incredible.

@michaeldean1289 4 ай бұрын

Hi Jon Beautiful area, with such a dark history. Thanks again for sharing another informative and very interesting story of the Ardennes campaign. Cheers from Australia ❤😊

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

You’re most welcome!

@user-tq9sz6cf2q 4 ай бұрын

My father was in E Company at the Trios Pont battle - he was proud of his service which eventually led to his death by Alzheimer's due to his WW II traumatic brain injuries.

@paulopraieiro5947 4 ай бұрын

The videos are fantastic! I'm a Brazilian passionate about WW2, I hope that in the future I can document Brazil's participation in WW2 (Brazilian Expeditionary Force) - Italy. Congratulations👏

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@dnldcow 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for the great video , being able to see the spots they defended if not for the thinking on the run who knows how for Piper would have gotten.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Trois Ponts really is a story of ingenuity and quick thinking by the men on the ground and the fact that the engineers blunted Peiper’s advance is so cool!

@johnsimms4501 4 ай бұрын

Excellent stuff. When you add the arrows that show the approach of the Germans it really helps picture the situation.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! I’m trying to develop the routes of advance side of my videos when editing them to try and make every element as clear as possible so I’ll defiantly keep doing this for future episodes.

@stephenarno2032 4 ай бұрын

My dad was a combat engineer in the ETO..the greatest generation.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

The engineers don’t get as much coverage as they deserve. Those men kept the army moving forward and, like at Trois Ponts, they fought like lions when they had to!

@stephenarno2032 4 ай бұрын

Thankyou WW2 Wayfinder for the amazing content!

@stevensmith662 4 ай бұрын

Another excellent informative video Jon Many thanks for all your hard work and research Neil

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Neil, glad you enjoyed it. Trois Ponts is one of those spots that was vital in stopping the Germans drive west but gets so little mention sadly.

@spyroslazarides8189 4 ай бұрын

Great work for military history!!! All the best

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@bettylaselli2048 4 ай бұрын

However it is a beautiful place, thanks for sharing!

@mikehall5815 4 ай бұрын

Jon great video! Again thanks for the history lesson. Always left wanting more!👏

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Mike, glad you enjoyed it! Next weeks episode will be slightly different again but a poignant one.

@alanclark4255 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for showing their valor to us at home. Great research and presentation.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@regisbrasil4082 4 ай бұрын

Excellent video. Great story. Great generation. Perfect narration. Greetings from Fortaleza, Brazil

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! And very cool you’re watching from Brazil! I must do an episode on the Brazilian P-47 pilots!

@davideden9765 4 ай бұрын

Excellent video. Thank you!

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

You’re most welcome!

@joemabry9643 4 ай бұрын

Thank you.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

@robertjessen1554 4 ай бұрын

Outstanding video. You were able to bring the action into focus.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@greggriffin1 4 ай бұрын

Always great history vid from you very indebt, never miss your content thank you so much.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I think the 82nd actions in the Ardennes are so note worthy so was a pleasure to film at Trois Ponts! Thanks again for taking the time to watch 😃

@richardyoder3646 4 ай бұрын

Another great one jon

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@PeterOConnell-pq6io 3 ай бұрын

"Those g-ddamned engineers" -J Peiper

@robertvirtue 4 ай бұрын

Another beauty. Well researched and presented.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@maartendezwaan9715 4 ай бұрын

Another awesome video Jon, and thank you very much for for your effort and time making these video’s! Been to Trois Ponts a couple of times myself, love the Ardennes and its interesting WW2 History. Looking forward to your next video!

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Trois Ponts is a great spot and glad you’ve been able to see it for yourself! My next episode next Friday will be a different one again!

@bettylaselli2048 4 ай бұрын

Wow what shocking scenes!

@leoanto1954 4 ай бұрын

Grazie per questo interessante video.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@Baskerville22 3 ай бұрын

Great on-the-spot account, as usual.

@WW2Wayfinder 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@thenoworriesnomad 4 ай бұрын

Another fantastic and well done video...👍👍

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@user-uk2cc1vd6i 4 ай бұрын

Fantastic content! All The Way!

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@rgriffinRETIRED_SHEEPDOG 15 күн бұрын

Excellent video!

@WW2Wayfinder 15 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!!!

@muckmirrors2512 4 ай бұрын

Great video well researched.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@richardmardis2492 4 ай бұрын

You gone from a dude that’s has an interest in WW2- to a true historian!

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! I just hope it helps keeps the memory of these men alive for the next generation so they’re not forgotten. If that happens then it’s been worth it!

@richardmardis2492 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder You are surely doing your part- that you for caring so much🫡👍

@TheWordofHistory 4 ай бұрын

Great video mate, I need to get over there with you at some point

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thanks mate! And yes we definitely do need to get over to the Ardennes for a tour

@NickyB0718 4 ай бұрын

Outstanding video

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@crissrails7539 2 ай бұрын

fantastic video

@WW2Wayfinder 2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@StephenBaird-cp1fc 4 ай бұрын

Excellent

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@georgeallen4495 4 ай бұрын

What a great video!! Very very well done. I never have heard of this before and have been studying the war in Europe for 50 plus years as my father was in the 3rd armored at this time. I would love to read a book about this do you know of a good one? How cool to visit these battle areas, thank you for taking us along.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! AS for a book I would recommendFour Stars of Valor: The Combat History of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II by Phil Nordyke. his work on the 82nd is second to none!

@georgeallen4495 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder Thank you, I will get a copy.

@jasonford7826 3 ай бұрын

Great video as always. Would you happen to have information regarding 1st battalion of the 505th and their actions during the battle of the bulge?

@WW2Wayfinder 3 ай бұрын

Thank you Jason! Nothing off the top of my head ref 1/505 but the Phil Nordyke book on the 505th (4 Stars of Valor) is a great source of information

@jasonford7826 3 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you for the reference

@nails3394 2 ай бұрын

Your ability to rece the ground/homework...then relay whilst filming/positioning whilst filming/clear comms about where/what your filming 🤦‍♂️. This is the best that is on the internet in our geek interest community. There of course are other WW2 historians that do exellent content. But of this Macro/Micro type of content. Nothing close. Thankyou.

@WW2Wayfinder 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so. Half the time I feel like I just ramble to myself while walking alone in the woods!

@surfart5448 Ай бұрын

Any information on Ivan Woods and Floy Bond 82nd

@cameronkedas3375 4 ай бұрын

Do you think you could do a video of the 509th PIR? My great grandfather fought with the 509 throughout North Africa but was transferred to the 505th PIR at Sicily, then to the 101st at Normandy, Holland, and Bastogne, as well as Germany. I have had trouble finding information of the 509th PIR from everywhere in the war. I figured that if anyone can find some information, it’d be you. But, I’m sure you’re very busy with other content so if you can’t, I understand. I would really appreciate if you could. Nice video by the way, because like I said he was with the 505th in Sicily.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

If you’re able to drop me a message at contactww2wayfinder@gmail I can help you out with some 509th sources!

@angloaust1575 4 ай бұрын

Good to see other units being Mentioned The easy company were only A fraction of the airborne units! The 82nd had more combat Experience sicily normandy Holland Belgium and Germany!

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Exactly, while I’m a huge fan of the 101st, I’m always keen to see more emphasis on the 82nd, 17th Abn and the independent airborne units!

@nigeh5326 4 ай бұрын

Just curious at 9’55” there is a sign saying Trois-Ponts Gare underneath it lists the distance to Malmedy and Stavelot then Coo 30 is in black. Any idea of the reason for it being in black does it indicate a path rather than a road or a cycle path? I know a funny question but it caught the attention of my ADHD mind 😊

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

You’re correct, it’s a cycle/hiking path. Lots of hill walking/mountain biking in the Ardennes and it’s all really well sign posted!

@nigeh5326 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder thank you another great video btw 👍

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

@@nigeh5326 no worries! Glad you enjoyed it 😃

@paulstan9828 4 ай бұрын

My uncle was in WW2. Unit of Service: Battery C, 143rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion during the battle of the bulge. Do you have any information on that unit?

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

I don’t I’m afraid but if you’re able to email me at contactww2wayfinder@gmail.com I can have a look

@Madinfidelprepper 4 ай бұрын

Well considering it was a terrible winter and flights were impossible, he basically sat around shivering.

@33rdusa 4 ай бұрын

The only way to get an understanding of the action is to walk the ground, which you do. The steep hillsides and narrow roadbeds make you understand the constricted movements available to the tanks. Maps cannot adequately convey this.

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree! Trois Ponts on a map doesn’t look like much but when you’re stood in the town and looking up to the hills it’s a defenders paradise and the choke points etc become plain to see.

@eamo106 4 ай бұрын

I wish I could understand 30% of what you said, thank you for your journeys, your research and your video expertise ! I guess animation, showing the progression of the battle would help me. , can anyone help Wayfinder ?

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

There are closed captions/subtitles on every video.

@eamo106 4 ай бұрын

@@WW2Wayfinder I know, I am just Visual as most of us these days. Absolutely I could spend 6 hours understanding every post you make. My fault not yours, I love your posts ! Eamo' Texas .

@eamo106 4 ай бұрын

@WW2Wayfinder... the REMY were the UK logistic corps in WWII, my father in law a Churchill tank transporter truck driver in WWII. Noone has ever done a Video on the REMY - there were thousands of UK 'Supply Chain" troops in the war. ?

@motthomas4220 4 ай бұрын

👁👁 I came I saw I liked

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!!

@troykauffman3963 4 ай бұрын

Outstanding video as always Jon, very informative, well done sir. Your attention to detail is amazing! Using map symbols, distinctive unit insignias and actual award citations is greatly appreciated…again well done.🫡

@WW2Wayfinder 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Troy, glad you enjoyed it! Trois Ponts is quite the location to film in.