Quote:
Originally Posted by clueless_newbie
Well, okay, here goes:
In the war movies concerning the Battle of the Bulge (e.g. Band of Brothers), we are always treated to these heroic American infantry holding off the German panzers.
Now, I know they're just movies, but I'm confused. The Americans seem to be armed with small arms, some grenades, and maybe a machine gun or two. And they're always "critically low on ammunition."
How is it that these men can hold off the German armor? I mean, you can't stop a Panther with an M-1 or a grenade.
Now, obviously, these guys did it in real life, so I'm missing something. How did it really happen? What stopped the German armor from just rolling through the positions? 
And thanks for the kind responses. |
When the 101st Airborne moved into Bastogne, it was supported by the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division as well, so in addition to rifles, bayonets and grenades, the paratroopers had some armored support available. It must be noted that both of these armored units were not full strength either, but were still capable of doing their job, especially in this case when their survival depended on it. Even though the 101st was in the process of being refitted after two months of sustained combat in Holland (Operation Market Garden and afterwards), it was a four regiment division (501st, 502nd and 506th PIR in addition to the 327th GIR) as opposed to the standard three regiment infantry division. The biggest advantage going for them was the fact that they were paratroopers, and being surrounded and cut off with little to no supplies was nothing new to them.
I know that I must have left something out, so please feel free to jump in and set me straight guys.