Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper: The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Bulge

In December 1944 an enormous German army group crashed through the thin American line in the Ardennes forest. Caught by surprise, the Allies were initially only able to throw two divisions of paratroopers to buttress the collapse—the 82nd Airborne, which was rushed to the area of St. Vith, and the 101st, which was trucked to Bastogne.

After their successful campaign in Holland, Colonel Reuben Tucker’s elite 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was resting and refitting in France when news came of the German breakthrough. Most dangerous to the Allies was the German spearhead of the 1st SS Panzer Division led by Jochen Peiper, which aimed to sever the Allied front. The 504th was committed to block the SS advance, and within 48 hours of their arrival Colonel Tucker’s paratroopers were attacking the SS-Panzergrenadiers of Peiper’s battlegroup, eventually forcing them to withdraw.

More ferocious fighting ensued as follow-up German units forced a U.S. retreat from St. Vith. In adverse weather conditions against the German 9th SS Panzer and 3rd Fallschirmjäger Divisions, the 504th lived up to it’s regimental motto--Strike and Hold. Although some rifle companies were whittled down to less than 50 paratroopers, the Americans doggedly fought on until victory was achieved.

Moving quotations of letters to the next-of-kin provide insight into the impact of their deaths both on the battlefield and homefront.

In this work Van Lunteren provides a fascinating, close-in view of the 504th P.I.R. during the Battle of the Bulge as well as its gallant sacrifice. Using never before published diaries, letters, battle reports and interviews with over 100 veterans, a comprehensive account is painted of a triumphant U.S. regiment in one of the fiercest fought campaigns in the history of the U.S. Army.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY FORMER 2ND LT. ROBERT E. BRAMSON, F/504
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1 CAMP SISSONNE: SISSONNE, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 15‒DECEMBER 15, 1944

2 A SERIOUS BREAKTHROUGH: WERBOMONT AND RAHIER, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 16‒19, 1944

3 THE ROAD TO CHENEUX: CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944

4 THE BATTLE OF CHENEUX: CHENEUX, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20, 1944
5 THE CAPTURE OF CHENEUX: CHENEUX AND MONCEAU, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 20‒21, 1944

6 THE END OF KAMPFGRUPPE PEIPER: CHENEUX AND TROIS PONTS, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 22‒24, 1944

7 ENTRAPMENT AND ENDURANCE: BRA-SUR-LIENNE, EN FLORET, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 25‒26, 1944

8 BREAKING UP THE GERMAN ASSAULT: BRA-SUR-LIENNE, BERGIFAZ, BELGIUM, DECEMBER 26‒31, 1944

9 STRIKING BACK: BELGIUM, JANUARY 1‒6, 1945

10 VICTORY AT A HIGH PRICE: FARNIÈRES, MONT AND ROCHELINVAL, JANUARY 7, 1945

11 TWIN TOWNS: PETIT HALLEUX AND GRAND HALLEUX, BELGIUM, JANUARY 8‒11, 1945

12 RECUPERATION: REMOUCHAMPS, BELGIUM, JANUARY 12–24, 1945

13 ADVANCE BY ATTRITION: HUNNANGE AND HERRESBACH, BELGIUM, JANUARY 25–29, 1945

14 DECIMATION AT MANDERFELD: HOLZHEIM, EIMERSCHEID AND MANDERFELD, BELGIUM, JANUARY 30‒31, 1945

15 THE BATTLE FOR THE MERTESROTT HEIGHTS: MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945

16 BREACHING THE SIEGFRIED LINE: MERTESROTT HEIGHTS, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945


17 FROM ONE FOREST TO ANOTHER: HUERTGEN FOREST, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 3–21, 1945

POSTSCRIPT: UNITED STATES, JANUARY 1946–JANUARY 2015

APPENDIX A: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS RECIPIENTS
APPENDIX B: PRISONERS OF WAR CAPTURED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
APPENDIX C: B COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX D: C COMPANY REPLACEMENTS AT CHENEUX, DECEMBER 22, 1944
APPENDIX E: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, DECEMBER 18, 1944
APPENDIX F: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 5, 1945
APPENDIX G: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, JANUARY 26, 1945
APPENDIX H: ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE 551ST PARACHUTE BATTALION, JANUARY 7, 1945
APPENDIX I: THE PRISONER OF WAR EXPERIENCE OF 2ND LIEUTENANT HARRY ROLLINS

NOTES
CONTRIBUTING VETERANS
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX