No, Monty didn't make a 'Blunder' during the Battle of the Bulge (with the 82nd Airborne)

During the Battle of the Bulge, Bernard Montgomery pulled back the 82nd Airborne Division in what has been described as "one of the worst blunders of the battle". But is this really the case? By reading through a bunch of sources, we can discover what really happened, and see who was right - Monty, Eisenhower, Bradley or Ridgway? Let's find out.

This video is discussing events or concepts that are academic, educational and historical in nature. This video is for informational purposes and was created so we may better understand the past and learn from the mistakes others have made.

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📚 BIBLIOGRAPHY / SOURCES 📚

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ABOUT TIK 📝

History isn’t as boring as some people think, and my goal is to get people talking about it. I also want to dispel the myths and distortions that ruin our perception of the past by asking a simple question - “But is this really the case?”. I have a 2:1 Degree in History and a passion for early 20th Century conflicts (mainly WW2). I’m therefore approaching this like I would an academic essay. Lots of sources, quotes, references and so on. Only the truth will do.

[markhubanks]

My Dad was in B company 509th of the 82nd. He was a BAR man who had made 5 combat jumps from North Africa, Sicily, DDay, Holland and at the Rhine. He always said he never thought he would survive at the Bulge. Lying in the snow using bed sheets as camouflage taking out German
Infantry while bazooka men were firing at the tanks. He got frostbite and his fourth purple heart, but they held the line.

[tylermorrison]

Tik is a legend, nobody works harder then this guy to produce consumable historical documentaries

[AGaming]

Tik, you've made my day. Although saddened to hear you're burned out from Stalingrad, different battles in the same format of Battlestorm in Bitesize Chunks is fantastic. More of this, and would specifically request the Dunkirk evacuation!

[CB-vtmx]

I was in 3rd Armored Division in the 1980s. We studied this campaign extensively as it has obvious parallels to the cold war scenario in the Fulda Gap. The consensus at that time was that delay in withdrawing from St Vith denied 3AD the opportunity to mass and attack as a unified force (not to mention delaying the reorg of the 82d).

30 some years later I am still not sure this is the case, but heavy divisions tend to think in terms of offensive opportunity in order to bring their combined arms power to bear on a decisive point rather than spreading it over a defensive front. This makes sense when you understand that the primary strength of heavy divisions is mobility, not armor. Defense normally deprives the commander of mobility both at the tactical and operational levels. It is the operational level that matters, frankly.

Also, the logistical requirements of heavy division are simply not supportable via airhead.

[theeducatedgrunt]

As a Veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1990 to 92 and then 2005-2009... C/1/325 Airborne inf regiment, and D/313th MI (Lrsd) I approve of this message... Sometimes the truth hurts and without the truth in history we are screwed... Well done TIK and dont let the Dirty nasty legs bring you down.

[ascentimber]

Your return to the Western Front means I gotta rewatch your Operation Market Garden series, for the fourth time!

[grumpyoldman]

"Montgomery's contribution to restoring the situation was that he turned a series of isolated actions into a coherent battle fought according t o a clear and definite plan. It was his refusal to engage in premature and piecemeal counter-attacks which enabled the Americans to gather their reserves and frustrate the German attempts to extend their breakthrough" (Hugo von Manteuffel; 6th Panzer Army).(UK)

[charlesentrekin]

I think you did probably the best analysis I have ever heard on the Battle of the Bulge. I have been fascinated by this battle ever since I saw the old Henry Fonda movie as a kid. I have read everything I could find on it. And you answered the last few minor questions that I had, thank you.

[scottmiller]

Excellent job, as usual, laying out your case. As a trial lawyer with 30 years and hundreds of jury trials under my belt, I would venture to say you would make a great trial lawyer.

[j.kevinchapman]

Thanks for crediting the 82nd AB for what they did during the battle. My father was severely wounded on January 3rd 1945 with the 325 GIR. He came in as a replacement for Market Garden. Most of my readings do not mention the 82nd much. I am very proud of his service. He suffered a great deal from his wounds long after this battle. Airborne all the Way!

[briannewman]

It appears to me that the Allies response to the Bulge attack by the Germans was actually very good. The British established strong defensive positions in the planned path of the German attack while the Americans launched a powerful counter attack into the Southern flank of the German offensive. The relatively weak US forces in the Ardennes were able to delay the German offensive with a minimum loss of lives giving time for both the British and American responses to the attack to be effectively implemented.

[AndreLuis-gwox]

Really nice video, TIK. The back and forth between commanders and the analysis of their "palace intrigues" and how accurate their memoirs were bring these events to life and make then more "human" and relatable, if this makes sense.

[richardchisholm]

I like your view of the way the battle transpired and decisions that were made by Ike, and Montgomery. As an American, I studied the Bastone part of the battle for years before turning attention to the area near St. Vith. I allowed myself to think of Monty as arrogant, too meticulous, and cautious. After studying the northern portion of the German attack, I had to agree that Monty made a solid decision to pull the American units west and north. He may have "withdrawn" them, and in effect "tidied" up the lines, but he did, in effect establish a contiguous front to halt any further German advance. Most likely, he saved many American lives.

[markmccummins]

Excellent video! I am a critic of Omar Bradley. He spent summer and fall of 1944 convincing himself and subordinates that Nazi Germany was done. The Ardennes Offensive should have opened his eyes; instead he blamed Montgomery for Monty’s response.

[robmacpherson]

Excellent piece which I enjoyed very much. I’ve never understood the level of dislike for Monty, I just can’t wrap my head around it. Any Vet will tell you that 99.9% of the upper echelon commanders are narcissistic wankers, that are more interested in their own legacy than they are the well-being of the men they command. Monty was indeed a narcissist, and probably a bit of a wanker too, but he cared for his men, he wanted them to go home to loved ones. That was rare back then, it genuinely bothers me that it’s not mentioned enough (glad you touched on it).

As part of the great unwashed, in the blink of an eye could I tell you who I’d have preferred to fight under should it have been me back then.

[johnburns]

Here is what General James Gavin said about Monty's new defensive positions west of St.Vith:
_"Obviously, in the situation confronting the XVIII Corps, a withdrawal was very much in order. It shortened the section allocated to the 82nd by about 50 per cent, thus enabling us to do much better on the defensive. The new defensive position was far superior in terms of fields of fire and cover for the defenders than the old position. Finally, we would be in a much better position to launch a counter attack when the moment for that came"_

[ErikHare]

I came into this waiting to hear about how somebody I don't like, Montgomery screwed up. And then you wound up convincing me that somebody I really like, Bradley, really screwed up. I like that. It's really good to challenge all of us

[michaeldmcgee]

Montgomery's experience in the Great War with its tragic and unnecessary waste of human life gave him an outlook and attitude that differed from the American commanders. He was not a perfect commander and made his share of mistakes, but he should be judged by his battlefield record rather than on his difficult personality and impolitic public (and private ) statements. Great Britain was fortunate to have such a man at hand in its time of need.

[charlesjmouse]

FWIW: This seems a pretty reasonable 'preliminary' analysis to me.

It's funny to think TIK's 'quick look' in to this subject prior to a 'proper' investigation is more detailed than the 'complete' work of most others. Well done old chap, and many thanks.

[clintonr]

I've read about these topics for decades, but with your research into the facts and insight into human behavior, you make so many things so much easier to comprehend. Excellent work, my friend.