Battle Of The Bulge - Tank Graveyard: La Gleize Then & Now Part 2

The village of La Gleize would become a tank graveyard for the armour left behind by the men of Kampfgruppe Peiper during their retreat on Christmas Eve, 1944 after being surrounded by American Forces during the Battle of the Bulge.

In this second visit to the village, I will look at more amazing Then and Now locations from the village and the tanks and armour that was left behind.

If you haven't seen Part 1, you can find it in my Battle of the Bulge Playlist.

Enjoy!

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[georgeallen]

My father was in that area with the 3rd Armored Division then. He was the loader in a M24 Chaffee. His tank was later destroyed by a anti tank gun in Germany and he was the only survivor. The round came in just above the drivers head. My father was protected somewhat by the breach of the gun. His legs from the knees down and his left hand and wrist were full of shrapnel. He was able to get out and down in the muddy tank track just as it was hit again. He had a lot of that shrapnel left in his body his whole life. Every now and then a small piece would fester up and come out. He passed in 1993.

[MrMrliamo]

Well done lad, only for people like you that takes time off work and pay all your own expenses just to save history and then put it on YouTube for the world to see for free! Thank you SIR! Best wishes, liam from the west of Ireland

[hadial-saadoon]

I visited La Gleize and the December 1944 museum in 2016. While the King Tiger was amazing, the collection of salvaged weapons and equipment was chilling. The wastage of warfare.

[Hmbucker]

Nice Then and Now, being Belgian I can only be humble and grateful for all these sacrifices. Keep doing these documentaries, by far the best I've seen so far.

[kathyc]

My father in law was there with the 18th Infantry. I want to thank all the men for their Service. ❤

[slugfest]

I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy watching your Then & Now photos of the war in Europe. I was born on December 24, 1944, and all the changes that have taken place since those days reminds me that I'm getting very old! I spent just short of three years in Germany during the mid-60's with the U.S Army and was able to snoop around areas around Ansbach and Nurnberg. Even then, without the research material you have, I was awed by the enormity of that conflict. Keep up the good work, there are lots of people who follow, and appreciate, your efforts.

[Padoinky]

This is a great way to connect the in-depth assessments of the many complex and integrated battles, the strategies and tactics employed w/ the actual physical landscapes

[suepalin]

Thanks, Jon, for another fascinating video. The use of Then and Now" photographs adds an extra level of time and place to these WW2 battle scenes. And the incoming mist was certainly atmospheric and chilling in a number of ways...

[omcbob]

Your then and now documentaries are absolutely fascinating. To look at the beauty of the area today as opposed to the death and destruction that happened back then, you realize you are walking on hallowed ground. Very well done, sir.

[anyblunder]

I was there with my high school class being showed around by an old Belgium guide who actually was there when the fight was going on. An amazing experience and I’ll never forget it as long as I live. Thank you for showing me around again. I agree, there’s something about the Ardennes that you can’t define. It’s like the place holds the souls of those who perished and they still haunt it today.

[BlitzH]

Superb. Thank you. I visited there many years ago now. Seeing the now and then of more of the village truly helps me appreciate what happened there.
The SdKfz-251 looked like it may have been a pionier bridglayer track.
And the Panther now replaced with tractors at the exact spot reminds me of the “swords to plowshares” parable.

[malemesjager]

Regiments of 3 Elite American Divisions, 3rd Armored, 30th Infantry, 82nd Airborn and they couldn't finish off Peiper and his Battlegroup which was out of gas and ammo, such a badass commander and soldiers!!

[StephenFarrow-gxqu]

Panther 221 at the end of the video, sorry if I got the number wrong. She was a special tank, did anyone notice the all-steel road wheels. Only a few Panthers G's were such fitted, these wheels were meant for the Panther F under development but not put into service.

[firstcitytraveler]

Wow, another amazing Then and Now. La Gleize was pivotal battle to stop Peiper's advance towards the Meuse and force his retreat back to Germany. Keep up the great work.

[sabii]

It's said in little over week between the 16th and 23rd Peiper had lost 92 tanks and around 95 halftracks. Amazes me Peiper was able to make it out with close to 800 men. Great work.

[chrispig]

Wow, really appreciate these photos. Really makes you think about what happened. Living history. Thank you

[michaelperkins]

Been there a few times by motorcycle and would like to thank you for your then and now pictures, BRILLIANT

[ruthirace]

Great episode! It is indeed a beautiful area. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. It helps me to understand what occured here. Looking forward to more episodes. I hope to visit the area one day in the near future.

[troykauffman]

Well done, looking forward to more Battle of the Bulge content.

[brianjbull]

Jon, another fantastic video.The work and dedication you put into these must be immense, and take up an awful lot of time and expense, :so grateful for all that input and the sense of history revisited that comes through.Please keep up the good work, and the happiest of New Year to you.Well done.