The Battle of the Bulge: Rare Images in Life Magazine

by **RangerX** » June 4th, 2012, 7:42 am

From December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945, American, British, Canadian, Belgian, and French forces fought to stop the final major German offensive of World War II, launched in the heavily forested Ardennes Mountains of Belgium. While Allied forces ultimately triumphed, it was a hard victory, leaving tens of thousands dead on both sides. Today, the conflict is known as the Battle of the Bulge.

One of the most difficult aspects of the Bulge was the weather, as extreme — indeed, historic — cold wreaked havoc and turned relatively simple logistics of travel, shelter, and meals into a daily struggle. In fact, January 1945 was the coldest January on record for that part of Europe, and over the course of the battle more than 15,000 Allied troops alone were treated for frostbite and other cold-related injuries.

Here, LIFE presents rare photos, as well as many images that were never published in the magazine, from one of the most brutal and pivotal battles of the Second World War.

http://life.time.com/history/battle-of- ... -unseen/#1

by **CharlieRanger1FFV** » June 4th, 2012, 9:38 am

Now that was a hell of a battle, thanks for posting.

RLTW!!!

by **Steadfast** » June 4th, 2012, 2:37 pm

CharlieRanger1FFV wrote:Now that was a hell of a battle, thanks for posting.

X's 2

Rough days long ago!

I wasn't even born yet.

by **Dangit** » June 5th, 2012, 3:51 am

My dad was there... Never talked about it though...

by **TC204** » June 5th, 2012, 8:29 am

I've always been a self made historian when it comes to WW2, mostly regarding the Pacific Theater but the Ardennes was one brutal place to serve in the dead of winter. Germany was very tough even when their backs were against the wall. What hurt in that battle is air support was non existent.

by **Lefty** » June 6th, 2012, 10:31 am

My first big promotion in banking (auditor to Ass't. VP) was recommended by an executive who was a veteran of the 'Bulge'. Permanently crippled by wounds from mortar rounds, he took notice of me as a young vet, and gave me sage advice. His best quote was, after taking his ever-present cigar out of his mouth, "Whenever you are having a tough time in the bank, just ask yourself, Are they shooting real bullets yet?, and you'll do just fine.'

He is long since deceased, but I never forgot his advice or his service in WWII.