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OPERATION WATCH AM REIN – GUILD BATTLEFIELD RECCE FOR JUNE 2015
Introduction
“ Soldiers of the Western front. Your great hour has struck. Strong attacking armies are
advancing today against the Anglo-Americans. I don’t need to say more to you. You all feel
it, everything is at stake. Your bear in yourselves a holy duty to give everything for our
Fatherland and our Fuhrer” Quote from Field Marshal Von Rundstedt
Encouraged by this message from their commander Gerd Von Rundstedt, the German Army
attacked in the Ardennes at 05.30 on the 16 December 1944. A thunderous German artillery
barrage awakened the American troops manning the so called “Ghost Front” in the Ardennes
Forest. The barrage marked the start of Hitler’s last major offensive in the west codenamed
WACHT AM REIN (Watch on the Rhine). This fascinating and complex campaign will
provide the subject of the GBG battlefield recce for 2015.
Overview
The Ardennes Battlefield Recce has been designed to
take place over 5 nights and 6 days from June 12 to
June 17th 2015. There will also be an option to visit
additional stands if Guild members are willing to extend
their stay by arriving early and or leaving later. The
focus of the Recce will be on the planning, preparation
and execution of Operation WACHT AM REIN. This
code-word was deliberately chosen to try and deceive
the Allies about the purpose of the build- up of German
forces by suggesting it was about a “Watch on the
Rhine” – a defensive build-up. Although the German
forces in the attack were notionally led by General Von
Rundstedt – in reality the offensive was conceived by
Adolf Hitler who tightly controlled all operational
planning. His influence on all planning arguably created
the conditions for initial surprise but also ensured it was
a strategic failure that led to a rather earlier defeat for
Germany in spring 1945
Core Themes
The recce will be designed to improve guides knowledge and understanding in 4 key areas:
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The ability to tell the story of Ardennes Campaign to different types of audiences e.g.
teenagers, veterans families and young soldiers visiting as part of their training
Increased knowledge and thus awareness of the experiences of Allied Aircrew and
soldiers between Dec 16th and 30th and those of German forces.
Improved knowledge of many aspects of the Ardennes story- e.g. atrocities, air
power, weather, engineers, fuel shortages, bridge demolitions, logistics, What if
scenarios and other several flaws in German plans.
Increased knowledge of how to access and use (with appropriate care) the primary
and secondary US, German sources for the campaign to ensure historical accuracy
while telling a good story.
Proposed Schedule and Event Format
An outline schedule for the event is described on the next page. The author would of course
welcome feedback from all Guild members on suggested changes or amendments to this
timetable. The format for the event will be that endorsed by the Guild Council and proven on
similar events over the last 6 years. The key features of a Guild Recce are that it involves
ALL those attending in actively researching, selecting and then navigating a group to
multiple locations and stands associated with an action. The aim is to pass on information to
the group on how to plan and execute guided tours in a specific locality and stand(s) rather
than specifically on relating in great details the story associated with the location itself.
However all those attending will get to learn about a wide range of stories that can be woven
into tours of different durations and types. Those members who attend the event will, as
usual, be asked to lead on a stand or stands during the recce. You can do this either solely
or with a partner. As part of the recce guides will also learn the essential information needed
to successfully conduct tours in the Ardennes e.g. - access routes to stands, how to find
museums, memorials and the location of suitable car/bus parks. Finally we will not be
neglecting the social side of affairs. One of the most enjoyable elements of a Battlefield
recce is the opportunity to meet fellow guides over local fare and the odd glass of Belgian
beer or even a bottle of French wine. The Operation WACHT AM RHEIN recce will be
planned, organised and jointly led by the Guild Secretary Tony Smith and Guild member Ian
Mitchell. This is the 4th battlefield recce they will have jointly conducted and all previous
events have attracted favourable feedback.
The recce will include a core period commencing on the afternoon of the 12th June and
finishing at lunchtime on the 17th June and 2 optional periods. The first will be on the
morning on the 12th and will thus require people to arrive on the night of the 11th and the
second will extend the recce through the afternoon of the 17th June.
Outline Schedule for Recce
Day 1 12th June AM Optional - The recce group will
RV on the evening of the 11th June at the
picturesque German town of Monschau. During the
morning of the 17th we will visit stands in and
around the famous LOSHEIM gap. This feature was
weakly defended and was used as a route by the
German 6th SS Panzer Army to launch part of its
attack. We will look at stands at Hofen,
Losheimgraben and Lanzerath that show how US
units delayed the German assault for several crucial
hours.
Day 1 12th June Core Event PM – The group will
RV on the afternoon of 12th June at Rocherath –
Krinkeldt close to the border between Belgium and
Germany. We will spend the rest of the afternoon
looking at the defence of the “Northern Shoulder” of
the Bulge. A robust defence by troops of the green
US 99th and veteran 1st and 2nd US Infantry
Divisions delayed the attack of the 1st SS panzer
Korps long enough to withdraw an exposed 2nd
Infantry Division to then jointly repulse attacks near
the Elsenborn Ridge. We will visit key stands in or
near the villages of Rocherath –Krinkeldt and Dom
Butgenbach. We will spend the night at our hotel in
Monschau near the Belgian border.
Above -The monument at Losheimgraben to the men of
the 99th Infantry Division
Above The division badge of the “Battle Babies” of the
99th Infantry Division
Right – Memorial at
Rocherath Krinkeldt to
2nd Infantry Division –
“The Indian-Head
Division”
Day 2 – June 13th - today will be largely devoted to a recce following the
actions of the infamous Kampfgruppe (KG) Peiper from near Losheim to
the furthest point of its advance at Stoumont. This Regimental sized task
force, from the 1st SS Panzer Division, was commanded by 29 year old
SS Standarten-führer (Colonel) Joachim Peiper.
Most battlefield tours to the Ardennes will usually cover, some, if not all of
KG Peiper actions, so the event will devote a day to following the route
and visiting as many stands as possible within the time allowed.
We will start at Bullingen near the Losheim Gap and then follow the KG’s
route through to Ligneauville, on to the massacre site at Baugnez
Crossroads, Malmedy and then Stavelot.
After lunch in Stavelot we will continue to trace KG Peiper’s route and
visit stands that show how Peiper’s progress was delayed by those
“Damned Engineers” at Trois Ponts and finally stopped at Stoumont and
La Gleize before returning to our hotel for one last night at Monschau.
Above - Joachim Peiper- CO of the
infamous Kampfgruppe Peiper
Day 3 – The morning of the 3rd day (June 14th) will be
spent visiting stands linked to the defence of the key
crossroads town of ST VITH and events that led up to the
surrender of 10,000 men of the 106th Infantry Division.
Though often neglected on many guides itineraries it is
nonetheless as an important story as the Battle of
Bastogne and one that should be told.
Above - Clervaux Castle, Belgium
Day 4 – Our focus on this full day (June 15th) will
be the defence and eventual relief of the vital and
now famous crossroads town of Bastogne. We will
spend the first part of the morning examining
stands relating to the vital defence by TF Desobry
(including 1st-506th Parachute Infantry RegimentPIR) of Noville north of Bastogne. This crucial
action is too often missed out by many guides who
focus on the high profile though less tactically
important actions of 3rd -506th PIR at FOY. Since
so many visitors now want to see Foy Woods we
will however also devote time to relevant stands
there.
After lunch we will travel south towards Arlon to
spend the first part of the afternoon tracing stands
on the route taken by the 4th Armoured Division to
relieve the siege in Bastogne. On return towards
Bastogne we will look at other stands relevant to
the siege of Bastogne. This will include Assenois
where the siege was broken and the Xmas day
battle at Champs. Finally we will visit key stands
for the vital glider and airborne resupply
operations near Savy. This last stand of the day
will provide an opportunity to talk about the vital
role played by Allied Air Forces in the battle.
After lunch we will proceed to Dasburg Bridge on the
River OUR and from here we can follow the route of the
2nd Panzer Division and other German units attacking
west towards Bastogne. We will look at the courageous
defence of units from the 28th US Infantry Division in and
around Clervaux. In the late afternoon we will then look at
key stands that show the role played by armoured task
forces from the 9th and10th US Armoured Divisions. These
units delayed the German advance long enough for the
main body of the 101st Airborne Division to arrive. Among
the stands visited will be Feitsch, Longvilly and Neffe. We
will spend the night at our new hotel in Bastogne.
Below - 506th Parachute Infantry regiment
memorial at FOY, Belgium
Day 5 AM 16th June – The last morning of the core event will be spent visiting stands on the German
advance towards the Meuse from 25-28th December. Key stands visited will include actions at Parkers
Crossroads, Manhay, Grandmesnil and finally Hotton. The recce is expected to finish at 13.30 at the Hotton
CWGC. For those leaving on Day 5 this should enable them to be back across the channel by 18.00 UK time.
Day 5 PM 16th June – Optional Extension of 1 day
Those of the group who are able to spend a little more time in the Ardennes will be able to also visit crucial
stands in the western part of the Ardennes. After lunch the group will visit relevant locations at Marche and La
Roche before returning to Bastogne via stands at Vielsalm and Houfflaize.
Day 6 PM AM 17th June
On this the last morning of the recce the group will travel towards the Meuse and visit stands that help tell the
tale of the eventual fate of the 2nd Panzer Division – which achieved the furthest advance of all German units.
We will cover stands near Celles, Ciney and Foy de Notre Dame before ending the recce at 13.00 on the
bridge at Dinant over the Meuse – one of the original crossings that the Germans required to achieve their
strategic objectives.
Above - Bridge at DINANT Belgium – A key
German objective in 1944
Travel and Accommodation Arrangements
The intention is that individuals will make arrangements either to take their own cars or travel
with those whose are taking cars to Belgium. Given the nature of the location this year it has
been assumed members will travel in small groups and make their own way to the relevant
Rendezvous (RV) points for the event.
Those attending are expected to arrange and pay for their ferry or tunnel travel charges
separately. The Guild Secretary will however organise group accommodation and breakfast
for our hotels at Monschau and Bastogne. Members are of course responsible for other
costs including dinner. In order to maximise time on the ground- lunch will usually be taken
“al fresco” as a picnic which is paid out of a fund contributed to by all who attend the event.