Good books on the battle of the bulge

[Txema]

Dear friends,

Since the next major project here is BFTB, I think you can help me with this:

I am looking for a couple of good books on the battle of the bulge. I know there are a lot of books on this topic, but I am looking for good books that give a good strategic and tactical account on the battle. I am mainly interested in the german point of view... Any sugerences?

Thank you very much for the advice !!!

Txema

[KNac007]

Hi.

From the german side you have books like "HITLER'S ARDENNES OFFENSIVE The German View of the Battle of the Bulge" Edited by D.S.Parker. This work is a series of articles by various German generals, including Sepp Dietrich, Hasso von Manteuffel, Keitel, Jodel, and wrapps up with a critique by Blumentritt. "THE 1ST SS PANZER DIVISION IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE" By Steve Kane. Also from the german side, focuses in the actions made by the LAH division during the offensive. There are more books, also for Operation Norwind (which we forget usually) which was the accompaining attack launched in the Alsace area." THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN LUXEMBOURG The Southern Flank, December 1944-January 1945 Vol 1: The Germans" by Roland Gaul gives an accoun on the southern area of the attack (just realize that this was a very big offensive, even if carried but udnerstrength divisions, it involved several german armies).

From the allied side there are even more accounts. "THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION'S DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE " By Colonel R.M. Mitchell it's not very detailed but has very good maps (for wargames!). "THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN LUXEMBOURG The Southern Flank, December 1944-January 1945 Vol 2: The Americans" By Roland Gaul, the same but from allied perspective. I also recommend that you buy the 4-cd pack from Center of Military History called "The United States Army and World War II, European, Mediterranean, Middle East Theathers of operations" (it's the first set of a planned of 7), it's worth having as it has a lot of info and gives you an excellent picture on all the campaings run in the ETO, specially the Normandy one, and also the Bulge.

[dwwindsor]

I second KNac007 on the US Army history CD set. These are the official histories and the volume covering the Bulge is an excellent starting point for understanding the actions of the US army. In addition the author, Charles Mcdonald, presents some very interesting comments and criticisms of both sides.

I would also strongly recommed Charles McDonald's A Time For Trumpets. Again, this is an excellent account written by one who is both a particpant, professional historian, and the same author of the volume in the US Army's historical series.

[Tzar007]

If you are interested in the operational details of this battle, Hitler's Last Gamble: The Battle of the Bulge by Trevor Dupuy is the book you must have.

The book has a lot of references and present interesting appendixes with full OOB and TOE for both sides, evaluation of German and Allied strengths and weaknesses, etc.

Be warned though that this is a tough book to follow: it is lavished in details, day by day and sector by sector (which unit was where, what happened). It goes over 600 pages in fine print. It is not an easy read such as a Time for Trumpets for example. If you are unfamiliar with the Battle of the Bulge, I would recommend that you first start with a more general book about it, and get this one to get a detailed picture.

Needless to say, I will be using this book when Battle of the Bulge of Panther will be out and I will want to create some scenarios [:)]

[pkpowers]

Yes Dupuy's books are very nice; I enjoy the technical reads such as his are.
Here are two other good books on the Bulge
1. Battle of the Bulge by Hugh Cole (wriiten as USARMY history)
2.Battle of the Bulge by Danny Parker(lots of extra wargaming info)

also both have very good maps.

Robert Kershaw's books are excellent also on ARnhem and Russia41

[KNac007]

"1. Battle of the Bulge by Hugh Cole (wriiten as USARMY history)"

That one is in digital format (e-book/pdf, and you can print it) in the 4-cd first set of us military history (along with other excellent books). And it's an excellent source (more than 700 pages and photos & maps included).

Thanks for the info about the other books. From what you say it seems that "Hitler's Last Gamble: The Battle of the Bulge by Trevor Dupuy" can be a very reliable source for scenario designing, smaybe will pick it.

[Dukelion]

Hi everyone I am new here so here is my first post [:)]

Anyway, I don't have any info on the German side of Battle Of The Bulge, but my father was in the Battle as part of the 84th Infantry. There is an interesting book I have called The 84th Infantry Division in The Battle of the Ardennes December 1944-January 1945 by Sgt. Theodore Draper. It is a fairly small book but has some great maps on battles that they fought during that campaign. You might be able to find a copy of it on Ebay or I could even scan it for you and send it via email. Its a pretty old book (April 1945) so it might be hard to find. I also have some other books on them too....some written personally by infantry that were there.

[Adam Parker]

I love recommending this book:

"Battle of the Bulge Then and Now" by Jean Paul Pallud - After the Battle Publications.

It an expensive, heavy sucker with plate pages but is the full word on the campaign and claims to include or have considered every campaign photograph known to exist, placing them to the square inch. Full of period maps with superb AAR's. This book is a joy to own.

Interestingly, the publisher offers a superb 2-volume coverage of Market-Garden - "Market-Garden Then and Now". Again a great addition to any war library. The author of Bulge heads a recent tome on the 1940's Blitzkreig too.

Adam.

[Arjuna]

Yes Pallud's book is good and very heavy. [:)]

[Txema]

Dear friends,

Thank you vey much for your excellent advise. I appreciate it very much !!!


Txema

[DonnieR]

I might mention Part 14 of Nigel Hamilton's biography "Monty,The Battles of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery".
Only 90 pages,but very incitefull.

[Sarge]

A Time For Trumpets, the untold story of the battle of the bulge. By Charles B. MacDonald. Is one of the Best book I have read on the subject of the Ardennes campaign. But I do also recommend you pick up the campaign book from Osprey if you do not have it. Both are must have for any wargamer. Both can be had for under 20 bucks

[Adam Parker]

Sarge that is a very good read - grabs you from the original start.

Two others by the prolific Axis oriented publisher Fedorowicz:

"The Meuse First and Then Antwerp (Michael Schadewitz). Hard cover, small format (6"x9"), 330 pages, 97 photographs, 28 maps. For the first time in English the full story of Otto Skorzeny's mysterious Panzerbrigade 150 and its part in Operation Greif."

"Freineux and Lamormenil—The Ardennes (George Winter). Soft cover, large format (9"x11"), 80 pages, 61 photographs, 3 maps. This book describes actions of elements of 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich" and "Task Force Kane" of the 3rd (US) Armored Division."

I've the former - with a collection of others (some now out of print) but these books tend to be very hands-on and unique in their focus. Some histories such as the treatise on the 3rd SS Totenkopf can border on revisionist (much - but to a lesser extent - as Schiffer's collection of Paul Carell's works) but this is war at it grittiest and there is plenty to be read (and supplemented) between the lines.

A publisher well worth researching over at http://www.jjfpub.mb.ca/index.htm