THE BATTLE OF BASTOGNE: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

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The battle at Bastogne has been extensively studied for military strategy, leadership,

and resilience. This battle marked a turning point in the Ardennes Offensive that changed the

course of World War II. This annotated bibliography analyzes key sources that describe the

strategic decisions, soldiers’ personal experiences, and supply and operational challenges of

both the Axis and Allied forces.

Cole, Hugh M. The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of

Military History, 1965.

The Ardennes: The Battle of the Bulge is a comprehensive work highlighting the battle

of Bastogne as a key milestone during the Second World War. Written as part of the

US Army History Series, this volume gives detailed analysis of the German

counteroffensive through the Ardennes during the winter of 1944-1945. The source

weaves the personal experiences of the author himself with interviews of participants

and official military records to reproduce this campaign’s operational and tactical

dimensions. It also provides insight into the strategic significance of Bastogne,

logistical problems on both sides of the battle line, and the resilience of American

forces in a stumbling block of the German advance. Moreover, Cole critically

analyzes the leadership decisions of army leaders on both sides, with particular focus

on German commanders and US General Patton. This source is invaluable for

understanding the intricacies of the Battle of Bastogne and provides necessary context

regarding its importance in derailing the Germans and hastening the Allied push into

Germany.

Eisenhower, David. (2000). “A leadership moment in history: The Allied crisis of December

1944.” The Psychologist-Manager Journal 4, no. 2 (2000): 169-182, accessed 3

January 2025, https://doi.org/10.1037/h0095890.

The article analyzes military leadership in the Battle of the Bastogne and presents

General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s strategic and managerial approach to World War II.

The author provides insights into the decision-making processes within the context of

the battle, focusing on central issues such as delegation of authority, cooperation

across the Allies, and consideration of military necessity set against or alongside

political considerations. With historical narrative combined with leadership theory,

Eisenhower shows how his grandfather’s imperturbability, effective delegation of

duties, and sense of morality earned subordinates’ confidence and maintained

cohesion in a polyglot force. It places the Battle of Bastogne in context also as a test

case for resilience and preparation by showing how holding Bastogne frustrated the

German offensive. This source is particularly valuable because it brings both a

historical perspective and lessons in leadership, making it an insightful resource

toward understanding the broader implications of the battle within the framework of

Allied success.

Greenwood, John T. “Three Stories in the Battle of the Bulge.” American Veterans Center,

last modified July 2015, accessed 3 January 2025,

https://americanveteranscenter.org/2015/07/stories-battle-bulge/.

This source weaves together personal experiences, military operations, and strategic

insights into a multi-perspective account of the Battle of the Bulge. It provides a

narrative of the personal experiences of soldiers such as Thomas Krebs and John

Jamele, highlighting the critical victories at La Roumiere and St. Vith as well as the

brutal conditions, chaos, and resilience required during the battle. The source also

provides the operational details of the battle, pointing out the strategic importance of

Bastogne and its surroundings to the destruction of the German offense and protection

of the lines of the Allies. Furthermore, the medical support section of the source
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underlines the logistic challenges that weighed upon VIII Corps’ care in extreme

conditions. This source is rich in personal, operational, and tactical perspectives

which provide a battle-field giving look into the challenges faced by the combatants

while relating them to the strategic value of the Allied victory in the Ardennes

campaign.

MacDonald, Charles B. A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge.

New York: HarperCollins, 1985.

MacDonald’s A Time for Trumpets is a complete account of the Battle of Bastogne

that provides a dramatic narration and analysis of this important engagement during

World War II. Drawing from personal testimony, official reports, and his experiences

as a participant, MacDonald gives a firsthand perspective on the operational

complexities and human aspects of the battle. The book describes the Bastogne

engagement as a pivoting point of the war, the will of the 101st Airborne Division,

and the logistic and strategic problems of both American and German forces. The

author also makes a critical assessment of the decisions taken by the main military

leaders underlining bright and dark sides of this historic conflict. This source is

significant to understanding the Battle of Bastogne as it highlights the determination

of American forces and key political leadership measures taken to disrupt the German

offensive and alter the trajectory of World War II.

PBS. “Soldiers’ Battlefield Accounts.” American Experience. Last modified December 12,

2015, accessed 3 January 2025.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/bulge-dispatches/.

This source is a collection of personal accounts of the Battle of the Bulge and

provides valuable insight into what American soldiers endured the horrific campaigns

of World War II. The stories are from Joseph Jagodinski, Ronald N. McArthur, Dent
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Wheeler and many others, relating the ghastly conditions, tactical difficulties, and

psychological effects on the soldiers. Through experiences such as bitterly cold

winters, intense artillery barrages, and close calls with the enemy, the soldiers relate

the mayhem and bravery of the war. Of particular note are the insights into the human

aspects of war: the comradeship among soldiers, the mental toughness involved, and

how such experiences had an impact on combatants. This source contributes to the

study of the Battle of Bastogne by adding an insider’s view into the greater strategic

operation, one requiring sacrifice and resolve for the Allied victory in the Battle of the

Bulge.

In summary, these sources give a multi-faceted approach to the Battle of Bastogne.

They capture the strategies of the Allied commanding leaders and the determination and

sacrifice of the individual soldiers. The sources provide an appreciation for the battle’s

significance in shaping the outcome of World War II by analyzing personal experiences,

leadership, and operational details.