AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Charles Town, West Virginia
PROPOSAL FOR THESIS
MATERS OF ARTS IN MILITARY HISTORY
AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND MILITARY HISTORY
John Doe
28 July 2019
I Propose to the Thesis Professor and to the Department a study of the following
topic to be conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Masters of Arts in Military History: LEVERAGING CLIMATE, TERRAIN AND
ACOUSTICS PROVED TO AFFECT THE WAR, BUT MAY NOT HAVE
CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
2
Statement of Purpose
After the loss of Normandy, Hitler would launch a counter-offensive, however his forces
were spread very thin, he had just lost over 500,000 troops and would muster up at least 250,000
to fight in the West where the Siegfried line was the strongest. The Germans job was to hold the
line and keep Allied forces from entering Germany. Hitler planned to launch his counteroffensive in the Ardennes forest, which had multiple levels of surprise and deception that were
taken out of the playbook of Carl von Clausewitz.1
Hitler would choose Belgium due to its ability to disguise a huge offensive military force
and based on its dense vegetation. However, the terrain would later become a challenge for even
the Tiger and Panther tanks despite the experienced drivers and their familiarity with the location
four years earlier. Hitler would first use the terrain through the dense forest as an obstacle that
he had once experienced and overcame in 1940 with the invasion of France. He would also
launch an attack in the peak of winter where temperatures would become unsuitable for ground,
as well as air forces. Although Hitler would deploy these elusive tactics, Allied forces would
also join the masquerade by employing military decoys and broadcasting obscure sounds on the
battlefield, which would misdirect and confuse the enemy in hopes of gaining the upper hand.2
Statement of Problem and Research Question
However, based on these deliberate and strategic moves I will argue what caused the loss
of the battle, and whether the elements of weather, terrain and acoustics changed the outcome of
the war during the Battle of the Bulge. Clausewitz’s theory on surprise and deception regarding
1
2
Gavin, Philip. World War II in Europe. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 2004.
Gavin, Philip. World War II in Europe. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 2004.
3
war states that they are key factors and without them the possibility of obtaining an advantage
and superiority on the battlefield is drastically reduced, and the odds for success and victory were
next to impossible. These elements were designed to cause confusion and disrupt the opponent’s
authority as well as their control over command. The Psychological impacts on leadership
cascaded down to the lowest levels of authority, causing disarray and a lack of confidence in
those who are in charge. Although surprise and deception can be deployed as tactical,
operational, strategic and even as a political maneuver, it will only achieve the greatest results
when incorporated with speed and secrecy. Although surprise is much easier to deploy and in
order for it to maintain its effectiveness the unit or individual applying these strategies must
maintain momentum, while avoiding warfare.3
However, on the other hand deception and psychological warfare also consist of a level
of surprise, although its results maintain their affect much longer than surprise, which is harder
and more resource intensive. Deceptions requires the use physical assets although they are not
required. It consists of concealment, cover, camouflage, maneuver denial, mistrust,
misinformation, misleading, to include misdirecting enemy forces. Deception is based on size
and composition, location and movement of forces, while utilizing nature and landmarks and key
resources as tools to deceive the enemy. It is designed to capitalize on vulnerabilities and
weaknesses that are all components that make deception so successful.4
While Allied forces made their way eastward toward Germany after the victory of
Normandy, they began its march through France, liberating places such as Verdun, Dieppe,
3
Handel, Michael I. Masters of War: Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, and Jomini. Portland, Or.:
Frank Cass, 1992.
4
Handel, Michael I. Masters of War: Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, and Jomini. Portland, Or.:
Frank Cass, 1992.
4
Artois, Rouen, Abbeville, Brussels, and Antwerp until it regrouped and resupplied. Hitler would
use this opportunity to develop a strategy to stop Allied forces and end the war once and for all.
Surrounded by his staff he would choose the Ardennes Forest as his doorway into France to stop
the Allies. His timing would be strategic, which was right in the dead of winter. Hoping to
create a wedge between the British and the American alliance. Hitler would begin his counteroffensive by deploying a string of deception, directing his radio operators and signal men to send
out radio messages at random that consisted of rumors and false information concerning
locations to include battle plans, otherwise they were on radio silence.5
Another deceptive offensive used was distributing animal straw or hay on the highways
to limit and prevent the noise of thousands of German vehicles and tanks from drawing attention
to their plans and location as they traveled throughout the Ardennes. The Luftwaffe would also
fly at low altitudes over the forest to muffle and drown out the sounds of the vehicle traffic
throughout the dense forest and local towns, as the weather lifted. However, it would be the
Allies overconfidence and self-assurance that would be their Achilles heel, before they realized
the German Army had was sneaking in right under their noses.6
December 1944 was known as the coldest season on record and although timing was
critical for Hitler and his force, he would use the current climate and frigid temperatures to his
advantage. Although recent studies have determined that winter in December of 1944 in the
Ardennes was very severe. The Ardennes is known for its mountain ranges that produce deep
snowpack during the winter months, to include large amounts of rain. The winds are also very
5
Handel, Michael I. Masters of War: Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, and Jomini. Portland, Or.:
Frank Cass, 1992.
6
Dworschak, Thomas W. Hitlers "Watch on the Rhine": The Battle of the Bulge.
Arlington, VA: Institute of Land Warfare, Association of the United States Army, 1992.
5
high and due to the elevation, it is difficult for meteorologist to gage and accurately report the
proper temperatures. This area is also known to produce freezing type temperatures about 145
days out of the year. The ground in most cases becomes solid ice and frozen mud makes it
difficult for vehicles to travel and often dropping about 10 to 12 inches of snow in a 24-hour
period.7
However, between 16-22 December in the Ardennes Forest Meteorologist reported that
there was a great deal of moisture in the air, which created lots of fog and rain for several days.
However, by 22nd of December snow and blizzard like conditions quickly settled in, cold and
polar vortex had entered the Ardennes. Visibility had become low and impossible for vehicle
travel to include air support had become incapacitated. these below freezing temperatures would
run as low as negative six degrees to as high as twenty degrees, while releasing over eight inches
of snow during the month-long stint of the battle. However, these conditions would not only
affect the enemy but both sides of the war.8
Significance of the Study
Although it seems obvious who won the Battle of the Bulge during WWII, however there
has been many reasons as well as studies and opinions of why Hitler lost, however my
assessment will not be based on who won or lost, but if the strategies such as weather, terrain and
acoustics used and deployed by Hitler, as well as the Allies became a deciding factor or were
there other elements at play that influenced the outcome of the Battle of the Bulge. In my search
7
Dworschak, Thomas W. Hitlers "Watch on the Rhine": The Battle of the Bulge.
Arlington, VA: Institute of Land Warfare, Association of the United States Army, 1992.
8
Kays, Marvin D. "Weather Effects during the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy
Invasion." 1982. doi:10.21236/ada121480.
6
for sources particularly primary and secondary sources, there is very little analysis regarding the
details of weather, terrain and acoustics and how they affected the overall battle. Although there
has been mention of these elements very few authors or historians have attempted to take on
thorough research that provides extensive statistics and problematic results, which may or may
not have affected both sides as well as the overall outcome.9
Methodology
I have chosen several publications that will examine these areas and attempt to capture
significant engagements under the harshest conditions to see whether the scales could have
tipped one way or the other based on various elements. I will create a graph based on various
battles and annotate the temperatures, windchills, due points and precipitation, barometric
pressures, to include snow fall rates. This will help determine what areas were most affected by
weather and did it change the outcome based on temperatures that were the same or different,
which were located in other areas of engagement throughout the Battle of the Bulge.10
I will also assess the terrain or locations of engagements to determine whether they could
have possibly changed the results due to density of vegetation, elevation, choke points, rivers,
streams, approved and unimproved roads as well as other terrain. I will capture modes of
acoustical delivery that had the possibility of affecting decisions on the battlefield based on
deception and label their success and failure rates. I will compile data from each of these
elements and assess and analyze whether they had any significant affect or were there other
9
Parker, Danny S. Hitlers Ardennes Offensive: The German View of the Battle of the
Bulge. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2016.
10
Graustein, J. S. How to Write an Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-step
Guide from Proposal to Successful Defense. Ocala, FL: Atlantic Pub. Group, 2014.
7
elements that may have caused victory or failure. I predict that although weather, terrain and
acoustics significantly affected war, but could not have change the outcome. I believe my
research will entice other readers and authors to pay closer attention to these elements, and just
as I used them to make an alternate assumption will also cause them to reexamine current
doctrine and see whether there could have been other reasons behind the loss and winners of the
Battle of the Bulge.11
Tentative Thesis Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Strategies of Deception
Chapter 2: Weather
Chapter 3: Terrain
Chapter 4: Acoustics
Conclusion
Epilogue
List of references and primary sources are listed below literature review
Literature Review
It was the instability in Europe that brought on the first world war in 1914, Germany was
not satisfied with the results of the Treaty of Versailles and its imposed war reparations, to
include demilitarization and the loss of its seized territories. These punitive policies caused
11
Graustein, J. S. How to Write an Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-step
Guide from Proposal to Successful Defense. Ocala, FL: Atlantic Pub. Group, 2014.
8
Germany to fall into economic decline and gave birth to the rise of Adolph Hitler, whose
ideologies center around a master race and believed they were more superior than other races and
nationalities. Hitler’s first military action was the invasion of Czechoslovakia and then Poland in
1938-1939, which caused a ripple effect of other nations, such as Britain, France, Soviet Union
as well as many others to join the war to impede Germany’s pursuit to control all of Europe.
Although the German’s overall strategy was based on a quick and intensive campaign, while the
allied powers would focus on gaining control of the Pacific and then mass their army’s on land,
which was fought on the Western front, as they went on the offensive in Europe. Although many
battles would be fought in 1944, it would be the year that set the stage for the Normandy
invasion in 1945 and eventually D-Day. The last counter-offensive of Germany’s Army was
designed to stop the allied forces from using the Belgian Port of Antwerp, which would divide
allied lines and surround their armies to the point of surrender, which did not go as planned.
The Battle of the Bulge help turn the tide of World War Two into the United States favor in
1944.12
The Author Hugh M. Cole in the “Ardennes Battle of the Bulge described the counteroffensive campaign initiated from 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945”. It was the last
offensive on the Western Front in WWII. Launched in the dense forest of the Ardennes in
Eastern Belgium, in North East France. Cole began his writings by identifying the position of
the enemy or Germans who indeed had the upper hand, to include allied intelligence. Although
much of the details of the events were captured through conducting detail interviews of former
Soldiers and leaders who had experienced firsthand accounts of the strategies implemented by
12
Holmes, Richard. World War II: The Definitive Visual History: From Blitzkrieg to the
Atom Bomb. New York: DK, 2015.
9
both sides of the war. The literature also gives a clear view of the logistics of both sides, to
include the difficulties and short falls in supplying the Soldiers with the proper equipment and
resources needed to sustain the war. The author also extends beyond the battle field of the Battle
of the Bulge by describing lessons learned from the decisions that were made and the strategic
effects on both sides. Cole also addresses the bad choices made during the conflict regarding
tactical operations of the Battle of the Bulge.13
David Passmore and Stephan Harrison have also written an overview that identified the
“landscapes of the Battle of the Bulge of WWII, to include fortifications in the Ardennes Forest
of Belgium”. This writing depicted locations of engagements related to the battle itself,
generating data and information derived from reconnaissance to include aerial observations as
well as geological representations of the earth. It captured archeological features associated with
both the Germans offensive and the allied offensive. Its detailed battles fought corroborated
other scholarly work based on archeology. The Literature also described the WWII monuments
as well as the battlefields and their identifiable landmarks that bring credence to historical
accounts told and written by scholars. It identified features such as bunkers, fortifications, gun
emplacements and anti-tank defenses constructed throughout Belgium’s Battle of the Bulge.14
Thomas W. Dworschak the author of “Hitler’s Watch on the Rhine on the Battle of the
Bulge”. The author describes the Battle of the Bulge claiming it to be a pivotal battle of WWII.
The literature described in detail the German plans and execution of their counter-offensive
13
Cole, Hugh M. The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge. Washington: Office of the Chief of
Military History, Dept. of the Army, 1965.
14
Passmore, David G., and Stephan Harrison. "Landscapes of The Battle of The Bulge:
WW2 Field Fortifications In The Ardennes Forests of Belgium." Bastions and Barbed Wire: 87108. doi:10.1163/ej.9789004173606.i-250.45.
10
against the allied forces in what was called “Wachtamrhein” the German codeword for the
operation known to the Allies as the Battle of the Bulge. The author captured the allied climate
particularly Soldiers from an American perspective, who were doing well regarding their
momentum of the overseas battle victories against Axis’s Powers. Battles such as Guam, Tinian,
Southern France in operation Dragoon, the Battle of Crucifix hill, Battle of Anguar, Battle of
Hurtgen Forrest, to include the Pacific naval battles that were fought. These successes would
lend itself to a sense of overconfidence believing the war was at an end, however it became an
eye opener at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge where the German Army would commit all
its assets consisting of over 300,000 troops to the Ardennes Forest and overwhelm the allies with
their thrust of attack. This would cause allied commanders to alter their strategy. The author
also described the logistics and how it affected both sides, extending the war due to the lack or
limited equipment, ammunition, subsistence and other resources. This analysis and account
would echo several literary works detailing the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes.15
Kevin Hymel the author of “Easy Company’s Silent Brother”, captured the life of Ed
Mauser a Paratrooper with Easy Company 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st
Airborne Division who had jumped into Normandy on D-Day and survived. His follow-on
assignment would be the Battle of the Bulge. In 1945 Mauser unit would transfer to France after
D-Day. The word had gotten back to him and his unit that Germany’s Hitler had broken through
the Maginot Line, a barrier of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by
France in the 1930s to deter invasion. Mauser’s unit would be located to Bastogne in the town of
Bois Jacques where fox holes had already been dug, and just as may other allied sentiments
15
Dworschak, Thomas W. Hitlers "Watch on the Rhine": The Battle of the Bulge.
Arlington, VA: Institute of Land Warfare, Association of the United States Army, 1992.
11
Mauser too felt the Germans could not break through the defenses of the Ardennes Forest. The
Author captured the moment when the tide would change, and the battle would swing in allied
favor. On December 22nd Mauser recounts a German officer walking towards their position and
allied lines, as he surrendered and later became a sign the war was ending.16
Kevin Hymel the author of “The Battle for Noville”, a town in the Haute-Normandie
region of France. The writing began with an American Soldier who would fight in a province of
Belgium that would contribute to the overall outcome of the Battle of the Bulge. Major William
Desobry who had been assigned to the Belgian city of Noville. Desobry was the commander and
his position was being overrun, sending a message to higher headquarters he would have to make
a choice of retreating or to maintain his position. Desobry decided to hold his ground and his
decision would inspire others to courage. Victory in Bastogne over the Germans in the Ardennes
offensive and the Battle of the Bulge would be a turning point. By 18 December an entire
German Panzer Corps would head to Bastogne, which had already defeated the second Infantry
Division and later the ninth Armored Division. However Major William Desobry and his men
would hold off the Germans from taking Noville and Bastogne. The Germans ultimate goal was
to reach Antwerp, but with no success.17
Kevin Hymel the Author of a “Screaming Eagle in Bastogne”. On 19 December 1944
the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment with the 101st Airborne Division which consist of
Paratroopers one of which was Howard Buford of California, who was assigned to the 97th
Infantry Division and later the 10s1st Airborne screaming Eagles and the 501st parachute
Hymel, Kevin. "Ed Mauser: Easy Company’s Silent Brother" Warfare History
Network, December 2, 2018.
16
17
Hymel, Kevin,"The Battle for Noville": WWII Quarterly Magazine, Spring 2018.
12
Infantry Regiment who were sent to Bastogne to hold off the Germans. He too had received
words that the Germans had broken through the lines of the first Army in Belgian and
Luxembourg. Eisenhower would send the second Division to stop the Germans, however the
101st and the 82 Airborne would be what was needed to give the region a boost and that extra
motivation. They would arrive in Bastogne in the south and would be well received, because
they were replacements for the 28th Infantry Division, while the Germans had already surrounded
Bastogne. For seven days the Germans and the Americans fired on each other continuously. On
26 December, General Patton with three US Army divisions broke through the German siege and
the American moral changed, to include their momentum of the war.18
Kevin Hymel the author of “Band of Brothers “Bois Jacques.” It would be Easy
Company again of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment who would be assigned to the Belgian
town of Bastogne. They were short on Ammunition, food and water, however Lieutenant
Norman Dike the officer in charge would experience firsthand these logistical limitations along
with his men. Easy Company would wait for German activity while they were in their fox holes.
On 21 December three days after the siege of Bastogne, German Luftwaffe would bomb
Bastogne, while dropping parachute flairs to light up the place. Casualties had become prevalent
and some had also become susceptible to the weather, while others were taken out by enemy fire.
Easy Company had been caught off guard, losing men to enemy attacks would eventually get to
the men, however the men of Easy Company would hold on long enough, for the enemy would
start to surrender, they knew the war was coming to an end.19
18
Hymel, Kevin. "A SCREAMING EAGLE National Archives IN
BASTOGNE." Warfare History Network, November 12, 2018.
19
Hymel, Kevin. "Dick Winters and the Band of Brothers" Warfare History Network,
April 2, 2016.
13
Donna C. Nicholas and Albert H. Whitley authors of “The Role of Air Power in the Battle
of The Bulge” which would be the first time that air planes would be used to stop a counter
offensive. The Army Air Force’s mission was to re-supply Soldiers of the 101st Airborne
Division to include allied Soldiers at Bastogne and operations in the Ardennes. The Air Force
would not only be used in supplying support to Soldiers in the Ardennes but were also used as air
support to aid in the strategic bombing missions. This literary work captured lessons learned
focused on-air superiority and logistical limitations, to include combat power and how to
improve these areas of combat incorporating Air Operations. This study also analyzed
technology utilizing photography and video as well as aerial footage of the Battle of the Budge,
determining how multimedia and graphic imagery could aid in future wars. These resources are
preserved for future servicemen, to include Air Force Pilots that may provide some insights on
future battles and air combat engagements.20
20
Nicholas, Donna C. Role of Air Power in the Battle of the Bulge. Place of Publication
Not Identified: Biblioscholar, 2012.
14
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15
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