The Bulge

Some 67 years ago today - assuming my math is right - the German army launched a massive offensive in the Ardennes so effective it's probably one of the few World War II battles that most Americans who aren't history buffs can name -- the Battle of the Bulge.

Omar Bradley was the commander of the armies that were caught in the Bulge. Ironically, when the attack was launched he was already en route to Versailles to discuss strategy with Eisenhower -- strategy on getting more soldiers, not about dealing with the German offensive.

The strength and location of the German offensive took Bradley, like everyone else, by surprise. He quickly recovered, however, and in some respects his reaction and the things that he did are probably the most eloquent proof of his worth as a soldier. Unfortunately, he was at odds with Eisenhower about the strategy for dealing with the attack and the ultimate capabilities of the Germans (and the Americans). History actually proved Bradley right, but that has tended to be lost in the telling of the battle, at least to the popular imagination.

There are many lessons that can be drawn from the Bulge - never underestimate your enemy, never underestimate yourself. The battle certainly shows how difficult it is to restore your perspective on things when things you believed suddenly turn out not to be true.