This print commemorates the valiant actions of all the artillerymen of the
101st Airborne Division Artillery during the battle of the Bulge - the 321st
Glider Field Artillery Battalion, the 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
and the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion.
"Stopped Cold"
101st Airborne Division Artillery during the battle of the Bulge - the 321st
Glider Field Artillery Battalion, the 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
and the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion.
"Stopped Cold"
101st Airborne Division at the Battle of the Bulge
On 17 December 1944, the Artillery Battalions of the 101st Airborne
Division were alerted and given 24-hour notice to move to positions in
Belgium to assist in halting a massive German offensive through the
rugged terrain of the Ardennes region. Hitler's last western Offensive, with
the final objective being to seize the port facilities at Antwerpt, would
become known as the Battle of the Bulge.
The acting Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division was the
Division Artillery Commander, Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe. He
would lead the division to Bastogne and earn the Screaming Eagles a
place in American military lore.
Depicted in the work of James Dietz is the 321st Glider Field Artillery
Battalion firing from their positions near the town of Savy, approximately
one kilometer northwest of Bastogne, in direct support of the 506th
Parachute Infantry Regiment who were heavily engaged northeast of the
Bastogne perimeter. Not fully refitted from the Holland Campaign which
occurred just weeks before, the 321st conducted the 107 mile road march
from Mourmelon, France to the small village of Savy, Belgium and reported
laid and ready to fire by 1330, 19 December. The battalion would occupy
this position for 25 days providing intense fire support to all areas of the
encircled Division perimeter.
During the siege, the battalion endured constant enemy shellfire and was
strafed and bombed by aircraft. Few casualties were sustained by the
battle-hardened cannoneers due to excellent dispersal and well dug in
howitzer positions. Fighting not only the Germans but severe cold, lack of
protective clothing, food and constant ammunition shortages, the
artillerymen waged a desperate struggle in providing a protective ring of
steel around the besieged encirclement. Firing from the open field
positions to gain 6400 mils capability the artillery battalions of the 101st
fired countless thousands of rounds into the Nazi juggernaut.
On Christmas Day, three German tanks broke through the Western line of
defense and reached the woods 500 meters from the firing batteries of the
321st. Bursting through the wood line and into the open fields the tanks
came spraying a hail of tracers. In just seconds the enemy armor was put
out of action by a combined effort of American tank destroyers and
artillery.
In a Christmas greeting to the soldiers of his division, Brigadier General
McAuliffe stated: "…We have stopped cold everything that has been
thrown at us from the North, East, South and West. Enemy units,
spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west
for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the
advance. How effectively this was done will be written in history, not alone
in our Division's glorious history but in world history…" The following day
elements of the 4th Armored Division broke through from the South and
broke the encirclement of Bastogne.
This print commemorates the valiant actions of all the artillerymen of the
101st Airborne Division Artillery during the battle of the Bulge - the 321st
Glider Field Artillery Battalion, the 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion and
the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Division were alerted and given 24-hour notice to move to positions in
Belgium to assist in halting a massive German offensive through the
rugged terrain of the Ardennes region. Hitler's last western Offensive, with
the final objective being to seize the port facilities at Antwerpt, would
become known as the Battle of the Bulge.
The acting Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division was the
Division Artillery Commander, Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe. He
would lead the division to Bastogne and earn the Screaming Eagles a
place in American military lore.
Depicted in the work of James Dietz is the 321st Glider Field Artillery
Battalion firing from their positions near the town of Savy, approximately
one kilometer northwest of Bastogne, in direct support of the 506th
Parachute Infantry Regiment who were heavily engaged northeast of the
Bastogne perimeter. Not fully refitted from the Holland Campaign which
occurred just weeks before, the 321st conducted the 107 mile road march
from Mourmelon, France to the small village of Savy, Belgium and reported
laid and ready to fire by 1330, 19 December. The battalion would occupy
this position for 25 days providing intense fire support to all areas of the
encircled Division perimeter.
During the siege, the battalion endured constant enemy shellfire and was
strafed and bombed by aircraft. Few casualties were sustained by the
battle-hardened cannoneers due to excellent dispersal and well dug in
howitzer positions. Fighting not only the Germans but severe cold, lack of
protective clothing, food and constant ammunition shortages, the
artillerymen waged a desperate struggle in providing a protective ring of
steel around the besieged encirclement. Firing from the open field
positions to gain 6400 mils capability the artillery battalions of the 101st
fired countless thousands of rounds into the Nazi juggernaut.
On Christmas Day, three German tanks broke through the Western line of
defense and reached the woods 500 meters from the firing batteries of the
321st. Bursting through the wood line and into the open fields the tanks
came spraying a hail of tracers. In just seconds the enemy armor was put
out of action by a combined effort of American tank destroyers and
artillery.
In a Christmas greeting to the soldiers of his division, Brigadier General
McAuliffe stated: "…We have stopped cold everything that has been
thrown at us from the North, East, South and West. Enemy units,
spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west
for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the
advance. How effectively this was done will be written in history, not alone
in our Division's glorious history but in world history…" The following day
elements of the 4th Armored Division broke through from the South and
broke the encirclement of Bastogne.
This print commemorates the valiant actions of all the artillerymen of the
101st Airborne Division Artillery during the battle of the Bulge - the 321st
Glider Field Artillery Battalion, the 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion and
the 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints mainly
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced
without their consent.
without their consent.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
