Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this exceptional book is not a conventional history of the Battle of the Bulge, but a study of US command leadership at different levels during that fiery December of 1944 when a German offensive against the center of the American lines threatened to split the massed Allied Armies. It shows how US commanders from Eisenhower himself down through Army Group, Army, Corps, and Division commanders met the heavy burdens of leadership in the crucible of that bloody winter. It does so by presenting five case studies: Eisenhower's role as coalition commander overseeing the defense and counterattack; Bradley's direction of the 12th Army Group during the crisis; Lieutenant General William Simpson's contribution as his Ninth Army helped defeat the German onslaught; Major General Troy Middleton's stand with the VIII Corps in the center of the fighting; and Major General Alan Jones and Brigadier General Bruce Clarke dealing with the enormous challenges, uncertainties, and confusion that characterized the battle at "the point of the spear." In each instance, the research answers two questions — What characteristics of leadership did these six generals display, and how did they affect the overall battle? His frank and objective answers are based on extensive documentary research and personal interviews with participants in the Battle. He also summarizes the careers of the six principals to show the formative influences that at least partially explain their characteristics of battle leadership. Amid the countless books in many languages that tell and retell the history of the Battle of the Bulge, this one is unique in its focus on American generalship during those epic and decisive weeks that turned the tide of World War II in Europe. For that reason, it stands as both a significant history and an important document for the study of command and control.

Chapter 1 - American Forces in the Ardennes * Setting the Stage * The Enemy * Campaigns in Northwest Europe, 1944-45 * Chapter 2 - Eisenhower and the Supreme Command * Ike's Career * The Allied Commander in Chief * The Supreme Allied Commander * Attack in the Ardennes * Analysis of Battle Leadership * Triumph of a Coalition Commander * Chapter 3 - Bradley and the 12th Army Group * Bradley's Career * North Africa to the Ardennes * Attack in the Ardennes * Analysis of Battle Leadership * Darkest of Times * Chapter 4 - Simpson and the Ninth Army * Simpson's Career * Training Command to Combat Command * Attack in the Ardennes * Analysis of Battle Leadership * The "Uncommonly Normal" Ninth Army * Chapter 5 - Middleton and the VIII Corps * Middleton's Career * Normandy to the Ardennes * VIII Corps in the Ardennes * Analysis of Battle Leadership * "Middleton Did It Magnificently" * Chapter 6 - The Defense of St. Vith: Jones and Clarke * Jones' Career * Clarke's Career * Attack at St. Vith * Leadership in a Mobile Defense * Analysis of Battle Leadership * "To Prevent the Confusion from Becoming Disorganized" * Chapter 7 - Heroes and Victims * "Success on the Battlefield Speaks for Itself" * What Makes the Man? * Appendixes * A. Chain of Command, Allied Expeditionary Force, February 1944 * B. SHAEF Headquarters, 6 June 1944 * C. Operational Allied Chain of Command, May 1945 * D. Ardennes Command Arrangement from 20 December 1944 * E. 12th Army Group, 16 December 1944 * F. First Army, 16 December 1944 * G. VIII Corps, 16 December 1944 * H. 106th Infantry Division, 16 December 1944 * I. Combat Command B, 7th Armored Division, 17-23 December 1944 * J. German Order of Battle, 16 December 1944 * K. Principal Personalities