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==Introduction==The ‘Battle of the Bulge’ is an enduringly popular American war movie. The director of the movie was Ken Annakin and it was released on the 21st anniversary of the battle in 1965. The original screenplay was based on the work of John Melson, but his original was rewritten by other screenwriters. The movie was produced by the legendary Hollywood mogul Jack Warner Jr and he refused to hire several directors initially because he only wanted someone whom he could control. The Battle of the Bulge was filmed in Spain and had the support of the government of the dictator Franco. In many ways, the motion picture was a typical Hollywood epic with an all-star cast. Among the stars in the <i>Battle of the Bulge </i> are Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas, Henry Fond, Robert Shaw, George Montgomery, and Robert Ryan. The movie was premiered with typical Tinseltown glitz and glamor at the Pacific Cinerama Dome Theatre in Hollywood, CA. In the movie, the director tried to squeeze a series of battles that took place over three weeks into three hours and tried to give both the German and the American perspective .<ref> Whiteclay, John and Culbert, David. World War II, Film, and History (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 156</ref>. The motion picture focuses on one German SS panzer unit and an American division. The movie is based on the Ardennes Offensive or the Battle of the Bulge. This was an attempt by the Germans to seize the Ardennes region in Belgium and then to capture the Port of Antwerp. This was to cut the Allied forces in two and Hitler hoped this would force the Americans and British to negotiate. The Germans did make rapid gains and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans but the US army fought back and eventually drove the Nazis back into Germany. This was the last German offensive of the war. The movie was controversial at the time and since because it was claimed to be historically inaccurate. This article will discuss how accurate the movie Battle of the Bulge is.

The motion picture focuses on one German SS panzer unit and an American division. The movie is based on the Ardennes Offensive or the Battle of the Bulge. This was an attempt by the Germans to seize the Ardennes region in Belgium and then to capture the Port of Antwerp. This was to cut the Allied forces in two and Hitler hoped this would force the Americans and British to negotiate. The Germans did make rapid gains and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, but the US army fought back and eventually drove them back into Germany. This was the last German offensive of the war. The movie was controversial at the time played loose with history.  ====Background to the battle====The film opens with a narrator setting the scene but there are some inaccuracies in the narration. The narrator claims that the British Field Marshal Montgomery was stationed to the north of the Ardennes with his 8th army. This was not correct as patently false because the 8th army was in Italy in December 1944.<ref> Shaw, Antony. World War II Day by Day, (Osceola: MBI Pub. Co, 2001), p. 156</ref>. The narrator also fails to mention that General Omar Bradley was in overall command of the US army group involved in the Battle of the Bulge. It's not a particulary good start when your opening narration is wrong.  Despite this, perhaps the most accurate part of the movie are the early scenes. It successfully shows the atmosphere among the Germans and the Americans. The motion picture shows the Americans to be confident and , complacent and believe that the war was already won. This was typical of the time and after After all, they were now positioned on the border of Germany and the Third Reich seemed about to fall any day. In one scene General Grey, played by Henry Fonda is more interested in getting the G.I.s their Christmas dinner than preparing for any German attack. The movie captures very well how this complacency led to an intelligence failure. In several scenes in the movie before the offensive, American intelligence is shown as indicating that there would be a German offensive. The These warnings are all were ignored in the movie and this was also the case in 1944.  The screenplay gives a very accurate portrayal of the Germans and their concerns prior to the Ardennes Offensive. One of the preoccupations of the Nazi Generals German generals was the need to secure oil. They were very concerned that the offensive could grind to a halt because of a shortage of oilfor their tanks and trucks. It also shows many of the German Generals simply generals did not believing believe that the offensive could achieve the goals set by Hitler. Publicly they agreed with the offensive , but in private they knew that it was doomed, except for some hard line and fanatical SS generals. There was only a narrow window of opportunity for the Germans to inflict a decisive defeat on the allies and this is shown in one of the more memorable scenes.  Colonel Joachim Peiper is briefed by his commanding officer and he , who states that Germany had only 50-hour to win the battle because they lacked resources such as men and oil. The reliance of the Germans on their ‘wonder weapons’ is also very well shown in the movie. Hitler believed that the massive Tiger Tanks and the V1 and V2 rockets could turn the tide of the war in Nazi Germany’s favor.<ref> Parker, Danny S, The Battle of the Bulge, <i>The German View: Perspectives from Hitler's High Command </i> (London, Pelican, 1999), p. 13</ref> Hitler's confidence was once again misplaced. {{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====The Setting of the Battle====[[File: 1024px-Battle of the Bulge.jpg|200px|thumb|left|American G.I.s fighting in the Ardennes, 1944]]While the opening scenes may be reasonably accurate not much else of the movie can be called historical. One of the main problems with the movie was that it was filmed in Spain. The terrain and geography of that country are not like the Ardennes region. The battle took place in often densely forested and hilly terrain.<ref>Parker, Danny S, Battle of the Bulge: Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944–1945 (Da Capo Press, NY, 2002), p. 157</ref>  The terrain shown in the movie was not really like the battlefield and this is a major weakness in the movie. At the time, it was noted by many movie critics and this glaring inaccuracy infuriated many veterans of the battle. Then there is the weather in the movie. This confidence was proved very important in the battle and it directly impacted on its outcome. The initial success of the German advance is shown in the motion picture to be misplaced a result of their daring use of tanks. In fact, it was due to the weather. Snowstorms kept the American P-45 and other planes grounded and this allowed the German Panzers to advance rapidly. When the weather changed the American air force attacked the German Panther and Tiger tanks and ravaged them.<ref>Shaw, p 119</ref> The weather in the movie does not really reflect the wintry conditions of the battle. There is snow shown but the actual battlefields of the Ardennes were covered deep in snow. Because the movie was shot in Spain, with its Mediterranean climate the wintry battlefields of the Ardennes offensive is not captured. <dh-ad/> ====Opening stages of the battle====The movie does accurately show the importance of German covert operations in the opening stages of the battle. The German planners knew that speed was of the essence and that they needed to act quickly. They had to seize certain key bridges over the Meuse to allow the heavy Tiger Tanks to advance. The Nazis had detachments of English speaking soldiers dressed in the uniforms of American MPs. This operation was codenamed Operation Greif.<ref> Parker, p. 117</ref> Disguised German operated behind the US front line and they seized bridges and disrupted communications.  This is shown very well in one scene in the motion picture when German troops disguised as MPs led by an SS lieutenant, played by Ty Hardin, are shown as taking over a key bridge over the River Meuse, the only one that could allow the Tiger tanks to cross the river. The same disguised German soldiers are later shown as changing road signs to confuse the G.Is and disrupting key supply lines. The German covert operation was evident as successful as shown and played an important part in the outcome early success of the German offensive.<ref> Toland, John, Battle: The Story of the Bulge, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1999), p. 156</ref> What <i>Battle of the Bulge</i> got right was the desperate German need for oil and how they deliberately targeted oil depots. They needed the oil to enable the Tiger and Panther tanks to advance, which as their own reserves of oil were depleted.  The movie also accurately captured one of the best-known war-crimes committed by Germans against American prisoners. The Malmedy massacre as it became known occurred in the early stages of the battle. SS troops killed approximately 90 American prisoners. This was a resounding accurate and after the war, several of the German involved faced war crime charges. Another thing that the movie got right was that the inexperienced American victorytroops had been largely caught by surprise and that, at least initially, they were in some disarray.  ====The Germans in the Battle of Bulge====

== The Setting of the Battle==While the opening scenes may be reasonably accurate not much else of the movie can be called historical. One focuses on Colonel Hessler, commander of the main problems with the movie was SS Panzer brigade that it was filmed is in Spain. The terrain and geography of that country are not like the Ardennes region. The battle took place in often densely forested and hilly terrain<ref> Parker, Danny S, Battle forefront of the Bulge: Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944–1945 (Da Capo Press, NY, 2002), p. 157</ref>German offensive. The terrain shown in the movie character Hessler was not really like played by the battlefield and this is a major weakness in British actor Robert Shaw, who dyed his black hair blond for the movierole. At the timeIn reality, it there was noted by many movie critics and this glaring inaccuracy infuriated many veterans of no Colonel Hessler, but the battle. Then there character is based on Joachim Peiper one of the weather most important SS commanders in the movieArdennes. This However, Peiper was very important still alive in the battle 1965 and it directly impacted on its outcome. The initial success of the German advance is shown he did not want his role in the motion picture battle to be shown. He even threatened the movie makers with a result of their daring use of tankslibel suit. In fact, it was due The producers then decided to change the weather. Snow storms kept name from Peiper to Hessler, but the American P-45 and other planes grounded and this allowed the German Panzers character is fairly obviously meant to advance rapidlybe representative of Pieper. When The name change saved the weather changed the American air force attacked the German Panther producers from a libel case and Tiger tanks and destroyed manyunnecessary legal fees.<ref>ShawWhiteclay and Cuthbert, p 119. 134</ref>. The weather  What is perhaps inexplicable is the fact that the German commander's real role in the movie does Malmedy massacre is not really reflect shown. In the wintry conditions of the battle. There movie, Robert Shaw’s character, who is based on Peiper, is snow shown but as surprised and angered by the actual battlefields killings of the Ardennes were covered deep in snowG.Is by his men. Because This was not the movie was shot in Spaincase, with its Mediterranean climate Peiper had a long record of killing prisoners and he even ordered the wintry battlefields cold-blooded murders of civilians during the Ardennes offensive is not captured.[[File: 1024px-Battle He was extremely lucky to escape prosecution for war crimes. Men under his command were directly responsible for the killing of the Bulge.jpg|200px|thumb|left|90 American G.I.s fighting who had surrendered and were in transit to prison camps in Germany.<ref> Parker, p. 123</ref> Perhaps the film makers were a little spooked by Pieper's potential legal action and distorted his role in the Ardennes, 1944]]battle. ==Opening stages of the battle==Final Battle====The movie focuses movie’s climax is a tank battle between the Germans and the Americans. This was based on the German Panzer unit important Battle of Celles, perhaps one of Hessler. It indicates that the entire success or failure of most critical encounters between the US and German armies during the offensive depended on this unit that was spearheading fighting in the attackArdennes. This was not It shows the case and American tanks as being inferior to the unit that is commanded by Hesler the SS commander played by Robert Shaw Germans which was not as pivotal as shownlargely true. The However, the movie does accurately show also shows American tanks engaged in suicidal tactics in a desperate attempt to stop the importance of German covert operations in Germans.  In truth, the opening stages American tanks had a lot of the battleaerial and artillery support. The German planners knew that speed American mobile artillery was of the essence very important and that they needed managed to act quicklydestroy many German tanks. They had to seize certain key bridges over The British are not really shown in the movie but at the Meuse battle of Celles, RAF Typhoon planes helped to allow halt the heavy Tiger Tanks to German advance. The Nazis had detachments of English speaking soldiers dress in the uniforms of American MPs. This operation was codenamed Operation Greif <ref> ParkerToland, p. 117213</ref>The movie gives the impression that the American high command was not really in charge and that the commander on the ground Major General Ernst Harmon saved the day. Disguised German operated behind In fact, Eisenhower directed the US front line American defense and they seized bridges and disrupted communicationssubsequent counter-attack at the Battle of Celles. This is shown very well in one scene in the motion picture when German troops disguised as MPs led by an SS lieutenant, played by Ty HardinIn general, are shown as taking over a key bridge over the River Meuse, depiction of the battle was inaccurate. The only one that could allow thing accurate about the Tiger tanks to cross movie was the river. The same disguised German soldiers are later shown as changing road signs to confuse scale of the G.Is American victory and disrupting key supply linesthe German defeat. The German covert operation was as successful as shown and played an important part It is estimated that only one-third of the Panzers involved in the early success of battle escaped the Nazi offensivebattlefield.<ref> Toland, John, Battle: The Story of the Bulge, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1999), p. 156217</ref>. Another thing  ====How accurate was the movie====The filmmakers at the end of the movie admitted that the battle got right movie was not accurate in the German need for oil interests of drama and how they deliberately targeted oil depotscontinuity. They needed In fact, the oil to enable movie was not only inaccurate at times but it was completely wrong. It gives a false impression of the Tiger Ardennes campaign and Panther tanks to advance, as their own reserves of oil were depletedthe key characters involved in it. The movie also accurately captures one Most Hollywood movies based on historical subjects are inaccurate but the Battle of the best-known war-crimes committed by Germans against American prisonersBulge is particularly inaccurate. The Malmedy massacre as it became known occurred in the early stages It infuriated many veterans of the battle and it involved SS troops killing approximately 90 American prisoners. This was accurate and after  Perhaps the final word on the historical accuracy of the warmovie should be left with General Dwight D Eisenhower, several commander of the German involved faced war crime chargesAllied forces in Europe during WWII and former American President. Another thing that Ike hated the movie got right was and he publicly deplored its many inaccuracies. He tolerated other inaccuracies in movies such as the Longest Day but he believed that the inexperienced American troops producers of the Battle of the Bulge had been largely caught by surprise falsified history in the interests of entertainment and that at least initially they were this was disrespectful to those who had fought and died in some disarraythe Ardennes. The Battle of the Bulge may be an enjoyable movie but it is particularly accurate history.<ref>Whiteclay and Cuthbert, p.134</ref> ====References====<references/>

==The Germans in the Battle of Bulge=={{Contributors}}The movie focuses on Colonel Hessler, commander of the Panzer brigade that is in the forefront of the German offensive. The character Hessler was played by the British actor Robert Shaw, who dyed his black hair blond for the role. In reality, there was no Colonel Hessler but the character is based on Joachim Peiper one of the most important Nazi commanders in the Ardennes. However, Peiper was still alive in 1965 and he did not want his role in the battle to be shown and he threatened the movie makers with a libel suit. The producers then decided to change the name of Peiper to Hessler <ref> Whiteclay and Cuthbert, p. 134</ref>. What is perhaps inexplicable is the fact that Pieper’s role in the Malmedy massacre is not shown and he is even exonerated of any involvement in the outrage. Men under his command in the movie were responsible for the killing of 90 American G.I.s who had surrendered and were in transit to prison camps in Germany<ref> Parker, p. 123</ref>. In the movie, Robert Shaw’s character, who is based on Peiper is shown as surprised and angered by the killings. This was not the case Peiper had a long record of killing prisoners and he even ordered the cold-blooded murders of civilians during the offensive and was lucky to escape prosecution for war crimes. The character of Hessler did not represent the real Peiper or his role in the Battle of the Bulge and this is a major shortcoming of the movie. [[Category:Historically Accurate]][[FileCategory: Bulge sheet A.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Battle of the Bulge Poster (1965)Wikis]]==Final Battle==The movie’s climax shows a tank battle between the Germans and the Americans. This was based on the important Battle of Celles, perhaps one of the most critical encounters between the US and German armies during the fighting in the Ardennes. It shows the American tanks as being inferior to the Germans and this was largely true. However, the movie also shows American tanks engaged in suicidal tactics in a desperate attempt to stop the Germans. In truth, the American tanks had a lot of aerial and artillery support. The American mobile artillery was very important and they managed to destroy many German tanks. The British are not really shown in the movie but at the battle of Celles, RAF Typhoon planes helped to halt the Nazi advance<ref>Toland, p. 213</ref>. The movie gives the impression that the American high command was not really in charge and that the commander on the ground Major General Ernst Harmon saved the day. In fact, Eisenhower directed the American defense and subsequent counter-attack at the Battle of Celles. In general, the depiction of the battle was inaccurate. The only thing accurate about the movie was the scale of the American victory and the German defeat. It is estimated that only one-third of the Panzers involved in the battle escaped the battlefield <ref> Toland, p. 217</ref>. ==How accurate was the movie==The filmmakers at the end of the movie admitted that the movie was not accurate in the interests of drama and continuity. In fact, the movie was not only inaccurate at times but it was completely wrong. It gives a false impression of the Ardennes campaign and the key characters involved in it. Most Hollywood movies based on historical subjects are inaccurate but the Battle of the Bulge is particularly inaccurate. It infuriated many veterans of the battle. Perhaps the final word on the historical accuracy of the movie should be left with General Dwight D Eisenhower, commander of the Allied forces in Europe during WWII and former American President. Ike hated the movie and he publicly deplored its many inaccuracies. He tolerated other inaccuracies in movies such as the Longest Day but he believed that the producers of the Battle of the Bulge had falsified history in the interests of entertainment and that this was disrespectful to those who had fought and died in the Ardennes. The Battle of the Bulge may be an enjoyable movie but it is certainly not history<ref>Whiteclay and Cuthbert, p. 134</ref>.==References==