Confusion among Americans Operation Stösser
a patrol of company f, 3rd battalion, 18th infantry regiment, 1st infantry division, searches woods between eupen , butgenbach, belgium, german parachutists
because of extensive dispersal of drop, fallschirmjäger reported on ardennes, , allies believed major division-sized jump had taken place, causing americans confusion , convincing them allocate men secure rear instead of facing main german thrust @ front. entire u.s. infantry regiment of 3000 men (u.s. 18th infantry) along armored combat command of 300 tanks , 2,000 men searched several days german force. 12th ss panzer division, unable defeat americans @ battle of elsenborn ridge, never arrived.
by noon on 17 december, heydte s unit had scouted woods , rounded total of around 300 troops. enough ammunition single fight, force small take crossroads on own. heydte first planned wait arrival of 12th ss panzer division when seize crossroads before arrival. after 3 days of waiting, abandoned these revised plans , instead converted mission reconnaissance. oberstgruppenführer sepp dietrich had scoffed @ heydte s request carrier pigeons, , none of unit s radios survived drop, unable report detailed information gathered.
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