Kampfgruppe Peiper was the spearhead of the German 6th Panzer-Army in the Ardennes, responsible for clearing the way for the German tanks towards the Meuse and Antwerp. It was endowed with considerable firepower and brought together the most motivated veterans of the Third Reich. It had to rush forward without regard to its flanks, seizing the bridges over the Meuse before the American army had time to react. After a difficult start, the German armored column broke through the defensive curtain of Gis and set off on its mission. It had to cross the Ardennes, an easy-to-defend area that the American command used to gain time. One after the other, bridges were being blown in front of Peiper. His fuel ran out, and he found himself at a standstill isolated on a promontory at La Gleize. Using combat reports from both sides, this book analyzes the events as they occurred, minute by minute, explaining the reasons for Peiper's failure, even though, on paper at least, he had everything he needed to win.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 The German Plan
• Chapter 2 The Storm is Brewing
• Chapter 3 US Troops Facing the Reich
• Chapter 4 KG Peiper Prepares
• Chapter 5 Fate is on the Move
• Chapter 6 The Difficult Breakthrough
• Chapter 7 A Trail of Blood from Büllingen to Baugnez
• Chapter 8 From Ligneuville to the Heights of Stavelot
• Chapter 9 Kampfgruppe Peiper Breaks Through in Stavelot
• Chapter 10 The Last US Reserves Arrive
• Chapter 11 Contact in Full Deployment
• Chapter 12 The Capture of Stoumont
• Conclusion: The Impossible Blitzkrieg
• Appendix: Equivalent Military Ranks
• Notes
• Bibliography