STORY.GERMANS IN SHOCK: How the Proximity Fuse Wiped Out Entire Formations. Battle of the Bulge скачать в хорошем качестве

STORY.GERMANS IN SHOCK: How the Proximity Fuse Wiped Out Entire Formations. Battle of the Bulge

During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, German forces launched a massive counteroffensive in the Ardennes, hoping to break through Allied lines and seize critical supply routes. However, what they did not expect was the devastating impact of America's secret weapon—the proximity fuse. The proximity fuse, a radar-equipped artillery shell, detonated 30 to 50 feet above enemy positions, creating a deadly airburst that obliterated entire formations with remarkable precision. Unlike traditional shells that exploded upon impact, these fuses multiplied the destructive power of artillery by a factor of 50. When these shells rained down on German troops, they unleashed devastating destruction, wiping out entire battalions in seconds. The proximity fuses were so effective that they inflicted an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 German casualties, shattering entire divisions and forcing the Wehrmacht to retreat. One of the most significant moments came at Malmedy, where elite SS units were destroyed, and the 463rd Parachute Field Artillery used these fuses to help break the siege of Bastogne, saving the besieged defenders. General Patton witnessed firsthand the power of the proximity fuse, noting that 702 German soldiers were killed in a single engagement at the Sauer River. This technological breakthrough not only inflicted heavy losses on German forces but also shattered their morale and their perception of American "weakness." The proximity fuse’s ability to eliminate entire formations in seconds was a game-changer, marking a definitive moment in modern warfare where technological superiority triumphed over tactical skill. The Allies had mastered a new kind of warfare, and the German forces were left in shock at the destructive power of this new weapon. #BattleOfTheBulge #ProximityFuse #WWII #ArtilleryWarfare #SecretWeapons #GermanCasualties #Bastogne #GeneralPatton #MilitaryTechnology #Airburst #WWIIWeapons #TechVsTactics #Wehrmacht #MilitaryHistory #Malmedy #AlliedForces #TechnologicalSuperiority #WWIIInnovation #SauerRiver #MilitaryHistory