Bastogne: The Story of the First Eight Days - US Army Center Of ...

THE SITUATION IMPROVES 145
the sectors held by the 502d Parachute Infantry and the 327th
Glider Infantry regiments. The infantry front lines had been
hearing and seeing the arrival of these concentrations during the
past two days. But because of the shortage of artillery ammunition,
there had been no real check against them. The planes
dropped low and came in fast against the enemy columns, gaining
complete surprise. 35 The German vehicles were on the road
faCing toward Bastogne when the first bombs fell among them.
Such was the execution that one of the pilots later said to General
McAuliffe, "This was better hunting than the Falaise pocket
and that was the best I ever expected to see."Se
On that first day the Germans did not use their antiaircraft
guns against any of the dive bombers.aT If this reticence was due
to a desire to cover up the positions of the guns, it was a view
quickly changed because of the damage the Ninth Air Force
planes had done during the first day. For thereafter the German
flak was intense over the front at all times and the air units had
no further hours of unopposed operation. s8
They made the most of their opening opportunity. The snow
was a great aid. Clearly visible tracks pointed to forest positions
which were prompdy bombed. s9 The fir forests burst into flames
from the fire bombs and before the day was out the smoke from
these blazing plantations and from the brewed-up enemy columns
made a complete circle around the besieged forces until it
seemed almost as if the fog was closing in again. 40 The air people
hit every nearby town at least once with explosive and fire bombs.
Noville was hit ten times.'l
The entire air operation was carefully systematized and then
supervised in detail. As planes were assigned to the 101 st Division
by VIII Corps, they checked in with Captain Parker by
radio. He put them on a clear landmark such as a railroad or
highway as they came in toward Bastogne. Several check points
were then given to them from the map. When the approaching
planes were definitely located, an approach direction was given
that would bring them straight in over the target. This procedure
eliminated all need for circling and searching and helped them
surprise the enemy. When the bombs and gun ammunition were