Unternehmen Nordwind

Operations map of German counter in Alsace Lorraine in January 1945

For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. ADN-ZB II. Weltkrieg 1939-45 Westeuropäische Front im Januar 1945. Ein faschistischer deutscher "Panther" - Panzer hat seinen Bereitstellungsraum in Weissenburg/ Bergzabern (Bayern-Pfalz) verlassen und befindet sich auf dem Weg zur Front (hier am sogenannten "Westwall"). Aufnahme vom 6.1.1945 154-45

A destroyed German Jagdtiger tank of Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653 near Rimling, Lorraine (France), 28 February 1945. Original Caption: "A Jadgtiger tank, a type previously reported on the Russina front, is examined by Captain Jack H. Rothschild, Kansas City, Mo. in the Rimling area, France. The tank was knocked out by a shell from an M-36 tank destroyer. 2/28/45 - 776th TD Bn, 44th Inf. Div."
Operations map of German counter in Alsace Lorraine in January 1945

Operations map of German counter in Alsace Lorraine in January 1945

A German Jagdtiger tank of Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653 near Morsbronn-les-Bains, France, 18 March 1945.

Original Caption: "A Jadgtiger tank, a type previously reported on the Russina front, is examined by Captain Jack H. Rothschild, Kansas City, Mo. in the Rimling area, France. The tank was knocked out by a shell from an M-36 tank destroyer. 2/28/45 - 776th TD Bn, 44th Inf. Div."

Map in German language, showing the original German planing for Operation Nordwind in 1945. The work is based mainly on this official US map.

Map of Operation Solstice in January 1945 in the Alsace

Tanks and soldiers, Operation Nordwind, Alsace–Lorraine, France, 1944–45, by unknown photographer, vintage gelatin silver print, Le Courrier Australien, State Library of New South Wales, PXE 1397

Map of Operation Solstice in January 1945 in the Alsace

Map of Operation Solstice in January 1945 in the Alsace

A German Panther tank of the 25th Panzer Division crosses a checkpoint near Wissembourg, France, about 37 miles north of Strasbourg, January 6, 1945 during the opening phase of the German offensive known as Operation Nordwind in World War II. The Germans attacked into Alsace, France and met resistance from American and French forces. The actions of one 42nd Division Soldier, Master Sergeant Vito Bertoldo, will be presented as part of the 2018 Netflix documentary series “Medal of Honor.” The series highlights stories of America’s Medal of Honor recipients. Bertoldo, of Decatur, Illinois, received the Medal of Honor for his actions defending his battalion command post while assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 242nd Infantry Regiment in Hatten, France January 9-10, 1945. The Netflix series streams beginning November 9, 2018. Courtesy photo.

Adolescent German Soldiers from the Waffen-SS taken prisoner at Schillersdorf in Alsace, during Operation Nordwind

Map of Operation Solstice in January 1945 in the Alsace

714th Tank Batallion moving from Bischweiler to Drusenheim

This file shows the last major German offensive on the Western Front

View of Rittershoffen, France, during Operation Nordwind, 13 January 1945. The area was defended by the 48th Tank Battalion, 14th Armored Division, U.S. Army.
Historische Übersicht
Das Unternehmen Nordwind war der Deckname einer deutschen Militäroperation im Zweiten Weltkrieg und die letzte Offensive deutscher Streitkräfte an der Westfront, in deren Rahmen vom 31. Dezember 1944 bis zum 25. Januar 1945 Kampfhandlungen im Elsass und in Lothringen stattfanden. Obwohl das Unternehmen zu politischen Spannungen zwischen den USA und Frankreich führte, die als Straßburger Kontroverse bezeichnet werden, gehört es zu den weniger bekannten und teilweise sogar falsch dargestellten Großoperationen des Zweiten Weltkrieges; in der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung dominieren die gleichzeitigen Kämpfe in den Ardennen, im Hürtgenwald sowie an der Ostfront an Weichsel und Oder.
Fakten auf einen Blick
USA & Frankreich
- Befehlshaber: Alexander Patch
- Truppenstärke: ca. 250.000
- Verluste: ca. 15.000
Wehrmacht
- Befehlshaber: Hans v. Obstfelder
- Truppenstärke: ca. 200.000
- Verluste: ca. 23.000
Strategischer Kontext
Versuch, US-Kräfte aus den Ardennen abzuziehen.
Weiterführende Literatur
Historische Orte
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