Battle Analysis Importance

Battle Analysis is a method used by the U.S. Army to provide a systematic approach to the study of battles, campaigns, and other operations according to the (Combat Arms Center 1). The purpose behind the enforcement of students going through leadership courses to write a Battle Analysis essay is to broaden the overall future leaders of our Army’s way to advance their methodology of a battle and overall seek advancement to the way we fight from past to present. During this essay of the battle of the bulge we as a group will focus specifically on the Battle Analysis and the use of Artillery in the Battle of the Bulge. Due to the vast majority of Artillery utilized during the Battle of the Bulge we will refer and reference only a few Artillery

units.
During the Battle of the Bulge Artillery provided vital and effective timely fires daily to assist in the overall mission accomplishment of the Bulge to infantrymen. At this time in the Battle US Army forces completely outnumbered the German forces hands down, but the Germans still put up a fight continually attempting to seize and maintain the ground for which the US Army continued to be persistent in attaining pushing for forward progress into Bastogne. Major Albin Irzyk became quickly frustrated with the Germans continued attempt to maintain ground and on December 22nd between the 1300 hours and 1600 hours just south of Belgium the United States Artillery of the 4th Infantry Division received its call to rain down steel. The 22nd AFA (Armored Field Artillery) Self-propelled artillery of the 4th Infantry Division armed with three firing batteries consisting of 18 M7 howitzers otherwise known as the “Priest” (Patton 1); did a tremendous job silencing the enemy force by providing accurate fires of 42 rounds of HE within less than 20 minutes for a total processing time of 60 seconds to compute firing data. This wasn’t the first time that the 22nd AFA had fired. 22nd AFA already provided over 175 rounds of artillery broken down into four missions supporting a Cavalry unit that was pinned down on the battlefield. Subsequently, due to 22nd AFA being a mobile artillery force they provided a supportive amount of fires to task force commanders in which it is still reflected the same in battles to this day.
During the Bulge the 22nd AFA was not the only artillery unit to provide suppressive, accurate, and defensive casualty producing effects on the battlefield.

Despite segregation, hatred, and being untrusted two African American 155mm artillery units would shape the battlefield. The 578th Field Artillery Battalion would be the first African American unit to land in Germany to be a part of this war. These soldiers speed distraught German tactics. The 578th FAB fought off Germans with ease until being pushed back behind friendly forces when Germans overwhelmed them. With the success of 578th FAB brought indifferent Officers, such as General Maxwell Lee that African Americans can be trusted and comprehend war tactics. When 101st Airborne Division needed support for its infantry, the 969th Field Artillery Battalion would be the second African American unit to participate in the Bulge. After supporting 101st missions, at Bastogne, the soldiers gave 969th FAB praise for their ability to provide defensive fires. These howitzers were so impressive that General Taylor issued a recommendation for an award. Taylor was so ecstatic that he stated, “A recommendation for a unit citation of the 969th Field Artillery Battalion is being forwarded by this Headquarters” (Blood for Dignity 23). These two African American artillery units formed the foundation for black artillery units during the Battle of

Bulge.
The aftermath of the “Battle of the Bulge” had some high weighing cost for both the Allied and Axis Force.

Referring more to the devastation that the US forces caused by the effective Artillery that caused so much damage to the opposing forces. As previous stated that the processing time for 22nd AFA (Armored Field Artillery) was 60 seconds which the unit was praised for their quickness of response time, but compared to today’s time standards its greatly slower. The advancement of technology has drastically changed and shaped the battle field and in the way we fight from then to now. Today’s Artillery has led to faster movement, emplacement, and shooting times then during the “Battle of the Bulge” due to the advancement of technology. During the “Battle of the Bulge” the Firing Data was Manually Computed using the FM 6-40 (Field Artillery Gunnery) which we still use Manual Gunnery methods today but it has become a secondary means to computing data with the introduction of the following fire control systems, PDFCS (Paladin Digital Fire Control System), DFCS (Digital Fire Control System), AFATDS (Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System), and High Frequency Radio’s just to name a few pieces of equipment that’s used today. What does that really mean compared to then, well it allows us to be able to talk further across the battle field and transmit digital firing data through high frequency radios then using voice which cuts down on response time and the accuracy of the

data that they’re receiving. Just imagine what the Soldiers of the “Battle of the Bulge” could have done with the today’s technology and how it could have benefited with that battle.
For example, Mission Command systems like AFATDS (Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System) incorporated with systems like SNE (Soldier Network Extension) a system that is mounted on vehicles to give units on-the-move network communications to range the system from the brigade down to the battery level. Using its on-the-move satellite communication systems in a situation like the “Battle of the Bulge” a huge advantage to have. Reason being is that your headquarter elements can transfer battlefield information like geometries, enemy situation, or just an overall situational awareness of the battlefield from the Continental United States without the needs of being in the front lines. The advantage of not having an enemy combatant destroy one of your Fire Direction Centers reducing your casualties.
In closing, the evolution of the field artillery from cannon, rocket, and missiles, would have made an effect on the outcome of “The Battle of the Bulge.” Its weapons have evolved to sustain the fast moving capabilities and extensive disruptions of these ground gaining arms. In the strategic and tactical complexities of the modern warfare. Some evolution capabilities range from close range support to long range, and even mobility advances compare to those in World War II. The full spectrum capabilities sustain the Field Artillery establish its reputation as one of the greatest casualty producing agencies employed in the modern battlefield.