Band of Brothers*
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Bastogne, Day 1:*
Walk Through Noville*
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USA Airborne vs Germany* 
Meeting Engagement*

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December 19, 1944*

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Design:  Dick Burleigh*

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December 16, 1944 marked the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, the single largest battle on the Western Front in World War II.  It was Hitlers last desperate counter-offensive, a push westward through the Ardennes to capture the vital port city of Antwerp.  Using bad weather to counter Allied air superiority the initial German assaults met with great success.*
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The 101st Airborne was in Mourmelon, France recovering from the Market Garden ops in Holland.  On December 18 they were loaded on trucks and shipped to Bastogne where along with elements of the 10th Armored Division and stragglers from the front they would attempt to hold Bastogne and it's vital crossroads until more units could be brought to bear against the advancing Germans.*
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The 506th PIR dismounted east of Bastogne, marched through the town and were ordered north to Noville where Team Desobry of Combat Command B, 10th Armored Division was taking a pounding from the Germans.*
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1st Battalion of the 506th is to enter Noville, pass through Team Desobry's defenses and advance upon the Germans holding the high ground north of town.  (B Company advance north along the Vaux Road, C Company, east towards Bourcy and A Company advance up the middle).  2nd and 3rd Battalions will hold in reserve and dig in near Foy.  Easy Company should dig in along the tree line east (below) of the Bastogne-Foy-Noville Road.*