虎落阿登森林——突出部战役中的501重装甲营和虎王坦克

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党卫军501重装甲营是党卫军第一装甲师的独立重坦克营，也是那个时代最具有战斗力的部队，他们装备有最强大的虎II，也叫“虎王”坦克。“虎王”产量较小，但无论在那个战场出现，都会掀起巨大的冲击波。我们要讲述地，真是这个最著名的虎式坦克部队在突出部战役（德军称之为“阿登反击战”）的故事。二战的一代传奇武器，最终在阿登归于沉寂，可见即使再强大的武器，也无法挽救战争的结局！一切终究归于历史！


第一部分 战役前期

Hitler conceived the Ardennes Offensive in the summer of 1944 as a powerful blow to split the Anglo-American armies and regain the initiative on the Western Front. Overriding his generals’ objections, Hitler ordered preparations for a large-scale offensive with the ultimate objective of Antwerp.  He believed a severe setback would cause the Allied coalition to collapse, and at least permit the Germans to sue for a separate peace with the English and Americans.


希特勒在1944年夏季开始构思阿登反击战，目的是撕开并割裂英美盟军，重新获得西线的战略主动权。不顾将军们的反对，希特勒命令以安特卫普为最终目标准备一次大规模的军事行动。他坚信这样一次猛烈的打击将使盟军迅即崩溃，至少也使得德国在与英美单独媾和时拥有更多主动权。

Hitler’s plan called for a surprise armored thrust out of the heavily wooded Ardennes area of Belgium and Luxembourg.  The offensive would have to take place in poor weather to prevent Allied aircraft from swarming on the German tanks as they had in Normandy. New “Volksgrenadier” infantry divisions were created from the remnants of units shattered in Normandy, and some of the best panzer divisions were refitted for the effort.  All operational and logistical preparations were shrouded in the greatest secrecy.  The deception was highly successful; no Allied commander really believed that the Germans were still capable of a powerful counteroffensive in the West, much less that they were actually preparing to launch it.


希特勒的计划是在比利时和卢森堡间的阿登森林地带发动一次装甲突袭。进攻必须在相对恶劣的天气情况下进行，已防止像诺曼底那样成为盟军飞机的目标。由诺曼底被击溃的部队重新拼凑了新的“掷弹兵”步兵师，一些最好的装甲师也尽力进行了整编。所有的进攻及后勤准备都在极端机密的状态下进行，这样的诡计取得了巨大成功：盟军指挥官们没有人相信德军在西线还能拥有如此强大的反击能力，更不用说他们还能启动这样的准备行动。

The main thrust was to be made by the 6. Panzerarmee, organized into two panzer corps with four panzer divisions, two volksgrenadier divisions, and a parachute division.  The more powerful 1. SS-Panzerkorps included the rebuilt 1. SS-Panzerdivision, the “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.”  Along with the other panzer divisions earmarked for the offensive, the LSSAH had received an influx of new personnel and equipment.  However, the panzer divisions of late 1944 were no longer as powerful as before.  None had a full complement of two tank battalions (one of Panthers and the other of PzKw IVs).  Some had their second battalions rounded out with assault guns, while others had corps level heavy tank or tank destroyer battalions attached to replace their missing second battalions.

主要的突击任务由第六装甲集团军担任，由四个装甲师、两个掷弹兵师和一个伞兵师组成两个装甲集群，最具战斗力的第一装甲集群包括重建的党卫军第1装甲师，该师得到了大量新鲜人员和装备的补充。然而，1944年后期的装甲师无法和以前相提并论，没有一个师拥有完整的两个装甲营。有些师的第二装甲营可能拥有相对齐全的火炮，重型坦克和坦克歼击车，但这些也是从其他部队东拼西凑的。

s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 was attached to the Leibstandarte’s 1. SS-Panzerregiment as that unit’s second battalion.Following standard German practice, the SS panzer divisions tasked organized their units for combat as combined arms kampfgruppen, or battle groups.  Kampfgruppe size and organization varied, but was roughly equivalent to a U.S. reinforced regiment or armored combat command.  The 1. SS-Panzerdivision’s priority kampfgruppe assigned to spearhead the attack was built around the 1. SS-Panzerregiment.


501重装营隶属于第一装甲师的第一装甲团，作为第二坦克营。按照德军惯例，党卫军装甲师通常作为灵活的战斗集群——肯普夫集群去执行作战任务。肯普夫集群的组织形式多样，大概和美军的增援团或装甲部队战斗指挥体系类似。第一装甲师的这个战斗集群主要围绕第一装甲团构建，并担任行动的箭头部队。

The regiment’s commander was one of the most successful Waffen-SS armor leaders, SS-Obersturmbannführer Jochen Peiper.  Peiper’s kampfgruppe included his regiment, with a mixed tank battalion of Panthers and PzKw IVs and the attached s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501.  Also attached was the third battalion from the division’s 2. SS-Panzergrenadierregiment.  This armored infantry battalion, commanded by SS-Sturmbannführer Josef “Jupp” Diefenthal, was mounted in half-tracks.  Peiper also had his regiment’s organic pioneer and self-propelled Flak companies, plus an attached battalion from the 1. SS-Panzerartillerieregiment (105mm guns), an additional battery of self-propelled guns, another armored engineer company, and an attached Luftwaffe Flak battalion.  


装甲团由武装党卫军最成功的装甲指挥官——一级突击队大队长Jochen Peiper指挥。Peiper的战斗集群包括：他自己的团，一个掺杂着Panthers和 PzKw IVs的坦克营、501重装营，以及第二掷弹兵团的第三营（这个装甲步兵营由Josef “Jupp” Diefenthal指挥，装备有半履带车辆）。Peiper也拥有自己的先遣部队和机动的火炮连，它隶属于第一火炮团（105mm炮）的一个营，另外还有一个装甲工兵连和一个高射炮营。

All of the kampfgruppe’s combat elements were motorized and armored.Each of the lead battle groups of the 6. Panzerarmee were to exploit penetrations of the American front lines made by volksgrenadier divisions, then rapidly drive to intermediate objectives on the Meuse River.  Army headquarters assigned five routes called rollbahn for the kampfgruppen to use on their way to the Meuse.  While not totally restricted to exact routes, the kampfgruppe commanders were to follow the general route of their assigned rollbahn to prevent confusion and traffic jams.

肯普夫集群的所有单元全部是摩托化的装甲部队。肯普夫集群将作为第六集团军突破美军战线的急先锋，并迅速穿越中间地带抵达马斯河。司令部为肯普夫集群设计了四条通往马斯河的行动路线，但并没有对路线作出特别的限制，这要求集群的指挥官们要严格遵循总的路线，以防止出现混乱和交通拥堵。

Kampfgruppe Peiper was to use Rollbahn D, which in large part twisted and turned through the hilly terrain along secondary roads barely wide enough for the tanks.  Peiper remarked to U.S. interrogators after the war that his assigned route had been fit only for bicycles.  (1)  Due to his need for swift penetration and exploitation through the restricted terrain, Peiper planned for the Tiger battalion to bring up the rear of his kampfgruppe.  The Tigers would then lead through the more open terrain past the Meuse.

Peiper选择了路线D，这条路线非常奇怪，要穿过山地地形，辅助的道路对于坦克来讲只能是勉强通行。战后Peiper接受美军审讯时说他选择这条路线仅仅适合骑自行车。为了快速通过这样的山地地形，Peiper计划将虎式坦克营放在肯普夫集群的后尾。虎式将能够穿越这些空旷的山地抵达马斯河。

The number of tanks fielded by s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 for the Ardennes Offensive has been a matter of debate.  Records and veteran accounts indicate that the battalion received its full complement of 45 Königstigers between 3 October and 3 December 1944.  How many of these actually participated in the attack is unknown.  According to a former 1. Kompanie tank commander, some did not leave the assembly area.  

501重装营投入阿登战役的坦克数量成为了一个历史争论的焦点。记录和退役军人们认为它们在1944年10月3日-12月3日之间，获得了编制齐全的全部45辆虎王坦克。但进攻开始时到底有多少投入了战斗无从知晓。依照前第一连指挥官的看法，不会有坦克离开集结地点。

The battalion was plagued with maintenance problems and breakdowns, even early in the advance.  The Army Group B situation map for 17 December 1944 shows 30 Tigers present with the 1. SS-Panzerdivision.  At least 20 can be positively identified from photographic evidence or veterans’ accounts.  It is probable that the battalion was up to full strength or nearly so by 16 December, but that only around 30-35 of the Tigers actually participated as a unit in the initial advance of Kampfgruppe Peiper.  Others were readied or repaired later and fed into the battle as available, but did not catch up with the main body.


在行进的初期，501营就被给养和机械故障问题所困扰。B集团军1944年12月17日的地图显示第一装甲团将有30辆虎式坦克抵达目的地，但从照片判断或者退伍军人那里统计，只能证明有20辆。由此可见，至少12月16日之前，装甲营并没有齐装满员，最初和肯普夫集群一起行动的仅仅只有30-35辆虎式。其它的可能在修理或整备后才陆续投入战斗，而没有追赶上大部队。

The Tiger battalion moved by night into its forward assembly area north of Tondorf on 12 December 1944.  While the men knew that they were attached to Peiper’s regiment, the attack orders were kept secret until the last moment.  Peiper briefed his battalion and company commanders on 14 December, but the tank commanders and crews were not informed of their mission until the night before the advance.

1944年12月12日，虎式坦克营夜间出发进入了位于Tondorf以北的前线集结地点。直到士兵们知道自己将隶属于Peiper团的最后时刻，进攻命令才正式发布。12月14日，Peiper只向营、连级的指挥官们简要叙述了作战任务，直到出发前夜，坦克车长和乘员们仍然不清楚自己的战斗任务。

The Battle 16-18 December: Advance and Loss of Organization   第二部分 16-18日的战斗：前进与混乱的组织

The German offensive began at 5:30 am on 16 December with a massive artillery bombardment.  The weather was just what Hitler desired: cold, misty, with ground fog in many areas.  Most American front-line units were surprised by the artillery fire and initial breakthrough attacks, but the attacks were not as swiftly successful as the Germans hoped.  While Peiper fumed and waited to advance, the volksgrenadiers in his front did not open the way until the afternoon of 16 December.  s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 finally rolled out of its assembly area late in the afternoon.  The initial order of march was 2. Kompanie, Headquarters, 3. Kompanie, and 1. Kompanie.

德军的进攻在12月16日早上5:30分，以突然而强大的炮火准备开始。天气一如希特勒所望：寒冷、暮气重重，很多地区大雾弥漫。很多美军的前线部队对于突如其来的炮火和最初的快速进攻感到十分惊讶、手足无措，但进攻并非德军所希望地那样快速取得胜利。当Peiper的坦克已经发出隆隆启动声时，他前面的装甲掷弹兵们却直到16日中午才打通道路。501重装营也是在午后才最后离开了集结点。最初行进的顺序是2连、营部、3连和1连。

The Tigers followed in the wake of Peiper’s advance through most of the night.  The kampfgruppe had elements of a parachute regiment attached as it moved through Lanzerath, and a number of paratroopers hitched a ride on some of the Tigers.  The battalion passed through Honsfeld, where one Tiger destroyed two American antitank guns.  In the darkness along the muddy, twisting road von Westernhagen’s battalion was already losing its cohesiveness.  Several tanks had dropped out with mechanical failures, while others had lagged behind and become separated.

经过大半夜后，虎式坦克营才逐渐跟上了Peiper大部队的步伐。隶属于肯普夫集群的一些伞兵通过了Lanzerath，有些人直接坐上了虎式坦克前进。501营穿过了Honsfeld，期间一辆虎式被美军的两个反坦克炮击毁。大雾弥漫的黑夜使得坦克营不能紧密地保持队伍稳定和衔接。一些坦克由于机械故障而掉队，另一些也由于各种原因而落单了。

17-18 December:  Loss of Organization

17-18日：失去组织

The Tigers made very slow progress on the 17th.  The lead elements of the kampfgruppe had churned the country lanes into muddy tracks.  Rollbahn D at this point traversed some of the worst roads in the area.  The 2. and 3. Kompanies continued through Büllingen, Schoppen, Faymonville, Ondenval, and Thirimont.  In several places the assigned road was too tight for the large tanks to pass, and they had to detour through fields, at the risk of bogging down.

17日，虎式们进展缓慢。肯普夫集群的先头部队将乡村道路搅和地泥泞不堪。D路线变成了这一地区路况最糟糕的一段。2连和3连继续穿过Büllingen、Schoppen、Faymonville、Ondenval和Thirimont。这些地区原先标示的道路对于宽大的虎式坦克来讲也显得紧巴巴的，它们不得不绕道而行以避免陷入泥淖。

By the afternoon of the 17th the battalion had lost its organization.  In the evening some of the 2. and 3. Kompanie tanks with the battalion command group passed through Ligneuville (the Germans called this town Engelsdorf) and continued toward Stavelot.  On the way toward Ligneuville they passed the Baugnez crossroads south of Malmedy.  Earlier in the day this location had become the scene of the infamous “Malmedy Massacre,” as other elements of Kampfgruppe Peiper killed some 80 American prisoners of war.

17日中午，坦克营已经失去了组织联系。到了晚上，2连和3连的一些坦克通过了Ligneuville（德国人叫Engelsdorf），继续向Stavelot前进。在通向Ligneuville的路上，他们通过了马尔梅迪南部的Baugnez十字路口。早先这些天，这里发生了著名的“马尔梅迪屠杀”，肯普夫集群在这里枪杀了80名美军战俘。

The exact sequence of events at Baugnez remains a mystery and the truth will probably never be known.  Germans who survived the war maintain that the prisoners were killed while they attempted to escape.  In 1946 seventy-four former Waffen-SS soldiers (most of them from Kampfgruppe Peiper) were accused of war crimes and tried by a U.S. military court for their actions at Baugnez.  Peiper and 42 others were sentenced to death, but none of those convicted were ever executed.  Investigations revealed irregularities and illegal actions by the prosecution during the trial, and all were finally released.  None of the former soldiers of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 were indicted or tried. They could not have been involved; they passed Baugnez after the tragedy had already occurred.  However, Peiper’s first notification that a number of American prisoners of war had been shot by his forces came from von Westernhagen as he came forward to Trois Ponts on the morning of 18 December.

在Baugnez的这个事件的具体时间顺序仍然是一个谜，真相从来没有公布于众。战后幸存的德军认为主要是战俘们试图逃跑才会射杀他们。1946年，74个原武装党卫军的士兵（大多数来自肯普夫集群）因为Baugnez的战争罪行而受到美军军事法庭的指控。Peiper和其他42名士兵被宣判死刑，但没有一个人被执行判决。审判期间的调查显示，控方的指控在程序等方面存在不合法。501营也没有任何士兵被指控和审判，他们没有卷入其中，因为惨剧发生之后他们才穿过Baugnez。然而，Peiper的第一个正式指控，是因为他来自von Westernhagen的军队在12月18日清晨向Trois Ponts前进的过程中，射杀了一名美军俘虏。

The main body of the battalion, consisting of the battalion command group and the 2. and 3. Kompanie tanks that had kept up, closed on the rear of Peiper’s main element during the night of 17 December and followed it through Stavelot the next morning.  The kampfgruppe’s lead elements only cleared the streets necessary to move through Stavelot and continue toward Trois Ponts, and American infantry continued to fire at the tanks from other parts of the town.  The Königstiger crews returned fire with their machineguns and continued on.

坦克营的作战主体，包括营部、2连和3连已经在12月17日晚追上了Peiper的大部队，并在第二天早上尾随他们进入Stavelot。肯普夫集群的先头部队清理出了通过Stavelot所必经的街道，继续向Trois Ponts挺进。美国步兵们则不断从城中的各个地方向坦克开火，虎王坦克予以了还击并继续前进。

Peiper’s lead elements continued down the N23, a relatively good road, to Trois Ponts.  As the name indicates the town contained three bridges.  Peiper hoped to cross the Ambleve River there and continue on better roads to the Meuse.  However, American engineers blew the bridge over the Ambleve just as the kampfgruppe was coming into sight, and Peiper was forced to turn right onto the N33 road to parallel the river and cross it farther north.

Peiper的先头部队在N23公路上继续前进，这条路路况较好，直通Trois Ponts。这个城市的名字说明城中有三座桥。Peiper希望通过Ambleve河，并在这条路上直取马斯河。然而，美军工兵炸毁了Ambleve河上的桥梁，Peiper不得不转向右边与河平行的N33公路，这样向北较原先绕远了。

About noon Peiper passed through the small hilltop village of La Gleize and took a local road toward Cheneux, where his scouts had told him a bridge across the Ambleve was intact.  He crossed there and continued toward an intersection where he could again take the N23 west.  The main part of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 still followed in the rear, but was reduced to only six tanks, with one more from the 1. Kompanie following farther behind.  The 3. Kompanie had lost two tanks to antitank fire as it passed through Stavelot, and another stalled with a thrown track in a sharp bend on the N33 just before the road turned uphill to enter La Gleize.  By this time von Westernhagen and his adjutant, SS-Obersturmführer Kalinowsky, were riding in a command car.  Kalinowsky had left his Tiger 008 between Stavelot and Trois Ponts with engine trouble.  There is no evidence that the battalion commander’s tank 007 ever left the assembly area.

大约中午的时候，Peiper通过了一个位于山顶的小村镇——La Gleize，并借此的乡村道路通向Cheneux，此时侦察兵告知他位于Ambleve的桥梁完整无损。他绕过这里并继续向前面的一个十字路口进发，从哪里能够重新驶上N23公路的西段。501营的大部分在后面跟随，但也减少了6辆坦克，它们和1连的坦克一起远远落在了后面。在通过Stavelot时，3连损失了2辆坦克，另有一辆因为N33的一个急弯而翻倒路边。此时，von Westernhagen和他的副官，二级突击队中队长Kalinowsky，驾驶一辆指挥车，此前在Stavelot和 Trois Ponts 之间的区域，由于机械故障，Kalinowsky离开了他的008号虎王坦克。（此前没有证据表明营的指挥坦克007号是否离开了集结地。）

SS-Hauptsturmführer Möbius and his three 2. Kompanie tanks continued close behind the main body of the kampfgruppe as it moved out from La Gleize.  Just after Peiper crossed the Ambleve on the intact bridge and climbed the hill toward Cheneux American fighter-bombers attacked his column during a two-hour period of cleared weather.  The bombing at Cheneux forced the Germans to take cover and disabled a Panther that blocked the road.  Peiper reportedly jumped out of SS-Sturmbannführer Diefenthal’s half-track and sought shelter in an old bunker beside the road, from which he emerged soaked with muddy water. None of the Tigers were damaged, but Kalinowsky was wounded in the arm.  One of the American P-47s was shot down, perhaps by a Wirbelwind from the 4. Kompanie of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501.

一级突击队中队长Möbius和他2连的3辆坦克驶出La Gleize后，继续向大部队靠拢。此后，Peiper通过那座完整无缺的桥穿过了Ambleve河，爬上了通往Cheneux的山地，此时美军的战斗轰炸机借着仅持续了2小时的好天气攻击了他的部队。对Cheneux的轰炸迫使德国人不得不借助路边一辆损毁的坦克进行掩护，Peiper敏捷的跳出了二级突击队大队长Diefenthal的半履带车，跑进了路边一个破旧的掩体内，浑身沾满泥浆。虎式坦克没有一辆遭到击毁，但Kalinowsky的胳膊受伤了。一架美军的P-47被501营4连的旋风型防空炮击落。

Fog closed down again around 4:00 p.m. and Peiper continued his advance.  He regained the N23 but had to cross a small bridge over the Lienne creek before he could start out of the valley.  In the darkness the lead Panthers slowly approached the bridge, only to have it blown in their faces by a squad from the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion.

在大约下午4点，大雾消散了。Peiper继续推进。他重新行驶上了N23公路，但在通过山谷前，他不得不要绕过Lienne小河上的一座小桥。深夜时分，先头部队的坦克缓慢地抵达桥边，此时他们面对的是一座被美军291工兵营毁坏的断桥。

Peiper, close to the front, is said to have pounded his knee in frustration and sworn, “The damned engineers!  The damned engineers!”Peiper sent scouting parties up and down the creek, but they could find no bridges capable of carrying his tanks.  He decided to retrace his route through La Gleize and continue his advance toward Stoumont and another bridge farther to the north in the morning.  SS-Unterscharführer Karl Wortmann of the kampfgruppe’s Flak company remembered seeing some Königstigers of the 2. Kompanie towing others back toward La Gleize from Cheneux that night.  He thought that the tankers were doing this to conserve their rapidly dwindling fuel.

Peiper来到前面，他的膝盖由于此前的袭击有些受伤。“该死的工兵，该死的工兵”，Peiper气急败坏的大喊，并下到了小河里。但这里再没有其他的桥能够确保坦克安全驶过。他决定折返回La Gleize，继续向Stoumont前进，力争在早上通过北部较远的另一座桥。肯普夫火炮连的四级突击队小队长Karl Wortmann回忆道，2连的很多虎王坦克被其他车辆拖拽，连夜从Cheneux折返回La Gleize，他想这样的拖拽可能是为了节约日渐减少的宝贵燃料。

The rest of the operational Tigers were far behind.  What was left of the 1. Kompanie attempted to pass through Stavelot during the afternoon of the 18th.  SS-Obersturmführer Wessel was leading in Tiger 105.  The Americans still controlled much of the town, and stiff enemy fire forced the Tigers to detour from the main route that led toward the town market square.  Wessel led his tanks up a steep narrow street called the Rue Haut Rivage.  As he reached the top of the street and prepared to turn left on the main road to Trois Ponts, his tank was struck on the gun mantlet by American antitank fire.  The fire may have come from an antitank gun near the church, or it may have been from a bazooka in a house; Wessel's radio operator SS-Unterscharführer Belbe reported seeing a flash from a window.  Wessel ordered his driver to reverse.  The driver evidently lost control of his huge mount; at any rate, he sent it careening backwards into a house in the Rue Haut Rivage.  The outer wall collapsed on the tank, immobilizing it.  The crew escaped through the hull hatches.  Wessel climbed into the next tank and continued toward Trois Ponts, arriving at La Gleize during the night.

此前随后跟进的虎式坦克被越拉越远。1连的这些坦克试图在18号中午穿过Stavelot，二级突击队大队长Wessel驾驶105号领头。美军仍然控制着大多数的村镇，顾忌到敌人的火力威胁，虎式们不得不避开大道。Wessel进入了一个叫做Rue Haut Rivage的非常狭窄的街道，当他准备通过街头转向通往Trois Ponts的道路时，被来自附近一座教堂，或者一座屋子内的美军反坦克炮，或许是火箭筒，击中了火炮上的装甲。Wessel的报务员四级突击队小队长Belbe报告从一个窗户内看到一阵闪光。Wessel命令坦克后退，但显而易见，驾驶员已经对这个庞然大物失去了控制，不管怎样，他还是摇摇晃晃地把坦克倒进了旁边的房屋内。房屋的外墙倒塌在了坦克上，使之无法动弹。乘员们不得不从舱壳逃生口中爬出。Wessel爬进了另一辆坦克，继续向Trois Ponts推进，在傍晚终于抵达了La Gleize。

The fighting caused great damage to buildings and a number of civilian deaths in Stavelot.  The citizens had not evacuated the town.  Many took shelter in cellars, including that of the Lemaire-Crismer home when Wessel’s tank crashed into the house.  A retired man named Jules Grégoire found the means to wet down what remained of the Lemaire-Crismer house and several others nearby, saving them from fire, while the battle raged.  Some of the houses in Stavelot still bear the marks of the battle today.

战斗导致Stavelot一些平民死亡，建筑物遭到严重毁坏。村民们没有撤离城镇。很多人躲在地窖里，也包括Wessel冲进的那座房屋Lemaire-Crismer。战后，以一名曾经保护过平民的名叫Jules Grégoire的退休人员，命名了Lemaire-Crismer以及附近的其他一些房屋，这些房屋保留至今。

SS-Oberscharführer Jürgen Brandt in Tiger 131 and SS-Oberscharführer Werner Wendt in Tiger 133, plus another tank followed Wessel through Stavelot.  They were attacked by the same Allied fighter-bomber sorties that were bombing Peiper’s point elements at Cheneux.  Many of the paratroopers riding on the tanks were wounded.  After crossing the bridge Brandt’s tank sustained track damage and he was forced to stop, with Wendt behind him.  The other tank continued, and Wessel used it to carry on toward Trois Ponts.  It was the only 1. Kompanie tank to reach Peiper at La Gleize.  Wendt could not pass Brandt’s tank in the narrow street, and the two crews stayed in Stavelot to repair 131.

二级小队长，131号的Jürgen Brandt和133号的Werner Wendt，以及另一辆坦克一起跟随Wessel通过了Stavelot。他们被袭击Peiper的同一个美军战斗轰炸机中队所攻击。搭乘坦克的很多伞兵受伤，过桥后，Brandt的坦克履带受创，他不得停止前进，此时后面的Werner也停了下来。Wessel利用刚才那一辆坦克继续向Trois Ponts前进。这是1连唯一一辆抵达La Gleize，会合Peiper大部队的坦克。Wendt的坦克由于街道狭窄，无法绕过Brandt的坦克，他们不得不待在Stavelot，修复131号。

Other elements of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 were even more badly scattered.  Tanks that had fallen out or left the assembly area later were forced to try to catch up during darkness after the short winter days.  The narrow, muddy roads were difficult enough in daylight.  Night movements were reduced to a crawl.  Peiper reported after the war that ground guides had led the tanks with white handkerchiefs, and a U.S. half-track commander moving through the Ardennes on the night of 18 December said that it was so dark that he had to walk in front of his vehicle with a flashlight on the back of his belt while a crewman perched on the fender called directions to the driver.

501营的其他作战部队看起来也十分糟糕，很多坦克不得不在冬夜向大部队靠拢。狭窄、泥泞的道路及时白天走都非常困难，晚上行驶简直就像手足并用地爬着走。Peiper战后的报告写到：为了做好夜间标示，坦克都系上了白色的围巾，一个美军指挥官驾驶半履带车在12月18日晚经过阿登地区时，由于太黑他不得不在开着大灯自己在车前走，此时，我们的一个坦克乘员却站在挡泥板上给美军的驾驶员指示方位。

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第三部分 The Battle 19-20 December: Dispersed Battles  19-20日的战斗：分散式的战斗

Dawn of 19 December saw the different elements of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 widely dispersed.  Only six Tigers had made it forward with Kampfgruppe Peiper: the 1. Kompanie tank of SS-Obersturmführer Wessel, SS-Hauptsturmführer Möbius with  204 and two other 2. Kompanie tanks, and two 3. Kompanie tanks.  These tanks gathered in and around La Gleize.  Peiper placed the defense of this area under the control of von Westernhagen while he attacked Stoumont with the rest of the kampfgruppe’s armor.  19 December passed relatively quietly for the Tigers in La Gleize, except for a short action around 3:00 p.m. against a probing force coming down the Francorchamps road.  The Königstiger that had thrown a track at the bottom of the hill where the N33 entered La Gleize destroyed one Sherman and repulsed several others from the 743rd Tank Battalion.

19日拂晓，501营的各作战单元看起来已经各自为战了。仅有6辆坦克与肯普夫集群同时行动，包括1连Wessel、Möbius的204和2连、3连的其他各两辆。这些坦克集中在La Gleize。当他和集群的其他装甲部队攻击Stoumont时，Peiper将坦克组织成了一道防线，并由von Westernhagen指挥。对于La Gleize的虎式们，19日相对而言过得还算平静，只有下午3点应付来自于Francorchamps公路的一支敌军侦察部队的短暂行动。虎王在N33公路进入La Gleize的山脚下摧毁了一辆谢尔曼，并击退了743坦克营的其他坦克。

Farther back along the kampfgruppe’s route the fight for Stavelot continued.  Both Peiper and his division commander realized that Stavelot was a critical point that must be kept open and under German control.  SS-Obersturmbannführer Sandig was ordered to attack through Stavelot from the east with his kampfgruppe of the 2. SS-Panzergrenadierregiment.  Several Königstigers that had fallen behind had now reached Stavelot, and assisted his panzergrenadiers with fire support.  Among these were Tiger 331 of the battalion commander’s brother, SS-Hauptscharführer Rolf von Westernhagen, and SS-Hauptscharführer Lötzsch’s tank from the 2. Kompanie.  Von Westernhagen’s tank suffered a final drive failure and the tank would only drive in reverse, so he had to return to the forward assembly area, but Lötzsch continued to engage the enemy across the river.

围绕Stavelot的战斗仍在继续，Peiper和所有他们师的指挥官们开始意识到Stavelot是一个战役关键点，必须置于德军的绝对控制之下。一级突击队大队长Sandig被命令带领他的第二掷弹兵团从东部攻击前进，通过Stavelot。此前落后的一些虎王此时也抵达了Stavelot，给予装甲掷弹兵们强大的火力支援。在这其中包括营指挥官兄弟Rolf von Westernhagen的331号和来自2营的Lötzsch的坦克。但von Westernhagen的坦克由于一个驾驶失误而需要后退，因此他不得不返回了此前的集结点，但Lötzsch继续战斗阻止敌军穿越河流。

SS-Oberscharführer Kurt Sowa had taken his tank 222 on a route south of Peiper’s area, trying to catch up.  Along the way his tank was photographed in four different locations, making it probably the best-recognized tank of the battle!  On the afternoon of 19 December he arrived at Stavelot and joined the fighting, firing from beside a house at the south end of the bridge.  During the night American engineers blew the bridge and ended any hopes that vehicles could pass through Stavelot to reinforce Peiper.

二级小队长Kurt Sowa带着他的222号坦克进入Peiper南部的一条道路并尽力靠拢。在这条路上，他被从四个不同的方位进行了拍照，这可能是这场战役中对坦克最佳的拍照！19日中午，他抵达了Stavelot加入了战斗，并从位于桥南的一座房屋旁边开火。这一晚，美军工兵们炸毁了桥梁，彻底断绝了其他坦克进入Stavelot支援Peiper的希望。

At the same time as Sandig’s attacks, SS-Sturmbannführer Knittel attacked Stavelot from the west with elements of his 1. SS-Panzeraufklärungsabteilung (armored reconnaissance battalion).  The 1. Kompanie Tigers of SS-Oberscharführer Brandt and Wendt assisted this attack.  They had driven toward Trois Ponts after spending the night of 18 December in Stavelot.  Knittel stopped them at the buildings of the Antoine farm that he had chosen for a command post, and later in the morning had them move back toward Stavelot.  The tanks approached the city but could not attack because the road was mined.  After they withdrew Knittel directed Wendt to guard his command post and sent Brandt farther west to guard the area of Petit-Spai, where a small bridge spanned the Ambleve and allowed reinforcements from the south to cross.

在Sandig发动进攻的同时，二级突击队大队长Knittel带着他的第1装甲侦察营从西边进攻Stavelot。1连Brandt和Wendt的坦克支持这次攻势。18日在Stavelot花费了一晚后，本来他们都打算向Trois Ponts推进，但此时Knittel在他位于农场的指挥所边让他们停下，随后他们在早晨返回了Stavelot。坦克们靠近了城镇，但没有发动攻击，因为道路上埋设了地雷。后撤后，Knittel命令Wendt去守卫他的指挥所，让Brandt向西去守卫较远的Petit-Spai，那里的Ambleve河上有座小桥，可以让支援力量从南部绕过来。

Peiper withdrew back into Stoumont during the night of 19 December, having been turned back from the alternate route he had tried to reach.  He was now essentially cut off in the area of Stoumont - La Gleize, with insufficient fuel to take him farther.  He was forced to defend this area and rely on the rest of the division breaking through Stavelot and Trois Ponts to reinforce him.  The Americans were feeding more units into the battle to contain and defeat Peiper.  While elements of the 30th Infantry Division (including the 740th Tank Battalion) continued to attack Stoumont from the west, the 3rd Armored Division now entered the battle from the north.  Combat Command B of the 3rd Armored operated in three battalion task forces.  Task Force Jordan moved toward Stoumont from the north, while Task Force McGeorge and the strongest element, Task Force Lovelady, approached La Gleize along narrow roads from the north and northeast.

19日晚，Peiper后撤到了Stoumont，重新从他曾经试图进入的道路上折返。从本质上来讲，他现在已经被从La Gleize切断了，因为没有足够的燃料供他使用。他被迫原地防守，等待着其他的部队突破Stavelot和Trois Ponts来支援他。美军持续增加部队投入战斗，力图击败Peiper。第30步兵师（包括740坦克营）继续从西边进攻Stoumont，第3装甲师从北面业已投入战斗。装甲师的指挥官将部队分成三个战斗分队。Jordan分队从北面进攻Stoumont，McGeorge分队和最强大的Lovelady分队，通过一条狭窄的道路，从北和东北方分别接近La Gleize。

Peiper and von Westernhagen countered the forces approaching La Gleize by pushing out Tigers and PzKw IVs in blocking positions.  TF McGeorge ran into one of these positions about two kilometers north of La Gleize on the road to Bourgomont, where Tiger 334 and a PzKw IV stopped any further advance.  Another outpost group, led by the 7. Panzerkompanie’s commander, took up a strong position at the Marechal mill south of La Gleize along the road from Trois Ponts.  The 7. Kompanie PzKw IV was joined by SS-Untersturmführer Hantusch’s Tiger and a Puma eight-wheeled armored car from the reconnaissance battalion.  

Peiper和von Westernhagen指挥虎式和PzKw IVs构筑工事，反击靠近La Gleize的美军部队。McGeorge分队从Bourgomont的公路向La Gleize推进了两公里，但遭到了334号和一辆PzKw IV的狙击，无法前进一步。在另一侧，由第7装甲连在La Gleize南部的Marechal mill，沿着来自Trois Ponts的公路构筑了一条坚强的防线。第7装甲连的PzKw IVs由来自侦察营的三级突击队中队长Hantusch的虎式和一辆8轮彪马装甲车为首，投入战斗。

The PzKw IV’s driver, SS-Rottenführer Rolf Ehrhardt, recalled after the war that dense fog kept the group from observing much.  At one point an American dismounted element approached close to the mill, only to be driven back by fire from the Puma.  In the afternoon the group discovered a large armored force (TF Lovelady) moving south on the road from Francorchamps, just to the east of their position.  The tank driver turned scout suggested that the Tiger pick off the first tank while the PzKw IV destroyed the last, which would prevent the rest of the tanks from deploying and make them easy targets.  SS-Untersturmführer Hantusch is said to have refused to take part in the plan, saying “Fire uphill?  I’m not tired of living, and I only have three centimeters of armor on top.”  

PzKw IV的驾驶员，代理三级小队副Rolf Ehrhardt战后回忆当时浓雾遮蔽了前面的道路。一对试图靠近mill的美军部队因为彪马的强大火力而被迫后撤。中午，一支庞大的装甲部队出现了（Lovelady分队），他们从南部的Francorchamps公路向东移动，进入阵地。德军的坦克手们开始设想，用虎式将部队的第一辆坦克击毁，而PzKw IV收拾了最后一辆，这样中间的大队坦克成为了活靶子。但Hantusch拒绝执行此项计划，他说“从上而下开火？难道我活得不耐烦了吗，我距离最前面的美军坦克只有3厘米远。”

While the tanks at the mill were well sited to turn back advances from Trois Ponts, it is difficult to imagine how they could have engaged the American tanks of TF Lovelady without moving from their prepared positions.  The Francorchamps road averages about 50 meters higher in elevation than the mill and is about 600 meters away.  The road cannot be seen from the mill.  At any rate, TF Lovelady pushed on toward Trois Ponts, along the way ambushing several vehicles that were moving north to reinforce Peiper.  When the lead Shermans of E Company 33rd Armored Regiment tried to move from Trois Ponts toward Stavelot they were driven back by antitank guns and Brandt’s Königstiger near the Petit-Spai bridge, and four were destroyed.

当在mill的坦克被从Trois Ponts轻而易举地放过后，很难想象德军坦克怎么才能阻止Lovelady分队的美军。Francorchamps公路比相距600米远的mill的平均高50米。不管怎样，Lovelady分队向Trois Ponts突进，去伏击从北部来增援Peiper的部队。当33装甲团E连的先头谢尔曼坦克试着从Trois Ponts向Stavelot移动时，他们被反坦克炮以及Brandt的虎王所拦截，其中四辆被击毁。

The fight for Stavelot continued on 20 December.  Early in the day Brandt and Wendt again supported a reconnaissance battalion attack.  The Americans brought heavy artillery fire and air support into play, and the attack was repulsed.  Kampfgruppe Sandig attacked repeatedly from the south, but could not cross the river.  While supporting these attacks Tiger 222 was knocked out by an antitank round at the southern approach to the bridge.  Since the tank did not catch fire, 222’s crew remained inside until they could escape during darkness.

争夺Stavelot的战斗持续到了20日。此前几天，Brandt 和 Wendt支援了侦查营的进攻行动。美军投入了重型火炮和飞机，这一进攻行动被化解了。肯普夫的Sandig再次从南部进攻，但也无法穿过河流。让支援这些行动的222号虎王从南边靠近桥时，被反坦克炮击中，222号的成员们一直待在坦克里，知道天黑才撤离。

This is almost certainly the same action described by Captain Raney of the 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, whose M-10 tank destroyers were firing at the Tigers:We saw the long tube of the Tiger’s 88mm gun emerge from behind the last building.  The M-10 gunner must have been tracking the tank with his telescopic sight, for as the Tiger cleared the building, the M-10 fired one round of armor piercing shot which penetrated the armor on the right side above the track, about 14 inches under the turret and four to five feet to the rear of the front glacis plate.  The Tiger stopped in its tracks... Surprisingly the tank did not burn.

回忆他的M-10坦克歼击车向虎王开火时，823坦克歼击营的Raney上尉这样描述了当时的情况：我们看到虎式88mm炮长长的炮管从一个建筑物后边出现，M-10的炮手必须依靠瞄准镜来瞄准它的履带，当虎式从建筑物边完全出现时，M-10的炮弹击中了虎王右侧履带上边，离炮塔下面大概14英寸，距离前斜坡部位的后侧4-5英尺。虎式停了下来...但出人意料地是，坦克没有起火燃烧。

One by one, a few Tigers continued to arrive at Stavelot and assist the battle.  However, most were still broken down far behind.  The battalion’s workshop company had established a maintenance area in Ligneuville.  A number of tanks were recovered there to be repaired, but spare parts and fuel were in short supply.  Peiper would get no further reinforcements from his heavy tank battalion.


一辆接一辆的虎式坦克继续向Stavelot前进去支援战斗。然后，大部分还都远远抛在后面。营后勤部队还在Ligneuville附近。一些坦克不得不返回去那里修理，但返回战斗所需的燃料无法有效供给。Peiper再也没有从他的重装甲营得到更多有效的支援。

第四部分 The Battle 21-25 December: The Cauldron of La Gleize, and the Final Struggle for Stavelot  21-25日的战斗：La Gleize“大锅”，Stavelot最后的战斗

By 21 December Peiper had decided to withdraw all his forces to the immediate area of La Gleize.  His only possible course of action was to defend his position with ever dwindling hopes of relief from his division.  The American pincers continued to close on the kampfgruppe: the 30th Infantry Division hammered away from the west, the 3rd Armored Division approached from the north and northeast, and the 82nd Airborne Division attacked Peiper from the southwest.  With increasing fury the Americans brought the power of their artillery to bear.  Most of the 105mm guns of the 30th Infantry Division’s artillery group bombarded Peiper 21-22 December, along with a 155mm gun commandeered by the 740th Tank Battalion commander.  Peiper’s artillery was almost out of ammunition and virtually silent.

21日，Peiper决定将他所有的部队撤退到La Gleize的中心区域。他这样做唯一的解释是希望能够集中力量坚守以便获得他所属师的支援。几支美军部队呈钳形继续靠近肯普夫集群：30步兵师从西部，第3装甲师从北部和东北部，第82空降师从西南攻击Peiper。美军炮兵力量也随之迅速增长，30步兵师的105mm口径火炮，包括740坦克营的155mm大口径火炮，在21-22日连续轰击Peiper的部队。而Peiper的炮兵们由于缺乏弹药而变得异常安静。

The Königstigers defended an arc that covered the northeastern to southeastern approaches to La Gleize.  This area included some excellent fields of fire, with long range shots to enemy approach routes.  During the consolidation on La Gleize the blocking group at the Marechal mill moved onto high ground at the Werimont farm a few hundred meters southeast of the village.  Hantusch’s Tiger and the PzKw IV were reinforced at the farm by Tiger 213 and two Panthers.  SS-Hauptsturmführer Möbius’s Tiger 204 was positioned beside an orchard at the eastern edge of the village.  Tiger 334 guarded the Hassoumont farm area to the northeast, while the 3. Kompanie tank that had thrown a track while approaching on the N33 from the east was still manned.  One other Königstiger, probably a 1. Kompanie tank used by SS-Obersturmführer Wessel, ended the battle on a narrow side street of the village.  Whether this poor location was its final fighting position or it had broken down there is unknown.

虎王防守La Gleize东北到东南的弧形地带。这一区域有很多位置极佳的火力点，能否在长距离向路上靠近的敌军进行设计。在La Gleize阵地不断巩固变化的同时，位于Marechal mill的阻击部队移动到了Werimont农场的高地。Hantusch的虎式和PzKw IV得到了213号和其他两辆坦克的支援。Möbius的204在农场东边的一片果园旁边。334号和3连位于N33公路东部抛锚的坦克一起，防守东北方向的Hassoumont农场。Wessel的虎王坦克不知道什么原因，在村镇狭窄的街道上出了故障。

This is probably the same action seen by Charles Corbin, an observer with the 3rd Armored Division’s 391st Armored Artillery Battalion.  Corbin was posted in a house on the edge of Stavelot, from which he saw what he described as a Mark VI Tiger tank close by in some trees.  As the tank moved a Sherman of TF Lovelady also in Stavelot took it under fire, “but three balls of fire bounced off of it and it backed away never moving its turret.” The shot that damaged Wendt’s tank was probably from this Sherman.  The Germans realized that they would not be able to reopen the route to Peiper through Stavelot, and went over to the defensive.

第3装甲师391装甲炮兵连的观察员，Charles Corbin也证实了这情况。Corbin当时正在Stavelot外围的一座房屋里，他看到一辆被称为Mark VI的虎式坦克靠近一些树木。当它移动时，一辆Lovelady分队的谢尔曼坦克向它开火，“至少3发炮弹击中了它，它向后退但没有移动炮塔。”因此，可能是这辆谢尔曼给Wendt的坦克造成了打击。德国人开始相信他们无法打开通向Peiper所在Stavelot的道路。

Peiper was trapped in what the Germans called the “cauldron” of La Gleize.  The Americans mounted no strong attacks on 23 December, but continued their intense artillery fire.  German tank fuel and ammunition were exhausted.  Peiper, unable to advance further and knowing that he would get no relief, had begun the day before requesting permission from 1. SS-Panzerdivision to withdraw.  Radio contact was sporadic, and the answers Peiper received convinced him that the division did not realize the severity of his situation.  One radio message notified him that six Königstigers were operational at Stavelot and asked where they should be sent.  “By airdrop to La Gleize” was Peiper’s aggravated answer.

Peiper陷入了被德军称之为“大锅”的La Gleize（意即被包围）。23日美军没有发动更强有力的攻势，但继续进行炮火轰击。德国坦克的燃料和弹药已尽枯竭。Peiper意识到自己已经不可能得到增援了，他一整天都等待着师部的撤退命令，但无线电也是时断时续。Peiper得到的回答是师部不相信他目前遭遇到如此严峻的形势。电报说六辆虎王正在向Stavelot调集。“那就空投到La Gleize吧”，Peiper加重了自己的语气。

Finally on 23 December Peiper received permission to break his force out of La Gleize and move to link up with his division.  The remaining 850 soldiers of the kampfgruppe moved out on foot at 2:00 am on 24 December.  With them were the officers and men of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 who had fought in La Gleize: von Westernhagen; his adjutant Kalinowsky (who was wounded); company commanders Wessel, Möbius, and Birnschein (badly wounded); and the remaining Tiger crews.  The wounded who could not walk were left behind in the village under the care of SS medics.  Also left behind was a small defensive covering force, which had the mission of wrecking the remaining operational tanks and heavy weapons after the kampfgruppe departed.  For the next day and a half Peiper led his men along a circuitous route through the woods which he hoped would avoid enemy patrols and bring him to the German positions east of the Salm River.  After several brushes with the enemy the kampfgruppe elements crossed the Salm and reached the lines of the 1. SS-Panzerdivision.  Most of the men had to swim the Salm, and von Westernhagen described the men of his group as walking icicles as they reached the division command post on Christmas morning.

最后，23日Peiper 终于得到了从La Gleize突围，与自己的师会合的命令。肯普夫集群剩余的850名士兵在24日凌晨2点徒步开始行动。和他们一起行动的还有501营的一些官兵：von Westernhagen，他的副官Kalinowsky（受伤了）；连队指挥官Wessel、Möbius和Birnschein（受重伤），还有一些幸存的虎式乘员。剩下无法走动的伤员留在了村庄里由医疗兵照顾。也留了很小一部分人去继续防守，同时也去将一些剩余的坦克和重武器毁坏。第二天，Peiper和他残缺的部队绕过一段崎岖的森林路段，这样可以避免被美军的侦察兵发现，向Salm河东边德军的阵地出发。经过一些战斗，肯普夫集群绕过了Salm河，抵达了第一装甲师的阵地。大多数人都是游泳过了Salm河，von Westernhagen描述说，当他的士兵们在圣诞节的早晨抵达师部时，一个个冻得像冰柱一样。

Scattered elements of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 continued to fight.  On Christmas morning SS-Oberscharführer Wendt received word that the reconnaissance battalion was withdrawing across the Ambleve.  Wendt sent his loader to inform his platoon leader, SS-Oberscharführer Brandt, of the withdrawal.  As Brandt climbed down from his tank an American shell, the only one of the morning, fell right in front of him.  Brandt was mortally wounded and Wendt’s loader was killed.  Another crew managed to drive Brandt’s Tiger across the Ambleve and link up with the rest of their company.  Wendt and his driver prepared to destroy their immobilized tank 133 with demolition charges in the turret and engine compartment.  They set the charges and crossed the river on an improvised infantry bridge.  

被分散的501营的作战单元继续战斗。圣诞节的清晨，Wendt得到命令，侦察营将通过Ambleve河撤退。Wendt让自己的装填手向他的排长Brandt报告情况。此时当Brandt钻出坦克后一发美国军队的炮弹落在了他右前方。Brandt受到了致命的伤害，Wendt的装填手当场身亡。另一个乘员驾驶Brandt的坦克穿过了Ambleve河，和他们连残余的部队会合。Wendt和他的驾驶员准备把自己由于炮塔和发动机部件毁坏而无法移动的133号坦克摧毁，之后他们埋好了炸药，并穿过了河上的一座临时搭建的步兵浮桥。

As they climbed the opposite slope they continued to watch their tank, but Wendt never saw the charges explode.  The explosives may have gone off later, as a U.S. Air Force observer reported in the summer of 1945 seeing a Royal Tiger at the Petit Spai bridge with the rear of the turret and the frontal hull roof smashed in, though he attributed this damage to Allied bombing. SS-Untersturmführer Kalinowsky’s 008, which had been left with engine trouble near Knittel’s command post at the Ferme Antoine between Stavelot and Trois Ponts, continued to fight on until its crew set it on fire and withdrew with the last elements of the reconnaissance battalion Christmas morning.

当他们爬上斜坡回望自己的坦克时，发现炸药并没有爆炸。之后可能133号才发生了爆炸，因为直到1945年夏天，当一名美军飞行侦查员报告在Petit Spai发现一辆炮塔和舱壳已经破碎的虎王时，他以为是盟军飞机轰炸造成的。位于Knittel 指挥部附近Ferme Antoine的Kalinowsky008号虎王由于引擎故障而滞留下来，一直战斗到圣诞节早上最后一批侦察营的士兵撤退后，它的乘员们才烧毁了它。

Christmas Day also saw one of the strangest episodes of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501’s actions in the Ardennes.  On Christmas morning SS-Unterscharführer Blase in Tiger 332 was moving north along the N33 through the small village of Coo-Biester, about five kilometers south of La Gleize.  He was probably trying to link up with Kampfgruppe Peiper, but how he had reached the area and why he was still moving toward La Gleize on 25 December remain a mystery.  At the same time, elements of the 740th Tank Battalion were moving south along the N33 after the capture of La Gleize.  Sergeant Glenn George in a Sherman encountered 332 parked on the side of the road.  George immediately directed his gunner to fire at the Tiger.  The crew had a white phosphorous shell loaded, and the smoke from this exploding shell apparently caused the German crew to think their vehicle was on fire.  To George’s surprise they opened their hatches and scrambled out of the Tiger.  George chased them off with machinegun fire and continued his advance. Later a unit of the 463rd Ordnance Evacuation Company recovered the still operational Tiger 332 and transported it to Spa.  It was eventually shipped to Aberdeen Proving Ground, one of the first Königstigers captured by the Americans.

这年的圣诞日，也成为了501营在阿登地区最陌生的一节小插曲。332号的Blasé沿N33公路向北进入了位于La Gleize南部约5公里的小村镇Coo-Biester，他或许试图和肯普夫集群取得联系，但当他到达这一区域后，为什么还继续在25日向La Gleize成为了一个谜。与此同时，740坦克营在占领La Gleize沿N33向南移动。驾驶一辆谢尔曼的Glenn George上士与332号在公路上迎面相遇。George立即调整火炮向虎式开火。乘员们装填了白磷弹，冒出的白烟使得德军坦克手们认为George的坦克开火了。使George奇怪的是，他们打开自己的逃生门，从虎式里飞快地爬了出来。George用机枪射击他们然后继续前进。后来，463连的一个小分队缴获了这个仍然可以操控的虎王坦克。随后将他拖入了阿登地区的基地，这是第一辆被美军俘获的虎王坦克。

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第五部分 The Battle 26 December - 2 January: Reorganization and Withdrawal  26-1月2日的战斗：战役的尾声，重组和撤退

The actions to support Kampfgruppe Peiper took a heavy toll of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501.  At least 12 Tigers had been knocked out or abandoned between Stavelot and La Gleize, and many more were unavailable due to mechanical failure.  The battalion regrouped and moved into an assembly area east of Vielsalm to refit and reorganize.  The 1. Kompanie handed its tanks over to the other companies and departed for Sennelager in Germany to receive new tanks.  The remaining Tigers, approximately 15, were grouped into a kampfgruppe commanded by SS-Hauptsturmführer Möbius.  This unit fought alongside Peiper’s remaining tanks as the 1. SS-Panzerdivision attacked south of Bastogne on 30-31 December in an attempt to cut the corridor that U.S. forces had opened to that beleaguered city.  At least two more Königstigers were lost in those battles.  The remainder withdrew with the rest of the division at the beginning of January to refit in the Köln area.

支援肯普夫集群的行动使得501营付出了沉重的代价。至少12辆虎式在Stavelot和La Gleize被摧毁或遗弃，很多都是因为机械故障而无法使用。501营重新集结进入了Vielsalm东部以便进行修正和重组。1连将自己的坦克交给了其他的连，单独从Sennelager获得了新的坦克。剩余大概15辆虎王，重组成了由Möbius指挥的肯普夫集群。这个部队用Peiper剩余的坦克和第一装甲师在12月30-31日在巴斯托捏南部进行战斗，试图切断美军已经打通的被包围的城市的狭长走廊，这次战斗至少又损失了2辆坦克。1月初，剩余的坦克和师其他部队一起撤退，进入Köln地区休整。

Some Tiger crewmen were rewarded for their efforts in the Ardennes Offensive.  SS-Unterscharführer Fritz Belbe was the radio operator on SS-Obersturmführer Wessel's 1. Kompanie command tank.  When Wessel's Tiger 105 crashed into the house in Stavelot and Wessel jumped to a different tank, he apparently took Belbe with him.  After the battle Wessel listed the engagements that Belbe had fought in and recommended him to receive the Panzerkampfabzeichen (Tank Battle Badge) in Silver.  SS-Obersturmbannführer von Westernhagen approved the award on 30 January 1945.

一些虎式坦克乘员因为阿登反击战的表现而获得了勋章。Fritz Belbe是Wessel1连指挥坦克的报务员，当Wessel的105号冲进房子时[见第三部分]，Wessel和Belbe一起跳到了另一辆上，战后，Wessel给Belbe开具了证明函，这使得Belbe获得了银质装甲兵战斗勋章。von Westernhagen在1945年1月30日也获得了表彰。

The 501st SS Heavy Tank Battalion did not fight again as a unit.  The bulk of the battalion accompanied the 1. SS-Panzerdivision to Hungary in late January and fought through Hungary and Austria to the end of the war.  Part of the 1. Kompanie and other elements that had remained in Germany drew a few new tanks and continued to fight as the Americans approached Bielefeld.
  
从此，501营再没有作为独立单元进行过战斗。1月后，营的主体和第一装甲师一起进入匈牙利和奥地利，并在那里一直战斗到战争结束。1连的一部分和其他一些部队让然留在德国境内，并装备了新的坦克，继续和向Bielefeld挺进的美军战斗。

In early April the surviving crewmen were moved by train to Austria and united with the rest of the battalion.  SS-Obersturmbannführer von Westernhagen had died on 20 March 1945 in Hungary.  The remnants of his battalion surrendered to the Americans in Austria.  The Tigers had roared their last.

4月上旬，幸存的坦克兵们乘坐火车到了奥地利，和营的其他部队会合。von Westernhagen在1945年3月20日死于匈牙利。他营的残余部队在奥地利向美军投降。虎王的咆哮声在那一刻永远归于沉寂。

第六部分 What Happened to the Tanks After the Battle? 战后发生了什么？

As the Germans withdrew when their offensive failed, the Ardennes area was littered with destroyed and abandoned vehicles.  The SS Tiger battalion left seven of its tanks (204, 211, 213, 332, 334, the unnumbered one in the Chemin Vielle-Voie, and the one in the curve below the village) in or near La Gleize.  Some of these behemoths seriously impeded the movement of U.S. forces through the area, and after initial checks to ensure they had not been booby-trapped the tanks were simply pushed from the roadway by bulldozer or whatever heavy vehicle was available.  Others were left in place until after the war’s end, and scrap metal dealers eventually salvaged them.  Many of them were taken to the large steel foundries in Liege.  Before they were dismantled and hauled away, some became local landmarks.  

进攻失败后，德军开始撤退。阿登地区充满了被摧毁和遗弃的坦克、车辆。坦克营在La Gleize或附近还有剩余的坦克（204, 211, 213, 332, 334，以及不明编号的坦克）。这些钢铁巨兽阻碍了美军部队通过这一地区，在进行了内部详细的检查以确认他们无法移动，将这些坦克用推土机推到了路边，其他的一些就一直放在原地直到战争结束，很多经营钢铁生意的商人盯上了它们。很多被拉到了Liege的钢铁厂里。在被拆解和搬运前，一些坦克成为了当地的地标。

The Ardennes Offensive was the first time American units had faced the Königstiger in substantial numbers, and two of the captured tanks were immediately recovered for study.  Tiger 204 was left in an orchard field just off the main road in La Gleize.  The U.S. First Army’s 463rd Ordnance Evacuation Company found that 204 was still in running condition, and the ordnance soldiers attempted to recover the tank.

阿登反击战是美国军队第一次遭遇如此数量众多的虎王坦克，其中缴获的两辆被立即修复用于研究。204号被留在了La Gleize主街道旁边的果园。美国463武器疏散连发现204一直具备驾驶条件，士兵们试图恢复坦克。

Tiger 332 had a more interesting recovery career.  After its capture on 25 December by the 740th Tank Battalion, a unit of the 463rd Ordnance Evacuation Company found 332 and on 26 December brought up a heavy tank recovery tractor-trailer.  They loaded 332 and set off, spending a night in Stavelot and eventually reaching Spa, where they left the Tiger at the railway station for further recovery.  In February 1945 an Ordnance Technical Inspection Team assigned to First Army from Aberdeen Proving Ground transported 332 to Antwerp and shipped it to Aberdeen for examination and testing.

332号具有更丰富的经历。在25号被740坦克营缴获后，463连找到了332号。26日，叫了一辆重型牵引车，在Stavelot用了一整夜把它装上去，并连夜运抵SPA，那里有火车站以便运输。45年2月，一个隶属于Aberdeen研究中心的技术检查团队将332运到了安特卫普，并装船运输到了Aberdeen进行研究和测试。

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第五部分 The Battle 26 December - 2 January: Reorganization and Withdrawal  26-1月2日的战斗：战役的尾声，重组和撤退

The actions to support Kampfgruppe Peiper took a heavy toll of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501.  At least 12 Tigers had been knocked out or abandoned between Stavelot and La Gleize, and many more were unavailable due to mechanical failure.  The battalion regrouped and moved into an assembly area east of Vielsalm to refit and reorganize.  The 1. Kompanie handed its tanks over to the other companies and departed for Sennelager in Germany to receive new tanks.  The remaining Tigers, approximately 15, were grouped into a kampfgruppe commanded by SS-Hauptsturmführer Möbius.  This unit fought alongside Peiper’s remaining tanks as the 1. SS-Panzerdivision attacked south of Bastogne on 30-31 December in an attempt to cut the corridor that U.S. forces had opened to that beleaguered city.  At least two more Königstigers were lost in those battles.  The remainder withdrew with the rest of the division at the beginning of January to refit in the Köln area.

支援肯普夫集群的行动使得501营付出了沉重的代价。至少12辆虎式在Stavelot和La Gleize被摧毁或遗弃，很多都是因为机械故障而无法使用。501营重新集结进入了Vielsalm东部以便进行修正和重组。1连将自己的坦克交给了其他的连，单独从Sennelager获得了新的坦克。剩余大概15辆虎王，重组成了由Möbius指挥的肯普夫集群。这个部队用Peiper剩余的坦克和第一装甲师在12月30-31日在巴斯托捏南部进行战斗，试图切断美军已经打通的被包围的城市的狭长走廊，这次战斗至少又损失了2辆坦克。1月初，剩余的坦克和师其他部队一起撤退，进入Köln地区休整。

Some Tiger crewmen were rewarded for their efforts in the Ardennes Offensive.  SS-Unterscharführer Fritz Belbe was the radio operator on SS-Obersturmführer Wessel's 1. Kompanie command tank.  When Wessel's Tiger 105 crashed into the house in Stavelot and Wessel jumped to a different tank, he apparently took Belbe with him.  After the battle Wessel listed the engagements that Belbe had fought in and recommended him to receive the Panzerkampfabzeichen (Tank Battle Badge) in Silver.  SS-Obersturmbannführer von Westernhagen approved the award on 30 January 1945.

一些虎式坦克乘员因为阿登反击战的表现而获得了勋章。Fritz Belbe是Wessel1连指挥坦克的报务员，当Wessel的105号冲进房子时[见第三部分]，Wessel和Belbe一起跳到了另一辆上，战后，Wessel给Belbe开具了证明函，这使得Belbe获得了银质装甲兵战斗勋章。von Westernhagen在1945年1月30日也获得了表彰。

The 501st SS Heavy Tank Battalion did not fight again as a unit.  The bulk of the battalion accompanied the 1. SS-Panzerdivision to Hungary in late January and fought through Hungary and Austria to the end of the war.  Part of the 1. Kompanie and other elements that had remained in Germany drew a few new tanks and continued to fight as the Americans approached Bielefeld.
  
从此，501营再没有作为独立单元进行过战斗。1月后，营的主体和第一装甲师一起进入匈牙利和奥地利，并在那里一直战斗到战争结束。1连的一部分和其他一些部队让然留在德国境内，并装备了新的坦克，继续和向Bielefeld挺进的美军战斗。

In early April the surviving crewmen were moved by train to Austria and united with the rest of the battalion.  SS-Obersturmbannführer von Westernhagen had died on 20 March 1945 in Hungary.  The remnants of his battalion surrendered to the Americans in Austria.  The Tigers had roared their last.

4月上旬，幸存的坦克兵们乘坐火车到了奥地利，和营的其他部队会合。von Westernhagen在1945年3月20日死于匈牙利。他营的残余部队在奥地利向美军投降。虎王的咆哮声在那一刻永远归于沉寂。

第六部分 What Happened to the Tanks After the Battle? 战后发生了什么？

As the Germans withdrew when their offensive failed, the Ardennes area was littered with destroyed and abandoned vehicles.  The SS Tiger battalion left seven of its tanks (204, 211, 213, 332, 334, the unnumbered one in the Chemin Vielle-Voie, and the one in the curve below the village) in or near La Gleize.  Some of these behemoths seriously impeded the movement of U.S. forces through the area, and after initial checks to ensure they had not been booby-trapped the tanks were simply pushed from the roadway by bulldozer or whatever heavy vehicle was available.  Others were left in place until after the war’s end, and scrap metal dealers eventually salvaged them.  Many of them were taken to the large steel foundries in Liege.  Before they were dismantled and hauled away, some became local landmarks.  

进攻失败后，德军开始撤退。阿登地区充满了被摧毁和遗弃的坦克、车辆。坦克营在La Gleize或附近还有剩余的坦克（204, 211, 213, 332, 334，以及不明编号的坦克）。这些钢铁巨兽阻碍了美军部队通过这一地区，在进行了内部详细的检查以确认他们无法移动，将这些坦克用推土机推到了路边，其他的一些就一直放在原地直到战争结束，很多经营钢铁生意的商人盯上了它们。很多被拉到了Liege的钢铁厂里。在被拆解和搬运前，一些坦克成为了当地的地标。

The Ardennes Offensive was the first time American units had faced the Königstiger in substantial numbers, and two of the captured tanks were immediately recovered for study.  Tiger 204 was left in an orchard field just off the main road in La Gleize.  The U.S. First Army’s 463rd Ordnance Evacuation Company found that 204 was still in running condition, and the ordnance soldiers attempted to recover the tank.

阿登反击战是美国军队第一次遭遇如此数量众多的虎王坦克，其中缴获的两辆被立即修复用于研究。204号被留在了La Gleize主街道旁边的果园。美国463武器疏散连发现204一直具备驾驶条件，士兵们试图恢复坦克。

Tiger 332 had a more interesting recovery career.  After its capture on 25 December by the 740th Tank Battalion, a unit of the 463rd Ordnance Evacuation Company found 332 and on 26 December brought up a heavy tank recovery tractor-trailer.  They loaded 332 and set off, spending a night in Stavelot and eventually reaching Spa, where they left the Tiger at the railway station for further recovery.  In February 1945 an Ordnance Technical Inspection Team assigned to First Army from Aberdeen Proving Ground transported 332 to Antwerp and shipped it to Aberdeen for examination and testing.

332号具有更丰富的经历。在25号被740坦克营缴获后，463连找到了332号。26日，叫了一辆重型牵引车，在Stavelot用了一整夜把它装上去，并连夜运抵SPA，那里有火车站以便运输。45年2月，一个隶属于Aberdeen研究中心的技术检查团队将332运到了安特卫普，并装船运输到了Aberdeen进行研究和测试。