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DECEMBER 20, 1944

BATTLE OF THE BULGE, DAY 5

At this point, the reserve forces (the 82nd and the 101st and the headquarters of the XVIII Airborne) are in sector and in their fighting positions. For the first time ever, the XVIII Airborne Corps is operating in combat.

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On this day 76 years ago, the 82nd Airborne establishes a defense against the 6th SS Panzer Army in the small Belgian town of Werbemont. This was the northern shoulder of the German bulge.
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It was freezing cold in Werbemont, as temperatures dropped to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Light snow covered most of the ground.
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Meanwhile, the 82nd's sister Airborne division, the 101st, is now assigned to the VIII Corps. The Screaming Eagles are deployed to a crossroads town named Bastogne, trying to push back the southern shoulder of the German Bulge against the 5th Panzer Army.
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So, the XVIII Airborne Corps starts the day with the 82nd Airborne as its only unit. But, General Ridgway was looking for units to pick up (remember, back then a corps was a loosely organized HQ that picked up units as needed).
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By this morning (December 20, 1944), the 30th Infantry Division and the 3rd Armored Division are under the XVIII Airborne Corps. [this is the 30th Infantry Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia]
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With these three divisions, Ridgway can spread out his forces from the extreme east of the northern shoulder to the west to tie in with other elements of the 1st Army. [check out this cool map we made to help you visualize the friendly / enemy set]
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But let's be clear: the biggest problem the Germans have along the northern shoulder on December 20, 1944 isn't the American airborne. It isn't Ridgway. It isn't the tank destroyers or the engineers or the artillery. It isn't the Americans at all. It was the traffic.
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Damaged, narrow, iced-over roads caused hours of delay. German tanks were basically parked behind German tanks.

The counteroffensive ground to a halt.
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The reserve 2nd and 9th SS Panzer Division joined the fight, however, they were of no use; they just joined the line on the clogged up roads leading to the front.
FINAL:

Now, come back at noon Eastern and we'll tell you about the 101st in Bastogne on December 20, 1944.

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Now into the images; first up is the 8x8 TEL for Zolfaqar/Dezful missiles first seen in 2019. Proof here it's operational and being made in numbers


Another video showing a lot of very precise impacts from different angles


Here are 4 (visible) targets in close proximity with missiles (numbered according to target) going for each of their designated impact points. Incredible accuracy.
[THREAD] On the recent ISIS Sinai video.

This is done with help from @war_noir, go follow.

As the ISIS insurgency in the Sinai continues, this video shows a very interesting mix of SALW, with some usual suspects appearing, but also more interesting things...

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First, the most prominent feature of the video is (as always), large IEDs blowing up army vehicles, with varied effectiveness. This has been a constant for years by now.

IS Sinai retain substantial IED expertise, with these...

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Also being laid in an anti personnel manner. Multiple targets are seen hit. Conventional close-range attacks are seen also.

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Now, let's turn to small arms. As usual, we see a mix of typical AKs, FALs, etc.

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https://t.co/CLIyU64RUD

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When it comes to heavier weapons, the commonly seen DShK/M and Type 54 are seen. These are common.

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It is a series of Sanskrit shlokas recited by Jambavant to Hanuman to remind Him of his true potential.

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2. उतसारा स्थिरा घम्भीरा: The one who is leaping higher and higher, who is firm and stable and seriously determined.

3. ुग्रामा असामा शौर्या भावा: He is strong, and without an equal in the ability/mentality to fight

4. रौद्रमा नवा भीतिर्मा: His anger will cause new fears in his foes.

5.विजिटरीपुरु धीरधारा, कलोथरा शिखरा कठोरा: This is a complex expression seen only in Indic language poetry. The poet is stating that Shivudu is experiencing the intensity of climbing a tough peak, and likening

it to the feeling in a hard battle, when you see your enemy defeated, and blood flowing like a rivulet. This is classical Veera rasa.

6.कुलकु थारथिलीथा गम्भीरा, जाया विराट वीरा: His rough body itself is like a sharp weapon (because he is determined to win). Hail this complete

hero of the world.

7.विलयगागनथाला भिकारा, गरज्जद्धरा गारा: The hero is destructive in the air/sky as well (because he can leap at an enemy from a great height). He can defeat the enemy (simply) with his fearsome roar of war.