Battle of Bullingen

Following American forces’ losses earlier that morning, Kampfgruppe Peiper continued their advance into Bullingen. This was the location of the US 99th Infantry Division Command post of Major General Lauer, and the town had an American fuel depot and a small airfield that was used by the artillery spotter planes. The German advance into Bullingen took them by surprise.

The lead German Panzer tanks entered the town to little resistance from the American troops. Several roadblocks had been established but did not stop the advance. One bazooka team to the south of the town managed to knock out one tank, but, like other American units, it was quickly outnumbered and out gunned.

The US Command post was abandoned, and Lauer and his troops withdrew from the town. The airfield was quickly captured, along with twelve aircraft. As the German troops advanced through Bullingen they located the fuel depot, which remained intact.

They took this opportunity to refuel what vehicles they could. American prisoners of war who had been captured in the village assisted them. Some myths state that after this refuelling, the German soldiers murdered around 80 prisoners of war. There are no records or evidence to support this here in Bullingen. Today, a small children's park area stands where the fuel depot was once positioned.

Beyond refuelling their vehicles, there was no time for the German troops to stop and they continued to advance towards Thirmont.