Who Was General Hessler In The Battle Of The Bulge? A Forgotten Hero

Oberst Martin Hessler was a Panzer division commander during World War II. He was chosen by Generaloberst Kohler to lead the armored spearhead that started the famous Battle of the Bulge using a group of newly built King Tigers.

Hessler was a skilled and experienced commander, known for his boldness and his ability to inspire his troops. He was tasked with leading the SS Panzer Corps in the initial attack of the Battle of the Bulge, a daring offensive aimed at breaking through the Allied lines and capturing the port of Antwerp.

Hessler’s forces, equipped with the powerful King Tiger tanks, initially achieved significant success, pushing deep into Allied territory and causing significant casualties. However, the German offensive was ultimately unsuccessful, due to a combination of factors, including Allied resistance, logistical problems, and the failure to achieve surprise.

Hessler’s role in the Battle of the Bulge is notable for his leadership of the King Tiger units, which were among the most powerful tanks fielded by the Germans during the war. While the King Tigers were technologically advanced and well-armored, they were also complex and unreliable, and they were not as effective in battle as some other German tanks. Despite this, Hessler and his Panzer division played a crucial role in the early stages of the offensive, and his leadership contributed to the initial successes of the Battle of the Bulge.