Multiple choice general knowledge history

In 1944 German troops surrounded and trapped a full regiment of American Soldiers in the Ardennes forest (Called the battle of the bulge). During the initial fighting the German SS divisions executed their prisoners, why was this a mistake?

  1. It intensified resistance as the Americans thought they were going to be executed anyway

  2. It had no efefct on teh battle and the war thereafter

  3. It led to the Marathon race being formed in honor of the incident

  4. It caused confusion in the German lines
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A Correct answer
Explanation

When SS troops executed American prisoners, it sent a clear message that surrender meant death. This made American troops fight more fiercely rather than surrender, as they believed they would be killed anyway. The hardened resistance prolonged the battle and increased German casualties.

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