Battle of the Bulge

From Encyc

The Battle of the Bulge was a German counteroffensive near the end of World War II. A combined force of panzers and infantry smashed into the American lines in the Ardennes Forest in December 1944. This was the site of Hitler's victory over France in 1940, and he hoped to repeat a similar feat by crossing the Meuse River and driving on to Antwerp. The capture of Antwerp would deny the use of the port to the Allies and cause a severe supply disruption, as well as cutting off many units in a pocket to the north.

Battle of the Bulge, limit of German penetration, December 26, 1944

Bad weather at the start of the attack favored the Germans, because the Allies could not take advantage of their air supremacy. However the northern section of the American line stood firm, constricting the advance to a narrow corridor. The Americans fought successful defensive actions at Elsenborn Ridge and St. Vith.

In the crossroads town of Bastogne, the 101st Airborne Division held out, surrounded for the duration of the battle. Patton's Third Army to the south made a rapid turn and headed north, smashing into the southern flank of the German offensive and relieving Bastogne.

The Americans counterattacked from the north and south, and met up in early January, pinching off a pocket in which many German units were forced to surrender or retreat without their heavy equipment. Clear weather towards the end of the battle allowed the Allied air forces to take a heavy toll on the Germans as well.

The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive of the war, and Hitler killed himself four months after the battle.

External link[edit]