Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge began 16 December 1944 and became the last offensive by Nazi Germany in World War II.

As soon as the Allies had broken out of the Normandy Beachhead, they pushed the Germans back rapidly until they had reached the German Frontier in November and December. The U.S. was giving some Divisions a rest and inserting newly landed Divisions into the front lines, not thinking that the Germans were capable of any offensive action and if so that they would certainly not be bold enough to try in Winter.

The Allies had no clue that the Germans were going to start a massive offensive in the most unlikely of locations, the dense Ardennes Forest. Under the cover of bad weather, when aerial reconnaissance was not available the German Army struck with tanks and infantry running right over green U.S. troops. Their goal was to get to the port city of Antwerp.

Surprise caught the American troops unprepared. Military intelligence was caught unawares. It took two days to determine that this was a full scale operation by the Germans.

Immediately, the 101st Airborne was thrown back into the line and headed to Bastogne, a city that was located at the junction of five highways, a communication center and location where a large sector of the country could be supplied and reinforced. As the Germans advanced a large Bulge was created in the U.S. lines, giving rise to the name Battle of the Bulge. The front was over 50 miles across and at one point the deepest penetration by the Germans was over 50 miles.

As the Bulge grew the city of Bastogne became surrounded, but the 101st Airborne and some units of the 10th Armored held stubbornly and would not surrender. However, the weather prevented any air support or re-supply, so these men were on their own. When the 26th of December arrived, the weather was clearing and re-supply was available. Additionally, elements of Gen. Patton's 3rd Army had pierced the ring around Bastogne and the Bulge started to collapse.

It took until the end of January to repulse all the German units back to the lines the Allies held on 15 December. There would be more fierce fighting ahead but all of it would be on German soil. The Battle of the Bulge was Germany's last chance at glory.

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