As said by British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, "This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war, and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory." The Battle of the Bulge (December 16, 1944-January 28, 1945) would be the U.S.'s largest pitched battle in their military history; against all odds, two inexperienced, battered American divisions won against three German armies. This was the most desperate and deadliest battle of the war, taking place in the heavily forested Ardennes.
After D-Day, the tide had turned to the Allies's favor and the war seemed all but over. However, in December of 1944, Hitler made an all-out gamble, launching the only major German counter-offensive of the war in northwest Europe, meaning to split through the Allied forces and cut off their supplies with a surprise blitzkrieg. The Allies knew that there was a build-up of German soldiers around the Ardenne but miscalculated that Hitler would make such a bold move, leaving only two inexperienced American divisions in the Ardennes.
The rugged, poorly roaded forest region turned into bedlam when the American divisions attempted to stop the German advance at St.-Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize, and Bastogne. The Germans made a dent in the American line, giving the battle its unforgettable name, and things were looking grim for the Allies. However, a crucial German shortage of fuel and the spirit of the American soldiers burst the bulge in their line, making a draw between the opposing parties.
The small group of battle-worn Americans had held their own against a full German army.
After D-Day, the tide had turned to the Allies's favor and the war seemed all but over. However, in December of 1944, Hitler made an all-out gamble, launching the only major German counter-offensive of the war in northwest Europe, meaning to split through the Allied forces and cut off their supplies with a surprise blitzkrieg. The Allies knew that there was a build-up of German soldiers around the Ardenne but miscalculated that Hitler would make such a bold move, leaving only two inexperienced American divisions in the Ardennes.
The rugged, poorly roaded forest region turned into bedlam when the American divisions attempted to stop the German advance at St.-Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize, and Bastogne. The Germans made a dent in the American line, giving the battle its unforgettable name, and things were looking grim for the Allies. However, a crucial German shortage of fuel and the spirit of the American soldiers burst the bulge in their line, making a draw between the opposing parties.
The small group of battle-worn Americans had held their own against a full German army.