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BATTLE OF THE BULGE A frozen fight n Dec. 16, 1944, at 5:30 a.m., Germany launched a surprise attack on the U.S. 1st OArmy, leading to the largest land battle of World War II. Some 200,000 German troops and 600 tanks smashed through the rugged Ardennes mountains unseen through the dark and morning fog which protected them from an Allied aircraft attack. During the bitter cold morning, the massive attack pushed through five U.S. Army divisions who were outmanned, outgunned, and mostly untested in battle. This created a “bulge” into the American lines. Hitler’s failed attempt AREA The objective in Adolf Hitler’s attack was the port of Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp OF DETAIL Germany planned to break through the thinly held Ardennes forests BELGIUM of Belgium and Luxembourg. The maneuver was designed to cross the Meuse River and swing northwest nearly 60 miles to capture GERMANY Antwerp. After an initial blow, Allied forces regrouped and held their lines and Hilter’s last ditch attempt to win the war failed. West Wall Allied front lines Dec. 15, 1944 Allied front lines Dec. 24, 1944 FRANCE Allied front lines Dec. 20, 1944
Allied front Predawn on lines Liege Dec. 15 Monschau German German paratroop units fired on drop zone Dec. 16, 1944 American positions, Huy Spa Butgenbach U.S. soldiers Staumont Malmedy believed that Meuse River Werbomont barrage of Stavelot Bullange howitzers, Trois-Ponts 340 multiple- rocket St. Vith launchers and at least Celles 657 light, Gouvy Dudler medium, Ciergnon Rochefort La Roche Houffalize and heavy en Ardenne guns were a Pronsfeld Ortheuville Clervaux demonstra- tion as Wellin Amberloup German St. Hubert Bastogne infantry moved to Wiltz Consthum BELGIUM attack. Libramont Diekirch Ettelbruck Echternach On Dec. 19-20 stubborn American defense Martelange made Germany’s goal to reach the Meuse River by the fourth day impossible. The 5th Panzer LU XEMBOURG Army was stopped at St. Vith and its center Arlon corps advanced only 25 miles into the American resistance. To the south Germany was unable Luxembourg to capture Bastogne. Six American divisions held 20 German divisions from advancing.
As the poor weather began to clear at the end of Elevation German attacks December and Allied airpower intervened, 500 Dec. 16Ð20, 1944 Germany’s offensive lost momentum. As they 300 became short of fuel, Germany’s panzers were Allied front lines forced back to their starting lines. 200 0 meters German panzer tank The Bulge takes its toll Germany The Bulge was won by the brave United States men who fought and held their 17.0 51.0 8.6 47.0* lines against a larger enemy costing both sides huge losses. Deaths, in Non-mortal wounds, in thousands thousands * Allied troops
SOURCES: U.S. Army; “The Illustrated History of WWII,” John Ray; Department of Defense Mike Sudal ¥ AP