Battle of the Bulge

The Bagttle Begins

Dec 16, 1944

The Germans threw 250,000 soldiers into the initial assault, 14 German infantry divisions guarded by five panzer divisions-against a mere 80,000 Americans.Their assault came in early morning at the weakest part of the Allied line, an 80-mile poorly protected stretch of hilly, woody forest.

Battle of the Bulge

Period: Dec 16, 1944 to Jan 25, 1945

Prisoners Executed

Dec 17, 1944

Allied prisoners of war are executed in cold blood by elementsof the 6th SS Panzer Army. Some 87 prisoners are killed where they stand on direct orders from German Colonel Joachim Peiper.

Stavelot

Dec 19, 1944

Allies recapture the Town of Stabelot

Encircled

Dec 20, 1944

The US 10th 19th Armed Divisions are completely encircled by German advance.

Hitler Refuses

Dec 22, 1944

As the German stretch continues, supply lines are stretched to the limit abd flanks become over exposed prompting German General Rundstedt to ask Hitler to halt the advance Hitler refuses

Air Sorties

Dec 23, 1944

2,000Allied air sorties are launched improving skies against the Germans on th ground.

Germans

Jan 1, 1945

German forces destroyed, taken prisoners or sent packing as thr Allies regroup and respond

Withdrawl

Jan 3, 1945

German Panzer divisions withdrawl

Bulge

Jan 15, 1945

The Bulhge is further reduced

End

Jan 25, 1945

The Germans line has been pushed back to their initial jumping off point. Germans lost 100,000 men that could not be replaced.