Battle of the Bulge

By bryson40

  • Malmedy Massacre

    Malmedy Massacre
    Germans seized control of Malmedy and captured 113 US troops. They lined them up in a field and opened fire with their machine guns. 84 men died that day.

  • The Battle Begins

    Germany launched their offensive and caught the Allied Forces off-guard. Their goal was to break through the front, seize control of Antwerp, and divide and conquer Allied Forces.

  • Germans Siege Bastogne

    German forces enveloped the 101st Airborne in Bastogne. This caused the “bulge” on the front that gave the battle its name. The Germans sent communications to division headquarters asking the Americans to surrender.

  • Reinforcements Arrive

    Reinforcements Arrive
    Allied air forces were able to conduct supply drops and strafing runs on German positions. It gave the Allied troops hope and fueled the American resolve to hold out in Bastogne.

  • German Lines Break

    Within 24 hours, the Allied forces were able to break through the German lines surrounding Bastogne and ending the siege. The battle was far from over for the Germans. Hitler would order renewed offensives, with no retreat, along the front.

  • Germans Launch New Operation

    The Allies were finally able to launch a coordinated offensive against the Germans, but the Germans launched Operation Bodenplatte (Baseplate) before the Allies could act. It was an attempt by the Luftwaffe to regain air superiority so the Germans could resume their advance through the Ardennes.

  • Germans Begin Withdrawal

    Germans Begin Withdrawal
    The Allied offensives were further helped by the fact that Hitler had halted all supply chains and reinforcements for the German troops. They began a slow, calculated withdrawal from the region.

  • The Allied Armies Reconnect

    The US First and Third Armies were able to link back up along with the British Second Army for the first time since the battle began. They successfully attacked the Germans near the Maas River, pushing them further back.

  • The Allies Win

    This win came with heavy losses on both sides. The US Army reports roughly 19,000 U.S. soldiers died, 47,500 were wounded, and more than 23,000 were missing. The British suffered 1,400 casualties with 200 killed. The Germans had 100,000 soldiers killed, wounded or captured.