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Previous Attempt
History.comIn May of 1944, the Germans attempted to divide the U.S. forces by means of Blitzkrieg. The Germans saw it as a way to weaken the U.S. military so that they would have the advantage over the American troops. While they thought that this tactic would be successful, it failed and they were unable to divide the troops and had to retreat. -
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Hitler Launches Division Plan
VideoVideoIn December 1944, Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by using the technique of Blitzkrieg. They planned the shoot through the Ardennes forest to Antwerp.Caught off-guard the American troops fought desperately to stop the German advance ar St. Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize, and Bastogne. The Germans drove deeper into the Ardennes in an attempt to secure vital bridgeheads, whe the Allied line took on the appearance of a large bulge, -
Harsh Winters
BBCThe Winter of 1944, the Germans were desperate to rally to turn the world war around in their favor. The War seemed to be coming to a close and the Germans were on the losing end of things. The Germans then planned to launch the most deperate battle of the World war to attempt to swing the war in favor of them. -
Deadliest and most Desperate Battle
BBC On December 16, 1944 three German armies, more than a quarter million troops launched the deadliest and most deperate battle of the war in the west, poorly roaded, rugged, heavily forested Ardennes. American forces were caught flatfooted and fought desperate battles to stem the German advance. -
Panzer Army took down U.S. Artillery
USHMMOn December 17, a battle of 6th SS Panzer Army captured 125 men of a U.S. field artillery observation battery in the town of Malme'dy, and some two hours later mowed them down in cold blood, leaving 86 dead. -
St. Vith Pocket Gave
BBCThe narrow roads, ice, snow and mud prevented the Germans from massing their superior armor. The St. Vith pocket held until December 21 when, in danger of being encircled, the defenders withdrew. -
German forced Surrender
USHMMWhen on December 22, the Germans offered their commander, Brigadier- General Anthony McAuliffe, either surrender or annihilation by massed artillery, his celebrated reply was 'Nuts!'. -
German Forces were Halted
USHMMOn December 26, 1944 after the German forces were able to divide the Allied forces, but were very quickly halted by more Allied troops, just short of their objective, the Meuse River. Germans forces failed to make any progress in vital areas such as Elsenborn Ridge. -
The End of the Game
USHMMOn December 26, Bastogne was relieved by the US 4th Armoured Division. Hitler ordered the generals to continue to push on, but at last they were unable to get through the US forces. -
U.S. Reached Road Junction
BBCOn that same day, December 26, 1944, US armored troops reached the beleaguered defenders of a vital road junction in the town of Bastogne. The Allied forces were finally able to put an end to the German's advances. -
The US forces strengthen
BBCOn December 29, Major-General FW Mellenthin, lead the 9th Panzer division near Houffalize center. -
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German Withdraw
USHMMAfter enlarging the corridor to Bastogne at the end of December, US troops and some British troops counterattacked to eliminate the Bulge, with the US First Army attacking from the north and General George Patton's Third Army from the south. In the face of increasing Allied pressure, the Germans began to withdraw from the Bulge on January 8, 1945. -
US Forces Join
ARMYThird US Army, joined forces with the 2nd Armored Division and the 84th Infantry Division of the First Army at Houffalize, Belgium, about 20 miles east northeast of St. Hubert, on January 16, 1945.