The Battle of Bulge

By Payven
  • Previous Attempt

    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.
  • First Bulge Battle

    First Bulge Battle
    VideoBBCIn the autumn of 1944, the first battle involving the Bulge took place. The battle had extremely heavy casualties in the forest in Normandy, the Hurtgen Forest.
  • Hitler Launches Division Plan

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    The US forces strengthen
    BBCOn December 29, Major-General FW Mellenthin, lead the 9th Panzer division near Houffalize center.
  • Allies went on the offensive

    Allies went on the offensive
    VideoBBCOn January 3, 1945 the Allies went on to the offensive, and on the 16th units of the US 1st and 3rd Armies had joined hands at Houffalize, closing the last German escape route from the forward end of the salient.
  • German Withdraw

    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

    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.