The Battle of the Bulge

A detailed Summary of The Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes, France was to be Adolf Hitler's most daring and victorious battle. It was the largest battle ever fought on the Western Front and the largest ever

fought by the U.S. Army. But, because of Hitler's massive ego, he paid no attention to his advisors and, in turn, Ardennes became the most significant loss to the Germans in all of World War II and ended the war in the eyes of most observers.

The Allied Front was loosely guarded, troops had been taken away to reinforce the winter offensive. Ardennes was still regarded as an unsuitable country for large-scale operations. Then,

on December 13-15, 1944, unusual German movement was reported. Rubber boats and other craft were being assembled on the German side of the River Our. Hitler calls a meeting of all of his generals and speaks for two hours, using no notes. He tells all who will listen "You'll see! It will lead to collapse and panic among the Americans. We'll drive right through their middle and take Antwerp," (Polmar/Allen, 99) The Allied troops were oblivious to the all-out attack that lay

in front of them. On Dec. 15-16 , American Intelligence notices the Germans are observing radio

Colonel Dickson of the U.S. Army says, "I

On December 17, both German divisions attacked again, forcing U.S. Unit 112 back two miles. Although German progress was slow, the American Infantry units were surrounded at once. The Third Battalion, consisting of 110 men withdrew. The U.S. units were growing weaker

soldiers had taken refuge in a German cafe and it was set on fire. Troops were shot as they ran from the burning building. S.S. men walked throught the fields, killing anyone who made a sound.

30,000 Germans are killed, 30,000 P.O.W.s, 40.000 injured. It was a personal defeat for Hitler.

The first news of the attack reaches Versailles, and a few hours later another report indicates the American First Army had identified eight German Divisions. The American back-up was limited to the XVIII Airborne Corps., two of whose divisions had just been reformed after a battle in the Nijmegen Salient. Meanwhile, two U.S. Infantry divisions were annihilated, in one(the 106th) 7,500 men surrendered, the largest mass surrender in the war against Germany.

When planning the offensive, Hitler was so busy dreaming of victory that he neglected to make allowances for food, fuel, and weather. The Germans were running crucially low on gas,

Germans searched for the shooter and destroyed it with one direct blow, killing all four American crewmen. This was a turning point in the American morale.

To remedy the lack of fuel, convoys are sent to Malmedy to get fuel from the American fuel dump. Germans opened fire on the Americans, and they surrendered, The German troops were told to take no prisoners, but nothing was said about killing. Peiper then led all the Americans into

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Approximate Word count = 1104
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History