The Ardennes Counteroffensive marked a desperate attempt by the Nazis to turn the tide of the war in their favour. Conceived by Hitler himself, the plan involved a rapid advance through the densely forested Ardennes region between Belgium and Luxembourg. The attackers sought to drive a wedge between the British and American forces, splitting the Allies and capturing the vital Belgian port city of Antwerp.
Assisted by a period of bad weather, three German armies launched a massive assault on the morning of 16 December that caught the Allies completely by surprise. Having targeted a weakly defended section of the Allied line, the Germans made substantial early gains, creating a “bulge” that gave the battle its name.
Although the American forces were initially overwhelmed, they displayed remarkable resilience. The town of Bastogne became a focal point of the conflict, as the Germans surrounded it in an attempt to secure a strategic road junction. The 101st Airborne Division fiercely defended the town, despite being outnumbered and cut off from the main Allied forces.
The battle continued through the harsh winter, with the Allied forces organising a robust defence and counterattack. General Patton's Third Army played a crucial role in relieving Bastogne, breaking through enemy lines to provide much-needed support. Meanwhile at Elsenborn Ridge the 99th Infantry Division slowed down the best-equipped armoured units of the German army.
As the winter weather cleared, Allied air superiority became a decisive factor. The Allies launched devastating air attacks, disrupting German supply lines and weakening their forces. By late January 1945, the Germans were forced to retreat, and the Battle of the Bulge concluded as a significant Allied victory.
