The Battle of the Bulge

What happened

Germany launched a surprise winter offensive through the forested Ardennes, aiming to split the Allied armies and reach the port of Antwerp. The attack created a large 'bulge' in the Allied line but was halted and then reversed; by late January 1945 the Allies had retaken all the lost ground.

Why it matters

Hitler's last major offensive in the west failed, exhausting Germany's reserves and hastening its collapse. It was the largest single battle fought by the U.S. Army in the war.

Sources

• The National WWII Museum. Battle of the Bulge · General source