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The Battle of the Bulge was the longest battle of WW2 (lasting from Dec 16, 1944 to Jan. 28, 1945). Approximately 1,155,000 soldiers fought in the Battle of the Bulge. 201,600 were killed in this bloody battle. By 1944 Germany was losing the war. Russia was closing in on the German forces. The Italian peninsula had been captured and liberated. The allied forced were rapidly advancing on the Germans position.
In September of 1944 Hitler called a meeting with Wilhelm Kertel and Alfred Jodle to discuss Germany’s Military Position. Hitler assigned Jodle the task of coming up with a strategic for and offensive on the Allied forces. The battle was to take place between Aachan area and the southern Luxembourg-France boundary. This was a favorable position due to the low numbers of Allied present. The Attack was plane for sometime between Nov.20 - Nov.30. Hitler’s was hoping that the Allies would not able to react to the offensive. The attack relied on speed, accuracy and timing.
The finished plane was code named “Wacht am Rhein”. The plane was to circle the Allie armies west of the Meuse River. Hitler thought that the name of the plane would confuse the Allies into thinking it was a defensive operation. The Ardennes were selected for the location of the offensive, due to they’re strategic location, Hitler amount of coverage, and it was the place that in 1940 Hitler had initiated a surprise attack on France. Hitler hoped that by retaking Ardennes the allies would become irritated with each other and would start fighting amongst themselves, buying Hitler much need time. Some of Hitler’s top military advisors were weary about the planes. His Generals tried to reason that the plane was a high-risk plan; the troop would have no air support and few supplies.
At 5:30 A.M. on December 6, 1944 eight German armored divisions and thirteen German infantry divisions launched the attack against five divisions of the United States 1st Army. December 17, America’s 7th armored divisions engaged the German army in battle at Saint Vith. 140 Americans were captured and 86 were later shot, this much increased the determination of the Americans.
Bastogne was a strategic location, both Germans and Americans wanted to have control of the city. The American’s 101 Air born division got there first but the Germans weren’t far behind. On December 22 German officers under the flag of truce delivered a message from General der Panzertruppe von Luttwitz Commander of XLVII Panzerhops, demanding the surrender of Bastogne. After receiving the message Brigadier General Mcauliffe exclaimed "Aw, nuts" which was his official reply to the request for surrender. Joseph Harper returned the Message to the General, he told the Germans it meant they could all “burn in hell”. The fighting continued through the winter. When the weathered cleared up enough VII Corps came. This allowed Patton’s Third Army to counter attack the Germans and push them out.
January 1, Hitler launched a plane called “The Great Blow”. At 8:00 A.M The Germans bombarded U.S air fields destroying 206 U.S planes. The devastation was far greater on the German side however; they lost 300 planes and 253 trained pilots.
January 8 Hitler ordered his troops to withdraw from the tip of the Bulge; this told allies that he had realized that his offensive was a failure. On January 28 the Battle of the Bulge was officially over. Allies had claimed a victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This site was made by Max and Tony(A.K.A. God 1 and 2, we don't which is which, but does it matter?)
Duckyuck79@yahoo.com ~ Tony
Messyuck@aol.com ~Max
12/21/01