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The battle of the bulge was the name that allies gave to the last major German offensive on the western front during World War Two. The German plan was to strike through thick woodlands of the Ardennes forest in Belgium, just as it had so successfully 4 years earlier in 1940. The german high command hoped that the overcast weather would prevent the massive allied air superiority from stopping it's armoured spearhead from punching right through to the major sea port at Antwerp. If the offensive had succeeded the allied armies would have been split in two.
Initially, with almost complete surprise and no allied air cover, the German advance succeeded in pushing a massive "bulge" (hence the name) in the Allied front line. The tenacious defence of the critical road junction at the town of Bastogne by the 101st Airborne division and elements of the 10th Armoured division had a crippling effect on supply lines in the German salient.
By the 23rd of December the allied line began to stabilize and with clearing weather (and air support) the allies went on the offensive. On the 26th of December, tanks from the 4th Armoured division opened a corridor to the besieged troops in Bastogne and the German troops were forced to withdraw.
The battle was one of the bloodiest fought by US troops in Europe and resulted in over 200 thousand casualties on both sides. The loss of men and equipment was a major blow to the German ability to wage war.
Initially, with almost complete surprise and no allied air cover, the German advance succeeded in pushing a massive "bulge" (hence the name) in the Allied front line. The tenacious defence of the critical road junction at the town of Bastogne by the 101st Airborne division and elements of the 10th Armoured division had a crippling effect on supply lines in the German salient.
By the 23rd of December the allied line began to stabilize and with clearing weather (and air support) the allies went on the offensive. On the 26th of December, tanks from the 4th Armoured division opened a corridor to the besieged troops in Bastogne and the German troops were forced to withdraw.
The battle was one of the bloodiest fought by US troops in Europe and resulted in over 200 thousand casualties on both sides. The loss of men and equipment was a major blow to the German ability to wage war.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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