The Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 -- January 1945)
Germany's Last Desperate Offensive
Hitler, now losing the war to the Allies, created a new goal of cutting off the Allied supplies in Belgium to make one last effort of success. Moving through the cold and bitter weather, the Germans did manage to catch the Americans by surprise. The Germans' own lines were the reason for the attack being known as Battle of the Bulge, curving out westward.
"Nuts!"
Faced with the German's ultimatum to surrender, United States Army General Anthony C. McAuliffe famously replied, "Nuts." However, the German victory was short lived, as General George S. Patton was ordered to help the U.S. soldiers. Within three days, the back-up troops arrived and began to attack the Germans and their field depots.
The Malmedy Massacre
On December 14, an American battalion by the SS force. The soldiers were sent to stand in a field and were mercilessly shot at, and 80 of the men were killed where they stood. It was considered to be the "worst atrocity committed against the American troops during the course of the war in Europe."
The Conclusion of the Battle
By Christmas Eve, the German troops had stopped in their tracks. They were eventually unable to proceed further, and they began to withdraw on January 8th. This battle was a significant loss for the German Army in terms of tanks, aircraft, and lives. The Eastern Front was now perfectly exposed, and the Germans no longer had the resources left to protect it. This also set Germany up for one, final, significant movement:
Sources
Brinkley. "America and World War II." The American Vision. 2010. Print.
http://ww2-pictures.com/battle-of-bulge-pictures.htm
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1753.html
http://clanmcauliffe.com/famous/anthony.html
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/malmedy.htm
Video from Youtube.com
http://ww2-pictures.com/battle-of-bulge-pictures.htm
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1753.html
http://clanmcauliffe.com/famous/anthony.html
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/malmedy.htm
Video from Youtube.com