The Battle of the Bulge Samantha Eanes World History II - Mr. Pratt - Block 2A

Allied forces stormed into Aachen On the defensive, Hitler wanted to take control Goal #1: Split up Britain, France, and America Goal #2: Recapture the port at Antwerp The Allies were weak and an attack would finally destroy them He recruited men and teenagers and devised a plan October 1944

Germany launched over 200,000 troops and 1,000 tanks Attack took place in Ardennes Forest (Ardennes Offensive) Battle began once Germany bombarded the Allies Allies were surprised and unaware Germans dressed as Americans and spread false information Hitler waited until bad weather hit Attack left a “bulge” in the Allies frontline Battle of the Bulge December 16, 1944

January 1945 – Germans had to abandon vehicles December 24, 1944 – Germans attacked air force jets December 22, 1944 – Allies counter attacked using air force Germans began losing superiority Eisenhower called in reinforcements Main Events of the Battle

World War II Context Last battle of World War II Largest battle of World War II ▫ 81,000 American lives lost ▫ 100,000 Germans dead, wounded, and/or captured Major victory for the Allies “This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.” --Winston Churchill