BATTLE OF THE BULGE

Battle of the Bulge declared over

In the snow-covered forests of the Ardennes, German forces had launched a massive surprise offensive in December 1944 that bent the Allied line into a deep “bulge.” For weeks, American units fought desperate defensive battles, holding key crossroads and towns even as some positions were overrun. By late January, coordinated attacks by United States First and Third Armies had sealed off the salient and recaptured most of the lost ground. On January 25th, 1945, Allied headquarters considered the Battle of the Bulge effectively over, the last German offensive in the west spent. The cost had been severe in casualties, equipment, and civilian suffering, but the failure of the offensive depleted German reserves beyond recovery. From that point forward, Allied forces could resume their drive into Germany with renewed confidence, knowing that the enemy had squandered its final attempt to change the war’s course in the west.