On the morning of December 16, 1944, German chancellor Adolf Hitler launched a surprise attack against Allied forces holding a narrow section of the front in Belgium’s Ardennes region. By driving a wedge into Allied lines, Hitler hoped to turn the tide of war in Germany’s favor.
Called the Battle of the Bulge, combat over snow-covered ground in freezing temperatures lasted for five weeks. An American counteroffensive forced German troops to withdraw, with the Allies claiming victory. Military historian Mitch Yockelson shares the history the Battle of the Bulge and its significance as a turning point of World War II.
General Information
