By Reilly Stone What was the Battle of The Bulge The Battle of the Bulge was a German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium France and Luxemburg on the Western front toward the end of World War II in Europe against the allied f ID: 360312
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Slide1
The Battle of the Bulge
By Reilly StoneSlide2
What was the Battle of The Bulge?
The Battle of the Bulge was a German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxemburg on the Western front toward the end of World War II in Europe against the allied forces.Slide3
When was It?
The Battle of the Bulge took place in the winter of, the 16th of December 1944 to the 25th of January 1945.Slide4
Why It Started
Hitler believed that the allied forces were not very strong and could be defeated.
He also thought that through subordinate operations he could split the allied forces, which would lead to the signing of a peace treaty in his favor
After a treaty in the western front, Hitler thought, he could focus more on the Eastern front which was starting to overwhelm the German forces.Slide5
Forces Involved
Allies
Axis
United States
United Kingdom
France
Canada
Belgium
GermanySlide6
Commanding Generals
Dwight D. Eisenhower (U.S.) Omar N. Bradley (U.S.) Bernard Montgomery (U.K.)
Adolf Hitler (Germany) Walter Model (Germany) Gerd Von Rundstedt (Germany) Slide7
Troop Count
United States: Close to 600,000 soldiers.
Britain: Close to 55,000 soldiers.
Germany: Nearly 500,000 soldiers.Slide8
Weapons Used
Americans
Germans
M1 Garand
Thompson M1A1
Colt m1911
Karabiner 98
MP 40
Luger
Slide9
Weather Conditions
The Winter in which the Battle of the Bulge took place was some of the coldest weather ever recorded in the Ardennes region. Extreme snowfall, and low temperatures proved fatal for service men on both sides.Slide10
Famous Skirmishes in the Battle
Malmedy Massacre
After a Brief battle near the town of Malmedy, 150 U.S. soldiers surrendered to the German forces. They were then sent to stand in a field. After S.S. troopers arrived to the scene, the S.S. started firing at the American prisoners. Many were killed (84) in the field but some managed to escape.
Operation Stösser
The first, and only, night time German paratroop drop of WW2 was a complete failure. Initially planned to have 800 troops, only 300 were used. After abandoning initial plans, the troopers attacked the rear of American lines. But, without much success. Only 100 troops made it back to German lines.Slide11
Famous Skirmishes in the Battle
Battle For St. Vith
The battle for St. Vith was fought over a vital road junction in the center of the town. The allied forces fought very bravely but were ultimately unable to hold their ground. Although the Allied forces retreated by command of General Montgomery, they delayed the German forces greatly (More than five days).
The Siege of Bastogne
The Siege of the Belgian city of Bastogne was a siege of the American forces by the Germans. The goal of the German offensive was the harbour at
Antwerp
. The siege lasted from December 20–27, after which the besieged American forces were relieved by elements of General
George Patton
's Third Army.Slide12
Casualties
United States: 81,000 Casualties.
Britain: 1,400 Casualties.
Germany: Nearly 100,000 Casualties.Slide13
Heroes
Seargent Day G. Turner Charles F. Carey, Junior
After being attacked by enemy, mortars, artillery, and rocket fire, Turner took his 9 man squad into the cover of a nearby house. Barely getting in because of tank fire, Turner and his men fought off soldier after soldier with, hand-to-hand combat, bayonets, oil, and rifles. Finally, after only 3 of his men were still able to fight, the enemy surrendered.
Carey, a technical sergeant, was part of an anti-tank platoon when his battalion was attacked by many enemy soldiers. After losing his guns, he acted on his own initiative, getting back his captured men. Unexpectedly, the enemies raided his squad’s base. He got his men out, but he was killed by a sniper the same day trying to reach an outpost.Slide14
Importance of the Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last large scale battle fought in World War II. From that point on the Allies advance was going to head straight for the Nazi capital of Berlin. What turned into a Nazi plan to split the Allied forces, majorly backfired. And the Allies reigned victorious. Many great men and women lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge, and for that we owe them our Gratitude. Slide15
Thank You!