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Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive). David Field. Statistics. December 16, 1944-January 28, 1945 the largest land battle fought by Americans in WW2 Over 1 million men fought at The Battle of the Bulge. 600,000 Americans 500,000 Germans 1,400 British. More Statistics.
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Battle of the Bulge(Ardennes Offensive) David Field
Statistics • December 16, 1944-January 28, 1945 • the largest land battle fought by Americans in WW2 • Over 1 million men fought at The Battle of the Bulge. • 600,000 Americans • 500,000 Germans • 1,400 British
More Statistics • Vehicles destroyed at The Bulge • 800 Tanks on each side • 1000 German aircraft
German Advancements -3 Months after D-day, the Germans felt they needed to regain the lost ground. -Hitler relied greatly on his Panzer units.
Beginning the Battle • German Panzer units attacked with a man power of 250,000 battle hardened soldiers. • Eight armored divisions • 13 infantry divisions • Americans had 5 infantry divisions • Map
Bastogne • A race to get there • German Panzer Army had crossed into Luxembourg and was attempting to cross the Meuse River. • Allies had few men to defend the town and were rushing in reserves. • Germans won the race • Bastogne given 1 chance to surrender • Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe said 1 word “nuts” • Map
End of Bastogne • Allies dropped supplies into Bastogne and the day after Christmas Patton’s 3rd Army arrived and relieved the pressure on the town. • Fighting Germans continued for another week but the fell apart and lost the fight. • Many Germans were able to escape however because no counter attack was given against the German retreat.
St. Vith • Germans encircled the 106th Division near St. Vith, capturing 2/3’s of the men. • December 17th 7th armored division engaged Dietrich’s Panzer Army. • A major road that lead to the Meuse River and Antwerp. • Stopped from taking the rode by reserves sent in by U.S. General Omar Bradley.
The Beginning of the End • 2 days before new years • Allied 3rd Army attacked from the North • Allied 1st Army attacked from the South • Meet at Houffalize and trap the Germans in a pincer. • January 1st, 1945 Hitler Launched “The Great Blow” • 206 allied fighters destroyed • 300 axis fighters and 253 pilots destroyed
The Middle of The End • January 8th, 1945 Hitler begins to withdraw troops from the tip of the Bulge • Hitler realized the offensive was a failure • January 16th- the 3rd and 1st Allied Armies met at Houffalize and controlled the original front of the battle • January 23rd St. Vith is retaken
The End of the End • January 28th ,1945:the Battle of the Bulge finally ends and is declared and Allied success.