Enemy Actions: Ardennes

The Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945) was the last major German offensive campaign in its western theater during World War II. It was launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg, on the Western Front, towards the end of World War II, in the European theatre. The surprise attack caught the Allied forces completely off guard. American forces bore the brunt of the attack and incurred their highest casualties of any operation during the war. The battle also severely depleted Germany's armoured forces on the Western Front, and they were largely unable to replace them. German personnel and later, Luftwaffe aircraft (in the concluding stages of the engagement), also sustained heavy losses.

The offensive begins with limited german successes, save for elements of the 5th Panzer Army which manage some breakthroughs, notably capturing Bastogne. Unfortunately for the Germans, there is no fuel stockpile to be found there.

The Germans continue their push in the center of the American lines, also making a big attack on the north and nearly breaking through the American defense.

During the 19th and 20th, the German salient in the center makes a thrust to the northwest, but the Americans halt the advance on the River Ourthe. In the north, the Americans are slowly pushed back towards Vervière.

By the 21st, Vervière falls into German hands, threatening Liège. Despite this breakthrough, the Germans find themselves unable to advance anywhere else.

The next day, Liège is reinforced by the Americans and the rest of the defensive line holds fast. With little hope of another breakthrough, the Germans give up.