Battle of the Bulge

On 16 December 1944, German forces attacked through the Ardennes in an attempt to split the British and American armies and capture Antwerp. Surprise, poor weather and initial confusion allowed the offensive to create a deep salient in the Allied line.

American resistance at locations including Bastogne slowed the advance until improving weather and Allied reinforcements restored the initiative. By late January 1945, the Germans had been driven back after suffering losses they could not replace.

This context supports fiction about Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, Gerd von Rundstedt, frontline infantry and the final collapse of Nazi Germany.