The Battle of the Bulge

When the Germans launched a surprise attack in World War II on the morning of December 16, 1944, this would take the Americans completely off guard and would become a great loss for American troops. The attack was one of the last of the German offensive campaigns on the Western Front, spanning from eastern Belgium, northeast France and Luxemburg from December 1944 to January 1945. This would become one of the largest and bloodiest single battles fought during World War II by the United States Armed Forces. It became known as The Battle of the Bulge.

Also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, the intention of the battle was to split Allied lines, allow the Germans to take control and force the Western Allies to sign a Peace Treaty that would benefit the Axis Powers. American casualties were over 75,000 and German casualties were over 100,000.

Historian Jim Gibbons will discuss the events that took place before, during and after The Battle of the Bulge and will discuss the major commanders, strategies and turning points in the battle. Gibbons will explain why the battle was significant to American history, and why to this day, it is seen as one of the most brutal battles and second deadliest.