The Battle of the Bulge, Hitler s failed Ardennes Offensive

This video contains flashing images that may be harmful to some viewers. The Battle of the Bulge was Hitlers final throw of the dice. With Germany in retreat across all fronts and a worsening situation at home, Hitler hoped to force the Western Allies out of the war before turning his full attention to the Soviet Union. Just as they had done in 1940, German tanks were to smash through Allied lines in the Ardennes forest and head for the coast, in this case, the vital Allied port of Antwerp. Germany amassed over 300, 000 men, 2, 100 tanks and assault guns, and around 1, 900 artillery pieces for an attack on just 80, 000 unprepared American soldiers. But it wasn t 1940 anymore and the circumstances surrounding this attack were completely different. Even the men who planned the offensive didn t believe it would work. To succeed it required complete surprise, poor weather, a rapid advance, and the capture of Allied fuel to facilitate it all. Without any one of those things the entire plan coul