What was the battle of the bulge for kids?
The Battle of the Bulge was a major battle in Europe during World War II. It was Germany’s final attempt to drive the Allies off of mainland Europe. Most of the troops involved on the Allied side were American troops. It is considered one of the greatest battles ever fought by the United States military.
What is the battle of the bulge summary?
The Battle of the Bulge started on December 16, 1944, when German forces launched a surprise attack on Allied forces in the forested Ardennes region in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The battle lasted until January 16, 1945, after the Allied counteroffensive forced German troops to withdraw.
Why was there a battle of the bulge?
The offensive was intended to stop Allied use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to split the Allied lines, allowing the Germans to encircle and destroy the four Allied forces and cause the Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis powers’ favor.
Why was the battle of the bulge so brutal?
Hitler’s mid-December timing of the attackone of the bloodiest of the warwas strategic, as freezing rain, thick fog, deep snow drifts and record-breaking low temperatures brutalized the American troops. More than 15,000 cold injuriestrench foot, pneumonia, frostbitewere reported that winter.
What happened at Battle of the Bulge?
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German military offensive in western Europe. The German offensive in the Ardennes region of Belgium was only temporarily successful in halting the Allied advance. During the fighting, captured American soldiers and Belgian prisoners were murdered by Waffen SS units.
Why was the battle of the bulge?
Hitler’s aim was to split the Allies in their drive toward Germany. … As the Germans drove into the Ardennes, the Allied line took on the appearance of a large bulge, giving rise to the battle’s name. The battle proved to be the costliest ever fought by the U.S. Army, which suffered over 100,000 casualties.
What did the Battle of the Bulge mark?
Over the course of six weeks, Allied forces thwarted the German armies’ attempts to split them. The Battle of the Bulge was the bloodiest battle for American forces on the Western Front during WWII 20,000 Americans were killed in this battle; tens of thousands more were wounded, missing, or captured.
When was the battle of the bulge?
December 16, 1944 January 25, 1945
Why did the Battle of Bulge happen?
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German military offensive in western Europe. The German offensive in the Ardennes region of Belgium was only temporarily successful in halting the Allied advance. During the fighting, captured American soldiers and Belgian prisoners were murdered by Waffen SS units.
What was unique about the battle of the bulge?
The Battle of the Bulge was intended to stop the Allied use of Antwerp, a Belgian port, and to split the Allied lines, which would then allow the Germans to encircle and destroy four Allied armies. This, they hoped, would force the Western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty.
Is the battle of the bulge a true story?
It marked the first time the U.S. Army desegregated during WWII. The U.S. military didn’t officially desegregate its ranks until 1948, but the Allies’ desperate situation during the Battle of the Bulge inspired them to turn to African American G.I.s on more than one occasion.
