The weather has closed in, and the Frontline in Western Europe has become cold and quiet. Snow has blanketed the Ardennes, and thick fog has grounded most aircraft on both sides. But the Germans have been allocating forces for a major operation in the West. Wacht Am Rhien (Watch on the Rhine) is a last ditch effort to split the Western Allies in two and advance towards Holland. The Battle of the Bulge began with a massive German ground assault, they broke through the American lines, forcing the Retreat and encirclement of numerous American Infantry Divisions.
The German forces advanced fairly quickly, But due to thier fuel situation, thier offensive was stalled by the 24th. The will of the American GI's had slowed the Germans enough for the Americans to bring reserves and enough airpower to bear to begin to force the Germans back. By the 20th the weather started permitting more Allied aircraft to launch and interdict German re-supply convoys and provide close air support for the belleagured defenses.
The German Air Assault (Operation Bodenplatte) that was supposed to kick off this Offensive was delayed until New Years Day. The Suprise attack destroyed numerous aircraft on the ground, but the losses incurred would make this the final mass showing of the Luftwaffe. The Germans had one
Final Throw in the West, and failed. Most German Squadrons were transferred East, to stem the Soviet Assault.
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