Battle of the Bulge
16 Dec 44 - 25 Jan 45
The Battle of the Bulge (also known as the Ardennes Offensive and the Von Rundstedt Offensive to the Germans) was a major German offensive launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name (Bataille des Ardennes), and France and Luxembourg on the Western Front. The Wehrmacht's code name for the offensive was Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein ("Operation Watch on the Rhine"), after the German patriotic hymn Die Wacht am Rhein.
Germany's goal for these operations was to split the British and American Allied line in half, capturing Antwerp and then proceed to encircle and destroy four Allied armies, forcing the Western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis Powers' favour.
Once accomplished, Hitler could fully concentrate on the eastern theatre of war.
The offensive was planned with the utmost secrecy, minimizing radio traffic and moving troops and equipment under cover of darkness. Although Ultra suggested a possible attack and the Third U.S. Army's intelligence staff predicted a major German offensive, the Allies were still caught by surprise. This was achieved by a combination of Allied overconfidence, preoccupation with their own offensive plans, and poor aerial reconnaissance.
Near-complete surprise against a weakly defended section of the Allied line was achieved during heavy overcast weather, which grounded the Allies' overwhelmingly superior air forces. Fierce resistance, particularly around the key town of Bastogne, and terrain favouring the defenders threw the German timetable behind schedule. Allied reinforcements, including General George S. Patton's Third Army, and improving weather conditions, which permitted air attacks on German forces and supply lines, sealed the failure of the offensive.
In the wake of the defeat, many experienced German units were left severely depleted of men and equipment as survivors retreated to the defenses of the Siegfried Line. For the Americans, with about 610,000 men committed and some 89,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed, the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle that they fought in World War II.
Order of Battle:
Allies (Bish):
B-25H
C-47
P-38L
P-39Q
P-47D-11/40
P-51B/D
L-4 (Storch sub)
Jeep
M4A1
M4A3(76)
M16 MGMC
M3
ShermanVC
Axis (Knits):
Me-410
BF109G-6/14
BF109K-4
BF110G-2
Storch
FW190A-5/8
Ju87D-3
JU87G-2
Ostwind
Panzer IV
Tiger I
Whirblewind
Jeep
Weather conditions: expect sub zero temperatures and wind chill factors with accompanying high winds, low cloud layers, and reduced visibilities.
Normal AvA configuration.
