Special Sub-Topic: The Ardennes Offensive Click Here To Play: The Ardennes Offensive

On what date did the Battle of the Bulge begin and how many troops were engaged from both sides?

December 16, 1944; 1.1 million. 1.1 million troops were engaged in the Battle of the Bulge. 500,000 Americans, 600,000 Germans, and 55,000 British. This was the largest land battle in which the U.S. participated during WW2.

Who was tasked by Adolf Hitler to come up with a strategic plan for a major offensive?

Alfred Jodl. Jodl was tasked by Hitler of coming up with a strategic plan for a major offensive in the Ardennes. Jodl was the tactical commander of the offensive.

One of the strategic obectives of the German offensive in the Ardennes was to drive on and capture which of these cities?

Antwerp. When the Germans broke through in the Ardennes Forest their objectives were to capture Antwerp while encircling the Allied troops west of the Meuse River.

Who occupied Bastogne on the 17th of December 1944, when the Germans laid seige to the city?

101st Airborne. The 101st Airborne were in a race with the Germans to capture the city, which was a strategic point for the American troops to launch a counter-offensive.

"Wacht am Rhein" was the original name of the Ardennes Offensive. What was the name of the operation later changed to?

Autumn Mist. "Wacht am Rhein" or "Watch on the Rhine" was the original name of the operation because the Germans wanted the Allies to think they were on the defensive instead of the offensive. The name was changed to "Autumn Mist" by Hitler after his generals tried to get him to change his plans for the offensive.

Which army counter-attacked the Germans surrounding Bastogne?

3rd Army. The 101st Airborne was relieved when the VII Corps moved down, thus enlarging the U.S. line and allowing Patton's 3rd Army to counterattack the German troops surrounding Bastogne.

On December 30, 1944, the 3rd and 1st Armies drove north and south with the purpose of trapping all German forces at what city?

Houffalize. The 3rd Army drove north, while the 1st Army went south planning to trap all the German force at Houffalize. The Germans put up a tremendous fight.

On January 1, 1945, what operation did Adolf Hitler launch to eliminate all Allied air power?

Baseplate. On January 1, 1945, Hitler launched operation "Baseplate" (German: "Bodenplatte") with the intentions of destroying all Allied air power. The operation did succeed in destroying 206 aircraft and many airfields, but more costly to the Germans were the 300 aircraft and the 253 trained pilots lost in the operation.

On what date did the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive) end?

January 25, 1945. On January 8,1 945, Adolf Hitler ordered the withdrawal of German troops from the tip of the Bulge. January 16th, the 1st and 3rd Armies met at Houffalize. January 23rd, Saint Vith was retaken. And finally on the 28th of January the Battle of the Bulge was over.

What division was credited with holding the German attack at Saint Vith?

106th Division. The 106th Division was credited with holding the German attack at Saint Vith. This threw off the timing and attack routes of the offensive, ultimately causing the failure of the Ardennes offensive for the Germans.