Strange Facts About the Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. It took place from December 16, 1944 to January 16, 1945 in the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France and Luxembourg[6].

The battle has gone down in history as one of the greatest clashes between American and German forces. However, there are some little-known facts and intriguing backstories related to this important WWII battle. Here are some strange and surprising facts about the Battle of the Bulge:

The Name “Battle of the Bulge” Was Coined By a Reporter

The name “Battle of the Bulge” was not the official military designation, but was rather coined by a reporter named Larry Newman of the Associated Press[3]. The name refers to the “bulge” in the Allied front lines that was created by the initial German offensive.

The official military designation for the German offensive was “Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein” (Operation Watch on the Rhine), while the Allied forces referred to it as the Ardennes Counteroffensive[5].

Hitler’s Advisors Thought the Offensive Was a Bad Idea

Most of Hitler’s advisors, including his top military strategists, were opposed to the Ardennes offensive. They tried to convince Hitler that it was misguided and would use up Germany’s scarce remaining resources[3].

However, Hitler overruled their advice, believing he could split the Allied forces and turn the tide of the war in Germany’s favor. This demonstrated Hitler’s increasingly delusional military decision-making as the war progressed.

The Attack Took the Allies By Surprise

The German attack through the Ardennes took the Allied forces completely by surprise[2]. The Allies believed the dense forest was an unlikely invasion route, as it was hilly, narrow and had poor road networks[5].

The Allied troops stationed there, many of whom had little combat experience, were not expecting a major offensive. This allowed the Germans to break through the Allied lines.

Many of the Attacked Troops Were There to Rest

Many of the US troops attacked in the Ardennes were there to rest, recuperate and train, not serve on the front lines[2]. The Ardennes was seen as a quiet sector, so it was used as an area where battle-weary troops could recover before returning to action.

The Germans took advantage of the green, weary state of the Allied troops initially stationed in the Ardennes.

Patton’s Intelligence Officer Predicted the Offensive

General George S. Patton’s intelligence officer, Oscar Koch, correctly predicted that the Germans were planning a major offensive through the Ardennes[3].

Koch noticed two German armies massing along the border of the Ardennes, and realized they were preparing for an attack. However, his warnings were not taken seriously by Allied High Command.

The German Advance Created a “Bulge” in the Allied Lines

As the Germans broke through the Allied lines, they drove west and created a “bulge” in the Allied front up to 50 miles deep and 70 miles wide[3].

This bulge gave the battle its famous name, and allowed the Germans to reconquer a significant amount of territory in the Belgian Ardennes.

It Was One of the Bloodiest Battles of WWII for the US

The Battle of the Bulge resulted in over 80,000 American casualties, making it the bloodiest battle for the US in World War II[1].

US forces bore the brunt of the fighting. The Germans also suffered heavy casualties of up to 100,000 men.

The Malmedy Massacre

One of the most infamous incidents was the Malmedy massacre. In this event, German SS troops opened fire on approximately 100 unarmed US prisoners of war near Malmedy, killing 84[4].

This war crime enraged the American troops and strengthened their resolve to defeat the Germans.

The Weather Was Bitterly Cold

The Ardennes offensive took place in the frigid winter of 1944-45. Soldiers on both sides had to battle cold temperatures plunging to -20°F [-29°C], deep snow and heavy fog[5].

Vehicles and weapons often malfunctioned in the extreme cold. Soldiers suffered from frostbite and trench foot. The adverse weather conditions made the fighting even more grueling.

Shortages of Fuel and Ammo Hampered the Germans

The rapid German advance quickly used up supplies of fuel and ammunition[5]. Lack of fuel immobilized many panzer units, allowing US forces to regroup.

Shortages of ammo led German infantry to pick up discarded American guns just to keep fighting. Limited supplies was a key factor in the German defeat.

Improved Allied Coordination Turned the Tide

In the early stages of the battle, poor coordination hampered the Allies. But General Eisenhower soon unified command under US General Omar Bradley[5].

Allied air forces also began targeting German supply lines. This improved coordination turned the tide against the overextended German forces.

Hitler Refused to Retreat

Even as it became clear the offensive was failing, Hitler refused to allow his forces to retreat[3]. He still believed he could recapture Antwerp harbor and split the Allied forces.

Hitler’s refusal to authorize a retreat resulted in the complete loss of the territory gained in the Ardennes bulge.

The Battle Hastened Germany’s Defeat

The Battle of the Bulge was Germany’s last major offensive of WWII. The Germans lost much of their remaining manpower and equipment[6].

Churchill called it “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war” [5]. It drained Germany’s resources and hastened their final defeat in 1945.

Conclusion

The Battle of the Bulge was a major clash that caught the Allies off guard but ultimately ended in German defeat. The key facts show it was a pivotal battle, with poor decisions by Hitler and determined resistance by Allied forces, especially the Americans. The strange and surprising facts provide insight into this dramatic final German offensive on the Western Front.