This map (which is a US Army map in public domain from the internet) shows the German army's plan of attack in the Battle of the Bulge which began on 16 December 1944. The Germans called the plan Wacht Am Rhein -- Watch on the Rhine.
We discussed this important event in class today since we are studying World War 2. (We had a field trip to the D-Day Museum a few weeks ago.)
Adolf Hitler ordered this final offensive in the days before Christmas 1944 to divide the American and British armies, capture the key supply port of Antwerp, and buy time for his Third Reich. In his insane mind, he hoped his scientists could use the time to build super weapons -- including the Atomic bomb -- and win the war. In the alternative, he hoped to force the Western Allies to sue for peace, then turn the bulk of his German army against the Russians to the east.
Although the attack worked at first, the Americans held their ground, with the famous 101st Airborne Division, at crucial crossroads town of Bastogne in Belgium. The small town was surrounded by several German units including panzers (tanks) and the Nazis orderd the Americans to surrender. The American commander, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, replied with a single word: "Nuts!" This was to become one of the most famous lines in all of American military history. (Gen. McAuliffe's response was strongly defiant. He would never surrender.)
Gen. George Patton and his US 3rd Army finally relieved besieged Bastogne, and the Nazi army was slowly driven back to Germany. Within six months the war in Europe would be over and Hitler would be dead.
We discussed much of this in our class today and the significance of today's date -- 16 December 1944. Along with June 6th, 1944 and December 7th, 1941, this is one of the most significant dates in American -- and world-- history.
-- Adrian
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