THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF WORLD WAR II


By bblouin
Reenactors from across Europe and the United States participate in Battle of the Bulge 75 reenactment, Manhay Belgium, Dec. 14, 2019.

It’s impossible to talk about World War II (WWII) and not find a unique, significant battle everywhere you look. The Battle of the Bulge, however, is still one of the conflicts that we continue to look back at to understand the ramifications it would bring to the future of the war. Nazi Germany had shown cracks prior to the Battle of the Bulge, but this conflict was the point that the Allied Forces would turn the tide and begin the end of the worst war man has ever known. Related: Ramree Island Massacre Broke the World Record for Battles With Crocs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZmPM9s1mTs

Where Was the Battle of the Bulge?

The Ardennes Belgium Meuse River around Luxembourg and Belgium was the location of the Battle of the Bulge. Troops on both sides endured bitter subzero weather throughout the wooded landscape as the fighting took place. The Battle of the Bulge dates would show that the conflict took place from December 16, 1944, until January 28, 1945.

What Was the Battle of the Bulge?

The Battle of the Bulge significance can not be overstated, as it would end up being a power shift on the Western Front. While things weren’t going as great as they once were for Nazi Germany, a statement that couldn’t be better for all of us, this was another chance for the Axis power to maintain a strategic position. But the Allies were ready to make progress in the western portion of Germany. This would give Hitler an opportunity for a sneak attack as enemy forces moved in. Tanks, horses, troops, aircraft, and more were all brought to attack throughout the Ardennes Forest in a major push through east Belgium. For a bit, it worked. The Nazis made headway and began capturing new territory. However, that wouldn’t last. Initially, the Americans and British were outnumbered. Combined with the fact that they were ambushed, the prospects looked bad for U.S. and Allied forces. But the tenacity of the Americans was enough to hold off the Nazis and allowed reinforcements to arrive. Suggested Read: Battle of Midway: 80 Years Since We Turned the Tide of WWII Holding off thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks, while some Nazi forces were able to break through, they were kept from their core objectives including positioning along the Meuse River, Elsenborn Ridge, and the town of Bastogne, Belgium.

The Bloodiest Battle Fought in WWII by Americans

There were more American troops lost during the Battle of the Bulge than in any other conflict in World War II. Considering this is the deadliest war in the history of mankind, this continues to make an astounding statement surrounding just how costly this solitary battle was. The battle includes The Malmedy Massacre, in which atrocities were committed by Waffen SS troops upon captured American soldiers and Belgian prisoners, and included war crimes like the outright murder of unarmed soldiers. But it wasn’t just deadly for Americans; all sides saw losses. This was a strange time in warfare where tens of thousands of horses were still in use, yet a V2 rocket killed over 500 civilians in Antwerp, Belgium. This innovative repurposing of older warfare tactics and the availability of new technology meant fresh ways to kill. Yet this situation didn't always translate to medical care and the saving of lives on the battlefield. Throw in the harsh conditions and general mayhem of the war, and you get a lot of casualties as a result:

  • Around 75,000 Americans were killed.
  • Britain lost around 1,400 troops.
  • Somewhere around 3,000 civilians were dead after it was all said and done.
  • Between 80,000 and 100,000 Germans were lost as a result of the fighting.

The Sacrifices Were for Glory

War and death are like pb&j. It’s not pretty, and it’s never welcomed, but it's expected and a core component of the battlefield. However, the Allied numbers lost on the battlefield during those weeks were an unfortunate but necessary sacrifice. The Battle of the Bulge would be Nazi Germany’s final offensive in WWII. Read Next: How WWII’s PQ-17 & USS Washington Faced Off Against the GermansThe carnage of war is as much an aftermath effect as it is a key ingredient, but this turning point would help turn the tide for the Allied Forces and keep the casualties following this point to a minimum. It’s no secret that at its height, despite the atrocities committed, Nazi Germany as a military power was well-equipped and more than capable of successfully demonstrating its skills on the battlefield. But the Battle of the Bulge was a misstep. Hitler wanted to make a statement. This was his time to show the Allied Forces that Nazi Germany was still a force to be reckoned with. But despite the sneak attack that turned into a costly loss for all involved, it would prove to be the first true sign that the Third Reich was on its way out.

Who Won the Battle of the Bulge?

The Allied Forces won the Battle of the Bulge and ultimately, so did mankind. Nazi Germany’s downfall would occur less than four months later, after Berlin was captured and German troops surrendered. Not everything was accomplished that day but it was a major step toward bringing peace to Europe, as well as the world as a whole. Related: The Battle of Ia Drang Set a Violent Stage for the Vietnam War


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