Battle of the Bulge – The North Shoulder and Elsenborn Ridge

Just before daybreak on December 16, 1944, the German army opened its last offensive in the west. Operation Wacht am Rhein started with a huge artillery barrage. Shortly afterwards, the German divisions stormed forward and attacked the thinly occupied American lines. The aim was the reconquest of Antwerp, thus splitting the Allied armies into two halves and thus achieving a decisive victory in the west.The Ardennes Offensive, better known as the Battle of the Bulge, became the greatest battle the Americans had ever fought. Both armies fought each other in severe winter conditions. But after an initial success, the Germans were unable to force a decision in their favour and the Allies turned the tide. It was Hitler’s last gamble on to win the war in the West… and he lost.