The Battle of the Bulge The Battle of The Bulge lasted from January 16th 1944 to December 25th 1945. It would become the largest, and bloodiest engagements of World War 2. The opposing armies had different names for the battle: the Germans named it- "UNTERNEHEIM WACHT AM RHEIM" meaning (operation watch on the Rhine)The Allied forces named it: (Ardennes counteroffensive).The French named it: "Bataille des Ardennes" (battle of the Ardennes).This would be the last German offensive on the western front with Hitler throwing everything he had at the Allies. The Allies combining the United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, The Free French, Free Belgium Forces, and Luxembourish Resistence. On December 16th 1944 the Germans attacked the Allies in the Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The weather as miserable and snow covered the entire area. For the Allies the moral was at its lowest, with the troops being improperly clothed, no rubber boots, jackets, socks, ect. The Germans on the other hand were well trained and battle hardened. As the battle wore on supplies were parachuted to the Allies by plane and both sides benefited from the air drops. The Allies were completely surrounded by the Germans and on December 22nd 1944 a delegation of German officers approached the Americans in the town of Bastogne and asked for their immediate surrender or death to all who don't abide the surrender terms. General Anthony McAuliffe was presented the terms and answered with the now historic phrase "NUTS". Well, the German high command didn't know how to react to the response, but it was an uplifting moment in the lives of those in the trenches on the allied side. The moral level of the Americans couldn't be higher and this would prove to be the down fall of the Germans. On January 25th, 1945, the German army fell apart due to shortages in fuel, food, ammunition, and most of all the lack of troop strength. Hitler promised Germany a victory, but his indecisions cost him the battle. Germans, by the thousands were retreating back to the fatherland and the battle was finally over. When the battle started, the Allies numbered some 225,000 men and the Germans totaled some 450,000 troops. The Allies were out gunned and out manned, but prevailed. After the battle the casualty rate was 85,000-100,000 men killed, wounded, or missing in action for the Allies. On the other hand the Germans loss was 68,000 - 120,000 troops killed, wounded, or missing in action. The civilian population around the battlefield in nearby towns also suffered losses up to 3,000 people. Four months later on May 8th 1945, VE day was proclaimed and the hope for eternal peace was prayed for. This new book has been on my mind ever since I watched the movie "Battleground" in 1956 on TV in my Grandparents house while on school vacation. Although released in 1949 the movie has always been one of my favorites. Back then war movies where all over the television, along with Hoppy, the Lone Ranger, and Roy and Dale. The movie depicts "The Battle of The Bulge" like no other that I have seen. A little humor here and there, along with the action that all young boys want, made the movie fascinating. Enduring the cold weather and the onslaught of the Germans captured all in a war movie that I wanted to see. I've read book after book on the battle, and still it intrigues me to no end. Young men put in a position of defending themselves with overwhelming odds, and they pull it off in true American fashion. Imagine yourself being brought back in time! What would you do? What could you do?