| On December 16, 1944, Hitler launched a surprise attack with 240.000 German soldiers against the 83.000 US soldiers holding the front from Echternach (L) to Monschau (Germ.). It was the Battle of the Bulge and was intended to reach the port of Antwerp (B) within three days, to split the British and US troops and to force the Allies to an armistice. The stiff resistance of the US defenders thwarted that plan and allowed General George S. Patton Jr. to liberate the encircled town of Bastogne (B) on 26th of December 1944 and to attack the Germans at the southern flank. |
