The Battle of the Bulge

World Warr II's Deadiest Battle

Late in 1944, after five grueling year, it appeared the war in Europe was finally won. The Allies had triumphantly regained Naples and Rome. Allied soldiers were breathing easier - even stopping to enjoy dances and parties. Intelligence reports from the Western Front conveyed the picture of a German army low on men, arms and morale. It came as a total surprise when, on December 16,1944, a savage German attack a quarter of a million men strong ripped through this area and pushed a 50 mile "bulge" in the Allied lines.