Battle of the Bulge

Germany's last major offensive on the Western Front in World War II, fought 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945 through the Ardennes of Belgium and Luxembourg. Aimed at capturing Antwerp and splitting Allied lines, it achieved total surprise on 16 December, but Allied resistance at Bastogne and Elsenborn Ridge stalled the advance, and Patton's Third Army relieved Bastogne on 26 December. It was the largest and bloodiest battle fought by the United States in World War II, and it destroyed Germany's remaining armored reserves.