Battle of the Bulge

An American intelligence officer tries to warn skeptical commanders of a massive German armored offensive building in the Ardennes forest. As the attack unfolds, U.S. forces scramble to hold key crossroads towns against Panzer divisions. The film dramatizes the desperate defense that became known as the Battle of the Bulge.

Hitler's last major offensive in the west, launched December 16, 1944, aimed to split Allied lines and retake Antwerp, catching American forces by surprise in the Ardennes. Fierce resistance at towns like Bastogne and St. Vith, combined with clearing weather that allowed Allied air support, blunted the offensive by late January 1945.

The film has been widely criticized by historians for its inaccurate flat terrain, exaggerated tank numbers, and compressed timeline, diverging significantly from the real battle's geography and events.

Germany's last great offensive in the west aimed at Antwerp, struck a thinly held front in winter fog, and was halted short of the Meuse.

American units were overrun or encircled in the first days; the 101st Airborne and attached units held Bastogne until Third Army broke through from the south. Clearing weather returned Allied air power and the salient was eliminated by late January.

Directed by Ken Annakin

Cast: Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Telly Savalas, Robert Ryan

Positioned at December 16, 1944 - January 25, 1945 within the Winter 1944-1945 phase of the war, as part of the Ardennes Offensive. This is entry 130 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Battle of the Bulge
• Ardennes
• Bastogne
• Panzer offensive
• 1944

• 

  Battleground

  December 19-27, 1944

• 

  A Midnight Clear

  December 20-25, 1944

• 

  Saints and Soldiers

  December 1944 - January 1945

• 

  Band of Brothers

  6 June 1944 – 8 May 1945

• 

  Hart's War

  Winter 1944-1945

• 

  Is Paris Burning?

  19–25 August 1944