Battle of the Bulge

In one last effort to put off defeat, Hitler launched a desperate offensive on December 16, 1944 that would come to be known as the Battle of the Bulge.  It was so named due to the fact the the American line suffered, and was pushed back; thus, creating a "bulge" in the line.

At one point, the Americans were surrounded and asked for a surrender by the German commanders.  The Americans replied with a single answer: "Nuts!"  In the end, troops were rallied and the Allies were able to push back the Germans.

Although the Americans lost over 100,000 in casualties, Hitler's army could not recover.  The German air force was all but defeated.  The draft age was lowered to 16 in Germany.  Hitler's tyranny was close to an end and the Battle of the Bulge was the largest battle fought on the western front in World War II.  At this point, the Americans pushed into German territory, while the Soviet Union moved in from the East.  The goal: be the first to reach Berlin.

A tank painted white in the Battle of the Bulge.
(Public Domain)

German troops moving passed abandoned American equipment during the Battle of the Bulge.
(Public Domain)