BATTLE OF THE BULGE 1944-45

On the Morning of 16th December 1944, a Thunder of German guns shattered the stillness of the Ardennes, a relatively quiet sector of the Allied Lines on the German frontier, It was the Start of Operation Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine), Hitler's last gamble on the West .

THE STORM BREAKS

For Months Hitler Dreamed of a massive attack at the Western Allies. Finally with more than 275,000 troops, hundreds of tanks and other amoured vehicles and nearly 2000 artillery pieces, he launched his attack against a sector of the line that Allied Commanders had considered inactive, Warning signs were ignored, and when the Germans assault, Numerous of American units were taken prisoners and pockets of other allied units were being cutoff . Hitler instructed three Armies -Sixth Panzer under SS General Josef Sepp Dietrich, to the north Fifth Panzer commanded by General Hasso von Manteufell, in the centre seventh Army under General Erich Brandenberger.
Southwest of St.Vith , the Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne proved critical to the outcome of the Battle Bulge. Deitrich's amoured spearhead ,commanded by SS Colonel Joachim Peiper, pushed hard for several key bridges over the Meuse and other waterways, destroying and defeating US forces in the way.

 The German Tiger II, Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf B,  Tiger II or King Tiger was the Tiger I's Successor , it was a combined high velocity 88mm (3.46inch) gun and sloped armour from the Panther, in a formidable fighting vehicle, The horizontal lines of Anti-mine zimmerit are faintly visible. It was one of the most feared German weapon of WWII , although due to it's size and weight it also shares mechanical problems and breakdowns, and had poor maneuverability.however the great fire power and impenetrable armour of the King Tiger created the impression of the most powerful amoured force with invulnerable tanks, Can Easily destroy enemy tanks at extreme ranges , for the Allied force a sight of a King Tiger on the Battlefield was terrifying that did a great physical and morale damage to the allies even to the Soviets, It's fame in almost all battlefields in the European theatre earn it's reputation as the most feared weapon of WWII, For the German forces it was the mark of  the German armoured might and War machine and restored morale even in the final days. Especially the havoc that it caused in the Ardennes offensive. Up to the end of the war the allies has still not come up any effective means to counter the German armour.

OUTCOME of the Offensive

The Battle resulted in a disastrous defeat for Nazi Germany. Less than four months later . WWII in Europe was over, His gamble had reached the brink of success. In the end, a lack of fuel, unexpectedly stiff resistance and clearing weather had conspired to bring about a crushing defeat.