Ardennes Counteroffensive

The words

1. Ardennes

   American commanders had counted on the Ardennes Forest as a barrier. Germany’s surprise attack on December 16, 1944, broke through a thinly held front.

   National Archives: the Ardennes attack (opens a new tab)

2. Brandenberger

   Erich Brandenberger’s Seventh Army protected the offensive’s southern flank. Its mainly infantry force had far less armor than the two panzer armies.

   Ch. IX, pp. 211–212, flank mission and limited forces · Army history: the southern flank (opens a new tab)

3. Bulge

   The battle took its familiar name from the bulge German troops created in the Allied front. Their aim was to split the Allied armies and capture Antwerp.

   National Army Museum: the bulge (opens a new tab)

4. Dietrich

   Josef “Sepp” Dietrich commanded the northern Sixth Panzer Army. Its SS divisions included the formation responsible for the Malmedy massacre.

   Army history: forces and terrain (opens a new tab) · Holocaust Museum: the Malmedy massacre (opens a new tab)

5. Elsenborn

   American resistance at Elsenborn Ridge held the offensive’s northern shoulder. It denied German forces roads they needed to carry the attack westward.

   WWII Museum: Elsenborn and St. Vith (opens a new tab)

6. Greif

   German commandos used American uniforms and equipment to confuse Allied troops. Their sabotage and the rumors surrounding them disrupted the response to the offensive.

   WWII Museum: Operation Greif (opens a new tab)

7. Hodges

   General Courtney Hodges commanded First Army. As the German breakthrough developed, he allowed V Corps to decide on withdrawing toward Elsenborn.

   Ch. V, pp. 102–103, Gerow’s requests and Hodges’ authorization · Army history: the northern attack (opens a new tab)

8. Losheim Gap

   Losheim Gap lay on a German route toward Malmédy and St. Vith. The surrounding terrain restricted movement to roads.

   Ch. III, pp. 44–45, attack routes and restricted movement · Army history: forces and terrain (opens a new tab)

9. Malmedy

   On December 17, 1944, troops of Peiper’s combat group murdered American prisoners near Baugnez, south of Malmedy. The victims had surrendered after their convoy was attacked.

   Holocaust Museum: the Malmedy massacre (opens a new tab)

10. Manteuffel

    Hasso von Manteuffel’s Fifth Panzer Army sought routes across the Meuse. One corps was ordered to seize the St. Vith road network.

    Ch. VII, p. 141, army briefing and corps mission · Army history: Fifth Panzer Army (opens a new tab)

11. Peiper

    Joachim Peiper led a combat group of the 1st SS Panzer Division. Its troops committed the Malmedy massacre; he was later convicted in the war-crimes trial.

    Holocaust Museum: the Malmedy massacre (opens a new tab)

12. Rochefort

    Rochefort linked roads toward the Meuse. Panzer Lehr fell back there after a failed attempt to relieve trapped German troops.

    Ch. III, pp. 43–44; ch. XXII, p. 569 · Army history: before the Meuse (opens a new tab) · Army history: forces and terrain (opens a new tab)

13. Skorzeny

    Otto Skorzeny organized Operation Greif to seize a Meuse crossing and create confusion behind Allied lines. The disguised operation depended on a rapid German breakthrough.

    WWII Museum: Operation Greif (opens a new tab)

14. St Vith

    St. Vith’s roads made it a key objective. American defenders delayed the German advance there, giving the Allies time to respond elsewhere.

    WWII Museum: Elsenborn and St. Vith (opens a new tab)

15. Wacht am Rhein

    Watch on the Rhine.

    This cover name suggested a defensive battle at the Rhine. The actual plan aimed at crossing the Meuse and capturing Antwerp.

    Ch. II, pp. 20–21, cover name and the two-phase plan · Army history: planning the offensive (opens a new tab)