Secrets of World War II episode 9: In 1944 as Hitler faced defeat he tried one last gamble of an offensive on the Western Front. The result was the ‘Battle of the Bulge’. But what the Germans did not know was the Allies were decoding their radio messages. By late 1944, the Allied commanders were confident that the Third Reich was finished. But on December 16, thousands of storm troopers suddenly appeared from the mists of the Ardennes Forest and smashed into the weakest section of the American lines. How could an attack by twenty-five German divisions take the Allies completely by surprise. See the astonishing blunders made and the desperate risks taken in “Secrets of the Battle of the Bulge.”
Learn how Hitler’s “gambler’s instinct” and a rivalry among Allied generals made Germany’s last-ditch a shocking reality. See the electronic computer created to crack unbreakable coded Nazi messages and find out why the Allied command ignored its alarming discoveries. And dig in with the troops at Bastogne in a heroic effort to disrupt the German advance and bring a bloody end to to the Battle of the Bulge.
Secrets of World War II episode 9
You probably know the History, now discover the incredible SECRETS OF WORLD WAR II. Rarely has a war produced such clear cut reasons to fight as World War II. On the one hand were the totalitarian Dictators – Tojo, Hitler and Mussolini. On the other were the great democracies of the Western World which were gradually regaining their feet after the Great War of 1914-18 and the Wall Street Crash. Suddenly, ordinary men and women from all walks of life found themselves thrown into fearsome, nerve-tingling situations worthy of any Hollywood movie. The only difference in this series is that every story is true. Real people emerge as the Heroes of Telemark. Ordinary GIs and US Airforce and Navy personnel suddenly find themselves flying against the Japanese in China, jungle fighting in Burma and being dropped by submarine on enemy coasts at midnight.
These untold stories can now be examined in great detail with the benefit of hindsight, newly-discovered archive film, maps and computer graphics which can complete the picture for today’s viewer. Each fifty-two minute story covers the background to the main action. It will give the viewer a clear view of the historical context, the strategic objective and the tactical effort made by flyers, sailors and foot-soldiers – often in the most oppressive and life-threatening situations – to win victory from the enemy.
This is an inspiring series with a giant canvas including much never before seen colour film. Over 300,000 hours of archive material have been searched for its compilation. Specially orchestrated music and compositions from the great composers all contribute to the excitement and drama of some of the world’s greatest stories of bravery under fire.
It is the largest series of its kind ever produced and with recently released secret footage will give the viewer a new insight into the great untold war stories of World War II. In many cases, this series gives the true stories for the first time this Century.
Battle of the Bulge: The Last German Offensive of World War II
The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive of World War II. It began on December 16, 1944 and lasted until January 25, 1945. The German offensive was a surprise attack against the weakened Allied line in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. The battle was one of the largest and bloodiest of the war, with over 100,000 American and 80,000 German casualties.
Background and Preparations
The Battle of the Bulge was the brainchild of German General Adolf Hitler, who hoped to split the Allied armies and push through to the port of Antwerp. He believed that if he could cut off the Allies’ supplies, they would be forced to negotiate a peace treaty on his terms. To achieve this, Hitler ordered a massive buildup of troops and equipment in the Ardennes, which was a region that the Allies had deemed to be relatively quiet and unlikely to see major combat. The Germans were able to keep their preparations secret and caught the Allies completely off guard.
The German Offensive
On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched their offensive, striking against the thinly-held American lines in the Ardennes. They quickly broke through and began to advance towards the Meuse River. The Americans were caught off guard and were forced to retreat. The Germans were able to gain significant ground and created a “bulge” in the Allied lines, which gave the battle its name.
The Allies quickly realized the gravity of the situation and began to reinforce their lines. They were able to slow the German advance and eventually managed to stop them from reaching the Meuse River. The fighting was intense, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The weather also played a major role, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures making it difficult for both sides to move and fight.
The Turning Point
The tide of the battle began to turn in favor of the Allies on December 26, 1944, when General Patton’s Third Army began a counterattack against the Germans. The American forces were able to break through the German lines and begin pushing them back. The Germans were also running out of supplies and were unable to maintain the momentum of their offensive.
The battle continued for several more weeks, but it was clear that the Germans were losing. On January 25, 1945, the Germans were forced to withdraw, and the Battle of the Bulge officially came to an end. The Allies had suffered heavy casualties, but they had been able to stop the German offensive and prevent them from achieving their objectives.
Conclusion
The Battle of the Bulge was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War II. It was the last major German offensive of the war and was a desperate attempt by Hitler to change the course of the conflict. The surprise attack caught the Allies off guard, but they were able to quickly reinforce their lines and stop the German advance. The battle was a turning point in the war and marked the beginning of the end for the Germans. The battle is also remembered for the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in it.
