History of Europe

What was the Ardennes in World War 2?

The Ardennes was the site of a major German offensive during World War 2. The Ardennes Offensive, also known as the Battle of the Bulge, was launched on December 16, 1944, and was the last major German offensive of the war. The Germans hoped to split the Allied forces in half and capture Antwerp, Belgium, which was a major supply port for the Allies. The offensive was initially successful, but the Allies were able to stop the German advance and eventually defeat the Germans. The Battle of the Bulge was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, with over 19,000 Allied soldiers killed and over 45,000 wounded.