Maps of World War II 1939-1945

German Counter-Ooffensive through the Ardennes
December 15, 1944 - January 18, 1945

German armed forces achieved strategic surprise in launching the offensive. The relatively weak American military forces blocking their advance managed to slow down the German troops sufficiently to all for an American regrouping which then effectively prevented further progress. The advantage of Allied air superiority was initially hampered by poor weather.