The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II, fought from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium and Luxembourg. Adolf Hitler aimed to split Allied forces, capture the vital port of Antwerp, and force a negotiated peace in the west. The attack caught American troops by surprise, creating a large “bulge” in the Allied lines as German forces pushed forward through difficult winter terrain. Harsh weather, including heavy snow and freezing temperatures, made fighting extremely difficult for both sides. Key battles occurred around towns such as Bastogne, where American forces held out despite being surrounded. As the weather cleared, Allied air power and reinforcements turned the tide, and German forces were pushed back with heavy losses. The failure of the offensive severely weakened Germany’s remaining military strength and helped speed the Allied advance into Germany, contributing to the end of the war in Europe.