Preoccupied with their own offensives, the Allies thought that the Germans were incapable of a major offensive.ĭespite total surprise on December 16, the Germans were already behind schedule by nightfall, creating a massive traffic jam behind German lines. Attempts to persuade Hitler to adopt a more feasible objective failed since Hitler’s trust in his generals had evaporated following the failed Valkyrie plot. The goal was the destruction of the British and Canadian armies, which Hitler believed would convince the United States to wash its hands of Europe and concentrate on the war against Japan in the Pacific. The plan was simple, wait until weather grounded the Allied air force, and then move twelve panzer and eighteen infantry divisions through the Ardennes to cross the Meuse River. With the Allies pressing against the borders of Germany and the Soviet juggernaut moving east, Hitler gambled on an offensive that would create total victory. Producers: Sidney Harmon, Milton Sperling and Philip Yordanĭirector: Ken Annakin Historical Background Screenplay: Philip Yordan, Milton Sperling and John Melson Cast: Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Robert Shaw, Telly Savalas, Charles Bronson, Hans Christian Blech, Dana Andrews, James MacArthur, George Montgomery, Pier Angeli and Ty Hardin

The tanks ofd battle of the bulge movie