Lecture presented by Lt Col Quirey. The 2 hour lecture discusses the German armies 16 December 1944 launch of the Ardennes counteroffensive or known as the Battle of the Bulge, in an attempt to arrive at the decisive factors influencing its outcome. "In the development of the battle, we will discuss the general situation that led to the German counteroffensive, the allied dispositions, and plans on 15 December 1944, and the German build-up and plans for the counteroffensive. The battle itself will be discussed in broad terms with specific attention to the critical period, 16 December to 26 December, and the reasons for initial success and final failure of the German attack. The defense of two critical communications centers will be developed in some detail. Finally, we will discuss the allied effort to reduce the penetration. After each phase of the operation, we will consider the conclusions which can be drawn as a result of the action discussed. The objective of this presentation, of course, is to determine what lessons can be learned or supported by the battle."