On 16 September 1944, General Alfred Jodl outlined the situation on the Western Front : 96 Allied divisions were facing 55 German divisions. Ten more Allied divisions were known to be on their way to the front from the United Kingdom, where there were also five Allied airborne divisions. Hearing this, Hitler announced that Germany should attack out of the Ardennes with the objective of taking Antwerp. This book analyses the strategic and political complexities of the outcome of this singular flash of Hitler's much-vaunted intuition. Intended to split the Allied armies, disrupt their supply lines and fatally divide their political leadership, the German counter-attack came dangerously close to fulfilling its objectives but it was, as everyone now knows, Hitler's last desperate gamble in the West and defeat inevitably followed its failure.

The German plan for a counter offensive --The Allied positions -- The weapons -- The Sixth SS Panzer Army attacks -- The Northern shoulder holds -- The Fifth Panzer Army destroys the US 106th Infantry Division -- The Fifth Panzer Army breaks through the US 28th Division -- The Allies react -- The 1st SS Panzer Division thrust to the West -- The battle for St. Vith -- The battle for Bastogne -- The US Third Army attack from the south -- The Germans drive for the Meuse -- The Allies counter-attack.