Originally Posted On December 16th, 2017

"To the German Commander.

NUTS!

The American Commander."

- General Anthony Clement McAuliffe

The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the largest battle fought on the Western Front in Europe during World War II; it is also the largest battle ever fought by the United States Army.

The German push toward the Meuse River partially hinged on the capture of Bastogne, a small Belgian town that served as a vital road junction. The area was the scene of frantic fighting during the first few days of the battle, and by December 21, German forces had encircled town and pinned the U.S. 101st Airborne Division and others inside. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the town’s defenders responded to the siege with cheery defiance.

Along with facing down enemy gunfire and shelling, troops at the Battle of the Bulge also had to contend with the punishing climate of the Ardennes. The Nazis held off on their offensive until dense fog and snow arrived and grounded the Allies’ superior air support, leaving both sides to grapple with near-Arctic conditions.

The Third Reich’s much-feared Panzers drank gas, and by late-1944, the flagging German war machine was having difficulties scrounging enough fuel to keep them running. The Nazis set aside nearly 5 million gallons for the Battle of the Bulge, yet once combat operations began, poor road conditions and logistical missteps ensured that much of the fuel never reached those who needed it.

The Ardennes Offensive was a massive gamble on the part of German dictator Adolf Hitler, one that he lost badly. After this battle, the German never went on the offensive ever again.

“They’ve got us surrounded—the poor bastards!”

- US Troops in Bastogne

The end of the year is here and I'll be doing things differently next year and will be launching patreon. Also, remind me not to do any more art with snow again next time I thought It's a good idea. On another note, next art will probably have nothing to do with MHT and for the next few months.

Special thanks to Cloud Roller on Furry Amino who let me have his fursona as a part of this art.

I use CLIP Studio Paint EX for all my artwork

"United in this determination and with unshakable faith in the cause for which we fight, we will, with God's help, go forward to our greatest victory."

- General Dwight David Eisenhower