<P> The Germans achieved total surprise on the morning of 16 December 1944 , due to a combination of Allied overconfidence , preoccupation with Allied offensive plans , and poor aerial reconnaissance . The Germans attacked a weakly defended section of the Allied line , taking advantage of heavily overcast weather conditions that grounded the Allies ' overwhelmingly superior air forces . Fierce resistance on the northern shoulder of the offensive , around Elsenborn Ridge , and in the south , around Bastogne , blocked German access to key roads to the northwest and west that they counted on for success . Columns of armor and infantry that were supposed to advance along parallel routes found themselves on the same roads . This , and terrain that favored the defenders , threw the German advance behind schedule and allowed the Allies to reinforce the thinly placed troops . Improved weather conditions permitted air attacks on German forces and supply lines , which sealed the failure of the offensive . In the wake of the defeat , many experienced German units were left severely depleted of men and equipment , as survivors retreated to the defenses of the Siegfried Line . </P>
<P> The Germans achieved total surprise on the morning of 16 December 1944 , due to a combination of Allied overconfidence , preoccupation with Allied offensive plans , and poor aerial reconnaissance . The Germans attacked a weakly defended section of the Allied line , taking advantage of heavily overcast weather conditions that grounded the Allies ' overwhelmingly superior air forces . Fierce resistance on the northern shoulder of the offensive , around Elsenborn Ridge , and in the south , around Bastogne , blocked German access to key roads to the northwest and west that they counted on for success . Columns of armor and infantry that were supposed to advance along parallel routes found themselves on the same roads . This , and terrain that favored the defenders , threw the German advance behind schedule and allowed the Allies to reinforce the thinly placed troops . Improved weather conditions permitted air attacks on German forces and supply lines , which sealed the failure of the offensive . In the wake of the defeat , many experienced German units were left severely depleted of men and equipment , as survivors retreated to the defenses of the Siegfried Line . </P>
where did the allies hold the german advance at the battle of bulge
where did the allies hold the german advance at the battle of bulge
Siegfried Line
Siegfried Line