Battle of the Bulge Navigation Grand Tour 2019 rit 1

On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a final large-scale offensive against the rapidly advancing Allied forces on the Western Front. As many as 24 German divisions were involved in the offensive. Many of these divisions had just been formed or re-equipped. The aim of the German attack was a breakthrough through the Ardennes that would split the Allied forces. The British and Americans would be separated from each other. A rift between these two allies would pave the way for peace negotiations. Adolf Hitler then wanted to advance further to Antwerp and recapture this important port. Due to underestimation of the German fighting power and the failure of the intelligence services, the Allied forces were completely taken by surprise by the German attack. From 16 to 20 December 1944, German troops advanced towards Stavelot, Sankt-Vith, Houffalize and Bastogne. In the beginning there was chaos among the Allies. Nevertheless, small allied units managed to slow down the German advance (for example in Bastogne). Bastogne was a crucial traffic junction in the Ardennes, dominating the north-south and east-west route. The Allies wanted to defend the city at all costs. The delay in the German advance caused by the Battle of Bastogne proved to be crucial for the course of the offensive. The losses suffered by the Germans during the offensive were decisive for the further course of the war.

This route is specially made for the “MRA NAVIGATION GRAND TOUR 2019”