Battle of the Bulge (December 16, 1944- January 16, 1945)
Patton's Third Army, fighting south of the Ardennes, disengaged from the enemy, turned north, and, within several days, engaged the Germans in the Ardennes and relieved Bastogne. By December 22, the German advance had stalled, while the Americans were able to mass more and more men and armor. In January 1945, the Americans attacked from the north as well, but were unable to cut off the German retreat. However, the bulge was closed and the Allies again went on the offensive, this time against considerably weakened Germans, who had used most of what they had left in the Ardennes Offensive.