In December 1944, the German army had been retreating since its defeat in Normandy five months earlier. But at 5.00 am on December 16th the German artillery suddenly bombarded the peaceful Ardennes front, initiating what came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge. The story of the Bulge is told at length and from the point of view of individuals on both the German and Allied sides. It is a story of mass surrender and massacre occurring side by side with comic opera and unusual heroism. This was Hitler's last desperate thrust, his final gamble to win the war.