The German Army launches a massive surprise counter-attack against the American forces in France. 450,000 German soldiers and 1500 tanks take part in the attack. Their aim is to divide the American and British forces apart and recapture the port of Antwerp. Bad weather grounds the Allied airpower and extreme cold and snow slows the Allied response. The Allies are unable to halt the German advance until December 27th. Despite their initial success the Germans eventually suffer a crushing defeat losing over 70,000 men in the Allied counter-attack.