16 December 2025 00:00 UTC · The White House · White House Statement · Source · Email X Link

Commemoration statement on Battle of the Bulge anniversary

Key points

Commemoration of the 81st anniversary
Allied victory halted German offensive; 19,000 American soldiers killed

TL;DR

December 16, 1944 Nazi troops launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest; the battle lasted 41 days.
More than 500,000 German and 600,000 Allied troops, including 500,000 American soldiers, fought; 19,000 American soldiers were killed and the Allied victory helped lead to Germany's collapse.

Original text

Today, we commemorate the 81st anniversary of the legendary Battle of the Bulge—the largest and deadliest battle fought by American forces in the Second World War, which culminated in a blistering, brutal, and breakthrough Allied victory that ultimately forced the Nazi regime into total surrender. After a series of sweeping victories across Western Europe—including the D-Day landings of American, British, and Canadian forces in Normandy, France—Allied forces were confident that the Nazi army was on the brink of collapse. Desperate to halt the Allied advance and reverse their momentum, Adolf Hitler ordered a massive surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest, aiming to split the Allied lines, capture a vital port, and force peace negotiations on more favorable terms for Germany. On the frigid morning of December 16, 1944, Nazi troops numbering approximately 200,000 men launched their full-scale assault on Allied personnel resting in the Ardennes Forest. Though they initially gained ground, the Germans soon encountered the unbreakable resolve and overwhelming strength of the Allied armies. With reinforcements pouring in, more than 500,000 German and 600,000 Allied troops—including 500,000 American soldiers—battled in blinding snow and sub-zero temperatures for 41 excruciating days, including Christmas, as soldiers held the front lines in defense of our freedom far away from home. The American-led Allies held firm and withstood relentless assaults, halting the German advance and inflicting devastating casualties. They secured a crucial victory, shattering the resources and manpower of the enemy and setting the stage for the Allied invasion of Germany and the eventual collapse and surrender of the Nazi regime. With 19,000 American soldiers tragically killed during the battle, the Battle of the Bulge stands as the single deadliest American military engagement of World War II—a testament to the indispensable role the United States played in securing the victory of the Allied powers and ending the war. Without the sacrifice of our American soldiers, the war would not have been won, and our world today would look drastically different. On the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, we honor the legacy of the soldiers who fought to save the world from tyranny, destruction, and evil. And as we approach 250 years of American independence, we renew our resolve that the blessings of freedom are only secured by the devotion and sacrifices of the patriots willing to defend it.

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Adolf Hitler

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Western Europe