They had received little intelligence that such an attack would take place. The Allies were surprised by the attack.The Germans experienced great success to start with. The battle started with a two hour bombardment of the Allies lines that was followed by a huge armoured attack with the majority of the German armoured might based at the Schnee Eifel. However, Hitler, as commander-in-chief of the military, decreed that the attack should take place. On paper, it was a seemingly absurd plan – especially as Germany had been in retreat since D-Day, her military was depleted of supplies and was facing the awesome might of the Allies. Hitler believed that his forces would be able to surround and cut off Canada’s First Army, America’s First and Ninth Armies and Britain’s Second Army. The Fifteenth Army was to be held in reserve to counter any Allied attack when they took place.The Seventh Army, led by Brandenberger, was to attack in the southern flank, as designated by Hitler, and to create a buffer zone to prevent American reinforcements from attacking the Fifth Panzer Army.The Fifth Panzer Army, led by Manteuffel, was to attack the centre of the American forces, capture the strategic road and rail centre of St Vith and then drive on to Brussels.The Sixth Panzer Army, led by Sepp Dietrich, was to lead the attack and to capture Antwerp.
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