The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was a major German offensive launched in December 1944 during World War II. It took place in the forested Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, catching the Allied forces off guard and creating a "bulge" in the front lines, hence the name. The battle, characterized by its ferocity and the harsh winter conditions, represented a last-ditch attempt by the German army to split the Allied lines and stall their advance. Despite initial German successes, the Allied forces, under the leadership of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, rallied and ultimately repelled the offensive, marking a turning point in the war in Europe.