Counterattack

16th December 1944, western Europe. Hitler launches his last great gamble in the west. Fanatical Nazi soldiers were unleashed on unsuspecting Americans resting far away from where they thought the fighting would take place. The Battle of the Bulge was underway.

American commanders, earlier that fateful morning, thought the Germans were as good as beaten. British commander Bernard Law Montgomery knew otherwise. The famous Field Marshal had months before raised the alarm, telling the Supreme Allied Commander, General Eisenhower, of the threat. Monty''s warnings were not heeded, and tens of thousands of American soldiers paid the ultimate price.

Shocked and nearly overawed Americans were pushed aside as Hitler''s panzers raced towards Montgomery''s forces in Belgium. Despite the many Allied disagreements and jealous intriguing from some American commanders, Monty, as he was affectionately known, calmly halted and then drove back what was a ferocious assault. Yet, because of this success, his reputation was besmirched by those who could not accept his leading role in the fight. Attempts were made to write his contribution out of history.

This is the previously untold and until now hidden story of Field Marshal Montgomery and his British-led victory over Hitler''s ruthless counteroffensive. This epic confrontation that we know today as the Battle of the Bulge.

In this book the military historian Robert Oulds looks at the key role that the controversial victor of El-Alamein played in defeating Adolf Hitler''s bold surprise attack.

The events of this great conflict are explained to the reader as are the tactics, weapons, armies, the key commanders, and the strategy that Montgomery used to thwart Hitler''s plans. Robert Oulds also busts some long-held Hollywood myths and looks at the enormous controversy surrounding Montgomery.

Now it is time to tell the long overdue story of Montgomery and the Battle of the Bulge.