Historical Context: December, 1944

Newell, South Dakota residents turned out for a Sunday feature at the Arcade Theatre Dec. 10, seeing the latest episode in the popular family series Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble (1944). (See Movie Facts).

From a historical perspective, the Battle of the Bulge in Western Europe will begin in a few days — December 16. It will be the Nazi’s last attempt to alter the outcome of the war following the June 6 landing of Allied troops at the beaches of Normandy, France. It is now winter, and the Germans hope to cut through the Allies, in effect cutting in half the liberating forces. The offensive involves more  than 200,000 German troops and nearly 1,000 tanks. They are launched in the Ardennes Forest, a 75-mile stretch of  dense woods. German tanks push westwards through the American line, creating the “bulge” that gives the battle its name. Allied forces opposing the Germans  eventually total more than 700,000 men. The battle will last 41 days, ending Jan. 25, 1945. The Allies will hold.