What was the primary focus of the German military during the Battle of the Bulge?

The primary focus of the German military during the Battle of the Bulge was a winter offensive in the Ardennes Forest. This surprise attack, launched on December 16, 1944, aimed to split the Allied forces in the Ardennes and capture the key port of Antwerp. The Germans sought to encircle and destroy the Allied armies, thereby giving themselves a strategic advantage in the war. The difficult winter conditions in the Ardennes were intended to provide the German forces cover for their assault, relying on the element of surprise and the challenging terrain to achieve their objectives.

The operation was characterized by its ambitious goals, including the expectation that it would demoralize the Allies and potentially compel them to negotiate a peace settlement. The challenging weather and terrain were critical aspects of this plan, which is why the offensive's location in the Ardennes was significant. This move also represented a last major effort by the Germans on the Western Front before they began to lose momentum.