In September 1944, Hitler unveiled his ambitious plan to launch an offensive through the Ardennes, aiming to seize Antwerp and cleave apart the American and British armies. However, it swiftly became apparent that he lacked the requisite resources, notably gasoline, to execute such a grandiose maneuver. Thus, the strategic focus shifted towards capturing American supply lines. The significance of seizing Antwerp and splitting the Allied forces consequently dwindled from the outset of the assault.

Throughout the ensuing series of engagements, considerable time, fuel, and manpower were expended in overcoming the resilient defenses of individual soldiers and small units. In hindsight, the initial objectives of capturing Antwerp and dividing the Allied armies faded in importance, supplanted by the urgent need to secure enemy supplies, particularly gasoline, and control vital routes and bridges leading to the ultimate objective.

Six decades later, upon reflecting and examining a map of Belgium, it becomes evident that these objectives were intricately tied to the northern shoulder of the Bulge: the critical network of roads in St. Vith, the strategic gasoline depots at Francorchamps, the pivotal bridge at Stavelot, and the crucial settlements of Stoumont and La Gleize. These locations emerge as pivotal intermediate military objectives. In a somewhat contentious assertion, it becomes clear that Bastogne and other components of the southern shoulder fail to occupy a similar echelon of strategic importanc