[SAMWolf]

Fuel was a problem and the armor was pretty much road bound, traffic jams were a major problem for both sides. Few of the roads were paved and they were easi;y blocked or bridges blown.

Peiper, one of the most powerful units innn the offensive was thwarted time and time agian by small groups of engineers blowing bridges at the last minute. The Ardennes in winter is definately not tank country.

[Light Speed]

Yes...it would seem their inability to improvise killed the offensive.
An American account of the first days, revealed that a U.S. tank regiment had driven by the Germans..only to appear miles away in the wrong place.
had the Germans reconned this..and acted..they could have busted inland quite aways.
This was mentioned as one of the key tactical mistakes early on...and led to things backing up on the germans in that sector..as you mentioned the road system.
Is it possible the Germans felt the U.S. was fleeing..and were waiting a bit so that the roads would be availble to them..with little contact in the process?.
another Bulge website commented about the lack of German artillery activity..tapering off dramatically after the opening of the offensive.

[PhilDragoo]

What an excellent tribute to the bravery that turned back the last counterattack of the Third Reich.

It has always seemed to have been an element of bold valor--witness the lone bazookaman digging the foxhole at the point where "this is as far as they get".

God Speed the Finest Fighting Force on Earth in its current mission.

Swift victory and safe return, with Saddam's head in a jar.

On behalf of Army vet Ted Maher and his friends at Free Republic, our thoughts, prayers and flag flying 24/7 lit dusk to dawn are for our men and women in uniform.