Hitler hoped to sow dissension among the Allies. The thrust was between U.S. forces in the south and British in the North. In the 1940 Battle of France, Rommel’s advance was between the French and British lines. The lack of coordination and communication allowed him to flank the French Army, a situation which contributed to the disaster. Hitler was hoping for similar confusion in 1944. The American insistence on a unified command in the West, and Eisenhower’s level headed leadership spoiled his hopes.
For logistical reasons Montgomery was given command of some U.S. divisions north of the Bulge. The 28th Infantry Division, under his command, and British forces, kept enough pressure on the Nazis northern flank to prevent them from reinforcing their spearheads.
I understand, but in the end, what could he accomplish beyond lengthening the war a few months? The end was inevitable.
The 28th, which had the misfortune of being directly in the Germans' line of attack to the east of Bastogne, was not in the north but was directly east of Bastogne, which was actually more to the south than to the north along the 80-someodd mile front the Germans had opened.
The 28th Division held the Germans up for three days, and was always under the command of a General named Cota - that is, if my reading is correct. I wasn't around at the time...
This story doesn't get out much because, as some have pointed out, the destruction of an infantry division doesn't play as well on TV as other stories that had a more favorable outcome for the participants and their families back home...