Final answer:
The Battle of the Bulge was the final significant battle involving the Allies in Europe before they invaded Germany to end World War II. Despite heavy losses, the Allies were able to repel the German counteroffensive, paving the way for the subsequent invasion of Germany and the end of the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The last significant battle in Europe before the US and its allies invaded Germany to bring World War II to a close was the Battle of the Bulge. This battle marked a determined counteroffensive by the Germans who surprised the Allies by launching an attack on December 16, 1944, with around 250,000 men. Their objective was to encircle major parts of the American forces and divide the Allied Armies. The Battle of the Bulge continued intensely until the end of January 1945, resulting in approximately 90,000 American casualties, including those killed, wounded, or went missing. Despite the heavy losses, the Allies pushed back the Germans, who were left so depleted they could not mount another offensive. Consequently, this set the stage for the Allies, including the US, to make the final push into Germany, culminating in Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945.
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