Monday's Movies

I am not sure what the Allies were thinking when they planned the Hurcan Forest and Ardennes Forest battles.  Hurcan Forest did not have a real objective because it was so difficult to get through, and they did not really need to get to the other side.  Then these poor soldier were sent to the Ardennes Forest to recuperate where it was supposed to be very far from the war.  Without any warning or reinforcements they were fiercely attacked.  What were they thinking?