Both Nordwind and the Bulge were lost causes. Like so many other operations I guess Hitler looked at the map and saw his divisions and decided them to do this and that. But he forgot about logistics (much like his pet Rommel) and that cost him dearly. Initial success and then bang! Stopped dead in your tracks.

I have argued many times over that the biggest problem the germans had during the war was their lack of strategic thinking and inovating new tactics as the blitzkrieg faded. Many operations were a success due to blind luck. As the war progressed the Allies (and especially the USSR) managed to slow the germans behind schedule, and the logistic problem raised its ugly head.

__________________
'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942