REF ID:A557761
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f,'ften the Coun.~ffena1ve nc laumsh9d at appzraxiat.l.T OS)() 011 16 ~ber, the ~int. lny had thne Ooiope on tbe lino, nol'tb to l'OU'Ult tile mtti, tbe fth, Qi \'ltftb Col¥•t Meh OCO\lP7ittc its . JUiU•. ~- •lT OctObe,.. ot theae, u. ~ nr e.nat u. ...ot:itral. V <-.o~• •"• pn-oe~Ud nth otf•naiw• o-r their own, the - tom~- t:o Bjitur. COtoCD11 afid tho i.t.te- \be aon. Riff!' t:Ums.. Ou th• other ho.nd• tJte 8o)Ut.Mn2 T.U1 Cot'})B ooourbd • qniet, d.eteoeiv• &;ootot\1 Pll'tust note the :pasi tion~ t!rd ~· siu of the thr" CO!"pe on th~ 'l'welfth U'my iroaP' it O«>) Situation lf•p ot J.11200 DeOClllbel" iia th& hon~1sp,eu. 1'he Gitz-M~ .fl~\ w&a MaYiest against. tho: eoutht"m sector occupied b:f. ~ 11Il Cetl'ft'- 7 and d~r.et.ll>Od mrwsrd.,. ill four ot tbd 'nlJ Cor; f!. div.biOl\S '\t'&lS'~ e;t~ \'n 16 ~~ber, by an identiflro ten~\~ d1v116~ •ns th• V ~f'PS •• attiu:ked t.ainly ouly on ita south•m fluk. t.M 99th riinaton adJatlent to +.he VIII Corpti w~a 11a&ault.ed 11,S" el~ts 01' 12 \\U;ay cU'tdafona.. :;;onth to north, the 211d ~n.i 7Sth Di vi&iona of 'the l C'.o.l'}a \'ri.\o \qlt"e U.r27~ th• ujor burden ot th• V Corr• otteoaive, n~·e not a22au.t~ cm th• 16th by infantry !'m.•·4f1f1 11 the 2d rec•i't5~ SQM ho«tJY !'-Ullill(~ rnrther north, &djac&nt to tho O\l!nt.rall V CorN1, •htt VIl Corp9 waa not strloktm during the rui,-, and aofttinued its O'lrai C)ffemdTe unt..11 21 ~natb&rp when i~ was relined and Y1 thd.Hlm to Bel-«i• for '1ttfl)Uite11
Tbti corpCJ hdd the opiaion tluit tbe l\n$my reg_arded bin d•t'enH of tf:e SIFJ.lfRl!D Line arr.! e.f th• .UOHR-• OW CO?Tidor ~.,o tba RUIU? as vital. n1~ Mrtc:ma d•fettff W&a EapHted, o.lld a contiaJnt> ti.on ot hi• 4•t~ MUJ ~ pneral np.rdGd aa tb• Flul'T ..,- cap&• billf.J' •n4 l.,_ntlot1. tilt lol.T8 txplOted ~ttnttt.okac agaiut ~JR~r~oan p6netl"S.tio~s. ·
- - - Ml•n th• Vlll Oorrs aHiwed 1 tit HO~ on 4 Oetobtr, 1t eat.is&~ t.ht\t. &\ i.«e~ tor poJ.1Ucal~_,_~,,~· 41116117 ftJi nqulreci to hold t.h• Bllm'IID U.. at itll ••ta, to 1i014 ·th-. 4115.ed to:rc•• .,n th& lt••t&ra front., •nd th$t \he tlnf.1 ~ terlt.>U8 d•f"en~• trafi e:xpee.ted .. Thf! Oorpe continuad thla opinion, nnd on 9 tleoob6r ntorded th.ti onaiy pz.·ilHl"Y 11.b,lllt,' end illt.6ntion aa tte conUlw.ntiou. ot hi• OW'H~t active d.ef•ff• SS.• praotiCtt Of giving MW d1Yi.dOU ~rl.&ll9 OU the VIII Corp• t'ront,then scnng t.Mm clen?t.•T• ~e9t~ the enesy'& llH11"9 t.hl'\t the 110n 1~:·a.iu quiet :tm ir.acth·e§ Count.eNtt6eu t.o MH'!Wrfl JICflitioba and n1n.!'orc...,.entii f'r'QrJ Naeneo -qi;re_un~eoted unleetJ thl'l f-~t·"'•l' :'olt ~PE VI:Il Ooi"iD l:"(f.f. :tOiMrtJ.zt& llli o:f'fenativ&. Cl&n&tt fOrtwl! lt&H oonuiderea to 'bGt Yecy lh• in qullit,r.,
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· · -. . AdJtO\m\ t,o •1td oo:r\h· o!' tD .defu.ivo VIII CoJ'P6, ~ V GOJ'f'fl. %aS ongapd · 1n ott.,JiTI! act.ion dtU"ing iro~t of th• pff'!cd .6ectober-l' liee:Jecber, nnd it~ attitutde ioftl'd& th• ...,.,. iwtenU&l• i.Ue• ·•• ~U1U"ld a.ptu\ U. Col1>9 on opwaU... •• nu\$..cu w th• TCorpa drift•• J~cord1ug tc th• COrp• deecr.tption,_ * ~ lltl'or.g:cy- land det.eml~ re1tiatri tM V Col"pil ad9anM11,. p&riiculal"~ in ~ lllR'l'GD Forest. 4tlcl ~ SCCl~!DT nct01a.a.. "?hi~~.Cloteml-4 · . de!ai:ms·•• 11pdri •• t'he.cunot and ai:eo~ •.Mtl7'•. ~al>ilit,. b.1' -~·1 c'l)rr:~ :O•a Jst•t• ot 6. neeu~... HoweYo~,.,mtpt. C(Nft~ . ~'trt'-~b lfi:tti- a•11'b~ ff8tu:vea could ~ ~~~ as a ~ct.io~ to . 'ff Co?r·e ~ne\r~tifln~t 1-11:uch &tit thra Gem.::tn q~ o! ~4f.-ne ·ms . 91 0 . .• : :~~ ~ *.:~1;;~f=:;;~·7 7Z~;:}~f~:;~_&!;Z1~~crsf~ · . · · · Sillil6J.'t0'.'tli& ·c.,ntNl 'f. COi-ps, the· :Mrt!i~t Corp~-ot : 'th~ First. J.my, .U. Vl!th,, tt'O;f! oc-:npifftd 'ld:Ut •n otr.eaf,ye·-ou 16. llfftMbot-~ and h.:td ~ ~ fi1Cll£ed eime 1>-l)a,-, 6 J'UUe 1'he current, "dri·•ff ·-qa· · . 1~ aw~i.q- .u.cfl!?f '\o 1Htise KOLi, &!Id had bun lamtclted tm 16 ~-~rd ~1t.ltin a wu~k of GJle1~t1ou, thtl V?I CorF• d eon$1!!~red th& _, >Jnirul.1'' a oo~t likel.7 Cflptbillt:r to ~ his 004t.1.nnod acti'ff dl!tena ot hia poait1o~s. Henvy en~ lotl~ Md betm conz;tatly l"'ttplaeerl f.:lm-ing th4r period~ a~ tti.. ~l Corpa wo.nditr..t ho• losg the cl9fenae cou~d i:r.mtin'U0 in thi.J t'aOO: ot tho lon. l"&te Al)d ~-n- ' - • ,: -:. ; _, .. •• • • ' - ~ ' .,_' < ::.-~ ~;..,... -: ;_ ~ ~ ,,.., '+ -_- ~ 0 .- l , ~' - > , ....;~ ", ... _"~.-' ~ - ~ • '>. ""'. ~ _ ~-~T•~~:__.::'~-"' •- :~ ~ :-·~,_--: ~vf':~,..: ·~ _: '• ';. _...:.._-.:; ~~~:,~~~--~-~~~~:l:~~'~f ;~~'i;;~,~-,~!.d:.'.'.~f~~~~l .• REF ID:A5577~f • -_·• j
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· o~~ the n Ra Hrioqq wo..i.d, and he Pa b\Wn'opWd wb!l~ undu •o-rp~ilUe His ~nee WU qustiOM~. - - _ > ' ' • > L .. < - d' ~ .. • ~ ' LM • > ~ J ~ 0 1. · ·. zrote b teto t.mlt t.Mse tour. d.at.a were the onl;r 01lt.!6 · ot ~it tirhiich ffre .toH&lded to 'the VIII corpa Niadquater• b.r th• Corpe · di'f'.1~ -prior·._,· 16 .~bl<~. . !he Corp• J~nt· ot tb• ~ · inter·"1 ;;~· "·\, \' < ...~;: "...... :_::·-'.?/~::~~:.~:;:.~~~:.t:.':-:L~p~~~ :~.. -.;:::.. ~... : .. ~... ~~·::;:.; - - ', ... -- : :!~ ....· .. 1,~~~~ -~;! ~-~· ~ ~~:.~·~·-,. ~~~:·'t;:;:~".' . ,. ;. :~· ;~~'. .- && i10tuento ot tiro- U-.:hi• aud • t'" Tehlcle•- he«. Qich no ,PatteMJ.. .r . oOul4 tie ...... ~Noi"e,..• ....,•• ..Uritf" ... Mt~.w.... . " and 1n•ct1n, U.it.d to patl-oll1~ and ~to.U't1Uer.r. all r10~1ugge1r.tiff ot agnar.h·~'_intenfiicm. to th• t?I! C~o- Urtlike it.r eov.tJ1r.n VIII Oot'P• ue1ihbor, the l' Corps did l'l.)t poe~ern f!V1d®Ce or tn. 1!ai·fir.fil.~.i tttaok'.' .Ratbtt.r, it atuc~ •iellD •xlstfld t.h$ T Cor.P• cU4 no\ Neognt?:e thin. It poiltt&aaed tw zpecial data rettwbl1.1JS tba\ of in. VIII Corpe whii:h QR i ta tac. nlue 1M1M't4 to point to· a b...-anlt't 92IM1* a.cri;ioa. TM eetq• c; awona naistuoo to ths Y ~'• t\ffe~.11i·tl• opttttt!o.:ntt prior to l6 December Wl'$ i ...... J>ntod aa apeoW nacUon. Air reoomzaionnoe d14 t20t rwMl at.t•ok sieru.. !t tr.it nt'gllc1bl•·dul 'W bad nst.ner..... but Yifhen rlighte w•r• fiottn thq clid !'!Ot. d1aolo$e lnf011Uti-n data. A ~~; *1r t · actiYitJ' wr.s 11trply ~t.~rt ot thtt otrens!w iro-undeope:rattona, nthfJr i thaa 1"'COnnai1nnce tor i.llforantion.- ". "i -. . . e:S.1d.li!r to UWt v eo~•• tU 'nl ~:rp:s tt«a pre-or.oupied nth its oiim of!'ttnei'ff durttti '-'3a pn-&ml'krottm11n ptr1od• and the _ __,., • d•f•MiTe a<'tion l«t'ltt the ~ct«t l"NCtion, 11hitm •• no\ tm . _•'~ok ~· ~ ~~:r ayaptclle we~• M\M. by the Gorn•\ .. . : 1' .· . : ~:f' ''~fl-:T~ttAftiaHft:,;._- -·· · . --- -~ . - . ,_.f "' l ; -·~:':~··-·:Alii~~~- ·-, :_-- -:~~;~ \_-~ ;·,: ! . .. :; . . . " ""· - ' ., ~ ...... , ~ ~ ', . . REF ID:A5577.~1 ...,, I . '. "~ ' . . ,• .
. tollot:ld 'tdt.ll .latf.Mtea on J, 91 19 Cctober, Ma 9 hC...bv~ ~ · of. tht )d: itD:f _& ~~r da11ltk ttith O{JUDWin'Mll.48" 1n Be:lgtva ·~ f.l.1'XC:aboUtg-., .. Aa ·MUM~ WU 1nt:.tN1 IV" th• ., Co!'pa Ol\ 6 h~, ·· ··. ' en4 "ibat or U. '1I.Ccl'P• aa Oil the 9tb. · · · ... : .. ·, ..... , __. .· .. to.bii;hl,r .• .taken ~ -_·'.~~·.:._'·I• :....pee\ aignit10$~\ dab'1 t.:1~ . . ·. th&\ ~· 1.1\t .Y.tn. Cort>• rft•1•" 1l'lton-.Uol\ that o8teil-141' 1itcUeatt4 · •tt ~inc -.i~ ott--.t.w _. t9 ...,... · Tht•• ~ t• data:· ... · ·.~ind~ 1tf 41~-oaa ·~un--~ lot tew·4Qw prta tf> J.6. Dec..tir.. · ;>_'.·.:·-.ill~~ .. ~~.~ ril!J.~~ou ~al, ~-Cori• c1.-1a10- ·~ rtW$..'\ . . · .: · .~!tt..-Jiut oni1 t.O'ar ..-, t~ttd to .~ lllI Coq>a,. "- .'111•• .. ', ·:. · ..: ..~~~t~,~~P ~~~.. ~-.t ~por-tion. !'beu. _., • ttw tar~ da!Jl ocnc~ ·. · · ..... tfl4 -~«1'.i~ ·~ tn~1c •. t.M one ~tainitlf; to too. t-uild""~ . : ,.i~~1C\n.P~4~;'hW_.,.e~~Zia.n ~ll intentn", ·~~~ ol.al.a.ot :·.·:·. ·=.:"un:1tijl~nt.~t,4fi:·~~.-b1:•:-~;.:.~U t~.~ta ·ne&"s.'i,a_Jt ~ · ·. :·:>:~~~\·'.~· re;.q:~a:•~~~~tt~'! ;:~d:;~~~!~!:.fti::.~:~::;: btl~. ., ..,:_· .... :_', :: :'i:re:~;~1'.10tf&: -~ ~ &it«,·:~·~'\.~~-.~~. ·. { - .' ' . ' - ~ ' . ;ri-~1a C>thcr ~~11...... kch of tb t.l'~ ~11· rec.t~ .G""2 i~nee"' f'tce ~r and adJ1'ce.nt CClM'll.t:.MB. Q.. 2 i'w1o'~-'" ::- .... ··· · ""·~· :: ·'" · · . ·. '4.'l ~u.: WIJ,.ttei,{iv th# n11: ~~ tt.t -~ ~io,. .~ ,.·:· .....~~r~•'-1tt. ~·-• ~·" U4 &e .._..... _.,n.., •·.. ' ~ut'4. lt~--~liU~M 'Ot the •tt4,t.'• ~ ,,_, w.t J-ft.ehttd ·-.U1
. •, . Bpfl'cix~t~Ji. f>ll7l1° .Ond.1*£ cf th•· l7tho. I~ a... 2··pof-10if1c of ·l~ :U.or4~lb~ ~t tit• att.18 1'!4t onll' • oamit.rat.tlok to ndoH. to.t pGltit~. Thie ril"Y Wtt• tttbtft_doe~ftvr tt.a tji\ tb&t~ ~-~.. . . . · J?Oe5'S"'4·bt ~ .houra two aopi~• •f' tl'-.e ~t.m..,..1n-Cbi.t W..t.•.a · . ~ ~~.:~-~- ~'-~ :, ~-of. ~ ,tw• ~16 ~~l"'i ·pt~k.S•u.a th& rJoulltA10t't«fa1v•· tiO • : · · -, .. -... tat-UC.U t_...¥.-;- :ca. cow f,.. th• Y-COq1J WQ•~nc.1¥-4 at. a;o. · .... · ·<~~~;~.:~.}:·/~~\;~;.·~:~·-~.::~; ...~~,·~:·:·:·: .~;"~i~~~I~ii~f ~-~~- .. .: ~ -~biwi ~A-r~i.ud u •11 Cd at.t.lu.* '&p!ut, . ·;. ·~ -~~.--~·,,~~~~~ ~~ ~--"~~ -~~. ttt~,,~llD~ -~· . . . !#~~,:·~'.~• ·.f~·:;;.,.·~·:~:t 1~~;i:!]·_:~~~r:s~::1:>:l~~,.J~~-.1. • REF ID : ASS 7 7,_fi\l - . ) --/
'· t ·the )~"tWJ.U'T bc>tv&en tl!n two cor~a. • The. aow-u ot thi~ dt\ta or tb.Gf re~us·~ lor ~hf* opinimi Y<01•e not ~t."ttd-. f.nt.t:rel;, p::>i~-.iblo)J howl3V'...i.:',, t.ho "I C<;rr;, G.. 2 d$?"lvt-4 t!".: ~ OiJin.3.oruJ fro..., •~:-1·.·nit' 1t.au:r.ee!.t• t.h• - t~niu orw lxdn:; tht)' o•rtur: I! ~~.rt. of tho Von P.uvdsteat. t1rd.n.l' ot tM D.&7 ftUM".>bC1~ the. CQUl!ltuof'fendve., 'title docnt!Hmt ~1.ia CllJ•tured 17.r tlie 99t.h Div!~ion1. isr:d ~· \o .i-ho V Co;rrl! e-.; at. 1'50-A~ wh> doubtlttns .tilwJl'&d 1t tG tho u-2.. Thi- Corps a..;2 tJl~H·•bJ' l•ttd Sfl' :ntl hour& to cor~.:.- 1\~d~r ii$ 11ertninc., Dru" tns th11 dlly', ~o~r, tu v Cct-r-' 1•$tw.rtJ~• - »: -~d~"1 ~ 1nC..\$ctat1<>n oi ~ti' "~pi·o"'ttnd-m ot tke $n4m7' a objectiwt -. 'arid intil1ttiotU;f4 lnte1li8'}rtC1e Sw-'J~tr!~j Of 0600, L.."'00.it 1900J: ~i\d "· .. ·2400. ttff8(U•lb~ O;)fli"t1~riG >Jn'.f.:', ·~J:t!lo-~t. ®.,.~ttrtblt;; ft~ to t!:r·i:r O"t~fl'all id,u"ni!ie~nce~ Their o~ _C!f!«tdtta act1.on ;,n3 contf.n;.etf throughout t~ : ,&\,r ty-~th~· 2d, -4!~ ?~tlf,.nt~a~t'n-c~- wb!eh ~azfl': :t10t a'!;~9k~~~ •x~>f',pt'. t<:r.r '.' [email protected] eh&lli.~.o ,,Ce t;na othf~, l'•nd1 th• 99th,;. ~irrg -aottla:ll:r G•nulted.$., · .~: it:aln~·Jn&d :po~tlt),ti$:t'p!~,~bi!-ty pr•~•iir~l~~.. ,t'\n.tirl~ 1f'# .-~n~:r ~ :: ',_ liJt.r.!ltitmi' 1't6td.~-ed intense a~tillory !it!d l'!c:t•t1'" _t1r1'1t coric'htct.tld 1<';1{:~1 nmmt rt .t":t t U\~):;~ .~ ·> -Nit< tarn -~.rtd':t..oal pOtt;i 'tiO:'.l~ ~ end r,11.!.nUi.lnsd. C>:mt:tot, . >tYjth tr..e .?.d, f:ivirion on 1te lltft(nortb}o -- · .· . · !n a~lete centn!'t to tbe- mt ft:cprs awi Pllrt.illt,- w t.ha\ of' the Vth, the TI! (';(n'I:t: "i!\~ not atteu:!.lted by the ..~ally on the iht.h,· ·exo•;:t. !or :-o~'1 trJ t~t.. a :':IX C!Jt'l"I 11\t midnight 21 t~tJtJd."ltrr., ..,h!-napon the VIIth··ithdrstt !~w P..-lg1tlm :tor."' p&rticir· tica in th4' Cotintero!fitP.. td.ve"
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.M\,unt to ud mrtla or the d.r..aift Tm Corp., the 1' Corps waa eniapd 1n of.fec.aive action chu-1.iig so:rt of tht paled 6$otobtt-lS V.cwber, art! 1~ 1ttitutdo toA.rds th-9 ••7'T'• potenllil... iU~n 11:11 Sieum-ed agaiaat th• Cws>• own O?WaUou, •• re«c\iou to th• V Corrai driffSo Acoording te tbe Corpe deecripUon, t.ha 4)1l87 otrol>ily and df'tel'llilnedly naiatld ths V Cort,• adft.noes, partl.nl&rl;r in ~ lmt~!!~ P'ore~t and tl'A SCCHMlDT nc1oaa. Thia d.t..J"lllnad det'w.~ •• Npl'ded •• ~ curren\ and Ul-~Ud. e--r • c:apabUU•7 ... _, tlla 'I Ool'pa·G-2 Eatmate ot 6 hclel>er. IOwnv, Jl'QSP\ ~ stt.•etb nth aftilable rtt.sa:...-es oould bt a~~ •ii a reaaU~ w Y eorr.a pen•tra\iontrj iu~. U· th• ~n _,..ta ot d9£etiH a. though to ba ba•ed ~ll 1=-ediate ooun'\ei· aation' tq •aintd.a tbt bat.tlo p>aition~ ·
' . 8J.UO to ~ omtrol V Cor,Jtt, the ~t Corps ot the Fir"t .~, the Vl!th, 'lfU "c~i"d with an ot't.ashe on 16 n.o.i.r, ~.nd. !uJ boon llO encnt!s.d elnee D-tay 1 6 Jun.so Tbe cmrnnt drive 1:l'!S f~ ttppl"O:ciatoq A..l\CfiE! to se tH KOUl, dl.l'kl hsd been launched on 16 ?:cn·~~r.., )it.hin & Yeak of o_?e!'tltioo•, ~ VII Co.rps d~cid9d ~ ~t~J\'\1 cor.,1.t1eYGd hi~ detene~ c: th•? .1A:.Bm;c.cn.LOGn conidor as vi t.l t~ tl:e mm.K, ;1.!d tbe 001'{·z r-2 ! tiJ&.'lt. o! 9 1'eoet11~. oonddered tM ~rum·•'• a=~rt likely c11.pahillty to ~a his eont.irn.»d aotiv• t'ktfen2e or ~ia poa1tiorur. H1tliV,- 91!8£T.f loswtf bad been constatly repla'led durin:; tha ~iod 1 a~ t.h& m Co1-rs wnd~r~d hO'fi loai the d9tense could ~mn 11\ t1M tar» ot tk• lo•• nt. u.d ~ nn 4F&nd tor Voclpa ttr19ing 1D. the !IC.JUth., f?-is !st.1J11te nprded u hi~ probable a 1Jooot..enetaoi: rlth f'ltMt11nb of t.h& •~T'• SJITH Paner A'rt!ry ~ UM: Cprpz raschel.i tit:l etio:t bank or tJie !W!R iiver.. Jd at S!?unkf'lttwm bid•nas
\. Of t.h• thrt• corps, t..~ Vllltb acquind the on1;r 01teQible .. · .~ evid.enee ~r an imp•l'ld1ng st.~ok on a aajcr scale.. '?bat 11, Corp• ·f/ . ·· 41vhoa.e obtained enn data, "8t,as IK"tittd ln tbe. J'orw&Nhte ot later- , ,. ~ Mt.10'::.\ a.i [tC~sfo!'.\1 the Vll! ~OJ"p8 C•2 m18 ~tit'1ed Of only four Of ·. j \ those ~Ten data .}vri.or to U-..e 16 ~ceml-t01r at.taok. SiJlile or oollootly~~, f 1, ~ th•~ four data ~re ma•rl Mll;r dight 'f.lPOll •ilieth t., pNdi~t.e an f'f .' accun.to predic\ion ar • ujor tmirt5y eotmt.erblow.., la •~pe ud NU&• t~ility of' inforunt1'1 thft'y W0ff 110"1.B• weak. .Two Uta OOOCamd \', inuea~D( enellJ" whie9lar activ1t7 duri:ag thel2•15 ~~r J*l'loG• but. t ~ no l)Qttem or aoUoll ooul4 ~ deriffd t?'01ll\ the aft'tlral, separated \ inotances. .A C:ri.l.i.f.n tux~i>Jurg wo1um turned h~fflf in t.o t. di'rialo1'1ll H~ \ClC on l4 'Doc•ber, and ducr!bed aoa• ...,- lmlld•Uf in t.be 1'IADE.!f- J. , . ~ImaG •rff1 bat her oaptAlrl• ti'ri..llion declared '13t. eh• had noted ·\~thing or a!litarJ' d1Dltica?\ff on her -.Im t.n..-.,1 rout.. l PW ns
: , He ca14 Jla be.d arriTed on·tt.. hon on th• pnrrtou.attemoon, ~ · · u Wlkno1m um\,. llhich •• pwlled ou\ am ln-iete4 ttW an attack bf.tweert ._ · -~ 1'7 Dtroallbir a\\d Obri•••1 ~ ... Pf d1ct Mt ..... if tb9 hoot 1l9ft to be .np.entai, c1111aoa, or tu uUn tioatl '- tM. Ollpta'irJC dl"11coa . . REF ID:A557Tt;l ~:) 1.
ohl'-9.ir.... feij 1. the l>'-1 wa~ ser$.ousl:r wlillded., &rid he wr•t.l interr()Gawd l'lbiu under ~o:ti:hh1e. His eoherence "1l1' qu.utiomlble. · · ' "' ~ . . '°t" b t.e'kn t.hat. th•H f"Ul' cat. "re ~ on.Iy one~ or uYU \!thich trGrt" torw.rd~d to tho VlJ.I CorpB hea.dquat.Ta by tbe Corpa di~irm• pr~~,. '° 16 V~bt4 thrff oth•r fli' • 011 the 15th, one •otlidt4, ... , who. ·etat~ _trott. bet:lrsq ar ~r that aa· larp-aaala· 9tt•nsiv• ~~' .·;.'. 1~1~e N°•ithe.r' tJatM thrff DOJ" the C?M ~-to th•~· '° : . proY:J.d&a. ftbtt.ant1n, mtten intol'!Ptton:. •• , .... ctttcial orders and _ · phna. l'lttta,, th« t0\11' dats. t~fd to tJle· Cor?tt. httadct~rt.er•"" tl!~ onl.r at~ot ~toU roeee.aaed .bT b ~t'P• a-~·.~ '. . . . . ~. -· '_,\;.~ .. '·::.::·<:~-~~~:;~.-:::~::'~/=-.:-~~::, ;:·~-:: (''::7'':·;~-.. / 1/': .. ---- '-: ~~:~:":~._~·~,:::' ' ·-~·- ·~ ~ ..._ .. - : --~'1-~~~~··:Corp11.:~u-. r~l.l·~~, _1'hen ..~own,,011 onir: f$.ve •, days of th&. i~lS-.»oc:aWl'.' period~· o'battrnd onq 1t1nor· acUrlty, .mm. ~1' aoveaent~_of ~ tl"ai.u. and« teJ1 vehid.es~ -tro!k whio-h.no pattern could .,,, d.edue.ti• F<.Jztthenon, th• ·~·· activiQ- ... d•fendv. allG .U.etin, l1a1ted to pail'c>llilfi u4 eponcJ.flo U\Ulery, all · non•trC.f'.flJll!ftf,ift ot A,f~sdn intertione. to the VTll' _Ccrpa~ . . . '
trali.b i t.11 scutht-rn Vll I Cort• neighbor1 i...iie V Corps did , not pos~en ~vid~ of ~tt h1~nding att.aok. .R4 ther• if attack eigu f'XiPtfid tb~V Corpe did not ncogniu the11. lt fOHf}•a&d no a.pecial fult.G l'"ln~tlbUng that or thft YIU Ccl"P• whi<:h on it• t.&ce val,Uf; c8'11U4 to Wint to a· b•·eoal• --.r ••Uoa.: 1'be • ...,.,.• atroag l'Hi•tanee to tb4) v Corp• orr~t.-. operf'tfon.s rriQr to 16 O.enbar .,,... 1n'taJ'la p.reted !HS "XI'~ reactlt'n.. Ur ~.1ounce. did r..ot :nvul nttaok ~1gl\l!!o lt. !m5 n~glltfiblo du-a t.o bfid v:"Mtiter,_b\i..t, 11'hen 'tlipt..e rgr~ ffolfl'.'l theT did not d18~foso infOl'f!•tift dat!t•. ~ tually" •ii' aoti~ity ~~e JArgel.y o'tlr.ort ot th• otfe:usi..,. 82"--~un4'~operatio~g, rat.her tl»!l'n l'taOOnflil 1. tM1lee fo:r iafOt"l'.MIJ'\ion.
Sirdl.rir to tha V Corpa, the VII Corps flaa pr.&-a~\'l.pioo with i'..a vWtt ~f:\,,rtdv'it dur1n« •h9 pn-Comtt1'!'0tfi&~ntn ~r;.od, and tbe tm&~ 1 s d~ :·by' ti:\c CBy '1., ~.. --!le najor neclim ot the Corp• ~nama'5.on Q£ tbeir·.1~9Uipnc4 data "*• t~h their dil~ a-~ Per:todio~ _&oh ~ thl't V u4 :thf VIII Corps iacludecl "" ~ CAP.AB!Ltfl!'tt . . 11eo~o-~ ~_Jhe~ ~1~•r -~ entnea ..re i"e&Ulu'lT;li .... ~ ·r ·:.. ·t·;fa· eontioa.t,, the m ~e 0-~ P.ri.oclloa d14 ~ ~~ _.,.. ti. ,,.uti. or tha' MOU~.~ on' Deoa1bor 1'hlna 1~ ~ma• · ~ SBA11 ~2· .le~ ll:W. . . • . · . , . : .· : -
- ,·· ••· . · :: .:.,· ... .._ • - i ;~ ---~ ~ ---~; .~~-""i-'-:- .:..-1-a 1~wa'0t-t.b90.._.._su..u...... _·.iasaed br 91_1 ihrw 'tfOi'P•· -fttt '1l':r-!ft _Go.rps tea'Decl.19, o.n 1 ~. · · duriltC ·U. ~-ill wblob tlae Corp• •1.-.cl i'• bdtnms )lffit1onw aid
.. ;. ' ~ ~ ~ _, • - ... -- ~--;;l,- - ·: '" ,. - ' ~:: -, ~' ·:~~:~~ -~-.;.,. ·:_ ~,-;·~-;~]'~~ - -- ~~_:';._~, __ .:;.,_~ -~ - ~l~~:r. ,~:;~~~j~~t~~~~·f~~~~~S~}i~i11~~iii8~ik~ii ·· · I
tol.1.ott~ with EaUes&W?J. on )• 8.tt 19 CcttoMr, ·end 9 t:•c~. TlsoM et Uw 3d l\r.d ~t.11 C~totoi- dealt.a lfith counter!nklligonce in :Belgiv.a and tn.xeQbourg.. ~n E•tiltGk na i•uod b.r t.bft V CQrpa oa 6 .DI~. nra~. thllt of !.he Vll C~:rpa YYIH on the 9tho · . In rear•et. to his.hlT dgn.1fia.'1nt d.ata, note 1c take that. only the VIII Corps ~$hfld jnforMt.!on th«t o~tonsibq 1cd1Mtod f.n il:r.,·oni;!;in,e: ~'1•tr of!eui~e by the unft\70 1'hiJae nre tov data . . i-~1Ted fron iitl· diviaiou durine tho last f P do.ys prior w J..6. Pee;;1b:r• . .At:. obcemd :r·n. tli•'bi'f'1.a"oA tnel, ·th .CC?J'P& !-!irtaiona acq\1lnd f'W'im d.i ta J. hut. only fOi.tr lll".,H trnninn:l. tted to tho 'V"IlI ·Corps~ . Th5 VIlJ t • . di;.e• .m4J~-:t.r- uonf1JT. t.ht. t pror10t.9tion,, fhw \ZE e tee t•·o da:ta ccnee~ the inorN\U~ng. eno~ mftie,. th~ one p~jiJill€.· to · ~ ~J.ild•up . :..nf\')smtiGroup 0·2 :tr.,ekJ.T Int.llieonc~ SUic~cr1c~. ·
r.-hM& Uitl Countbro:"'f'1mcive -ro1; 1· mehed et epr.z-on•ateq C5:;0 on 16 !'.'eos.~;er, t.he V em~ Vl! Corri: ·--n on~ted 1n. ol'tottDBivea tig.aSn"t th~ l!Ofn d.a"tt and COLOO!."! nSFe.et1velT.i wheru.11 the VlIJ Corpa oca-nritpd r, r1trl.et, il'\,.'lct1Ye~ dc-tendvt- front.. 4 n corps tho Vlllth :i~iyQd ib6 bnmt ot th• anattlt oa th• 16th wb.cn el~nta or t.m d1'9'i.a1on• strnalr it. ifeYerthelegs, the 99th. t1v1s1on, the aouthern f1'n~ of ths V r.orrs, e!Xl a~J!.oent t.o the VI!lCon a on the YIU' a !lOrlb• WC8 u~ di'f'isiond Yiotim or "lf::r.f:rtt• or ~~lTe. diri.donao> Thue, or the netaa~ 8f!!,SU1W g.iYld\111$ or the .:thJ'.'~ eorpe.6 ~ tour of t.b• ·: · "IIIlth ••recm· the'.~, bnt · ~·:~-~·the T Corj>a ·nc Iba com•ting ... its OM\ ottellaivo. . . · . !7- . .~ . · · : • - .. lo • • ~ ' ' • ·· _· .: .~ ···bft~ .. ~14·'.b7" th• Vll'!·~ft tltlt.• &ajor·~ .. ~~4'f.U1!• ~ •. -~·· .. U,le' ...... ~~ ·~dojM1 b.r the unuU..· lu. ""llutlon 9'·~ •ti.ck'• •COi* ••not ·naebed •'11 '•Pf\90¥~t•l.T.' t'tlll"lJ' ~~.. ot 'U1•' l~,. tu a-2 l'orio41o ot 1~ ~•nwd t.ba\ ~.att•• ,., ~ a·tro'mttra\taok ·t.o ,...... _ lo•~· ~•1t.1ou. Tlde.Y.lr• ••tan. dtaptu.the taot that ih4l ~ pas~ a,,r al~ bOtu-1- • cqplee ••t t.h.,-_~n.t•r-tn~tl° -.8'• • Order ot· ~o ·tsq. 16 Dttefl@.~r. prcckt~~t.b• fo•i.-ott•~lv• to .. . thtt ~.ram fONn. .et. cow. 111* iii• W ~ -•• ncetttC ·at 2lal. :~ · .. : ·· ·.. .A~~ine '° ~-,. ·-· ~~2 PwkG~ ~~ -u~~ ·Dn•art :~ fJOla7: ~rtn\q p~ .an· all on t\t.u.k .1Pi11n . the t'llI and l/ Coripa -with ~ •ia.~o.o- ~~ ~-~ - . - - . --- -' - - . . .. . ~ ' . .. ------'T - • - •• ; .. .. ~ - ' - . . . . -- . !~~ ~ ---.+; , '.-.-·'-; .~~ .~..:;:-,, .. : -i·_ ._,_, ....._ ~-. -,, ~~.-.;:i~~:-__;: ~c -•::-'~ ~i~~~~~ih~~~l~i~l\1;~•+2~:'·.~J,~:~~:~:;~',-;.: __ .~&~> • I REF ID: A5577~)1
at the. botn!UT beW..n the two oorpa.• T2w source of this data.or the rMSOWJ tor t:.ha Of ini~l! -&-el.._ wt ntated. F.n\irely p.or.cible• bonnr 11 tb9 V aorpa-a-i derlftd. thta cpisl1.a. from nl'iowt aovou, the . Bain on.e beiO,l the 08p\t:rd tttr.:t or th• Vo:;a Ruml1tedt 11rdil%' of tho r.q ~1mouneing the. r~ Sad!ostlo• or lta CO!lpfthen•ioa o_t. tn.uw:r'• ol>J.. U.w• '>i' ... c'lirJrl 1nt&n~o.1u1. Jntell.1pnce ~1•• f!!" 0600, ttOO, 1900"t a~ · · 2400 desaribed o,ertiona on~j •!thout·~~etttarr.aa to th~ir OTersl.l oizni,fieanoe~ 1httlr on oi'!•nstve Gts:~ i~s ~i1u-n~~ed thrs1U6Bi:spb1~··b'Jav pr•$~e, .oont::n.ed two' en_,. pon -e~t;!on~~."r~c~in~ -int"Sit.:arts.llor7. •nd":JWJ"t'lr tire, ccnductea 100.1 · count.~rattstokri ti:>'reetore -~na~ poait~~ •n4. nalntaitied coat.ct :irlth tll8 2d .D1vitdoa on its let"nortll)..
!'rs ~i.te cont1'11..!!t to th~ 'fIIt ~$ aild ~rtillq to tba~ ot the v~# the VII C.OJ.1.'t ?tes not attaoked by tht! "1!UJ.T on th• l6th6 ex~ept for :rY.:P.e ehe~ on wo to'51111 and an ·tuH"•ult on '-. J
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-- ______c.,,,£_~~~,,..· -~A:.~-&~-· -~~----~ ~~C11t_;_~~~~'--~ - ~ _p~--1~ ~~b 3t;-.l7. ~~~-~--~~~-J~~-~·~-~~~~ /(, j) A!.<:c,.~.,& '~~~ -~~~----o-~~~ DoouuntaUon. l;, .1.ttn'/k\ion ~o A.., ~ept.ebur J.94'4., B .. October., C,,~ n., ~etabec n .. G-2 Est1-&tee,, Ao G-2 S.t.1.Mte /8, 011200 Ooto 44., B. • • 19, 3 Got .. n,, • ft #l.O 11 S Oot .. n. " " tu, 19 Oot.. %., • • 112, ' J>ec. III,, G-=2 hriodic11.- Sep\ .... JGiy, 1944.. A~ hpteaber,, B. Ootober. c. lfowsber. IV. G-2 Ptrlodic•, 1•16 Peo:albot'<. i. l·l' l>eoeflber, ¥i•oellan«lus D·1t.a. B. l•l' Dec~, A1.r ~iH~nffo •• l6 »-01-•btr· 'f, ~-_,,2 JC";.U"Ml &: J1.].e. A,, s.pi;.. - Oat. lL ~bero 'fla 0-) Periodioa1 l.Ool.S n.oclmo., VII" Co1:1b:lt lnterona .. A .. lfiacellan"11& Xotea oa nII Corps u4 ~· Operation,. "1' Capto t. a. Clark.. B.. Quest.ion& b.alrer«l bf' Lt.. Ga. '1'ro;r' Jl. if1ddletott, CG, VIII Corp1, in lett.r to The1.te~ Kistor:!.-.n, 30 JuJy 19.t;.,,, C.,. Inttrtme-• w"'th ¥a.So Geri. T.11. lliddl.etoa, CO, b;r Capt.. Clark, 20 .,11 1945.. · D., lntaniewa w1Ul 0.D9ftl Yiddlton, lt.r CepUb. Olark, 19 ..Ta._r.r 19'4'· TllI ~ »-Mption Opa a tin X<»lblB - '-· nu aorpe Att•r/A t1on Jt~- ;o..,. 1944- :a .. Poptietll Ope:ratin XDBUJIZ~ REF ID :A55·7~6J::-, . ·. .,~ .. ' - ' ·~~~ t·, • ......
Follow1111 1te IJr..&sT cupeien, tbe nII ColP9(Jlitith A.n17) relined th9 V Corpa(Firat. ~) • 4 <1ct.ob r 19'4 ot 1ta datuw.ve po8it10ll •l.oni the ('Vi ai.Ter, ;..anllelJ.ng th.1DG111D Line 111 '89 LU~ Bna!tll. •ra, a 5ll eile aeotol", aid poaits.0994 tM :M. tliYiaion on thtt lbrlh 1tr.d tl11& 8th in the lou\h.. TM ._was nt&ndfld to arproxiut..ly 88 rdlea, to u-.- ~tt OOft'JH" ot ~oo, 01t ll October, when the S):1 li'i:daicn -· trsnltornd boa tl\e Th1r4 Amr to \b9 nu Ccrpe. f.11 22 r.otoher thtt Col'F• puMd to tm 111-A AftlT b:tJn the tint.ho A• or lS ~ber tl'!• 106tk and 2&t;h Jlltutry- JJ:hisiotta, t.hll 9th A~, end 4th IDf'amy nn potd.tiontd lb:rth to ~
!!IMd!at..tt}J upon u~ti.oa of 1te Uftm'\M bent. t2w Corps •t.iaated that the ftMl7 ne ~ to hold 1M SIMflilD Uae at all ~, at least tor: political retarJC1UI, to hold tbrs Ulied !ora9o Of\ the '-eetem Front, f.lnri t!lat ~ UM' e cont~ MriHs 4etena was 8Xf!&eUUa '?hia Ytis 1"..he !;&llanr. thaw c.t the ~2 !~tiMtu of l., 19 ~her and 9 Jieocbel.',. A·~oord.in«i to tht l.Atter, the ~y• • prlmry ability· and int&n.Uon •• hie ottrreri~ •et.in dahue. Hi• pnotiae ot nYi1ai JtoP diviaiona iato the r.otJit tor rront lim ...,.n.n• thea ooLildt~t, •le9vhera imieat.a hifl dffire t.li.&t the 90M MMlUl quiet an4 i!PCtifte Comterat.tf;tftke to Neton podtiom and .n:l.Dfo~t;a troa nserna wwe not~ ~ the 9 De~ber ~t 'Mte 1mln~a ta ~ tol' the ml CG:rpa waa iwunting u otf.u~.w. Gema toree.s WM appra1"d •~ b01q 'l'err lmf in ttuallty, to be mte!Uy or&tnised Iuptgruppu, ~of •ia~U6 ropl~nt, aaurit.y, and 6fll'T1N t;roopa.. 1'h1e lcr~ qmlit:y did not e~~est offensivG intenticma to tbe 'fll! Corpao Nor di4. tha fact tl\&t. th• 81'...Ml\7 1 s operaiiona nrv edenalTa u4 w.oUY•· . . T"ll' Crops M1.1Jit7 ""·• l1Jmdee det'•n•iv•, wit;' ... aot1Te ~ti-ollin:: S!id f..er&ft8~ crtilln7o lta d&fet'ln Ytlfi ditf10lilt ~tl.. its fi-oat Yf\il •tn1ioJMd eon 88 ail.ea, ltiAYlDI ~rota o:PO !'or. patrol penet.ritlon. or. the rev diYillione on ~ llrw •• ot l4 n...o.r, t!'.e 4th 1tnd 29th vh!a twt'f:.lm.. , nre u.nd4areo:bt1 r.a~ arid reh·'bUlt&Uon~ •rd thtt - 111!,..ntly asy.t 9t.h Amon4 "" 1-xperi...S, thi.a ~their h1~ oomittat.'tttr. ' . . - tnt0nt1*Uoa -•l'llilll tibo etW1111 .aa both .upt 111 •..U• ML\ ot iDOOa.lmiw ag\bori\J'. R&d wat.her OC)aplet...~ pnwnted air ~ss not on lO or the fu\ya dm"inc tae l-15 r..~o.r pe.r1od. Onq ahorl flltht.11 mtH tl.on Oft tJM othtr .,..r wh~eh ob.fuwd Hl,y 11.inm." '•OUd~ 8\!.oll ae aGV\-'1liGllt~ or two .bbataa t.r- in8 and a tn whiclaa.· At leaat m patt.rn ~ be ct..hced tl'Oll t.U data. I.a .Owd_ on the di?irional
.,.. ' ·., .... ~· 'l- .' • • ~ .c. REF ID:A557~~1 12. 'fIII Corpa. SD::'Z1t8J'Y.
·l•'hl, (l) dvriDc tbe 12-lS Deoeaber pnlod, .ti. 2Stla. •!Kl ~ Dl.Tlaione o'bnrnd inonas!ae e~ 'fthieular- t.nt.rioJ (%) a ~ oiw1llu wra 'fOlta~r.llT ~ \o the aBtla M~ oti~ l4·Dte•O.r, d .mo · descr1lied Genan 1*1ldup .1a tU tliDllMDTBViG &naJ ad~ U) ~ Pfi'• from each th~ 40 and li16th Dlm~ •ptanl oa 1S Dlo9l»lr •t.a*-1 tftta h~ or l'1llll.')1" the\. a •Jor C.naa ott"esiff ~lie l.aDehed bettM&n l7-2S ~r. thaa• ll8ftU data "f'• ~'bq too .USht tor a predict.iot ot a .ajor.~ .,_tel'bhMro Thq .-re llkftis1 n:ak iu scope. Ko pattem of ~Oti:;')I\ could be deri'ffd fl"Oll the H'ffHl;i '8p&ftt.t.d !lrustamtt o! t100ellerated anay tr·;;tt!• obllwwd b.r the »th am 106th JJ:ht1io?UJ,, ~n ti» 28tb Diruion ausrf.ed. that the wcaan ;ttfonN" it had aoquirtd had d•aoribed ~or a1llt.a17 •ipiftcance or wba' ah.t h11.d e&en on he 1111111 rov:k., !he .ta"'"nts "bout aa ~- •"tuk sad• by tbe two 106t.h ·n• a ar• toUflecl upon beaner', an4 ,vpon. ruaot> tbs tm> of the 4th ni.'tiaion,, Jfo eubntai'U.-n writ.tea 1Dtomt1on, •oil•• orf!c.!al crden,, and plarui, nre providedo Both 106'th'e Pt1 • 1Ml'9 WOU!l th.• Cor: s ne no'~ind or on..cy et•, tmd hla t.&til'loll!J' ""' pyen whili! hit ~£g tmd•.r the 1ntlu~na• ot mrphiu. l'nn it Ids claia nn ~al, t.1'\ere ~a neglle1llle . UM tor the t.akiJsi ot 41."risional and Corps prot.nUn Ml't!l:~Ul"e8p beawse the Division did not 1.-n or it tnt.11 19.30 on the l5'th, and tb.6 Co.rptJ )6 l'f;in..it.a lat-N'o
The Cpl'Ve pre•CounteJ'Oftend•e 1don'tWu.U-on of the GnnV ~aa V'flq' iwsoev.rate.. Sieilttr to t.he tow.la o! tM iadirldval d1rlsiontt, the Til:t Corps idntUbd onl;r tomo ._,. -...s.a1e11a ~ to 1' Daola.ber• 79t ten (l1Tiaione aualied the Corps ma\ on t.Mt daTo It& initial con ception of th• enay atrqth and nal"nee •-• ezpnssed in 1t• G-2 r:.at.imf'te of l October -. tha .Arda."l•a podtion •• aelU!Hd. AD &Yl'lihble ·~·ngth or J0,000 was then &ztww. plua a ree•"" ird'11nt1"1' dirieon ti,· of s,ooo trnd a p~tMer grenadi4r b:ri&ad• of l,500. In coutr&st, the 19 Cet..obe'l" G-.2 au.at. "' the 1trongth at. 35,000 eea, Wt tlw 9 teoabftr !etiiuw the fiiUre •• with n~• po caw 24,aoo, the •• pans•r, ·. .' two ;.ntantr:r• ftw paraehua did.sioa1, 1111!14 the $1cth Pu.Mr A.rtiJ' '4 tift dividou. As ot U .._•• U.·lil..ufte4 ••'1 dift.eiou wer• ti:.c lSth, 26th, 212th, 352 1'G ~Yigiomt~ . . .
lo WllC'tt WM Mld ~ t.he nn ~ the\.• •Jor, lAJP-1'0al9 •1JltfSfr!' aouaterottneift W0\114 a...-, am the· eouud lifts .mipr1""1 b1' the 1usB&ul.t. Emepi tro tihe qutaUonabl.9 tOYI' ia~lllpca• dllt.a ...uo.d abcne. ta. 6w a.pa ..-.4H4l •-•~-~. IN~ nal&a\J.u ot the'~ o~ Ge at.tut-. no\ mlbil.. ia\U ap,pnatMteiy eell' · l!'oninc et t.ha l?tla. It.a a-2 .'-1odlo ttiir. 162400 ~ !atiute tht.i tho at.taot waa a.J:t ··~t~ ~-~-1"~ p>dUoaa.- ~'d.ft
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-. -- ~ ' . . ' . REF ID:A557761
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·~:··· ., REF ID:A557761
~ol.lmdng ita llib'T oupaip Ul'der th• Xinth U.S .. .&n;y, th• TI!I CorpB llKWttd that oo:--r.&&nd.' • forward l!01VJ to :the «.t:•'' a SIE(,FlUIJ) Line defences i.n thtt UJSDJBOOP.Q ...Bn.GJtlf &rNcr(I ,AIBJ Th6 YlII Corp• re:LA.evt:d thtl V Cot'Pa(First !rfq} ~td of tb4 ~:th and 24th Infantry ;f¥1 5th \nlo.;.~ed i>irlaione, which liOl'ed noxtb'."6rd, adjaoent to 1ta t'ol"'i'!U" poaltion, to partioir t4tc ia a 1'lrat ~ drive Gil th.- SIIGl"RIID .-.1.mt., J. aovt ftB !'lad.• by the YilI Corps dtrrilag the laet wMl: of S•pteri.ber im.. i early &.Jtober to the nc ·n'it.y of Bl.STOGi!, B-.liim, and respoMl lJillty ror its new s6Ctor '1'!8"1 1uuJU11ed on 041200 October..
WThe Mit1tdon of the Corp• nZJ to relieve the V Corps and take u,p a 4e!'enein poeiti1Jn along th• 11r.«r held by th• latler mlit.• 'lhia Unth J..n..y •~, •ocupif.d by the TIH Cc...""}>S only, nan between the First U..7 OJt i >:.s Hrrhl:\ and t.h" l'hi!'d .Ar1q, and wtlt> a 50 all. limt •long tha otnt Kiver, J..ti.i-.11&11.ut '::he •MllY' • SUiG.,;JUID Line, .1 rom a.1pro:d.snat•~ IA..<\Rm~,, .Balgiua (Ul397) eouthwal'd alaost to ICHTIRRACH, Lux~& on the Ge.naan f'rontie1'. '!'ha 2d Infantry Dirt•J.on wan poeiti<>Md on the ~rtb, ill th• ""f'iwinit.y ?f ST,. TITH, hlgi.Ull, and tf\e 8th Diviaion aoqt.h !Mita• nI Wltt:::ll Lwtembour,..,
llu IY:alu."tion of the ~ Capabili t.1.eao
When the IDI Corps aasnud ita Ard.an•s ~ in .-ri.,- October, it " im;.iediatel.7 1>rp2·aist'!d t."le ~· e eituatio11 in a· 0-2 t1tiaat. en l Cctooor;·" 1'/hlle eubM1qoont dfll~ C-2 Periodio6 contributed intellig«lea da.t.a, the • G-2 Eatimate ~" the ~um !'or the COr:pe t.aprtaaalon ot 1ta judp.ont a'Lout. the tre:r-ou p~H.tbili ta•. Two later leti.lfiate• nro issued, on 19 r-.,taber a~·d 9 lloee:d:· r" ·
A oontinUt'd a.r!ott8 dete?tbe of the SIIGJtP.IJ:n Line -.aa th~ prlaal'T up.act.at.ion ut the l October tet.iaat.tt,. with t.hl'\ff ~ld..llUea •• poaai•ltt• to oounterat.taftk lorlq to ~tore podt1ona, to coatilnle m '!Ct1Ye d•t•ntte or cu.rre t po•ition•~ And to re.1nla.rM for local count.l'<=' attaeks ':n' eon~tration i"or a larger ecale oount.ntt"ck AD1'Where cm th• Col-ptJ fri:·nt.., the kfiti.M.~ c4 thret' •~•ks ht•r A~ted thoce · t>•.pabiliti4e9 kt, the 9 Decab~1 F.f.twte mrro11'9d potontid..itiu, in t\-t>tt th• eooll;:r1 a ourrmt active defen•• waa conisidered a• bin prlu17 ability and iat?'.etiot., wll.••• the VIII Cori ts ant onto an af't•NJifto Th8 G=2 explained: '*The enuy'a pHetice of bringin& new ditl•ions to receive
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f:rqnt line nporit.a,mld reintorMi= ment fl"O\i\ reearHa i'tere not expected unle•• the euea;r felt the lIII Oofpa na·aountJ.llg' Aa 9ft•na1n. ~-• .-a ot •boa. a 'ftH praceding th~ Count&rott«1•iT•, the mx Corpe- ren:f.ioW. t.h'e .n-.r• capabllty to ~$ :current. ·aatin rl•fens~ · without countorat.t.&CJk· pl'Obftbilltie•o , • • • • r • 9 , · · : Prellainsry. ~ ·1t:a ..oi2 !suaate•. ibe· eori>I . .;.de "'° .tt-.111'• ., t:t tled, TlIB ,$IlmiUJD. ·~n., ·. · . ··. · . ' . ' ·. ". . . ' ~ .. - ' ... ' ' .· .§l!W»ni 14Wt· --~... ''. . . ·~·~~=' .. -.. ~~~:, :: :·!· --~"}:.::/<·~·-<·~~.: .... ·.. i·;;· ... -~~... -~.:-- .::.. ... ~:'_ ...... ~~.. :-'.i'{·~:·!'~--~=<·,,~z-.~·;-:·f.~·.. ·~:·.!.· .... ~":;-'...... i:-~~·~ .. ~~~:.,~ ·.. -_ ~ - - : ·· :· '; Jk>~. ·~~::<;?~r.?.s tl"-~2 nnw"1.t1aliti•e: ·R~tner, both atudie# -~ d•~rlpu...-.~ 4!eaJ.ing with the ,. . ph;}~Bi~.t.l di'~iliH'f thfl line, ·aucll «9 the ~~i.~ Of -~.he. fo~iticationa.,, the de~en'and st~ngth or ®!le.rs~ po~tt1one. ~ thtJ det.n.c•• facing tha VIII Corp•; . . . ·. . ·, , . · . JiyM,'1. At·prnlifi,J Rt ~· . . E'n\luation o~ th& er.~'a poton\iali.tiee •ae 3tated on th• Co71 ~ leyeJ. in 'th'f"t Corp!l Gc-2 F.stht'Q'.t,111 I~~? 1 October'1 nnd a Cl»'ps .:4~fil1er,;~ !nt.~l:u.i~neot R~!A)l"'t. W!lf; iBt:nWd on thl!I s~ra• cl:Q'o
~.Ge;.; Y.S'l'Jli '?E #8p 1 OCTCBm • ...,_. Conti~l &31"'1o•.;s diz.t'enee 'tlf the S!F..GfRn:D Limt WS.8 tho Pilot point or thia doc1111•nt.. (II,.A) Th& lA&d dtiltenoe atatltdi "The Si•cfried Liae·ea the~ an4 tlanka ~ tMt ana to bw Of!ettpied by thti VIII C'f l October,. .. dtji\1tlS.1ent13 ettptur*1 ~.~~·~l'tdft.Cttsacr ~~- t~ T_ Co~;.· !n:U.oo.ted iaTh."lt t..h~ tr.-.it had ~ orii•Nd to oold t~ Si•st'l".iid Line at au coata., • Iiay,-br-dai . cticnl a,~iluJt. tho V Corps ud thG .ma~us PW ~~•ente a.9 iD ..mif!siong:·ot t.'ittir tmi~ ~1£1Qted •c-onclue-1~ ~t,, tor. political HSA$0r..n . . . 1r for B> other, t~ ._,. will i)Ontinu& to bold ~ Siegtrled.- Line .att lottg ns th~re 1~ a ebanc$ or holding th.fa .&:11~'34 toraea on i;h* W•~ Fr.<;nte * -- - --==-..,:_·_ __:.- - -.::::. ------.-_ ~!--: _- ~ - 1- Ir - - . --...-- • T -,. ' - > ~ - -~ ,.... ~- ·- --.. ;-:__ - ·~" - - ;_ .. - - ·- -
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". " ~~~~.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.=~ • ._ .. I . ' ·"''\ REF ID : ASS 7 7~_"·1. J3., VIII C<.'t~;j: Critique,,_ ·J
. . ~ . . . .·. . J.9. w the o~th ot . _t.h., ~. -:/'~ th1.-·1-0ctober !iat:mata boll¥JH that n maxilll• ot 30,000 · tr~ops ~re itV4ils'bl~ ~ol' iatW.liate ~;ia1tt.q.e~ agsiut. the VIII Cot"P~-9 · itlelmisg ·the si:>bil~ nnrv& which could be t,ta~eported t!ElBil1°.. Approzo
· i1i:t.1t~l,y 221 000 lrfl"la cur.rentl.7 01>9rati1Ja la. ~ho ~f ~ipally und:ttr t>"le ·t~llowing unit1J1 · · . · . " · .. ' ' .. . ·. 2 ·SS Pan1.~r 1l1To 'DAS RIICI' ~- ',,900· ftn " ·· ·.19 Int\ Di,.,-.,- . · .. ,_; . ;.;;.:.--;·41:x1i - .. :- .,. ., ·, _·., .~..: .... It , . .,.· ~·: ...... «Af'I .. - _ • · ~ ""-~ ,., , lu:.JV"V . . .. S PtiTa,. Di?., . :· :.~: -·.500 · · · ::· ·.- · ·. •ttao'1tid ~ ltiact,, trnita. ·.....;.... 6tl00. : ·. · · .lt"till~:q:~t,r~ng.t1L·Jr~1'- estivt~ a:. l4 bat~:J.tol)s ct ".aftJ.ll•ry~ · ~01•1 ..·,,., ·:·<>f ;s~;~_ -10,?ir.._'i~Ji~~:>t ~m-lSOtw hmr.. _, ~~~-b(l~~t;~1-~•- ot s.Q/· . . · hoJtUtton(!ltTil'Ol~ttmJ » -~ anveral rau.ru&4 :pna ,or ao.m caliber· ., · looo ~ed on t1te -~il liint north ot Tilltl\~ Tank~ .Md b.i;en .~rioW3.°t.T d~l~t.:~J in tho ;paat r.l!Qttth and c~ntl.v did 110t conatitu:t.e ,f.l aer1,oua thre$t., . , Att ~15tJ~~.tc or 40 tanks. tSa~ mad~, b-.it ·:.he &ll6llT lthae Ghown .ve17 little . ir:.t!:U.mtt.itit'I. · io· uae th~ cff\31'1.td:v!)lyo 14 Uet~ftt"t'f"l\ ool'!Mat-9d. ct the 48th Id"s.nt,.r.r ru.viMionl' '.Si.COO •'tl\O qtillit)" of both the COMitt~ ar.d reaerve fo~a 'lrafJ oonaidend to b& l.olr. aot·id.'tW t'OZ"Ct;S ftl"• mostly- 1'~at.11y orgzani:ted. lop!"gl"l.IPI1!Zln~ ~posed of 1!;D aia~lleMe>u.~s rn'.'Jl'l(".t"'?i.:m~;., 1$e"1.lrit;;r~ and &eni."'.IO tr<;opa1 ~rating '01.der. the biado qan:.!"tfJ:~':'l cf d1nsions wh!el"t Md beim depleted in ,prnio.ua opont.ioMo A.l."ti1. .!.er.7f'6Gll, aimGni cvnval.,1HJant9" rcl\ent in~,htottJet! whetiber ~~ yotmg or ~ old, ar..d the ag'1d fraa local. hOl'llo-gua,rda l'JOH thttoe "trooptt" lri·M~r quality f~rcee m~ the tb:&d fortiti«ttione~ whitlh the bettu qunl:.~y 111:td+J tho oatmtentt~ekeo .oth~r tb&n th,e re.ierves aentioned nhJ"t-ci ~'*° 1'.rt.hur knom (Ill•· tore.a nre re~ for ~y,nnt as ~Y... gio nsenas! . Tlle:. enrr •• considered Mpebt. of ool.l.eot: ng and.,us~ .more or tho l Off quaU:~ tarc.u in prer..ar«t tori1~1caU<:lna~ !n tact, aaoor-'!i.ug to an ?WiPOclf~oo hleher hbadqmrt1'r~• .•isht di'flttiou or . · the soo 1111rl.ea,. ~.2 .. ware b$i?lg f'o~. ae·,.u ae fC)\2r trofA . 0 ~~esoent,'ar,i'l t°Utlotigb;pft~nn~1 .. Thtt Co~•:.thof.1iht ~~··Ct._t;Mit.' .. · :'. :.~:·:: :- 1 dh»1.s!nns nigh~ app~r 011 !ta front; if thtJ.t·•u•" evenl.1' ~iatrl.00.~ed · . · ?.loni T..hc SI!tGJ"ft!BD L.i~q In t-er~l, •the n~tt aYttilable to tbtJ'· · enS'-9" in t,b~ ffo et' and .e:wan · t~ other tr-~~rs are. ttXtl'eraq aeager., Th~ for~os now' o-9fooing·the' .lllied Arr&ie~ for oont1n\ll9d dQf.,..& or a line 4'° (',1j lea: :b:a l~tbo 'The only (l~llC-IJ tb&t the ftl'l$11J' .. •e or. necesd'l.tlq . d-!tfar~ing th"' Fathorlttnd is to uae all -th• ff&•n•• that. can ba uaoabl~ in the We~ t Uld ·to OOi'mit ·~ an, l"apidly aa. thq ~e. anll.ti.ble.. · . Th1' franti~ 1tob1U~s.tion of. all avallnb~• -.n-~(!Wftr 1'1thin Geman;r Gd · ·. thG he.'t7 or•:Jddia'U.Cin ot-Ari~d~v-ieia1'll lndica.te 0 that t'\~r Ninf~~ ·~ ~ ~. ·:·::!:b~1t8:~=~~1:li~~!'1'aii\!J!t1.0~!-=::.~~~n:.~~=!1;1~. ' ' o~ised _iato ao\10n~. . .. . --~~ ~o~ -~ • , • ~ -, - .. " ~ • '
'. , " ...,_ V\'!:l ·--'t'pit .. · .~ritiq REF ID :AS-577"61
~ ocpabili ti•a. 1f'eN' alllply atated •11 fol.19ltn, with non tke thrH d.aipated ae the 110et or leftt liW:~:\;f';
•{l) The wnem;r can mke lceal ll0tm'teratf..ack19 to ?."EJt)toH M• ~¢~t Siep.t~ied Lin& poeitio~~ st a.n,r tiJHr witjl forces now on his troatJ •(
OORP.9 Aft.TI LUmT TNrt.Lu 1.nro1 .fm'OltT #100, 1 oocr .. (Y ,A) _,,... ~ •T'tillecy capaVil.i.t.i•a "" inj~ ooru.tidered \mder 'tlmt h•adin& ftl'l the .f'•s. eontinu8 to h !\l":?'ltk&ll.. t:ront line el.arient&~ "b.. Inteneit'Y lwrnttaing AM. intard1ction tirea to inter ·- rere witp r.llet .t Y Corpa unita. *a., Yil'll la IPli port tJf infantr,r oounteratt.aok to idor f'.!l're ,.,ith *'ie-t o~·v Corpe .. •4., iin at •xt.r.• i'lintfltso 11 U'J!ld."1" tb~ d1cte?lt$lion or thoea capahillti•a, •a •'hon 1• ba:ing eurr,1.Md. and w11 ·JtOstly llielT cont.intltl a1ncw the .tires ot O.ru.n. •rt111Al7 1a he chtenN are laabitwllJy direct on f'ro.at UM .troops'"• ~tt j? a.M .a or !'! ooob.1.Mtion ure eontddued lik"l;y~ and ngardiJJe j, "i. t tu not lHr-. l.y t~'*t de~· ~J.l f'in• will 'b-6 reee1.....e. in aft1' voiu.. ei'f')Oe the 8llft7 1n tit i ..15 fiNl4 ha~ not •.Ploy'1d lcm,;-ra.l"iit< 1ntflrd1otion or h«n.~•ing fir.a .. SWh ftrt:te &rffl a definite oapab:U.ity, howfl'Yttr, during the relief ot v Corr.s t.n{l tor lh<:irt tae there~rt.er. •
h\a~ u th• Corpa a... a fLitiMte IS, l October, Wlla the VIII C.V• bl.de inwll~ tJi.atmfm\ about. th• •ne«r aa or tM Corps a!lls~.awr•t1on ot lt.. Arit~s aerrte>r, a:ubeequent Ootober., ~'ber, l•l' ' lttc,.bflr G""2 ·ArJir&it'&l• eitter oontintlt'd the oonoluaiona QPresned in thl\t ~.t.a•tc or revieed t.."lAl:w." t'h.7 nr• btt.d.o&llT omrt~d" Daiq G-2 P'frlo.,1<.ts and irregularly i!'attfd !:ati.Mtea wer, th• ttedb. i'or t.1'\e~t! fu·t.t.\n J'tat.Mwnts or Corpe G-2 opinion6()
1'ollowing the 1 IJ'llll11Ce or thiti E8 ti.Mu on l October.., tll8 !ire· dilly" G-.=>2 Perl.odic, fl.00 on 0112001.~ October~ referred. to thle !stia-t.e tor the inf'or11c nre ~, but they did not pert.ala t<.".' the em;r ettentiYe pot.ential.ftt•ao{II,KC) l&'t.itMt. #9, COUN1"iit- 0:-Il'."~~rn 114 F'.r.LG!~f ?".US ilJSaed. on ' ('\c;tcber, end 11.0J CO'tfffTEl\..)rf'INS!ft IX ~ G:'J.A.1D WOO OF Wllit~-·DW;, oo tb St.h ...
leti•tA /Ill ... istmed on 19 ~r ii mt the Corps opil.doa e! the·~ oapabUitiM 1Yflle unohang«l 1'1'\ t.itia Jflltlateo(ll,D} Iu .faat ... th' fh:ra.M0-1.oQ' Cit the 1 October iana:c. •• repes:tt!d. Thia 19 October I t:t~tell ho"'•.::'nl"1 ~M•rttd detailed ~rattack ;poe9i'bi 1 1'1.ea.
lit oont.r·.at t.o the '3(" 4 00() fipre ot ~ l October R... Uute• thia of the l9t'h ·~~~ ,5,000 ~ troo,s .&.l!mc tM ~~StLU.'. Rivera .-frcmt •s •anill'\t·l~ ror o:-\,.-ntH"8t t•cka a.id for d«ltenee ot hiii 81.eifriecl. Line.," lt"JY~rtrull•i.a, •information cf thitt ~· e aot1:Y1Uee Pft••tl.1' enU.bl.!9 to G-2 ..W.• !lOt 1nd:1oat. that GJT brio 90lll9 oomterattaclr. 11' cen~l~tad or ev~ probable on hia pl.rt, h.:>~ local ~r at/·at:b are tl. G11S'Unct e&J>El-il1ty and 1uet htJ ~ted .. .,..,• TH Corp• Ck~ ~·l"Ofl1'tld t.!le Ti- -,r th.at the OUJT6nt •,roup1'f'li'. of encg7 .fore.a an4 t 1 ~"! utirlty c,n t.he front (indioat.ed) th.9t tr..-r~ {1'8%'6) !"our &H4~ l011c the tlWt~tra M.~ .tro11t 1'here ht! ~ aofft llbl,y ..U oca.mt..era-r.tao'kec Cer~inl)o ha 1'0tUd «amt.era t&e.k alaoet 1-edi&tely U' u l!!.~,t.J:pt ron -4• to d!slodge bla :rro;i hia :p<>•1:timus in thette u.a•, 7et Ul.w pc:H-•ibillt,7 ().f ~ eon:nwrat.ta.ak.a or at . lnst 11. reoonnaia~ . in!'~ PUf"t Mt ht °"1'looJced.,• ~ ffllfa' &reaa WU'9J Kl.Im...~ £JFE.:.. ,\J{lfA.; vr A.tM AP.1'.AJ re!'R!INU.Clt ARV..,i ~CR:tR tum!. ru. 19 l'~Ml'xJT ls-4;1.!l t.4' re;.:~:~t-=d tJ"te op~nlon of th& l flctol.i6J.o ie.US~• that ~-.M qm' 1 t7 of troops we.re low •rd had nc-1r ~ .lmprovfd ..
Jlk1 tnrth4'\r 0-2 Ic~t.fl oor.e/. . mntt~l ~ J{Q:m~J>
: 1k cMng• ,., • Md• dttri~ t:bf.. tint. fJftTft d.,-a ot lfo\lftbtr .. . ~.,neu·fii~ U-.tc oe~bllit1f'e ae apreiteed in tht. dail.T n-2 Pttriodicae(ll,C) 1ti• P 9Jd\t.jl )53d and Ufrth !n.fgntry Dirlt>'~.. ona, and em.ntl! or the act !'annr Di-.S.eitlfl... "i'h1.a ne am alt1K>st ceaplete IAlbllUtutioa or f'oroea OVr!l'f ~~ faet.ing the Corpa on l Oo tober.
'!'l ."t ~t 8 point Cf Yi.elf '!llflB nrifJ'Wfit in. thtJ a lcmiimber 0.,..2 Pt--f1odk¥ whi* obttu·ved in it• •eation. on F.netq Capa.biliUee that th» e~ :Md %'91.et~ to tU T Corpa SCWIJJT ottnsi.,.. -.1th Yieioa O«m~~taokaf llnd the t1chtin& aroum! ~M' bas J11011 beool!• "17 tiuo• .. -mi rllll'><"IVn:•Clbid,) Poru'1h17 rcuntl t!De hut tile T ~. dr1n, tbar• "~-. ,lMt'~~~r;. ~ a~tiY1t;;r in \he 2t\ Di•iaior.' • ettctc.-r. In b"'eneral, ti'r :-~.0J.V l:sl'! c,_,.r,,i.de~•d w btJ ~l.,,.enting ~bilit7 #3 ct t.n. 1 and ,19 ~t,.,.~ ·~- ~ J:s\i.Jla~e that. lw lf'ill ralnfor"in£ hie ft-rlat lin.to ~ t.~irt't;r exi&\fld~ howrlu'1' 1fhather the reWorc-.nte 1!0N "M• llld~ er urd]Jr t.roop~ and aaterial to '~ incerpoNt4'd 1.nto ~· trle-t:.ing divlaioml qua ia\181luo• : '
.. - #6. llll , '1'•• Orit..iq~F ID: A557761
!le f ~ nYind op1a1GIUI 'Hn 11taW duriq the ~iMer or loftabtr, 9-~. am~ bdaM::llh 1Vioti... •· JI01lI CAPWLITt eeotiOl't was urbd •• ~ ~· ·
Aa of l Deeeaber, auooroing to the G-2 P•iod.io ot that. dq, cll• entllQ" urd.ts in con.tact w•r• the 18th,. 26th, JS24, 2Uth VG DinllioJlll ... (IV,i) But., in g~neTal,. no oh&ngtls in. ·~ oap•bill M..•a 'Hrtt exrinaffd -t;~t'QU&b 8 Deoember.. ·
.' A 0..-2 Ka~te #12 lraa iast:Ned c.n 9 Deo.aoor, whiah anal1'H4 'the Cle~ ope-nl"tiona and potentiallt.i••·l\18 a lt'PP am a ne• Vo~ier diviision r•placing it to . gain front... 11.ne ~rl.ena. .. Ia respect \o oapabiliti· s, th1t VIII Corpa · &.:>2 bellflt!d that. the ~' • aoti'V• 4e!enM then in Qurr-.nt •tfect tJO:illd eoutJ.Tm!l unt.il th" VIII Corpe Tetrt on t.h• ot'teneiTe., ~ G-2 oba8%'1'00~ ~ ~·· pneent pnotioe of bringing naw diviaiou to nett1D treat line ~ri•e• and ~n nll•Yin& the!t. out tor oormittAtnt elanlaaff !ndioatnl bi• deain to haw thi~ MOtor o"t th9 hon\:. r-aain quat aTld int1otivo .. • Qar-•t.ilit.y Iii.. to countenttaolc to r.6tont pos'i-iona and '' to rein:tol:'C,. rraa r" aflr'Y•B "will. dcubtlen MTR \l.e i.pln..Ult&d unl&!!o U.. ftnMl1 feela tbat t'lII Corpe *s p%"6parillg \o ~oUJlt an offenei.,.~•
~«&.J forces tacl.ni tM ?tlI Corpe n1.. •Qtimted by thu 9 hce!!b-&.r •nalTaia fi8 a-.ount.ing to 2411000 troopa, OOIU'I .rt i~ o! t!UJ .26th and 212tl• vti Dirlsions of 6,000 men aach# the 3S2d lntanV,- DiYiafion of 6,500, l'r.d. thtt lath VG :'.~h·ieion or S,"10.. Thl!ly wen de&oribed •• ·~Ting b6en refitted a:x.d nfol'W!ild frc11 OOll':'$t• ..aaCllWPd cad.re,. 10UDI hcruiW.1 old•r ••• up to 45 ,--rs, n1n&l and Gil' peraoh.:iel. ltfhee• ~u:naions htAn roc .. iflld en a't'er~a of t"o J10nt.ha intensive t.rd.nina •• a ·Wit., and l"eprtJtren\ a lfts\. ditch effarl to f(\J."'fl divlaionaJ. units for tb9 &t!enE'9 ot the 'J"atberland., '• ·
4,000 un, ~tub ~Ll)BJ.CH ana 5,00 • 40 • reBIDZ UM ("I oE JhiM} USTPHAJ.IJ.(oou.U arriw oa our t-roS 'fr1 thi.D 72 hour•} r . -i ;; REF ID:A557761 l"Tc Vlll Corps. 021.tiquo~
liVA. l:LAllK• l SS 'LAH £aoh,.,-•(6.0CO Hf1 IHlULAD 'fie Q)J.000, baolting 2 • •DJ.I) mca• (60 tanb .., int.. ') * 'HOHENZTAF'FEK' (UY Mtt'>uli. 12 " •RJTLnt JtJG~ll' (r;un bn (1') 9 Pz ::a~,.
2 '•ra Div ... '6 • • 7 • • . ' 5 .. •
lupffti!lg an.or and art.ille17, the 'fIIX Corp• had ataWd that. no •ntnT d!'rilall bad organ!e ~r nor weM ~ UJT GHQ tent. bl!t.t.taliol'l.a, but th~r• were ele'Yen ttrt111srt 'Mttalit:ma ..
Terrain was reg~rded 0,. \hG Co.r.P• •B l'avoring the de!enn, the OUR and SAtnnt lU.• l"8 co:n.s~ituttd ~ ~oat to~14able initi•l obataoas, the C'IOWtmio~ti.Cms net, be1\{n~ thtt enea:r .facilitat.d. his R!li.t'tf.11£ or tOJ!'Ot!le to •ee\ an ad• ·nee, the road nttt ~a adtt.-:uate bttt H:lnt.n.~nce 1'0Uld be hMvr~ J.n "'<,inf.1<3in£ tar:.• WQnlrl b • confined - to road•J1 due \o aoil., ollute and -eaJJOtl., Tbare n• 11itl• opportmdt,y • far ttee or ar::ior. .
Ene;a;r capabi.lltl•I" dnr1Jll t>l.e ~inder of the p~riod• 10-l' Dtrenber.t a-:"td be,rontl those et5ti•ted b7 t.he CJ<-2 ~tiaat. of' 9 ».caber, wen Ul'IOh&nged in the Corp1 •Y&lmt.Um. A.t lMe~ t.he Maiq ,Jt«triQdin did not ret"leot a.,. chancia, epildon. (1'.A) Tth.11' ~ C•pab1litJ- 1!9Ct10a note«-~· and the 41daienal wu:t• ldfttit:ied oon\inud. to b4t the l!til• th;j5311, ud 212\h 1'Q uiYi1d.0na.· Ct int.effat -. .the 1nclu1on in the Q•2 Perio4ie !'~ 1' ~'ber"ol a di.owsaioa ot 'fe""1ta cap&ble ot inWrwnUon.. A !llU4 tr.a.·.,_, a-2 hd.~1.e ~ the 14th ,,., quo1'.td, to th• •fhot '\bat OQuft. :t>•••:h'o• ot •aor aal intant17 1n the Jforthern •fftol"a or thtt 11e•t..erft front •«nrtinu.e to be- the J:d.uHt quest:h>n t:ark ill •Del'i9' di1JPOeUon8.o Ind1c.. tions continue that ~ enWlJ" i• plarntina an ~rat.ion that WQ\tld 1111pl.o}' the fov 41visiou of' Sixth IS Panser ~· .... •
~iIRi'G&~·
~,. e&pebillt1•• nn not ttsaa•nd by the Corps ot'tiova dm-ina poat-cupai,p iatenina held W"J.\h '\Ma .,,,.. coabat Jd.etoriaM. {'fII)
III. 8untrlty Probl.Mt• and l•tmrM e
l.lml thti IDI ~· rttll~ the T Corpe ail 4 October, it ae.-.:! • 5() mile li• plll'alleling tM OTlR Ri'Yer, frolJ apPl"OxiMtelT ~, hl&1.•(Wl91) eautnar<' allllOst. to ICBTDX4.C'.Jl ~ on. tb4l G&naa ~U.r.(I,MIJ) !hla ...w.r ~ ••.,... .la1' CHUl!'tmcl betneu tM 1'int ~ 01t 0.. north ad the Third J..ra:r. 111\hin ·tu ~I Cort>•, · \ht 211 ~ St.h llltantr)" P1Yiaiou wre J'Nit10iled JIOl."th to ~th .. Jtl1'lwt P.:iiSt.it.,n cf th~ Ck1rp~ W1\G ~; :'oUr·re t.!~ V Corr~· and We U!J & de;l'~nJ!ll'i& 1-~W t.~,.~n .~1i:mr t..t..e li::.e hiola bJ1 t?1i.' J:::. t.t'lr Ulll t., lill . ' : !i.{)C>)rJ..S~g· 'tei. t.h~ ~l'PB .'l.ftt.E/A\"M.. on ReP,rt. .rm-· October,. tttn B1.W..:d&.1 :f'z-,/r!; """ · st~ttlht.¥.l .:mt. t.."lfl d .t Vil'.iilj:r.s ~r.d m&do ~ prcbliwo of p~i;;~n- lru.:. depth l\~ '!JHtimrlty .i.n th'l' tie.f-.,rst: ~ii ext1·1mi6l;r di:':tioilt or..u,,. 1:1nJ.;r tb.'t it~ ~~~.andi~ ~nd e-ou::.aying r:.any vGr.:ant apots he~tr98n tW, or~anizad po$itlona. 1'he89 Wb19.!&i~ly 1.'Xt~nslva snd wh1 le thq were prott&eted •gdn·~t. any njor enar.r.r thtue~ . b;;' t'h~. tJivl&ions' aotdJ.e r~-:ot:t'i tio~t.h.;· .... ~•(r9 B) t'hia d~lni&ent abo i~inted out that •smo.e t.he !!test. · 'ttctive ·area ~--n th6 sactvr ~ne in the ll<>!•th $n4. .u thia are;i n i ~a."""11! t<> h~ i'{~at 1~1'ih~. ~~1ti~ri t,"tf. t.h~ ~;rps frar~ t !:or tUtm~~ o£f~na:tv~ 011em Uon>J _, u-,, bulk '.at . th$ .. ~-~-~;• > •: ~~ ~ - ,,_-, '.: _. ~ -"~?~:~~ ~.~.. ~~:.(~~;~/r:_.f~·;~.. ~~~r[.i,~;~:\~':\_'-~~:-,.~~~·~- /~,.::;',· t '•,~~:'° ~~! . ?i-meti.c~l~:.f t.hh Corps f<.\1"00~ of' two diY~aio119.-W19~. n-.entea dm:i?\8 Gnt,.Joor- b,r thf!;. ad.. ~i tf.0-r. or tw.'O di"' tcd f'ro.:n ·:~ha 'ltdrd ~13" to t.h~. VIIJ Oorpt; 11 i.t, .'>:t.'"' ita ir;,cl!..r..1.-.-r; 3.ti -~-ha llI!:t ·t"-orp~ t.mie ·1oh.I'ttd the C~t"Pll :i<'.mt.l:P.'Ol bauo41ll"Y ... ?Pl'Oldf~,~t,1dy t-0 .,t..h(f l'>'IQUtheast C('.Jl"iie& !;>f th.e- 9UC.til .;p- l.'UXE:·"}("Jif>.G f ~t. a pl"..~fo.t ~1hero 'f,h~ ~ts:EI.L.E iU..v~r cxostt• d th~ FrMi.'i.00"' ',..,~'"'1tm bordc1·~Qric:)5), On· t,hJ.lno or1 th' ~')th 11 thtt 83d tii.'il:J.!.or. atSlgi'Cl. c r:lY€?' cro-;;alng it~~onei..!·~,t.tr;;~ :..:. t.a>t.f Tr ·~,·1~•1 &iq)OJ.1»:'9 of id.r> def,,,:·.'.11.'li~ postitit'n3~ 'but only~ light rf'ii.•.Jzfon ~curred., <:onaiE tirig of (!otr:t:i & , tl.1leJ7 .-nd JnQri1ir contumt-ro ~1.o;w" {~bk
Orgtm.t~ -.Uomt.11)~ ,.. '.~~o JIII Ce?=l:11 _paesed t~>t.~e ·Fi;~~ .Any on· 22 ~~i·~ . · ·du., tri tru; 1 ~01.tw~ cr?-ou;P 1 ·~ chfi'tjng of tlii'"?:f:bith ·£HiY''fJ'C-~ ~tween,· " . '~ f.µ.st rm1l Thi:rd to th~ n-?rth ot the Firstb (I bid~). ·· .
. . ' 4ct""t6~1 -.mu dofea;:;iv. b,r .1.h~ Corpg duri~ Oetoln~~\. ~ith S<>ae ~>llt.i'!it p~rtr9llinJr, tt:ru:l hstar.a:tng ~. i:J 1~r.r,,.(lb1d .. ) . ~ latt.e:r ~aa lisd.tflt! b.,r GW;r".li"!f.tio•1 -~l lowE.! •.: Nl .'jr c:ul;.r \.llW to tnI.,~~n+.h~ of. a uit!.t~ t)i"' .ti:("Q r~r •.tt."r; , A:i.f:' aitH".lf)fi~ Wo&i'C'• 1.a... t•:..
-- ' . -~... -i ?i~~~r; !-~~,+ 1 ~;-ij.;- ~ '~ ~:~~c_ :- -' "'.;,. j. )-Jr~Ht:..,..,4--i • .- '''"'":--,-~. ,,,_,.__ •.&~+~;7 ------=----=-----~------!!
9th : ?'1BOl"i'd iii ~.z c·a rM•ne!' and &'tPJ:orti~ th9 gJd Pivinion rlih anwNd e.M.illerr ant\ nc.eiTi.Di "'°". e·~t axp.erieac:.e ... (I,C) Tho Corps oenter I lfafi (.W!OUJ;i•d ~ t,h£ B't.h Pi-.-!.,ioa" Yh,.ch ne evread ovd· I'll: e:d•YUJ ~..,.. -.:.~.t t.h,.. ·.y.i-e. ~hie J'P"M.ior.. .:>t tb.t f1,>nt r.ae- furt'bt":r: ...U.e~rd on 19 &.)~1*t .. I :tr.:i- ~-ll8 ~4~n~ f'Jf th• 8tt.. a:.'\ tho ,1on;.-out a'th ll1~'1irJ("1H.fo Tb.a .lat~er ..o-rn~i. "' .,.J- • f!'05. it.sa !'itl,htinz f~>!' th.t" ac:!'3 d"1~, a.nrl needitd rtrhabiUtatio~ dnd rejnfo:r>C>;;; I ;i~ill1.j lflticn tt.B 1.111'..ttMi~tt q ·md•.rt.n.lct1:1., b ill vctohl"ri.; lit.tle gzi"l ii ~ i"E~;:;nn&~ssar.M •"'• ~raitt1' , dwr t-4 low ov.-caat.$ treq·:umt reia and f·::.>gc. -ii I AzJ of l D6~b'('.r, t.bie CG.rptt oonttnu'ld -1 t.ainir..g it.s utenl!Ji'ff ~ nn ~ l:l:t"* ot def'e:riM o.i' th# Firet Yt'e aouthern 10M$(!,P) This iron.tt 'ft'1 bc"tl¥~n tLe '.firat Anty' a r...c-rthetn :Jl'A?. wti1.ch wr-e aotiw durJne thllt f1.o.+,..':''t:--!r and ~v~ib"'r ~TW".AFF.U:O tif"~ drivf'.: t-o '*Ptllr\t 1#.~ ~~ th• -~ Jtr}l:l< R1._1" d"!!1g ~nt' tl•"' Thlt"! l.""Jii.7 vM .:;}1 ca; ·tund .~ dttri;l..~ it• O~ <.i:-.bfr~ P~.c t~r d:rin to'l'a.t.J.a tli.- S!m?RJ:lr , Liu.e, Ranr;J.nc Korth tc ~»Qi;.t.h we1tt tla1 2d,. Z~th 3 and 8).d Di-r16iota1 with. th• 9th Anlori:td in NMn• Mrl re~hi"f bet.tle indootrin.tioA,,
' ' ctwJie:iJ in. tb$ Co!'pa ocgpotdtif.la ocaursed chtrin& the tint third o.t 1.leeeaber, wt-..ioh, llllih f.l(\t .aducbg a the nuurioal maher or diYiaions, <~i ~ lo~i' tM Corp~ crmltty,. tws~~) The 4th XiiY!eJiO'n(Y Corp•) •chang&'d ?iith t..lut !l.'H Dhl.tkn on 7 ~.:-m"Jerp llO'fing t'l'O'il it• f'-lrtgen Fer-e*t ~\lillg to th• Ylll O!ttpi1 tor Nl:11. •!'d r~h.lbili tat.icr.'h ~n= four dt.7• l ~r, th• new, inaxperl.-!fl1i.c~ 106th Dineioll r1'llff'('Jd the 2J ti:Ti•ioni whic.u. like ':.h'! 8);i,, 'QAt t.o the V Corp11, A ft:lur-ldlo!:r.ete2· front ~aa JlftA to 1;,~ 9th ! rl'O n>l D1?1811)n on lO I>ecei:.be-r, .nioh had. ti.oen bbt41.ni..ag ~~nt-llne upori•nc• tor • 21C11th al\d a half. t,hro11,gh att.ch- tMnt ot &~fli'!ent to line df-.·ieiom~. 1o~1n ~, onl,y t.he 60th ~red !nfn1< L7 Btltt.n.Ll.\)tt a.00 j t.:s fUP!;~rtln.., fot*'-..'l-tt8 Hr• tiYe.n tJie IWW dirldoMl fro?:.t. ..
T:n.a 9 'lt" o! ll D1HW'"·bu• the V!l.t Co1:i>11 RI CClllflOHd of tl\'9 4th; 2dtA1 1~!6th l:nfn"ll:ry Divieiou aNl the 9th Aruonoct, an d \htr:r .,.~ the !or(lea 02l th~ Corp• l..iM f!'ft dayr .lDt.er wh.n ti» C}:l:int.rof'f'•n•h·• •tl"'lWk.. Th qondltiom
4tA Dh·.. : 'fvy bt\ttl• "'"; nlle~'t a.tt.r ewer•l wi&•kt:. ot mhrrou 'F~ist f!PtH.~ f'or re!St An4 nf.P.billU\tlon; in :.rda:rn-.e;o; ;::~3\tion ~.ht.Yur, a. llrf'ek priot. t.> Comt&ror:r.. :. ivfa 11 7..,1~ ~e:nL~r,,
28th Div. s Biltt.le wi••s rel1eY9d fJ"Oll ROli liver da•a .rtchUng for rie.t eir.d nh1tbilitat.ioni Oemlpied ~4efm•• puit.ion Jl w•eka, l911ff.,..,. 1' Dttceabttr•
..;.Y.tt. Div, 1 lnib..a.l e0Mittwn1t a~d iMi~--iaDOedi oeeup1ed -~""denne• ~ait.1Vtt fin dAy:I! pr1cn• to CcUJ!t«l."Off•nl!li'N, ll... 1.5 IiNa,bc.rc
9th Ar!l'd Dl~:RilO&lYed b&ttlo indOGtrlnation tbro~ att.achr.aent or .,1~tntc t.-, liM t!irl.111.oni! dtll'~ug 7 aeka prior to lO Dece-Ml>er; wLUt •nit-,""MJ. a dlTiaioul •~ten·, 0017 an Ari'tO:red int11ntr,. blttlllon ~T1d a":.t4'ch••nt .:>ccupied itf.NM 10 Dee6i1hfir ..
·.
------. . . , REF ID :A55776·+ ~o \'tr.lt14·.1d., f
In ~-nt'.""~s.~.r.i; iiltJ'«>ugh battle wise, two ot tha tour d1"1e1orui wrf!l
oc~.i.ft~ : !"tfa11·~!!~. r,r>:rt.ions for .t"e.st and %-flh!l'oi11 t£-ttion,0 during outt m~~ ..3t· YM&kt:1 ros~th'ft; the other tlf.J divialou re.c•h"i.1'1€ their battl.tit ~xt~1·i~M• Qj\ t.. h.b 9-etrusive, quiot 1·r- nt, or.. to1· llnl~ fiv• da,-•,, th11t ot.;~-r t,'r;i.-u1't-.;h '!&'f't!U :J:1':ekB -:;f <..t¥ti\(';hriont ~.t..,l!:Lttnti to· lin~ dl:1i.t1to.n~ . . ~'J.l6 .:'tf tJ;~ f.::·~ ~H~·t8'.'1'Ui 'it.',;; both ha tle ~.x:ro1~:ten~ed and in f1gkM:r1g ~-::~'id~~i,,,1~ ·,\hf:i.:: the Ci~~tmw J.;:1·m.~hrJ~ i,i·1$~l"' l6 D$~"t11~r ofl'aneiva, \t',tr,, r..~·:Jl. ~ i ...... P~ .• J-...... =
·Cor,;t:1 6p_t;ro.t,.'!.9~ dttrir1" ttiG lant t>ff~ral ~... 11' pr~inc the 16th of .Dt~S11t~r lndi~~tr~1 th~ ln~k o! e~~Yc~ncy proteetiv• ~aaur•s wh1oh "ttvtiI ·. ~ ~ ~>'!"~ tJt:~~bJ,1 iiJren. {f th~ ~;r pr. exp~t6il tJlEr l.Ara-\'J- ~ct.al.., en10~·
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