Cable, Bernard Montgomery to Dwight D. Eisenhower

TOP SECRET TOP SECRET SHAEF STAFF MESSAGE CONTROL x INCOMING MESSAGE UAGT SHAEF x 16/23 X 13/23 TOO: 222155A December TOR: 230115 December TOP URGENT E FROM : EXFOR TAC, FROM FIELD marshal MONTGOMERY TO : SHAEF MAIN, FOR GENERAL EISENHOWER FOR HIS EYES ONLY REF NO : M-389, 22 December 1944 Thank you for your S-71982 of 21st December. HODGES was a bit shaken early on and needed moral support and was very tired. He is doing better now and I see him and SIMPSON every day. Has been ordered Ninth Army to get two divisions into re- serve from XIX Corps. 5th Armored Division I have given to First Army and the other division will be in Ninth Army reserve. Have put 3rd Armored Division back into VII Corps so COLLINS now has four divisions. From information available here I am not optimistic that attack of Third Army will be strong enough to do what is needed and I suggest Seventh Germany Army will possibly hold off PATTON from interfering with progress westwards of Fifth Panzer Army. In this case I will have to deal unaided with both Fifth and Sixth Panzer Armies. Consider it vital that all bridges over the MEUSE South of GIVET should be well and truly held and would be interested to hear about this. From GIVET inclusive northwards all bridges are very strongly held. First Army is now reorganized and in good trim and we will fight a good battle up here. S-71982, Originated by SGS, December 22, 1944. DISTRIBUTION: Dr 1. SUPREME commander 2. CHIEF OF STAFF 3. General BULL (Personal) (ACTION) 4. 5. DECLASSITIED DOD DIR. 5200.8 SEPT. 27,1958 NE BY RJS DATE 2/24/67 COPY NO 1 SUPREME COMMANDER TOP SECRET