Diary Entry

DECLASSIFIED 2000 DOD DIR. 5200.9, 27, NE by BSR 10/5/20 SHAEF MAIN - 21 January. During the past week the enemy, aided by the weather, was method- ically completing his withdrawal from the ARDENNES, and deliberately building up a force and a plan for a second offensive in ALSACE. However the Russian offensive in POLAND, so long expected, ripped the whole Eastern front wide open. On the Western front the withdrawal in the ARDENNES, a major operation conducted with skill and dogged fighting, continued to absorb much of the enemy's energy. At no point was a breakthrough achieved against him nor was any major formation cut off. Facts for which he has perhaps the weather to thank, for his general position had grown most precarious. Mean- time, his attacking forces in ALSACE were concentrated in the Northeast corner, where, when battering against the Maginot Line proved fruitless, he transferred his force to exploit the gradually growing success of the GAMBSHEIM bridgehead. This was linked up with the forces to the North, Allied counter-attacks were repelled, and a more serious threat Westwards was begun. At the same time, the Allies launched two attacks, one in the far South at MULHOUSE, and one in the North near SITTARD, to which the enemy has as yet made no very positive reaction. After the outburst of activity in the COLMAR bridgehead during the second week of January, the past week, in contrast, was very quiet. The area North of COLMAR, always an active neighborhood, was the scene of a small attack launched on the afternoon of January 16th. Except for one or two minor patrol crossings of the RHINE and some artillery fire there was little other German activity in this sector. North of STRASSBOURG the bridgehead at GAMBSHEIM which at the beginning of the week was suffering some reverses and appeared to be shrinking, was reinforced on January 16th. After some very bitter fighting, the bridgehead was thrust Northwards and on the following day made a tenuous connection with the First Army!s (German) left wing when STATTMATTEN, DAHL- HUDEN, and DENGOLSHEIM were captured. 10th SS Panzer Division was committed at HERRLISHEIM