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Letter, Major General J. Lawton Collins to Major General James L. Collins
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12113405
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Letter, Major General J. Lawton Collins to Major General James L. Collins
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J. Lawton Collins Papers
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1945-01-16
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1945
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16 January 1945
Major General James L. Collins
Headquarters Fifth Service Command
Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio
Dear James:
Your letter of the 8th of November reached me shortly before Von
Rundstedt launched his attack into the Ardennes. We were just winding up
our drive to the Roer, and it looked as if we might have a relatively quiet
Christmas.
However, when it became apparent that the German attack was a
major effort, my headquarters and corps troops were quickly shifted to the
south where I took over a couple of divisions which had already been thrown
into action and some additional troops. As indicated in the attached news-
paper interview by Marshal Montgomery, it was originally intended that we
be kept out of the defensive fighting and used only for counter-offensive
purposes. But it became necessary for part of my forces to hold defensively
and for a while it appeared as if the Germans would be able to completely
outflank the First Army before we were fully concentrated. On Christmas Eve
I was faced with the decision as to whether to counterattack or to "roll
back with the punch" while covering the Army flank. I decided to counter-
attack with one of our fine armored divisions, and on Christmas day we not
only stopped the point of Von Rundstedt's spearhead, but broke it off com-
pletely. Our armor destroyed practically all of the tanks of the German 2d
Panzer Division, and the whole Allied north flank was saved. Some day I
will give you the details of the situation as it was put up to me, but I
can't right now although much of this has already been made public and I am
letting out no secrets. Unquestionably this was the major decision I have
had to make thus far. As usual, in retrospect it might appear that there
was nothing else to do, but with a lack of definite enemy information at the
time and a threat on our left flank as well, it was not as simple as it now
seems.
Monty's story is not altogether complete inasmuch as we, and not
any other force, went back to the counter-offensive role as soon as we had
definitely stopped the German drive. Since the 3d of January we have been
attacking along the north face of the salient. The weather and terrain have
been our greatest enemies. It began to snow the morning of our attack, and
for the next five days we had almost constant snow and icy wind to contend
with. Our men have again proved their remarkable adaptability and their
willingness to take anything that is thrown against them. Last night we made
a link with the forces coming up from the south at Houffalize, and it is only
a question of time before the entire German salient will have been liquidated.
We have destroyed a great quantity of German equipment and have taken close
to eight thousand prisoners. The only reason that the Germans managed to get
Elseahemer
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13
out at all, was that the weather prevented our air from operating and made
artillery observation extremely difficult.
I have seen quite a good deal of Monty since this operation began
and I am impressed again with his ability. However, off the record, I don't
think he is nearly as able a tactician as Omar Bradley. He never makes a
move without an eye to what the enemy might do to him, and he will normally
not attack unless he has quite overwhelming superiority. The Germans are
not likely ever to defeat him, but he also is not likely ever to win a deci-
sive victory. Personally, he is a very attractive man and we get along with
him fine. There has been first-rate cooperation between the British and our-
selves throughout this show, and the British have been high in their praise
of the stand that our people made in the face of the great superiority of
the Germans in the initial phases of the attack. Incidentally, I know very
well General Tony McAuliffe who made the epic reply of "Nuts" to the German
demand for the surrender of Bastogne. There is no question but that his
retention of this key center was a major contribution to the defeat of Rund-
stedt's drive.
Many thanks for the dope that you sent on the stock market. I read
most of the principle articles, but have taken no action nor advised Gladys
to take any up to date. We are simply too far away and I'm too much absorbed
in the constant fighting we have had to be able to give any time to the ques-
tion of investments. Actually with two girls at college, we will probably
have to spend our current savings on tuition and other expenses. I have paid
no income tax since the war started, having been advised by some of my friends
in civilian life, now in the army, that there was a possibility of a bill
being passed someday exempting from income tax, members of the armed services
during the period that they were actually in the combat zone overseas. There
appears to be little likelihood now of such a bill being passed, so that I
have a considerable backlog of income tax that we will be able to meet only
by cashing in a large share of the War Bonds which we have bought. I feel as
you do, that there will be a drop in the stock market once the European war
is definitely over, and it will probably be wise to keep in the savings account
any current funds we have that are not needed for the children's college
expenses.
Lawton came in to see me ten days or so ago to extend his greetings
for the new year. He was just passing by and had no time to stop. His bat-
talion supported the division that made our counterattack southeast of Dinant
and again gave a fine account of itself. I thought Lawton looked better and
more rested than he had at any time since D-day. He appeared to have put on
a little weight, which he needs, though I may have gotten this impression from
the fact that he was bundled up in a coat.
Our youngsters were all home for Christmas and apparently had a
wonderful time. Jerry got by in calculus on the skin of his teeth, but he
has studied very hard this year. Of course, the amount of calculus that he
learns is of little or no importance, but he has gained a great deal of self-
confidence and a determination not to let his academic difficulties get him
down. I think he will make a fine officer if he decides to stay in the army.
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out Elsenhowal STRIETY
Gladdie is thoroughly enjoying Vassar, and Nancy is anticipating entering
there next year if she can sufficiently impress the college entrance board.
Like Jerry, she has no natural aptitude for book learning, but I am sure
that she will do well at Vassar as well as in life.
Clear sky and bright sunshine outside is offering our first oppor-
tunity to use fighter-bombers in some time, so I am hoping that we can wind
up the current phase of our operations before dark tonight. But I must get
out to check up on a couple of our divisions, so will say "adios".
Love to you all,
Library PUT
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