For What Stakes?

The first impact of the German offensive in the Ardennes had been stunning. Much more so was the size of the breakthrough, the continuing torrent of Nazi power poured through the gaps, the speed of the German spearheads.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's generalship looked good. Using every possible means of deception and concealment, he had massed a formidable attacking force in the hills and woods. Allied air reconnaissance had reported some movement and concentrations there, but headquarters had not fully evaluated the enemy's real strength and intentions. Rundstedt had achieved tactical and strategic surprise.

The timing of the blow had also been shrewd. To the north, Rundstedt had fought a slowly yielding defense back to the Roer River, and had struck while the Allies were building up their strength for a crossing. Rundstedt may also have timed his strikes to hit home before a Russian offensive could be launched on the central Polish sector.

So far, Rundstedt had won a substantial victory. U.S. military spokesmen said that Rundstedt was making a great gamble. What stakes was he playing for?

If he had no more power to throw in than he had already shown, he probably aimed to smash up the First Army's manpower, supplies and communications sufficiently to immobilize it temporarily (three to six months). If, after accomplishing this limited objective, he succeeded in extricating his armor and infantry, he would have nailed down his minimum victory.

If Rundstedt had still more hidden reserves to commit to battle, he might possibly try to cut in behind the First and destroy the bulk of it, roll up the three other Allied armies to the north, recapture Antwerp and even wheel back into France. These were high stakes indeed, and the Germans' chances seemed correspondingly small.

The best Allied hope was to contain the offensive, bring up massive reinforcements capable of destroying the German forces. In General Eisenhower's favor was the fact the enemy was now out in the open--not in the fortifications, river lines and prepared defenses of the Westwall. From the tone of his proclamation to his troops, Eisenhower seemed to think the job could be done.

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