Elsenborn Ridge - Background and Movement To Battle

Background and Movement To Battle

“We gamble everything!” were the words used by Gerd von Rundstedt, commander-in-chief of the German Western Front, to describe operation “Watch on the Rhine”. Adolf Hitler’s surprise counter-offensive in the west was first officially outlined on September 16, 1944. This assault's goal was to pierce the thinly held lines of the U.S. First Army between Monschau and Wasserbillig with Army Group B (Model), cross the Meuse between Liege and Dinant, seize Antwerp and the western bank of the Schelde estuary. The Germans had designated two rollbahns through the sector near Elsenborn which would give them direct access to the road network leading to the valuable port of Antwerp, splitting the allied American and British armies and inflaming rivalries between them.

Read more about this topic:  Elsenborn Ridge

Famous quotes containing the words background and, background, movement and/or battle:

    ... every experience in life enriches one’s background and should teach valuable lessons.
    Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)

    ... every experience in life enriches one’s background and should teach valuable lessons.
    Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)

    What new thoughts are suggested by seeing a face of country quite familiar, in the rapid movement of the rail-road car!
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    If you are willing to inconvenience yourself in the name of discipline, the battle is half over. Leave Grandma’s early if the children are acting impossible. Depart the ballpark in the sixth inning if you’ve warned the kids and their behavior is still poor. If we do something like this once, our kids will remember it for a long time.
    Fred G. Gosman (20th century)