-
9. Patton’s Alternative Lines of Action
- The University Press of Kentucky
- Chapter
- Additional Information
9 Patton’s Alternative Lines of Action It remained for Patton, the diligent student of military history, to state in forthright terms the classic but venturesome solution . . . the Ardennes salient should be cut off and the German armies engulfed therein by a vise closing from north and south against the shoulders of the Bulge. —Hugh Cole At this juncture it is important to examine Patton’s estimate process. Through it, the historian can evaluate his favored lines of action and compare them with those favored by Eisenhower and Bradley. The estimate process was designed to guard against selecting lines of action that did not lead anywhere decisive. The estimate offers insights into Patton’s ability to think and plan beyond the present problem faced by Third Army. He had accomplished his initial mission. He had reoriented Third Army, penetrated the German southern front, and relieved the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne. Even as the 4th Armored Division made its final attempt to get into Bastogne, Patton was regrouping Third Army and updating his estimate based on directions from Bradley. Patton’s post-Bastogne mission was to continue the counteroffensive toward St. Vith, along with two secondary tasks: containing the German advance east of the Meuse, and holding along the present line between Saarlautern and Echternach.1 Third Army Capability On December 26, after five days of hard fighting, Third Army still possessed considerable combat power. Patton now had three armored divisions —the 4th, 6th, and 10th—and nine infantry divisions—the 4th, 182 The Incomplete Victory 5th, 26th, 28th, 35th, 80th, 90th, and 95th and the 101st Airborne Division . The weakened condition of the 4th and 28th Infantry Divisions, however, reduced the total to the equivalent of seven or eight infantry divisions. Despite its ordeal in Bastogne, the 101st Airborne Division, according to Maxwell Taylor, was in excellent condition, had adequate supplies , and was ready for offensive combat.2 Patton’s reorganization of Third Army at the time was as follows: At 1300 he assigned CCA/9th Armored Division, situated near Luxembourg City, to III Corps. Millikin was to attach it to Gaffey’s division for an attack on the left flank to widen the relief corridor by opening up the Neufchâteau–Bastogne highway. The main weight of Gaffey’s division was still held up at Hompré and farther southeast. CCA/9th Armored Division was relieved by CCA/6th Armored Division, now fully concentrated around Mersch after moving up from Lorraine.3 The 10th Armored Division (less CCB, still in Bastogne) withdrew from XII Corps’ front and began to move to Metz to refit; it would be replaced by the 6th Armored Division. At 2000 McBride’s 80th Infantry Division was assigned to XII Corps.4 To fill the gap between Paul and Gaffey, Patton ordered the 35th Infantry Division up from Metz and assigned it to III Corps. This reorganization was intended to give Third Army “the strongest possible striking force into the enemy bulge.” Patton’s staff assessed the army’s overall capability as follows: Table 9.1. Third Army Order of Battle Following the Relief of Bastogne VIII Corps III Corps XII Corps XX Corps 101 Abn Div 4 Armd Div 80 Inf Div 90 Inf Div CCB/10 Armd Div 26 Inf Div 5 Inf Div 95 Inf Div CCR/9 Armd Div 35 Inf Div 4 Inf Div 10 Armd Div 28 Inf Div (–) CCA/9 Armd Div 6 Armd Div 5 Ranger Bn 4 French Pcht Bn 6 Cav Gp 2 Cav Gp 3 Cav Gp HQ/9 Armd Div 735 Tk Bn 702 Tk Bn 712 Tk Bn 609 TD Bn (elms) 654 TD Bn 70 Tk Bn 778 Tk Bn 704 TD Bn 609 TD Bn (elms) 607 TD Bn 610 TD Bn 803 TD Bn [18.209.66.87] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 16:18 GMT) Patton’s Alternative Lines of Action 183 All the known German striking power in the west is now concentrated in a well-defined area. . . . At present the Third Army composes seven (7) strong infantry divisions and three (3) armored divisions. These forces are supported by 108 battalions of artillery . In addition, four potential divisions exist (94th, 87th, 17th AB, and 11th Armored). . . . The Third Army service installations are exceptionally well situated at the present time to support continuation of the attack. Our stores in these installations are being improved daily. Our rail net in this area is excellent. The present supply...