14th December 1944

Wacht am Rhein -2 days

The US Twelfth Army Group situation map has 352 Volksgrenadier Division in Bitburg, 30kms from the Westwall & the Our River, a tributary of the Sauer on the German/Luxembourg border.

The weather is chilly & damp after heavy rain.

1)

The US 28 Inf. Div., resting after losses in the bitter fighting of the Hürtgen forest, are in position on the high ground on the Luxembourg side of the river.

They’re unaware 352VGD (Red) are already in their jump off positions on the Westwall with 5FJ Div. to their right.

2)

Yet on 12 Dec, US 8th Corps HQ in Spa have rec’d eyewitness accounts of German troop concentrations between Bitburg & the border from locals (previously abducted on 10 Dec by German patrols for their own intelligence).

These accounts were not considered reliable enough.

3)

As the rank & file of 352VGD weren’t yet aware of the upcoming offensive & the 28ID were oblivious too, a ‘relaxed’ meeting occurred when patrols met just days before near the Our.

A wary parlez took place with cigarettes swapped before the sides warily went their ways.

4)

Tomorrow we will look at the background to both 352VGD & 28ID prior to the offensive.

Pics illustrative only.

5/end)