GEORGE S. PATTON DIARIES Annotated transcripts Nov. 30, 1944-Mar. 22, 1945 (2 of 2) BOX 3 FOLDER 10 February 1, 1945(cont'd p.2) this I told Eddy to stop his preparations. Hell and damn. This is another case of giving up a going attack in order to start one that has no promise of success except to exalt Monty, who has never won a battle since he left Africa and only El Alamein there. I won Mareth for him. The Mareth Battle was won mostly through the efforts of the II American Corps and not through the efforts of the British Eighth Army. Drove to Thionville to lunch with the XX Corps and then visit the 94th Division. I told General Malony that his Division was the worst in the Army in ratio of non-battle casualties to battle casualties and if conditions did not improve, he himself would become a non-battle casualty. I was intentionally rough. I then talked to the field officers and representatives from each company, giving them the usual talk. I also praised the men for what they had done, but told them very frankly that the 94th Division had lost more men as prisoners of war than all the other troops I had commanded during my entire military service and that they must wipe out the disgrace. I then patted General Malony on the back, and believe that this technique will have the desired effect. When I got back to Headquarters, Bradley called and justified my worst fears. We will lose the 95th Division to the Ninth Army and also lose perhaps five or six artillery battalions and two Group Headquarters. I was quote outspoken in my objections, but Bradley said that it was not even Eisenhower's plan, but was forced on him by the combined Chiefs of Staff. Damn this political war. However, the mistakes of the high command have thus far turned to my personal advantage and glory. Here's hoping. February 2,1945 Started at 0830 with Harkins and Codman to drive to Headquarters First Army at SPA, Belgium, via Bastogne and Houffalize. The latter town is completely removed. I have never seen anything like it in this war. In my opinion, it is worse than St. Vith. ( 0 little town of Houffalize, how still we see thee lie; above the steep and bat- tered streets the aeroplanes sail by. Yet in the dark streets shineth not any Goddamned light; the hopes and fears of all the years were blown to hell last night." SPA is watering place, and Hodges' office is in the same room that was occupied in the fall of 1918 by Hindenburg when he came to the decision that the front could no longer be maintained and told the Emporer that the war lost. From the windows we could see the lake around which the Emporor walked while waiting the decision from Hindenburg. Bradley, Hodges, Simpson and I, with a few staff officers, met after lunch in what may be another momentous mistake. General Bradley stated that after General Eisenhower had seen General Marshall in a southern French port, he had been directed on the authority of the combined chief of staff to attack with the British 21st Army Group and the Ninth Army, all under General Montgomery. Bradley thought that part of this decision was the desire to see that the 14 British divi- sions, which have been sitting in Northern Belgium for the last two months without fighting, were used. The purpose of the attack is to secure as rapidly as possible a wide stretch of the Rhine River so that, in the event that Germany collapses, we will have a quick entry. I feel, and I believe Hodges also agrees, that our present attack, which is moving, has a better chance of getting to the Rhine first than has a new attack which will not start until February 10th, if then. February 2, 1945( cont'd p.2) Furthermore, neither of us has a very high opinion of the Offensive value of British troops. First and Third Armies will be allowed to continue their present attack until to 10th and thereafter, provided the casualties and the ammunition expenditures are not excessive. This is owing to the fact that we have not got sufficient ammunition or replacements to maintain the attack of three armies. The 6th Army Group is to go on the defensive but will not take over the Moselle-Saar triangle. A good thing, too. Personally, I think that this is a foolish and ignoble way for the Americans to end the war. In my opinion, every division should be attacking, and if such an attack were made, the Germans do not have the resource to stop it. We were all very gloomy, especially as the First and Third each lose a Division and some guns and get nothing in return. It was further revealed to us that SHAEF is taking several Divisions for a theater reserve- reserve against what? - which seems to me painting the lily, or locking the stable door after the horse is stolen. To cheer myself up, I ordered two over-and-under 16-gauge shotguns , one for myself and one for Fred. 12,000 Belgian francs each. Had all four corps commanders in this morning to discuss how best to continue our attack. We can either send a division from the XII Corps to replace the 95th, which was taken from the VIII Corps and sent the Ninth Army, or we can let the VII Corps continue with three infantry and one armored division, which at the present moment seems to be adequate, and attack with the XII Corps on the old Bitburg plan. Owing to the road situation, which, on account of the thaw is deplorable, the second plan can be put into effect first, so I decided to do it and hoped to get off on the night of the 6th. February 3, 1945( I lost just one day by being ordered to do nothing until I had been to the SPA Conference. Of course my plan of attack is only tenable on the assumption that the Germans have not got the power to hit back. I believe this to be the case. I tried to get an extra armored division to give to the XX Corps in order to clear up the Moselle- Sear triangles, but as usual, by request was turned down. Less vigor- ous action is favored by the 12th Army Group. They simply can't take a chance. The plan to have the war end, if it does, with the 6th Army Group and the Third Army on the defensive is the height of folly, both from a political and a military angle. Bradley thinks that one of the factors inducing General Marshall to attack in the north is his de- sire to get some work out of the 14 British and Canadian divisions which have done nothing for months. It is a mistake. Monty is/slow and timid that he will find a German build-up in front of him and will stall. I feel that if Bradley knew I was starting a new attack with the XII Corps he might stop it, so I shall not tell him. Van Fleet and Grow came to dinner last night. Grow says that, contrary to my opinion, air bursts in pine forests are not dangerous, as the trees absorb the fragments. His experiences lends credence to this. Van Fleet said he thought the VIII Corps with three infantry divisions had sufficient power to go on, and asked me to be sure to get him back into the Third Army. General Leclerc, of the French 2nd Armored Division, also sent an officer begging to be reassigned to the Third Army. It is bootlick or admiration ? General Bade was in to say goodbye, and also requested to be gotten back. I had the pleasure of giving him a Silver Star. February 4, 1945 The black market both yesterday and today seems to indicate the Germans are fully informed of Montgomery's offensive and are moving troops to stop it. If this is the case, and our offensive continues, we may still be reinforced and have an opportunity of getting to the Rhine first. I visited the Hospitals and found an extremely small number of wounded, but came on three self-inflicted wound cases... two shot through the left foot and one through the left hand. I told the Chief of Staff to get out an order that all men who receive self-inflicted wounds will be tried on two counts before leaving the Army area; first, for self-inflicted wounds; second, for negligence. On the latter count they can get 6 months. They should get life, the yellow dogs. It is very difficult to prove self-inflicted wound cases, but the negligence charge can give them six months so that they will not get off for nothing. In my opinion there is nothing lower than a man who, in order to save his own self, maims himself and leaves to his more heroic comrades an extra duty to perform. Went to church. February 5, 1945 I am trying to keep the impending Bitburg offensive secret so that the powers that be will not order it stopped. Therefore I was quite worried when Bradley telephoned and asked if I could meet him and IKE at Bastogne. I trust that it is simply a desire to be photo- graphed in that historic city, but it may be further orders. In any event, General Eddy will jump off at 0100 on the 7th. Apparently the meeting at Bastogne was purely a social one, but I was more amused than surprised when General Eisenhower failed to 1. In taking charge of the Arts and Skills at the Mt. Alto Veterans' Hospitals, D.C., Ruth Ellen made the arrange- ment with the understanding that she would have nothing to do with the 'self-inflicted'. BAP February 5,1945 (cont'd p.2) make any remark about my Bastongne operation; in fact he made no refer- ence whatever to the great successes of the 3d Army. So far in my dealings with him he has never mentioned in a complimentary way any action that myself or any other officer has performed. I do not be- lieve that it is intentional, but just carelessness; however, it is poor leadership. He had on his new five stars- a very pretty insignia. We were photographed in front of a carefully selected junk heap, then drove to Headquarters First Army. During the whole conversion I carefully avoided mentioning the attack by the XII Corps. I felt very much as Nelson must have felt when, he night before the attack on Calvi, in Corsica, he discovered the enemy were twice as numerous as they were supposed to be, and carefully refrained from telling his superior. I am doing that just now, and for the same reason. IKE stated, when I made a remark about Middleton, that he could see no reason why a man could not keep those under him whom he trusted, and that he was personally handicapped by having to keep Devers under him, whom he distrusted. I told him I felt the same way about Devers. I next drove to the Trois Vierges, which is 30 kilometers north- east of Bastogne and is now the headquarters of the VIII Corps. Gen- eral Middleton was quite pleased when I told him that I had requested that, if I lost a Corps, I would not lose him. He said that I not used his name in vain in telling General Eisenhower that he wanted to stay with me; that he did, and while he had nothing against Hodges, he had nothing for him. Middleton is full confidence. The VII Corps attack is going better than I expected. The 4th Division is only about 3 kilometers from Prum. The 11th Armored Division will also attack February 5, 1945(cont'd p.3) at 4:00 in the morning to get some high ground south of the 4th Infantry Division which is vital to the continuance of their attack. ( later- the 11th armored failed to make it.) Drove back through Wiltz, which is much shorter than going through Bastogne; in fact we made the trip in about an hour and a half. February 6, 1945 I woke up at 3:00 0'clock this morning, and it suddenly occurred to me that if we get a break-through in either the VIII or XII Corps, or in both, we have a situation which will permit launching two or possibly three armored divisions, and we have the opportunity of re- enacting the Brest Peninsula show. Whether ideas like this are the results of inspiration or insomnia, I don't know but nearly every tact- ical idea I have had popped into my like Minerva and not as his- torians attempt to describe generals who work things out on paper in a laborious manner. If we do launch three divisions there will be know line left to hold. In any case, I will take a chance. The Lord will provide. (Note by GSP: This was the origin of the Palatinate Campaign) General Eddy came in just after lunch on his way to his advanc- ed command post. He is quite confident that both the 5th and 80th Divi- sions will get some across the Sauer River. If they do not I will be very much mistaken. February 7, 1945 The 5th Division attacked at 0100 without artillery preparation over the Sauer River. Due to enemy fire and the rapid current and flood waters, the current running nearly 15 m.p,h, we had a great February 7, 1945 (cont'd p.2) many boat casualties and probably lost about 60 men by drowning. One combat command of the 76th Division, attached to the 5th, which attack- ed on the east flank, made a more successful landing than the 5th and has one battalion on the east bank, but know bridge. The 80th Division attacking west of Wallensdorf, before the Our enters the Sauer River, had less difficulty with the water, and has elements of two battalions across. It is receiving only a limited amount of artillery fire. The 80th attack came at dawn and was preceded by a 30 minute artillery con- centraion. I visited General Eddy at his command post and neither of us is satisfied with the progress. The III and VIII Corps are only do- ing fairly well. The III corps has got two battalions, one of the 17th Airborne and one of the 7th Armored Division, over the Our River. In the VIII Corps, the 87th Division is on its objective, but the 4th and 90th are going very slowly, though taking some prisoners (800 as of yesterday.) The 4th Division was counter-attacked unsuccessfully by the infantry elements of the 2d Panzer Division. In the afternoon I visited the front held by the 2d Cavalry Group under Colonel the "Hank" Reed, and was very much pleased with his meth- od of occupying the line. I doubt if there is any danger of a serious attack except in the nature of a spoiling operation and, until the 4th Armored moves further north, it is in a position to stop anything that can break through Reed. In the meantime the Russian threat is bound to have some effect. February 8, 1945 Things are quit gloomy except in the XX Corps. Everywhere else we are making very poor progress and have no bridges over the river, except in the case of the 6th Armored Division in the III Corps. This is mostly due to weather. February 8, 1945( cont'd p.2) I called Bradley to see if I could postpone withdrawing the 17th Airborne, but he was know help. His success is due to his lack of backbone and subservience to those above him. I will mange without him. In fact, I always have; even in Sicily he had to be carried. Personally I fight every order that I do not like, which makes me unpopular but suc- cessful. Middleton just called to ask if, in view of the very bad state of the weather, and the fact that the roads are practically impassable, he should continue his attack on Prum. I told him to go ahead. We will have to risk being hit on the Sky-Line Drive (National Route 16) and supply part of the VIII Corps that way, and the other part through Wiltz. General Muller is also pushing a railway to the vicinity of St. Vith. When this get through, the situation will be ameliorated because the roads in Germany are much better built and therefore stand up better than those in Belgium and Luxembourg. I also suggested to Middleton that we supply him through the III Corps area, as the roads there are probab- ly better, particularly the Wiltz route. February 9, 1945 After looking the matter over, General Middleton decided not to change his routes of supply. He thinks he can maintain what he has done by reading his ammunition consumption, and, if necessary, can secure an air drop. Left at 0845 and drove to Martelange to see the III Corps and warn Millikin that the two engineer battalions he is getting to replace the 17th Airborne Division are not battle wise and must be backed up by veterans. His plan for their use was good. I then drove, via Wiltz, to Three Virgins to see Middleton. It looks to me that owing to the impassable condition of the roads, the VIII Corps is where it will have February 9, 1945( cont'd p.2) to stay until the weather dries out. General Keyes arrived at 1830 to spend a few days' leave. Having been steadily in battle since July 1943, he sought a change of scene by visiting another front. What a man. All of us are delighted to see him. Keyes was also interested to find out about his son-in-law, Desobry, who was reported missing in action from the 10th Armored Division at Bastogne. I think he must have been captured, because we cannot find him among the dead or in any of the rear hospitals. February 10, 1945 Yesterday, I called Bradley to protest an order taking three more engineer battalions from me. He said he would do what he could, but it was necessary for us to obey orders and put all our force to the north. This is another example of the fact that he will not fight for his own people. He also asked me how soon I can go on the defensive. I said I was the oldest leader both in age and in combat experience in the Army and that is if I had to go on the defensive, I would ask to be relieved. He said I owed it to the troops to stay. I said that there was a lot owing to me too. I was very mad. Spent the most useless morning seeing people. Had a guard of honor for Weyland on his second star. I then called Bradley to ask him to send his G-4, General Moses, to the Three Virgins to see actually how bad the roads were. He said that it was not necessary to send anyone as he already knew- which he doesn't. This is a great mistake, as his staff, with the exception of his G-2, does not go anywhere, and he does not know the situation. How- ever, he said that owing to the flood, caused by the blowing up of the his G-2, does not go anywhere, and he does not know the situation. How- ever, he said that owing to the flood, caused by the blowing up of the Roer Dams, the Ninth Army might be stalled indefinitely, and there was a possibility of our reverting to our former plan- that is, of attacking 1. He was a prisoner and temporarily blinded, but come out all right BAP February 10, 1945 (cont'd p.2) Coblenz and Cologne with the First and Third Armies. He referred to the plan for Monty to attack, using the Ninth Army, as the biggest mistake SHAEF had yet. made. It is- or at least is one of the biggest. The biggest was when Eisenhower decided to turn the First Army north to help Monty at the end of August, and as a result, stopped the Third Army by cutting off our gas and prevented he capture of Berlin early in September. But for that we could have beat the Russians to Berlin. When I saw Bradley and Eisenhower at Bastogne recently, Bradley said I would have to send one Corps Headquarters to the First Army and told me Middleton should go. Eisenhower said that if I preferred to keep Middleton I could do so. Bradley now informs me that III Corps Headquarters goes to First Army. I must lose a Corps, I prefer to lose Millikin because, while he did a good job at Basogne, he is very amateurish compared to the other Corps Commanders. I don't like him and never have. Furthermore, I would rather have three big corps than four little ones. I hope we have to go back to the old plan and keep attacking. February 11, 1945 Keyes visited the 10th Armored division in search of his son-in- law, Lt. Colonel Desobry, missing in action. The situation in the VIII Corps is very critical due to the fact that the roads are literally disintegrating. We may have to use an air drop for the 87th and 4th Infantry Divisions, and have made arrange- ments already through General Weyland to do this if necessary. Also we have to relieve two battalions of engineers now backing the line in the southern part of the former III Corps area which was taken over by Middleton. I told Middleton to dismount tank crews and use them as infantry if necessary, but not to give up the bridgehead the 6th Armored 1. Not withstanding their mutual dislike since cadet days, G.S.P's treatment of Millikin had been such that when M. lost his corps after Remagen under Hodges, he went to G.S.P. to ask for a job under him. He was given command of the 13th Armored Division. BAP Feb.11, 1945(cont'd p.2) Division has secured over the Sauer River. I hate to get men hurt taking a place and then give it up. XII Corps is having a lot of trouble with its bridges but is making good progress. February 12, 1945 General Keyes and I drove to the VIII Corps via Arlon-Bastogne and Wiltz. The tress cut down by the new fuse along the Bastogne-Wiltz road make this very impassable. We also passed hundreds of dead horses from artillery or transport teams, and a number of bicycles. We also inspected one Royal Tiger tank, apparently abandoned by its crew and blown up. The road from the Three Virgins to St. Vith is really terrible for any vehicle, but it can be fixed by corduroying it with trees. The weather continues to be impossible with rain, fog, and a little snow. All troops not actually fighting are working on the roads. I have given the XII Corps permission to stop the attack if they want to, but any such permission always acts in reverse on General Eddy, so he continued the attack. They are making fine progress. Millikin left at 0830. Sent Gay on leave to Cannes, France as he looks badly. February 13, 1945 The Air Support Command dropped supplies of ammunition and rations from 83 airplanes in the areas occupied by the 4th and 87th Division. Visited the XII Corps and also the 76th, 5th, and 80th Infantry Divisions in succession. I also crossed the Sauer River into Germany and drove along the eastern bank. Our mortars were in action along the road and the men were quite surprised to see me. However, the chance of getting hit was small and worth the risk due to the effect it had on the troops. (NOTE: This is the origin of the swimming story-- GSP) February 13, 1945(cont'd p.2) The crossing of the river in the face of the strongest positions I have ever seen was a magnificent feat of arms performed by the 5th Infantry Division, under terribly bad conditions of weather and water, and could only be accomplished by veteran troops magnificently led. One pillbox I noticed was camoflaged as a wooden barn and was perfectly innocuous in appearance until the barn door was opened, disclosing an 88 cannon inside with a two meter thick concrete wall. Another pill box had been constructed inside an old house and gave no evidence of its existence until the wall of the house was pushed out, when three machine guns, each firing through steel embrasure, were revealed. This pillbox was taken from the rear by a dynamite charge. Many others were/just on the water and well hidden; also due to the rise of the river. At the time of the crossing, the river was so high that the wire normally above the water was submerged so that the men getting out of the boats got caught in it. During this action some of out 155 self-propelled guns and our self-propelled tank destroyers were brought up on our side of the river to within 400 yards of the enemy. Without their help the crossing could not have been carried out. A Captain Krass, who was a noted German counter-attack leader, head of what was called the Krass Circus, walked in and surrendered to the 11th Armored Division this morning. He stated what his name was, and said he had done his best to make himself known to the Americans. When asked why he surrendered, he said that he had done all that a man could do, had received all the medals for valor issued by the German Army, and that he wasn't a fool. Therefore he proposed to live so that he could be a teacher after the war - I presume to teach how to fight in the next war. Krass said, "The war is over". I feel it is myself; that's why I want to keep on attacking. I will be the first on the Rhine yet. February 14, 1945 The airborne dropped 103 plane- loads of supplies on the 4th and 87th Divisions today. I decided to visit Hughes in Paris as neither the VIII nor XII Corps will be able to resume their attack until the 17th, the day I plan to return. General Walker, the senior corps com- mander, came to the office with Middleton, and I explained the situa- tion to them and then had Middleton stop by and see Eddy on his way back to his command post so that everyone will know what I want done. I think that the reported enemy movement of yesterday north of Bitburg. is a pull out, not an attack. We should know today, as it is clear and all the planes are up. Codman and I departed on our first leave since the 24th of October, 1942. We got on the railway car, and Hughes has secured rooms for us at the Georve V Hotel. February 15,1945 The trip to Paris took six hours. I have never seen a river so high February 16,1945 Visited Hughes' office and those of General Lord, Chief of Staff Com Z and Lee, who, as usual, was absent. I spent some time with General Littlejohn, whom I like, and arranged for him to buy for me personally a set of flat silver with Third Army insignia on it. In the afternoon I went to Versailles to see General Beedle Smith. I pass- ed Auteuil Race Track. The water from the Seine was all over the track. I met General Strong, the British G02 of SHAEF, in Smith's office. He is the man who failed to diagnose the breakthrough of De- cember 19th. Strong stated that he wished that I were carrying the ball, as the rest, meaning Montgomery, are slow starters. Smith was very eloquent and said, " I suppose you don't know the high strategy, February 16, 1945(cont'd p.2) but I am convinced that my northern effort cannot logistically support more than 35 divisions. As we have 83 divisions, that leaves quite a few I can use anywhere else, and I want you to be prepared to resume the old offensive through Saarlautern and Saarguemines." How many divisions would you require? I said I could make that attack with five. He said, "I think you should have twelve". I had never know how great he really is. We went to the Follies and were given a box, and also taken back stage. The manager's wife, who is not an actress but quite a nice lady, said that she hoped that I would make the Follies my home whenever I came to Paris and was in need of a rest. I can imagine know more restless place than the Follies, full of about a hundred practically naked women. February 17,1945 Called on Madam de L'Horme and her daughter, Eugenie, whom I knew as a chile of 18 in the last war, and who is now a grandmother. We drank champagne at 9:30 in the morning. Smith asked me to go on a shoot, so I went to Versailles at 1100 and saw him and also Generals Bull and Whitely, where I did a little proselyting on future operations, especially on getting one infantry and one around division added to Third Army. The shoot was on the old Royal Preserve of the Kings of France and was very interesting and the first time I had ever killed driven duck- I got two. I shot a 16 auto- matic Ike lent me. I also got a pheasant and some rabbits. I then had a very violent attack of ptomaine poisoning and had to leave before the end of the shoot. 1 General Hull came to dinner in my room, and I got him to take some papers home for me. 1. G. believed that he was poisoned on this visit. BAP February 18, 1945 Came back on the train and felt very ill. February 19, 1945 Am all right. Wrote Bradley a letter saying that all U.S. troops, except the Third Army, were doing nothing, and that while I was still attacking, I could do better with more divisions, and asked him for from one to three additional ones. I wrote this letter in order to get on record, as we will be criticized by history, and rightly so, for having sat still so long. Also, I do not wish any more of my ideas used without credit to me, as happens when I give them orally. Walker called at 1130 to say that he feels the 94th Division is prepared for a break-through in the triangle, and wanted to know if we could get him an armored division. I phoned Bradley who, fortunately, was out, so I called Bull, and as a result of my proselyting of the other day, secured the 10th Armored with a string tied on it, "only for this operation". I will be damned if I see why we have divisions if not to use them. One has to beg for a chance to win battles. Yesterday evening a Mr. Lubin called. He is said to be a great friend of the President and the last survivor of the original Brain Trust. He is a smart youth of the sensitive type like Hopkins. He apparently knew Colonel Allen, of Pearson and Allen fame, well and had a long talk with him before he saw me. If Allen told him half of what he, Allen, told Pfann* he had said about me, Lubin learned a lot. February 20, 1945 The 10th Armored joined the XX Corps and is attacking west of the 94 Division. I again visited the XII Corps and drove along the line where we crossed the Sauer and Our Rivers, stopping to inspect two bridges. One had a sign on it, "General Patton Bridge, built by the Mighty Midgets." When I inspected it the other day during the course of its * Major George Pfann. The great Cornell U. half back and a Rhode Scholar. February 20, 1945(cont'd p.2) construction, I remarked that I had never seen so many small men in my life. This was the incentive for the sign. At the far end of this bridge was an extremely pillbox about two meters thick and of such hard concrete that our 90 mm's bounced off. However, we got one direct hit in the embrace, which cleaned it out. Another was built inside an old house and was invisible until the wall was knocked down, and another was in a wooden barn. I decorated four of the engineers with the Bronze Star. I then met General Middleton on the Sky-Line Drive and we went all over his area. He has done a magnificent job in arrang- ing his roads, but he is still in a precarious position as to his sup- plies. When the railroad gets to St. Vith, he can abandon the maintain- ing of all the roads in his rear area and use his engineers east of St. Vith. This in connection with the fact that he will be in Germany, with German roads, will make the situation easier. Visited the 6th Armored and also the 90th and 4th Divisions, returning home at 2000 hours. The XX Corps is doing well and closing on Saarburg. February 21, 1945 Bradley came at 1500 and explained the general plan to the as- sembled group. It is as follows: The 21st Army Group and the Ninth Army are to attack on the 23rd unless something else stops them. When they get to the Rhine, they will try to get a bridgehead. While this is going on, the First Army protects the right of the Ninth and the Ninth Army are over the river, the First Army starts on Cologne with its left Corps. When Cologne is invested successfully, but not taken, the III Corps, and then the V Corps of the First Army, will attack successfully from the left, while the Third Army drives from the direction of Prum February 21, 1945(cont'd p2) on Coblemz. This phase of the operation ends up with Allied Armies belled up against the Rhine north of the Moselle. When this happens, the First Army sits tight and Third Army attacks up the old Frankfurt Corridor, starting the attack from Saarlautern and either Saarguemines or Saarbourg, depending on circumstances. I raised a point that the Corridor between the Vosges Mountains and the Moselle River should only be occupied by one army, which in my opinion should be the Third, because there is not any natural boundary in the Corridor; and if two armies get there, they will be continually quarreling with each other, as was demonstrated in November when we tried to use the XV Corps of the Seventh Army in conjunction with the attack of the XII Corps of the Third Army. Bradley could or would not come to a decision. He looked very tired to me and did not seem at all sure himself. I asked defin- itely if there was any objection to my making a run for Coblenz ahead of time, or of taking Cologne if opportunity suddenly developed. He said there was know objection. February 22,1945 Decorated twenty nurses with the Bronze Star. Then went to the 4th Armored Division and decorated Lt. Fields with the medal of Honor, and told General Gaffey the general plan for the forthcoming operations, and also urged him to get loose while he is in temporary command of the Corps. From there I drove to Remich and met Walker and Morris. To my disgust I discovered that Morris had let his bridge train get lost, so had not crossed at Saarburg, as I had supposed, but had sat there un- till well after noon waiting to find the train and was still sitting, due to the fact that he was bring held up by small arms and mortar fire February 22,1945( cont'd p.2) at the far side of the river. I told him to find the officer who got lost and to cross at once. I feel we missed the boat on this one- just lack of drive. Walker should have been on the job too, and perhaps I am also to blame. Had I been personally present the train would probab- ly never have been lost, and the same thing applies to Walker and then to Morris- all three of us fell down. I then visited the 9th Divi- sion and Combat Command "B" of the 10th Armored under Colonel Roberts, and sent Walker to the vicinity of Saarburg to put some heat on Morris and the rest of the 10th Armored. VIII Corps seems to be doing well and should be on the Prum River tomorrow. It has already captured 780 prisoners of war today. February 23, 1945 The situation in the triangle is annoying, not due to the Germans but due to the Americans. SHAEF has a new toy called "SHAEF Reserve" and every time they let an Army have a division they want one in re- turn. Now they say that if I keep on using the 10th Armored, I will have to put the 11th, the 6th or 4th Armored Division in reserve- this despite the fact that all these divisions are properly placed to attack. I just hope something will turn up to prevent my having to do this. The best I could do for the moment was to settle for 48 hours more time, by which time the situation may have cleared. Brad- ley called to state that I would get two new infantry divisions but would have to pull out two old ones in this so-called reserve. I had intended to rest two divisions anyhow, so in this particular case it will not work a difficulty, for both the 90th and 80th Divisions would profit by a week's rest. I will put the new divisions in where the go- ing is easy and where they can get a little quiet training and night patrolling and attacks by battalions. At the present rate we should have the line of the Prum by tomorrow night. February 24, 1945 The Ninth Army seems to be doing all right, but the Second British has not done a thing, nor probably will it. I sent Gay to see what is the matter with the XX Corps. Either we must get going in that section or we will have to quit, and I will get in a jam with SHAEF for holding on to the 10th Armored Division. Scoresheet to be inserted (not believed to be correct) February 25, 1945 Had General Middleton, Walker and Gaffey (acting Commander, XII Corps) in for lunch. Bradley called and asked if he could also come to lunch and bring his Chief of Staff, Leven Allen, and we were de- lighted. I coach the three Corps Commanders and also General Wey- land, what to say in order to sell the idea of continuing the attack to take Trier. After lunch I had each Corps Commander state what he was doing and also had General Weyland emphasize the importance of securing the airfield at Trier. I personally pointed out that we have a chance of taking this town and that it will be criminal not to do so just in order to comply with the dictum of the combined chiefs of staff, 4,000 miles away, who insist on a certain number of inactive divisions in a so-called reserve. We argued hard and at last Bradley said we could keep on till dark of the 27th provided Ike let us call the 90th Division, at the moment of action, a SHAEF reserve unit. I wonder if ever before in the history of the war, a winning general had to plead to be allowed to keep on winning. I also asked if I still had authority to try for a breakthrough if the opportunity afforded. Bradley said I had. Bradley called after dinner and said that the swap of the 10th Armored for 90th Division on paper is all right. Allen called February 25, 1945 to say how pleased he was to see people who want to fight and do not ask for a great deal of assistance. February 26, 1945 Things in the XX Corps are going slower than I want. Both regi- ments of the German 2 Mountain Division are now fighting us there. In the XII Corps the 4th Armored has done well is nearly at the Kyll River north of Bitburg. In the VIII Corps the 87th Division at- tacked north at 1500 and the 40th Infantry Divisions and 6th Armored Divisions are moving forward. The 76th is still going too slow. Visited the XII Corps and the 76th and 5th Infantry Divisions. General Schmidt of the 76th was at the front, but I told his Chief of Staff to tell Schmidt he must move faster. Got a lot of clippings from home. A Congressman Brooks from Louisiana has made a move in Congress to get me four stars, and other people are writing about me as a potential political character. This is very bad publicity and might be hurtful. The current operation for the encirclement of Trier is the re- sult of the ability to change plans to meet opportunities developed by combat or as Napoleon said, "I attack and then I look." The XX Corps started to take the triangle chiefly as a means of training the relatively green 94th Division. When things developed satisfactorily, General Walker asked for, and got, the 10th Armored to operate with the 94th. The success of this operation was better than anticipated, so I determined to have a try at Trier. On the 24th, I decided that instead of putting the main effort of the VII and XII Corps toward securing of bridgeheads over the Kyll River for subsequent attack on Coblenz, I would first turn the Armored Division south on the Bitburg-Trier Road to attack the Latter town from the north as well February 26, 1945( cont'd p.2) as the south. Gaffey, acting Corps Commander of the XII Corps, pointed out that to move the 4th Armored from the north across the rear of the 5th and 76th Divisions would take time and cause con- fusion, and recommended that we attack Trier with the southern divi- sion; that is, the 76th, to which he added the tank battalion from the 80th Division. When Trier is taken, I am planning to resume the attack to the east and secure the bridges over the Kyll and then at- tack Coblenz, using the 4th and 6th Armored Division and possibly the 11th Armored Division. It may be of interest to future generals to realize that makes plans to fit circumstances and does not try to create circumstances to fit plans. That way danger lies. In the XX Corps the 10th Armored Division made about 8 kilometers from Zerf and is now in the vicinity of Pellingen, only some 8 kilo- meters from Trier. The enemy has brought in the 2d Mountain Division and possibly the last Mountain Division, and also apparently the 49th division which has been out of the line for some time- to know purpose. It seems apparent that the Germans miscalculated what we were doing. When we got to the Zerf they apparently presumed we intended to move south with the purpose of outflanking the Siegfried Line. Therefore they attacked from the southeast. When the 10th Armored Division turned north it was therefore not opposed by the new troops. However, then position at Zerf was a dangerous one because had the enemy broken through there, there would have been know supplies for the 10th Armored Division. In the XII Corps the 76th Division is doing well and is com- ing down on Trier, but from the map it seems more probable that it will have a serious fight about four miles north of the city where a February 27 1945(cont'd p.3) a switch position crosses the road. General Walker feels very optimistic. I called General Bradley because we were supposed to stop at dark today if we had not taken Trier. He said to keep on going with the 10th Armored until higher authority steps in. He also said he would not listen for the telephone. February 28, 1945 [* Where is 26th & 27th of Feb?*] The 10th Armored did not do as well last night as I had hoped, but it has some excuse owing to the very difficult nature of the ground. Now that Pellingen is past, it will be able to form multiple columns and go faster. Visited the 94th Division and looked up Captain Jim Wendell, who is the son of the Headmaster of the Hill School, and wrote his father that I had done so. Told General Harry Malony he had done a fine job. Also visited the 10th Armored and told Morris that his losses do not justify his slow speed, and that I expect him to get Trier tomorrow. For the last few days I have had a feeling that the Huns are pulling out - at least to the Rhine. Saarburg, Headquarters of the 94th Division, was the home of John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Duke of Luxembourg, who was killed at the Battle of Crecy in 1346. His crest of three feathers is that now used by the Prince of Wales. Part of his castle still stands. I took a picture of it. Sometimes I think that our telephone wires are tapped. Yesterday we made arrangements to visit a town where General Morris was supposed to be, and on the way there I found out that he was at another town, but the town I had originally planned to visit was brought under heavy shell fire at the time I should have arrived. General Malony took me February 28, 1945( cont'd p.2) to what he said thought was a medieval chateau. However, on getting there, I discovered it was a very modern winery. While we were there, one shell came quite close over our heads. Commander Butcher, Ike's aide, and Mr. Stephen Early, the Pres- ident's secretary, called on me this morning. March 1, 1945 Flew to the VIII Corps via Arlon and Bastogne, getting some good pictures on the way. Talked over the situation with Middleton. He proposes to attack with the 11th Armored on the 3d in order to punch a hole the Kyll River through the German 5th Paratroop Division. When he has gotten to the river the crossing will be effected by the 4th Division, following immediately behind the 11th Armored Division. The attack of the 87th Division is going well and is not unduly costly. The XII Corps is on the Kyll River along its entire front. The 76th Division yesterday picked up about 1,000 prisoners. Walker called at 1415 to announce that the 10th Armored Divi- sion was in Trier and had captured one bridge over the Moselle in- tact. It has been a very fine operation and has netted us over 7,000 prisoners. When he crossed at Saarburg, the Germans thought he was going south and moved all they could scrape together so they could stop him, so his quick turn to the north took them completely by sur- prise. Tried to get Eisenhower and Bradley on the wire to notify them but was unable to do so and called General Smith. Later Bradley called me from the Ninth Army and was very much pleased and both Beedle and Brad were complimentary. Ike was in the room with Bradley; I heard his voice - but he did not take the trouble to speak to me. I certainly again proved my military ideas are correct, and have put them over in spite of opposition from the Americans. March 2, 1945 Walker came up with a plan for the future removal of the Mettlach salient south of Saarburg when the 26th Division has relieved the 94th. As we talked, it suddenly occurred to me that a more telling operation would be to cross the Moselle at Schweich with the 10th Armored Divi- sion reinforced with a regimental combat team of the 76th and move on Wittlich, or even beyond if things broke well. Walker is now working on this plan. He told me that in his opinion the Corps of the Third Army did better than in other armies because the corps of the Third Army did better than in other armies because the corps commanders have had confidence that if they made a mistake they would still be backed up. Bradley called to ask when I can relieve the 10th Armored. He is simply hipped on the subject. He also indicated that there may be some change in the plan. It would be a good thing if Eisenhower would remember Grant's statement in 1864 to the effect that he would fight it out on these lines if it took all summer. We change plans too often. Eddy and I crossed the Sauer River at Echternach and drove to Bitburg. Visited the 76th, 5th, 4th Armored, and 80th Divisions. It was a most interesting trip and showed me that the 76th did a good job against serious opposition. It was the first time I have seen the Dragon's Teeth, a useless form of amusement. March 3, 1945 Nothing of importance occurred. All three Corps are fighting to secure bridgeheads through which we can launch a combined armor and infantry attack. Middleton called me last night to say that the 11th Armored Division would not be in position to attack this morning as planned, but would attack tomorrow. I told him that it must attack by noon today. March 4, 1945 Bradley called in the morning to get the situation. I persuaded him with considerable difficulty to let me attack with all three corps and to exchange the 10th Armored Division for the 6th Armored Division. The VIII Corps will seize a crossing over the Kyll near Gerolstn and attack with the 11th Armored Division and the90th on the axis Gerolstn- Kelburg-Mayer-Coblenz, the 87th and 4th crossing and moving east as and if they can. The XII Corps is seizing a crossing east of Bitburg and will attack on the Axis-Bitburg-Daun-Ulhen-Monreal-Mayen-Coblenz, bring- ing the 4th Armored Division and 5th infantry. Whether I will use one or two Corps of Mayen is at the moment uncertain. The 80th and Second Cavalry will cover[?]. 76th less one RCT will move due east on Wittlich. The XX Corps will attack northeast from Trier on Wittlich and further, using 10th Armored Division and one RCT of the 76th. The 94th will rest and be replaced in Trier area by 26th, the 26th to be replaced by newly arrived 65th. Fred Ayer Jr., Eddy and I inspected a big fort northeast of Echternach. It is large, three stories deep and has 12" cupolas with automatic mortars, etc. Later Fred and I drove in the rain to see Chateau Burscheid northeast of Ettlebruck. Its last owner was Prince Metternich. I located it from the air. The contrast and similarity and futility of an old and a new fort the same day - most interesting. March 5, 1945 The VIII Corps is not doing too well and as yet hasn't any bridge- head over the Kyll River. The 90th Division relieved the 6th Armored as of 0800 this morning and is progressing better than the 6th Armored Division. In the XII Corps the 4th Armored broke through and has com- bat command "B" between Salm and Daun for an advance of 14 kilometers. March 5, 1945(cont'd p.2) Combat Command "A" is held up by mud but is moving. This thrust looks like the one that will go through. XX Corps is relieving 94th with 26th. One regimental combat team moves into line this night. 10th Armored Division with one regimental combat team 76th is moving but slowly due to enemy resistance. Drove to 65th south of Thionville and addressed officers and men of 65th Division. Fred Ayer Jr. Left for Brussels. March 6, 1945 Bradley called at 1000 and was pleased at we were doing. I told him thatnow was the time to use everything and the 89th and 65th should be used on our lines of communication. He said that would keep them from getting trained. He just fails to see war as a struggle, not as an educational course. The 4th Armored Division captured the whole headquarters 53rd German Corps including the Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Ernst Georg Edwin Graf Von Rothkirch. He is a former army cavalry officer and dislikes the Nazis. I will see him in the morning 1. Combat Command 'B", 4th Armored Division, is on the edge of Mayen. VIII Corps has not done enough but finally has bridges over the Kyll. The XX Corps has been counter-attacked several times near Zerf. Walker came in at 2200 to report the situation- he is still optimistic. March 7, 1945 Bradley called at 0930 to congratulate us- he is learning. I asked if I could use the 94th in a pinch and he agreed. We are making contact with the First Army at Mayen. 4th Armored Division and one regimental combat team of the 5th reached the Rhine north of Coblenz, making 65 miles in about 36 hours - a very remarkable performance. XX Corps had more counterattacks at Zerf, the 6th SS is there now, all 1. Look up all interviews with captured generals. BAP March 7, 1945 (cont'd p.2) repulsed. The 65th relieved the 26th at Saarlautern as the latter goes to Trier area. The VIII Corps, 11th Armored Division, finally cross- ed the Kyll. I feel that Kilburn is no good. He simply lacks drive. I should have relieved him after Bastogne. I am really not mean enough. 9th Armored Division of the III Corps, First Army, got a bridge intact over the Rhine at Remagen. This may have a fine influ- ence on our future movements. I hope we get one also. March 8, 1945 The 10th Armored crossed the Kyll River and is continuing to move on Wittlich. The 65th Division has completed the relief of the 26th Division in the Saarlautern area. The 4th Armored, XII Corps, has found no bridges intact over the Rhine. The 11th Armored has broken through and advanced about 15 miles, making contact with the 4th Armored northwest of Mayen. We received instructions today that the 6th Armored Division and 4th Infantry Division would go to the 6th Army Group with three artillery battalions and supporting troops. First Army is continuing to push troops across its bridgehead and has quite a few battalions, allegedly 14, over the river. March 9, 1945 From now on I will be forced, due to lack of time, to make this longhand diary short notes from which I can dictate as contemporaneous- ly as possible the typed diary. Left the house at 1400 to fly to headquarters 12th Army Group, arriving at 1500. Bradley, Hodges, Doolittle and myself got the grand officer of the French Legion of Honor and also the Croix de Geurre with Palm. Generals Simpson, Brereton, Gerow and Vandenburg got Commander of the Legion of Honor and Croix de Geurre with Palm. March 9, 1945 (cont'd p.2) Before the ceremony, I had a conversation with Bradley in which he authorized me to attack out of Trier, back of the Siegfried line, open the Saarlautern road and then move on Bingen with the XX Corps. To do this we also arranged to have the inter-Army boundary between the Third and Seventh Armies moved south to give me Saarlautern. We will also force a crossing over the Moselle in the vicinity of Trei and attack in the direction of Simmern. All the Rhine bridges in my sector are out, and it will take too much time to build one. I shall not wait for the Seventh Army. Called General Gay and told him to send the 80th Division on to the XX Corps and the 90th Division to the XII Corps. Later, the 87th or 76th will go to the VIII Corps. It is essential to get the First and Third Armies so deeply involved in their present plans that they cannot be moved north to play second fiddle to the British;instilled idea of attacking with 60 division on the Ruhr Plains. Bradley was anxious for me to coordinate my plan with Patch, but since he cannot jump until the 15th, I am going to attack as soon as possible, because at this stage of the war, time is more important than coordination. Yesterday Middleton asked me to let him relieve Kilburn of the 7th Armored. He said Kilburn might possibly make a good combat commander in another division, but had not the drive to command an armored divi- sion. I told him I would get him Dager of the 4th Armored as soon as I could. The 11th Armored has reached the Rhine River at Andernach and Brohl. We have got about 8,000 prisoners - and I had to beg to do it. March 10th, 1945 Returned to Headquarters after breakfast; everything is very quiet- in front of the XX Corps, and in fact on the whole Army front, ex- cept for the mopping up of the areas we have just taken. The First March 10, 1945 ( cont'd p2.) Army continue to get troops across its bridge in spite of enemy air at- tacks. March 11, 1945 Had the three Crops Commanders in to discuss our impending opera- tions. We also had General Koeltz of the French Army in, who decorated about 70 officers and men of the Third Army with various French Medals. General Dody, who used to command Meknes in Africa, was also up and came to lunch. General Patch came in while the Corps Commanders were here, and is satisfied with our plans. we made a mutual agreement that in the event of any complications, we would have the adjacent corps commanders, Gen- erals Milburn and Walker, make mutual agreements and that if they fail- ed, we would not go to higher echelons. General Bradley called up and I apologized for not being on the front page. He said, "Well, even you have to re-group once in a while." General Littlejohn spent the night and brought the silver which I had ordered, which I regret to say cost me $300, but it is very pretty. It is sterling. I paid for it personally. 1 March 12,1945 The Third Army is still getting ready to attack. Walker was un- able to get off yesterday, but expects to get off at 03:00 on the 13th, tomorrow. The XII Corps will attack the night of the 14th. General Littlejohn spent some time in the office discussing uni- forms. My final recommendation was that for winter all soldiers be given the old armored corps combat uniform with winter caps and for general cold weather a new model long overcoat with lining; that the 1. I later gave it to Gen. Geoffrey Keyes, C.G., Third Army, and a devoted friend. BAP March 12, 1945 (cont'd p.2) shoes be made better, and that so far as it was possible, except in cases of extremely cold weather, overshoes and shoe -packs be not is- sued; that if shoe-packs be issued, the shoes be turned in for re-issue until shoe-packs were discontinued. For summer I recommended wool OD shirt and at least 26-ounce trousers made something after the style of jodhpur breeches. I told Littlejohn that I would have a pair made and sent him a model. I know that General Marshall, General Brad- ley and General Hodges have all looked favorably on this type of gar- ment. General Kilburn came in at 1100 at his request, and talked to me for 35 minutes trying to explain his actions. I told him that it was a considered opinion, and separate opinions, of both Middleton and myself, arrived at on different occasions, that he was not suitable, due to lack of offensive spirit, to the command of an armored division; but that I was willing to let him be a combat commander under General Gaffey, who had expressed his willingness to take him. He asked me for 48 hours to consider this. I told him that was too long. The very fact that he asked for 48 hours is the index to his inability to command. I told him he would have to let the Chief of Staff know his decision by 5:00 o'clock. He asked if he could call up General Smith on the telephone and get another job, and I said yes. Everyone is wrong but him. I should have relived him in January. The situation as to prisoners is extremely satisfactory. We ap- parently have gotten over 8,000. March 13,1945 The attack of the XX Corps in the southeasterly direction is going fairly well, but the terrain, especially in front of the 26th Division, is very bad and as a result they are not going as fast as I had hoped. March 13, 1945 (cont'd p.2) XII Corps will cross the Moselle River in the vicinity of Treis at 0200 tomorrow morning. I hope for a breakthrough in which case the VIII Corps (Middleton) will cross behind them and take Coblenz. If the XII goes well I will give it the 11th Armored Division also. Mr. Harry Taylor, of the Scripps-Howard newspapers, came to dinner last night. He has a most charming mind. He was with Tedder the day the 4th Armored Division broke through to the Rhine and when Tedder saw it on the map he said, "There goes Patton with another of his Phallic symbols". Taylor did not know what the word meant and asked me. He has very positive views on a large number of subjects, the chief of which seems to be dislike of the Democratic Party and all concerned with it. Naturally I made know comments in that direc- tion, as I am certainly not a politician and have know comments in that direc- tion, as I am certainly not a politician and have know desire to become one. March 14, 1945 The XII Corps, attacking with the 5th Infantry on the right and the 90th on the left, has got four bridges across the Moselle, and, as of noon, about 14 battalions. There is very little opposition and that consists of only small arms and motor fire. I believe that we caught the Germans off balance again and trust we get General Gaffey loose. I visited Trier, driving from Luxembourg via Wasserbilling, in 40 minutes. So did Caeser visit there, whose Gallic wars I am now reading. It is interesting to view in imagination the Roman Legions marching down that same road. One of the few things undestroyed in Trier is the entrance to the Old Roman amphitheater which still stands in its sturdy magnificence. The rest of the city, particularly the railway yards and bridges, are in a bad state of repair. 1 1. There is a very fine letter about this to me. BAP March 14, 1945 (cont'd p.2) I visited the Headquarters of the 10th Armored Division and found them very well installed and ready to move on a four-hour notice. They are practically full-up on men and equipment. We then drove to Saarburg where the Headquarters of the 94th Division is still located. General Malony had just come in and seemed to have a very good grasp of the situation. His division is doing fairly well. From there we crossed the river and saw the 80th Division, where Colenel G.W Smythe has just reported as Assistant Division Commander. The 80th Division has done the best of the three divisions in the XX Corps in today's operations and has advanced, in some cases, up to three miles. They also complain of very difficult road conditions. I next visited the Headquarters of the 26th Division where I always get the impression that General Paul is doing nothing. However, I know I am wrong because the Division is a very successful one. In this particular operation they have much the worst pieces of the ground and have advanced very short distances. The Seventh Army attacks in the morning, and from their patrols today they have probably not much in front of them until they get to the Siegfried Line. I certainly hope we beat them to Mainz, and I believe that if the 4th Armored Division gets loose it may be possible. Called Walker and told him to turn on the heat as I feel we are not going fast enough - we are always slow starters. March 15, 1945 Flew to Mayen and saw Eddy, XII Corps, and Middleton, VIII Corps. [*air cover was Gen Weyland in person*] Told Middleton I am probably going totake the 11th Armored Division from his Corps, and that I will send him the 76th Division as soon as it is relieved from fighting along the Moselle River. As usual March 15, 1945(cont'd p.2) he made no kick, but proposed to take Coblenz with his one remaining division - the 87th - I told him to try it. In the XX Corps, the 26th made only limited gains while the 80th and 94th made gains up to six miles. The 10th Armored was moved to a position in order to break through on the 17th from the area of the 80th Division. The trouble with the 26th Division is not so much the enemy as the complete lack of roads. Flying back I saw an unidentified chateau in the vicinity of Ulmen of which I got picture and then secured a picture of one at Vianden and one at Clairveaux, and another at Schlossburscheid, which is certainly the best chateau of the whole group. March 16, 1945 About 1100 Bradley telephoned me that Eisenhower was in the air over his place and could not land, and was headed for here, accompanied by Beedle Smith. I had expected Smith to come at 2:00 PM, having first launched with Bradley. I got to the airfield just in time to meet them coming away in a borrowed car. I took them to the maproom and showed the situation to Eisenhower, who was quite enthusiastic and complimentary, as was Smith, who further stated that he would see that I could borrow any division I needed after my success in borrowing the 10th Armored. At 1:30 we had a guard of honor for Smith, Eisenhower declining to take the honor on the grounds that it had originally been planned for Smith, and Smith never had one. Smith was very much pleased and drove away immediately afterwards to visit Bradley. Eisenhower and myself in two peeps visited Trier and then went to the command post of Combat Command "A", 10th Armored Division. Neither of us were particularly pleased with the attitude of either of the generals. They were not pushing hard enough in our opinion. We March 16, 1945 (cont'd p.2) then visited the Headquarters of the 80th Division and also Saarburg. From here we drove home through Remich and I had a chance to show General Eisenhower many of the battlefields and destroyed villages in the triangle. We had four Red Cross girls to dinner and he seemed to have a very good time. He and I set up talking until 2:30. In the XX Corps, one combat team of the 80th and a combat command of the 10th moved east about 5 miles and crossed the Prims river, while to the left of north a second combat command of the 10th, in conjunction with the combat team of the 94th, reached the vicinity of the Prims River. The Third Cavalry continued to move on the Corps left flank and advanced. In the XII Corps, Combat Command "B" of the 4th Armored, accompanied by a combat team from the 10th Infantry, reached Bad Kreuz- nach and Bad Munster and secured two bridges over the Nahe River at the letter place. Further to the northeast, Combat Command "A" and Regimental Combat Team 359 of the 90th reached the Nahe River in the vicinity of Gensingen. The Germans blew the railway bridge over the Rhine at Bingen. The 11th Armored Division moved from the VIII Corps to the XII Corps and assembled in the vicinity of Bullay with the pur- pose of following the 89th Division over the bridgehead. In the VIII the 87th Division is in the outskirts of Coblenz, and the 28th Divi- sion, which has been turned over to Third Army from the 1st Army and at- tached to the VIII Corps, is closing in the Coblenz area. After looking at the situation Eisenhower directed Smith to have the 12th Armored Division of the Seventh Army released to the XX Corps of the Third Army and start marching to the vicinity of Saarburg in the morning. March 17, 1945 At briefing this morning Ike paid me the first compliment he has ever vouchsafed. He stated that we of the Third Army were such veter- ans that we did appreciate our own greatness and should be more cocky and boastful, because otherwise people would not realize how good the American soldiers are. He stated specifically that the news- papers reported the fighting in front of the 4th Armored Division very weak, but not mention the fact that it was weak on account of the phenomenal speed which the 4th Armored had advanced. He was al- so extremely complimentary and stated that not only was I a good gen- eral but also a lucky general, and that Napoleon preferred luck to greatness. I told him this was the first time he had ever compli- mented me in the 2 1/2 years we have served together. We then flew to headquarters of the Seventh Army at Luneville, where we were met by General Patch and General Devers. On the way down we flew over elements of the 12 Armored, moving as directed. Patch and Devers were extremely nice. The question of coordinat- ing the attack came up and General Eisenhower thought that Patch and I should be in the same command post. However, owing to the fact that the Seventh Army is not anywhere near where I am going, and does not look as it would be, and also that we have instantaneous tele- phone communication with each other, neither of us could see any vir- tue in the movement. Ike stated that if the 10th Armored could take St. Wendel by dark, he would give General Morris a medal. I relayed this information to Morris. Ike left for Rheims from headquarters Seventh Army. I returned to Luxembourg, where I had a press conference in which I brought out the points which he had suggested; first, that the press is not giving March 17, 1945 (cont'd p.2) the activities of the Third Army sufficient emphasis, and second, the fact, which I said was off the record, that the Marines are getting a great deal of credit for a three-division fight in the Pacific based chiefly on the fact that they had a great many men killed. I then showed the correspondents the scoresheet and said that they could use it provided they did not quote exactly but had a variance of 5%. I also brought out the point, suggested by Ike, that the American tank is probably the best tank in the world because it has both mobility and fire power. That had the 4th Armored, for example, been composed of Tiger tanks, it could not have done what it did. I also showed that we had lost a total of 1000 tanks of all sorts since the 1st of August, whereas the Germans had lost 2000-odd. Furthermore, that it would have been practically a physical impossibility to ship the Tiger tanks to Europe, because of their excessive weight. I also said that while our clothing is not very pretty, it is very effective, particular- ly in view of th we fact that during the very cold weather in December and January, the health of the Army was extremely good and this could not have been the case had the clothes inefficient. I will also write Handy to same effect. Walker called me up about 6:00 and stated that he was not at all satisfied with General Morris and recommended that he be relieved. I told him that I was not satisfied either, but that I could think of know one better that could get in his place and to tell Morris that he must take St. Wendel tonight. I also called Eddy, XII Corps and told him I was very much disgusted with the slowness of the 11th Armored and that they must get moving. I then called General Middleton and told him he was the only. March 17, 1945 (cont'd p.3) Corps Commander whom I had not cussed out, and congratulated him on the good work we had done in securing Coblenz. March 18, 1945 Eisenhower called last night to see if St. Wendel had been taken, and I was regretful to inform him that it had not. As of 0830 the 4th Armored Division has only advanced a few kilometers beyond Bad Munster. The 10th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Division accompanying it is in the vicinity of, and to the east of, Soberheim. This apparent slowness is due to the fact that two grenadier regiments of the 2d Panzer ran into the 4th Armored yesterday and had to be beaten. This outfit then moved to the vicinity of the 10th Infantry Regiment where they were again defeated and were last seen headed south. The 11th Armored has done much better, and its leading elements are on the Nahe River in the vicinity of Kirn. There is an unconfirmed report that the 10th Armored Division is east of St. Wendel. The last, but definite, report placed it west of that town. The 65th Division attacked this morning. The rest of the XX Corps is doing very well and moving so fast they are capturing bridges intact. The present plan is that the 10th Armored moves on Kaiserslautern, the 12th up the old route of the 10th; that is, along the inter-army boundary practically along the Nahe River; that the 4th Armored move directly on Mainz, and the 11th move directly on Worms. If these operations succeed, and I think they will, we should catch a great many Germans; in fact most of the First and Seventh German Armies- it will be a great operation. (and also surround the American 7th Army) March 19, 1945 The VIII Corps is holding Coblenz and vicinity with the 28th and 87th; the XII Corps is nearing Worms, the XX Corps is nearing Bad March 19, 1945 Durkheim. This is a great show. Bradley and Hodges came at 1430. Unless we get a crossing over the Rhine and start north on Kassel before the British jump off, we (First and Third Armies) may lose 10 divisions to the British. While yesterday seemed to be a very bad day, the situation today is tremendously improved. The VIII Corps, consisting now of the 28th and 87th Divisions, is simply holding in place, having completed the cleaning up of Coblenz. The XII Corps with Combat Command "B" of the 4th Armored as of 1400, was 6 miles from Worms. Combat Command "A" was headed east on Mainz and is about ten miles from it. Combat Command "B" of the 4th Armored as of 1400, was 6 miles from Worms. [Combat Command "A" was headed east on Mainz and is about 10 miles from it.] Combat Command "R" is completing a crossing at Bad Kreuznach. Combat Command "A" and "B" are rather seriously engaged with the enemy. The 90th Infantry and 5th Infantry Divisions are across the Nahe River. Combat Command "A" of the 11th Armored is at Neisenheim some 7 miles south of the river and in contact with Combat Command "R" of the 12th, which is at Lauter Ecken. Combat Command "B" of the 12th is about 4 kilometers southwest of "R" and across the Glan River and has made contact with Combat Command "B" of the 10th which is advancing on Kaiserslautern. The 10th and 12th Armored are about 12 miles from that city. The 26th is directly east of Saarlautern. The 80th and 94th Divisions are right on the tail of the armor. I made a boundary from Kaiserlautern to Mannheim requiring the XX Corps to stay south of the Autobahn Road. As soon as the leading armored division, whichever it may be, of the XX Corps, reaches Bad Durkheim, one Combat Command will turn south. This operation, even if it had gotten know further than it is now, which is impossible, would be the best one which any March 19, 1945 (cont'd p.2) of my commands has done, including the capture of Palermo. There is a rumor that the Governor of Worms has requested to surrender. I am not sure of this. Bradley and Hodges flew in at 2:30 and we had a long conference. Unless we can get a definite successful crossing over the Rhine and start moving on Kassel, it is high probable we will lose 10 divisions to the Ninth Army, in which case we will probably have to go on the defensive. If we can, however, get across and start north before the First British Army attacks, it is highly probable that we will get the weight of the effort. It therefore behooves us to do our damndest. Hodges now has authority to put divisions across the river at his bridgehead. He will then, on authority from Bradley, attack in a general northeasterly direction with a view to making contact with me somewhere in the vicinity of Geissen. From there north, he will get the Autobahn Road and roads to east, and I will get roads to west of Autobahn Road for advance on Kassel and Hanau. My personal opinion is that Hodges could go there now if Bradley would let him start. However, we still have this unfortunate idea of a coordinated attack. General Bradley and myself are going down tomorrow to talk to Patch and Devers. March 20, 1945 Operation going well. In the XII Corps, a task force of the 90th Division is within 6 miles of the Rhine and closing in rapidly south of Mainz, which should cut all established routes in that direction. Combat Command A of the 4th Armored is at Alzey, about 12 miles from Worms which it hopes to reach today. The 12th Armored Division is abou t 9 miles northeast of Kaiserlautern, while Combat Command B is entering the city which it will by-pass and leave the capture of it to the 80th Division. March 20, 1945 (cont'd P2) The remaining divisions of the XX corps are doing very well. I flew to Luneville today and had lunch with Generals Bradley, Patch and Devers. The chief purpose of the visit was to arrange for a boundary which was highly satisfactory with us, hitting the Rhine below Worms, giving them Kaiserlaurten and us the main road from Saarlautern through Kaiserlautern north to Worms. General Patch is very easy to work with. I told him that when I get past Kaiserlautern I intended to turn south with the purpose of making a junction with his VI Corps, and as soon as I make that I will turn north and get out of the area. Our losses, including battle and non-battle, were slighty under 800 for yesterday during which period we captured nearly 9,000 prisoners. In fact, the estimated, although not yet the accurate count, puts the prisoner take at 15,000. It is queer the Difficulties I had in getting this operation started. They did not want me to take Trier nor go to the Rhine nor to cross the Moselle southwest of Coblenz , and now, if we don't cross the Rhine, we may be halted again. We have got by due to persistence and on ability to make plans fir circumstances. The other armies try to make circumstances fit plans. It is amusing to consider that all this operation was done against the best judgement of the high command, and in fact the only way I got permission to cross the Moselle with the XII Corps was due to a mistake- an honest mistake. When I was with Bradley, being decorated, I had a telegram saying we had captured a bridge intact over the Moselle and I said that with his permission I would go ahead. He said to do so. When I returned I learned that the bridge was not intact but had blown up when one of our tanks was half way across, but I didn't mention this March 20, 1945 (cont'd p.3) put three bridges across and continued the action; also, the visit of Generals Eisenhower and Smith was very helpful, in that I secured the 12th Armored Division. This whole operation is again an example of the virtue to be secured by making plans fit circumstances, and I am sure what Montgomery does to a great extent, and Hodges and Patch to a lesser one, is to try to make circumstances fit plans. This is impossible. [*(Sentence omitted as per note)*] March 21, 1945 The operations in the Palatinate, namely in the Rhine and Moselle Triangle, are practically completed, and have been most successful; really a historic accomplishment. In the XII Corps, the 90th Division reached Mainz and is attacking with two regiments. The 4th Armored is in Worms. The 11th Armored is south of Worms. In the XX Corps, the 12th Armored is closing on Mannheim, and the 10th Armored is turning south from Neustadt on Landau. The 80th Division is clearing Kaiserlautern. The 94th is coming down from the north on Kaiserlautern, and the 26th is closing on Kaiserlautern. Some unfortunate confusion was caused today by the 26th Division and the 6th Armored Division crossing the Seventh Army boundary between the XXI and XX Corps. However, nothing serious has happened. We had a working agreement that they would not come north of the 80th gridlines. This apparently did not reach the reconnaissance elements of the two divisions concerned. Received a telegram of congratulations from General Gerow of the Fifteenth Army, on having surrounded several armies, including one of our own the 7th . Flew to Headquarters XII Corps at Simmern and saw Eddy. The Germans evidently think we intend to cross at Mainz and have two March 21, 1945 (cont'd p.2) regiments in the town with orders to fight to the last. It is the best place, but there are hills on the east bank from which guns could shoot out our bridges, so we will cross at Oppenheim. We are attacking it with two regiments of the 90th. I told Eddy to put up a smoke screen and give the idea that we are really intending to attack there and then to attack at the two crossings given his corps near Oppenheim as soon as he can get over. I told him that in using any means available, including air observation cub planes, he was to get some infantry on the far side at once. The suggestion of using air OP's to transport infantry came from Colonel EM Williams, Chief of Artillery, Third Army, and it is a very good one. I then flew to Mayen and saw Middleton of the VIII Corps and told him to try to cross at the bend Boppard, or in the vicinity of Lorch with the idea of moving initially on Mastatten. In this place he can go either northeast in a general direction of Limburg or can come down to a crossing at Mainz if necessary. I am afraid we will only have one bridge for this operation. I also told him about using the cubs. I directed G-2 to get out a statement of the number of towns released, prisoners captured and square miles of country occupied since the Third Army crossed the Kyll River. I told the two Corps Commanders I saw that the question of rationing is going to become acute and immediately to take steps to initiate any possible saving and prevent all waste. I really believe this operation is one of the outstanding operations in the history of war. We have put on a great show, but I think we will eclipse it when we get across the Rhine. March 22, 1945 Ever since we closed on the Rhine I have been using my utmost endeavors to get at least one battalion of infantry across the River. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.