Bottom of Page 6: “Nazi Counter-Offensives In December a Tradition”
German attacks through the impassible Ardennes were a tradition, too. Why were we totally taken by surprise, again? (Rhetorical question ... we’ve already hashed it out.)
“There’s absolutely no reason for us to assume that the Germans are mounting a major offense. The weather is awful and their supplies are low. The Germans haven’t mounted a winter attack since Frederick the Great. Therefore I believe that’s exactly what they’re going to do.”
- Quote from the movie Patton. Not sure how historically accurate Patton was but my guess is, if Patton actually said this, that it was probably pretty accurate.
I think of the Ardennes Offensive as being the World War 2 equivalent of Ludendorff’s March 1918 offensives on the western front. It’ s the last throw of the dice. Once it’ s clear this gamble has failed, you’ll see the Germans throw in the sponge.