American Signal Intelligence in Northwest Africa and Western Europe

Chapter 14. The Ardennes Offensive, 16 December 1944 — 20 January 1945

Situation at the Outset

On 15 December 1944 the Allies were still trying to reach the Rhine below Cologne. East of Jilich and Duren the U.S. Ninth and First Armies had just renewed their efforts. Farther south, the Third Army had established bridgeheads across the Saar River and was preparing to exploit them in penetrating the Westwall there. The Seventh Army and the French First Army of the Allied 6th Army Group had reached the French bank of the upper Rhine, and had liberated Strasbourg and other portions of Alsace.

At one wide segment of its front, First Army had assigned responsibility to VIII Corps, which lacked the troops for continuous close coverage. Outposts, artillery ...