Crusade in Europe

by Dwight D. Eisenhower

  49. Notes regarding the Prime Minister’s desire to accompany the invasion assault, Ibid., pp. 1320, 1321, 1328.

  CHAPTER 14: D-day and Lodgment

  1. First United States Army Report of Operations, Book I, p. 48.

  2. A brief analysis of Rommel’s defensive plan and dispositions, Montgomery Despatch, pp. 7–13.

  3. De Guingand, op. cit., p. 396.

  4. First United States Army Report of Operations, Book I, pp. 56–63.

  5. “About 25 pilotless aircraft came across the channel last night [June 12] and 19 are known to have hit land, 4 in the London Area.” Note re V-1, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XII, p. 1365; also pp. 1371, 1378, 1379, 1396, 1398.

  6. Notes relative to the V-2 bomb, Ibid., p. 1498; Book XIII, pp. 1561, 1572, 1615. SHAEF Cositintrep, August 1, 1944, AGO.

  7. Leigh-Mallory, Despatch, Pars. 33, 169–82. Ninth Air Force Invasion Activities, pp. 1, 2.

  8. Letter Orders, M502, to Generals Bradley and Dempsey, Tac. Hq., 21st Army Group, June 18, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  9. Karig, et al., op. cit., pp. 343–57.

  10. Ibid., pp. 370, 371.

  11. Montgomery, Despatch, p. 30.

  12. Lieutenant Colonel James F. Gault, British Army, aide to General Eisenhower, memorandum relative General Eisenhower’s visit to France, July 1–5, 1944, notes that this trip is the general’s sixth trip to France. Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XII, inclosure following p. 1433.

  CHAPTER 15: Breakout

  1. Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, p. 34.

  2. De Guingand, op. cit., Map 43, p. 359.

  3. Letter Orders, M505 to Generals Bradley and Dempsey, Tac. Hq., 21st Army Group, June 30, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  4. First United States Army Report of Operations, Book I, p. 122.

  5. SHAEF G-3 War Room Daily Summaries 26, 28, 29, 30, July 2, 4, 5, 6, 1944, AGO.

  6. Leigh-Mallory, Despatch, Pars. 287, 288, 296.

  7. First United States Army Report of Operations, Book I, p. 99.

  8. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. 5, p. 38.

  9. Trévières, near which General Eisenhower’s personal headquarters was located, is approximately equidistant from Bayeux, St. Lô, and Isigny.

  10. “The leading Battalion of the 47th Infantry, 9th Division, and the 120th Infantry of the 30th Division suffered severe casualties, and direct hits were received on certain of the artillery Battalion installations. The 743d Tank Battalion attached to the 30th Division likewise received heavy casualties.” First United States Army Report of Operations, Book I, p. 99. General McNair’s death is reported in Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, p. 35.

  11. After Action Report, Third United States Army, August 1, 1944–May 9, 1945, Vol. I, p. 16.

  12. General Eisenhower’s memorandum concerning visit to General Bradley’s headquarters, August 8, 1944, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, p. 1579.

  13. Message S-57189, General Eisenhower to General Marshall, August 9, 1944, AGO.

  14. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 5–13.

  15. Leigh-Mallory, Despatch, Pars. 288–95.

  16. 21st Army Group General Operational Situation and Direction, M-518, August 11, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  17. 12th Army Group’s Letter of Instructions, No. 4, August 8, 1944. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, pp. 77, 78.

  18. After Action Report, Third U. S. Army, Vol. I, Map, p. 31.

  19. Montgomery, Despatch, pp. 30, 39.

  20. General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day, August 13, 1944, quoted in full in Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1596, 1597.

  21. General Bradley reviews the 21st–12th Army Group boundary situation in his letter to General Eisenhower, September 10, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  22. Ninth United States Army Operations, Brest-Crozon, September 1944, Vol. I, pp. 16, 17.

  23. Ibid., pp. 26–28.

  24. Notes on General Eisenhower’s press conference of August 15, 1944, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1599, 1600.

  25. Record of the conversations with Prime Minister Churchill regarding Dragoon, formerly Anvil, and cables on the subject, Ibid., pp. 1573–76.

  26. General Eisenhower’s memorandum for record, Ibid., pp. 1578, 1579.

  27. Letters, General Eisenhower to Prime Minister Churchill and to General Marshall, August 11, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  28. Letter, General Eisenhower to Field Marshal Montgomery, October 13, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  29. Letter, Field Marshal Montgomery to General Eisenhower, June 7, 1943, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  30. Letter, General Eisenhower to Field Marshal Montgomery, June 8, 1943, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  CHAPTER 16: Pursuit and the Battle of Supply

  1. SHAEF G-3 War Room Daily Summary, September 1, 1944, AGO. SC-AI-9, Allied vs. Axis Air Strength Report. Figures shown for combat planes are planes actually with squadrons; total inventory was much larger.

  2. Staff Officers’ Field Manual, Organization, Technical and Logistical Data, F.M. 101–10, AGO.

  3. General Eisenhower’s directive for the operations is recorded in Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1642, 1643.

  4. The Seventh Army landed on the south of France on August 15. The Seventh United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 101–49.

  5. The story of the entire planning period for Anvil, later called Dragoon, Ibid., Vol. I, pp. 1–26, 45–57.

  6. Ibid., pp. 271, 283–84.

  7. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 33–38.

  8. Lieutenant Colonel James F. Gault, memorandum report on the visit to Paris, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1638–40.

  9. Message CPA-90230, General Eisenhower to General Marshall, August 19, 1944, AGO.

  10. General Eisenhower’s report to the CCS of enemy losses up to late August and released to the press August 31, 1944, is recorded in Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1650, 1651.

  11. SHAEF G-2 Report on Enemy Morale, Ibid., pp. 1653, 1654.

  12. A discussion of the supply difficulties is contained in Report by the Supreme Commander, pp. 59, 60.

  13. 440th Troop Carrier Group History, D. S. Europe, p. 60.

  14. Message M-160, Field Marshal Montgomery to General Eisenhower, September 4, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  15. Message, General Eisenhower to CCS and principal commanders, on or about September 12, 1944, contains résumé C-in-C’s decisions following Brussels conference, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1702–04.

  16. Montgomery, Despatch, p. 49.

  17. Directive, CCS to General Eisenhower, reference Strategic Bomber Forces, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIII, pp. 1720–22.

  18. The Seventh United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 271, 284.

  19. Ibid., p. 272. Ninth United States Army Operations, Vol. II, pp. 1–15.

  20. The battle of Arnhem is outlined in De Guingand, op. cit., pp. 416–19.

  21. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 57–62.

  22. U. S. Ninth Army became operational at 1200 hrs., September 5, 1944. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 38.

  23. The Administrative and Logistical History of the European Theater of Operations, Part XI, Basic Needs of the ETO Soldier, Vol. II, pp. 128–39.

  24. Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, Price of Victory Section, pp. 108, 109.

  CHAPTER 17: Autumn Fighting on Germany’s Frontier

  1. Extract, memorandum, General Bradley to General Eisenhower, September 21, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  2. “Over 900 locomotives and a third of the rolling stock used had to be shipped over fr
om Allied sources.” Report by the Supreme Commander, p. 60.

  3. Order of Battle of the United States Army, World War II, European Theater of Operations, Office of the Theater Historian, pp. 573, 574. SHAEF G-3 Daily War Room Summary, October 2, 1944, AGO.

  4. SC-AI-9, Allied vs. Axis Air Strength Report for October 30, 1944, AGO. Figures shown are planes actually with squadrons; total inventory figures are considerably larger.

  5. Montgomery, Despatch, pp. 50, 51.

  6. Ibid., p. 50.

  7. Casualty figures for the Sicilian campaign, exclusive of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy casualties (not readily available), totaled 23,428. Statistical Section, Historical Division, War Department Special Staff.

  8. Ninth United States Army Operations, IV, Offensive in November, Vol. I, 4th Information and Historical Service, p. 1.

  9. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 42. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, p. 73.

  10. Ibid., pp. 165–68.

  11. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 95–97.

  12. After Action Report, Third United States Army, Vol. I, pp. 127–38.

  13. The Seventh United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. II, pp. 397–422.

  14. Letter, General Eisenhower to General Marshall, January 12, 1945, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  15. Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, Manpower Balance Section, pp. 101–07.

  16. Message W-50676, General Marshall to General Eisenhower, October 22, 1944, AGO.

  17. Report of the General Board, United States Forces, European Theater, Live Entertainment, Study No. 117, and Special Service Clubs, Study No. 121, AGO.

  18. Operations Reports MB-858, Adm. 20 A, American Red Cross, AGO.

  19. A discussion of the Air Staff’s exploration of the possibility of destroying the thirty-one Rhine bridges is contained in Report by the Supreme Commander, p. 84.

  20. The attack on oil is summarized in The United States Strategic Bombing Survey (European War), September 30, 1945, pp. 8–10.

  21. Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, pp. 182, 183, 186. SHAEF G-3 War Room Daily Summary 337, May 9, 1945, shows 630, 601 vehicles unloaded on the Continent for the American Twelfth and Sixth Army Groups, only, by May 8, 1945, AGO.

  22. Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, p. 44.

  23. “In the meantime operations in the South will go forward so long as the prospects continue good.” Extract, Message S-69334 (SCAF 141), General Eisenhower to the CCS, December 3, 1944, AGO.

  24. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 95–98.

  25. Ibid., G-2 Estimate No. 37, Hq. First U. S. Army, December 10, 1944, and Records of Intelligence, December 12, 14, 15, pp. 100–03. After Action Report, Third United States Army, Vol. I, pp. 164, 165.

  CHAPTER 18: Hitler’s Last Bid

  1. Report of General Eisenhower’s and General Bradley’s consideration of the first news concerning the German offensive, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, p. 1893.

  2. Notes regarding the decision to order in the 7th and 10th Armored Divisions and to alert the army commanders, Ibid., p. 1893.

  3. Movement of the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions is reported in Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 43, and SHAEF G-3 War Room Daily Summaries for 19 and 20 December 1944, AGO.

  4. Field Marshal Montgomery’s use of the British 30 Corps is discussed in De Guingand, op. cit., pp. 429, 432, 433.

  5. General Eisenhower’s memorandum of December 23, 1944, on the considerations involved and his decisions during the early days of the Ardennes battle, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, pp. 1906–09.

  6. Message S-71400, General Eisenhower to Generals Bradley and Devers, December 18, 1944, AGO.

  7. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 104, 105.

  8. Ibid., pp. 103–06, including Situation Map No. 9.

  9. De Guingand, op. cit., pp. 427, 428.

  10. General Eisenhower’s memorandum, December 23, 1944, on early phase, Ardennes battle, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, pp. 1906–09.

  11. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, pp. 97, 98, 104–07.

  12. Ibid., pp. 105–14, including Situation Maps Nos. 9 and 10.

  13. General Eisenhower’s memorandum, December 23, 1944, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, p. 1908.

  14. Ibid., p. 1909; also Message, Field Marshal Montgomery to General Eisenhower, December 23, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  15. First United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. I, chart facing p. 104; also Montgomery of Alamein, Normandy to the Baltic, pp. 224–27.

  16. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 43.

  17. Minutes of conference at Verdun, December 19, 1944, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, pp. 1902, 1903.

  18. Message SCAF 149, General Eisenhower to CCS and Commanders, December 19, 1944, AGO.

  19. Message (number not recorded), General Eisenhower to General Montgomery, December 20, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, p. 1898.

  20. General Eisenhower’s directive, December 20, 1944, confirming oral orders issued December 19, Ibid., pp. 1897, 1898.

  21. After Action Report, Third United States Army, Vol. I, p. 172.

  22. The Seventh United States Army Report of Operations, Vol. II, pp. 579, 580.

  23. General Juin’s visit and General Eisenhower’s attitude at that time regarding the defense of Strasbourg are reported in General Eisenhower’s letter, January 2, 1944, addressed to General de Gaulle, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  24. General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day is quoted in full in Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, p. 1910.

  25. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 43. De Guingand, op. cit., pp. 428, 429.

  26. Ibid., pp. 434, 435. Letters, General Eisenhower to General Marshall and to Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, February 9 and February 16, 1944, respectively, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  27. Message W-84337, General Marshall to General Eisenhower, December 30, 1944, AGO.

  28. Message S-73275, General Eisenhower to General Marshall, January 1, 1945, AGO.

  29. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 44. After Action Report, Third United States Army, Vol. I, pp. 176–81.

  30. Notes relative to the German plan for assassination of Allied military leaders, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, pp. 1899, 1900.

  31. Letter, with enclosed outline plan, General Eisenhower to Field Marshal Montgomery, December 31, 1944, outlines General Eisenhower’s intentions as given to Field Marshal Montgomery on December 28, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  32. After Action Report, Third United States Army, Vol. I, p. 181.

  33. Ibid., pp. 183–88, 203–08.

  34. Letter, with enclosed outline plan, General Eisenhower to Field Marshal Montgomery, copy to General Bradley, December 31, 1944, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  35. “As to units East of the main position [the Vosges], their integrity must not be endangered.” Extract SHAEF message received by Sixth Army Group, January 2, 1945, 6th Army Group History, Chapter V, p. 108.

  36. Message W-87149, General Marshall to General Eisenhower, January 5, 1944; S-73871, General Eisenhower’s reply, January 6, 1944, AGO.

  37. “There were heavy enemy strafe/bomb attacks against 16 airfields in Brussels area and 168 of our aircraft have been reported lost on the ground.” Extract SHAEF G-3 War Room Daily Summary 210, January 2, 1945, AGO.

  38. Report of Operations, Final After Action Report, 12th Army Group, Vol. V, p. 44.

  39. Message S-75872 (SCAF 179), General Eisenhower to General Marshall, January 20, 1945, AGO. Report by the Supreme Commander, p. 79.

  40. The difference between casualt
y figures for United States troops (excluding Sixth Army Group) and British and Canadian troops on last reports as of January 15, 1945, and December 15, 1944, show 10,733 killed, 42,316 wounded, 22,636 missing, or a total of 75,685. Not all of these casualties were due to the Ardennes battle. SHAEF G-3 Daily War Room Summaries 197 and 226, December 20, 1944, and January 20, 1945, AGO.

  CHAPTER 19: Crossing the Rhine

  1. Message S-75871 (SCAF 180), General Eisenhower to CCS, January 20, 1945, AGO.

  2. Report by the Supreme Commander, p. 83.

  3. Ibid.; also letters, Mr. Harriman to General Eisenhower, January 17, 1945, and Marshal Stalin to General Eisenhower, January 15, 1945, General Eisenhower’s personal files.

  4. Messages W-60507, March 29; W-61337, March 31; W-64244 and W-64349, April 6, 1945; all General Marshall to General Eisenhower. FWD-18331, FWD-18345, March 30, and FWD-18707, April 7, 1945, all General Eisenhower to General Marshall, AGO.

  5. The United States Strategic Bombing Survey, p. 9.

  6. The effect of Allied bombing on enemy aircraft production is outlined in Third Report of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, pp. 10–16.

  7. Message W-89338, General Marshall to General Eisenhower, January 10, 1945, and General Eisenhower’s reply, S-74437, January 10, 1945, AGO.

  8. Message S-74461, General Eisenhower to General Marshall, January 10, 1945, AGO.

  9. This suggestion for an over-all ground commander came from the British Chiefs of Staff. Message W-88777, General Marshall to General Eisenhower, January 8, 1945, AGO. General Eisenhower’s views regarding an over-all ground commander are outlined in Report by the Supreme Commander, pp. 85, 86.

  10. Marshall, Biennial Report, July 1, 1943–June 30, 1945, p. 46. Notes on conference with General Marshall, January 28, 1945, Diary, Office C-in-C, Book XIV, pp. 2008, 2009.