THE BATTLE FOR THE RHINE
SEELY, Lt. Comdr. C. S.
The Battle For The Rhine By LT. COMDR. C. S. SEELY IN spite of optimistic predictions to the contrary, it is beyond the bounds of probability that Germany Will surrender, or that we can even cross...
...including all the Winter months, in Northern Europe, much of this time in Cologne, Coblenz, Trier, and other1 places in the Ruhr, Sarr, and Rhineland area we have recently taken or are about to attack, and can report that our troops are facing a most bitter and miserable Winter—a Winter which greatly favors our enemies...
...The central section, between Dusseldorf and Karlsruhe, where we apparently are directing, our heaviest attacks, are the strongest...
...Also the wide, swift Rhine, with its generally steep and high east banks, alone makes a formidable barrier...
...But even though we and our Allies in the West greatly outnumber the Germans in manpower and war materials, their man-made and natural defenses will, I feel, more than offset our advantage during the Winter months...
...Heavy overcast skies with cold drizzly rain, snow and sleet, begin in this area in December and continue until Spring...
...They are from 50 to 75 miles in depth in nearly all areas, and in no area less than 10 miles...
...C. S. SEELY IN spite of optimistic predictions to the contrary, it is beyond the bounds of probability that Germany Will surrender, or that we can even cross the, Rhine in force (with say 2,000,000 men) during the coming Winter...
...Except in northern Russia attacking forces could hardly expect worse weather anywhere...
...But the fortifications along both sides of this river, which we must carry before we can beat Hitler, are by far the strongest ever erected by man...
...This makes all air and other operations of an advancing army most difficult...
...The other sections protect the Black Forest area and northern Germany, where a break-through would be less disastrous to Hitler, are less strong, but cannot be considered weak...
...These defenses probably are at least as strong on the east bank as they are on, the west bank, and they run the entire length of the river in Germany...
...Bombardment of enemy positions with heavy artillery during the next few weeks or months will make the task of our infantry much safer and easier, and save many American lives...
...After we cross the Rhine in force anywhere in the Cologne-Coblenz area the war in Europe, in my opinion...
...Just before the war I spent over six months...
...We must see toit-that our men get all the heavy artillery shells they want...
...The opinion...
...and assertions expressed above are the private ones of the writer and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the naval service at large...
...will soon end...
Vol. 8 • December 1944 • No. 49
