THE FINAL ASSESSMENT

As January 1945 drew to a close, the Allied forces closed the gap in their front line that had been created by the Ardennes Offensive. By the start of February, the front line in the West was roughly where it was at the start of December. The Allies then pressed their advantage, launching an attack throughout the Western Front, with Montgomery in the north, Hodges in the centre and Patton in the south, all looking to push back the German lines.

A massive assault on the Eastern Front had already started in mid-January, taking advantage of the relocation of resources to the Ardennes