[Note: This manuscript was prepared by an officer assigned to the Historical Division of the European Theater of Operations at the conclusion of World War II. It was subsequently deposited at the Office of the Chief of Military History (OCMH; now US Army Center of Military History) for reference use by historians preparing the official history of the Army. It is typical of the kinds of detailed tactical studies routinely carried out by the combat historians during World War II. The original is on file in the Historical Manuscripts Collection (HMC) under file number 8-3.1 AM, which should be cited in footnotes, along with the title. It is reproduced here with only those limited modifications required to adapt to the World Wide Web; spelling, punctuation, and slang usage have not been altered from the original. Where modern explanatory notes were required, they have been inserted as italicized text in square brackets.]

Chapters

A clear picture of a tactical situation cannot be produced without first reviewing the events leading to it. Such a review permits one to come abreast more rapidly and understand more thoroughly why tatical [sic] plans were made and executed.

With this in mind, let us summarize developments of the two days prior to the time elements of the 2d Armored Division crossed the Elbe River. By this means, the general situation, of not only XIX Corps but subordinate units as well, will become clear.