The task was ineffect the completion of the second and third phases of Operation "V ERITABLE" ( page 464above). 3The intention was to launch a deliberate assault across the ridge which curved southwestwardfrom Calcar to beyond Üdem, and having breached theĮnemy's strong Hochwald defences to exploit towards Xanten and Wesel. He emphasized the opportunity presented bythe availability of two fresh armoured divisions, and said that he proposed to strikehard at the enemy now in an all-out effort rather than "dribble in" these reserves. On the 22nd General Simonds presented his plan to the divisional commanders(no written operation order was issued). andbrigadiers were to come at once to be "put in the picture" about the plan. Arrangements were made for the 4th Canadianand 11th British Armoured Divisions to come forward to take part their G.Os.C. This waschristened "B LOCKBUSTER" on 22 February. On 26 February the 2nd Canadian Corps would launch theoperation designed to capture the Hochwald position and exploit to Xanten. On the 22nd the 15th (Scottish) Division was to attack a wooded area north-east ofWeeze on the 24th the 53rd (Welsh) Division was to drive south from Goch, take Weezeand exploit south-westward. 1At the conference on the afternoon of21 February, held at a convent near Materborn, the "plot" for the new offensive wasgiven. General Crerar had been holding daily conferences with his corps and divisionalcommanders to review progress and issue orders. It now seemed necessary to mount a newoffensive with fresh troops to restore the momentum of the attack and break through toXanten. By 20 February we had clawed our way forward between 15 and20 miles from our start-line but the enemy still maintained an unbroken front, and the"Hochwald Layback" was still before us. Army from launching the converging attack which had beenplanned, and the Germans had been able to concentrate their resources on the FirstCanadian Army's front. The Roer flooding hadprevented the Ninth U.S. Ground conditions could scarcely havebeen worse and the enemy, fighting on the soil of Germany and in the valley of theFatherland's great river, had resisted with fierce determination. Plans for a Renewed OffensiveO PERATION "V ERITABLE" had gone slowly. HyperWar: The Victory Campaign Chapter XIXĢ2 February-10 March 1945(See Map 11 and Sketches 38, 39, 40 and 41)
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