The month of January 1945 will remain vivid in the memory of those members of Combat Command B, 12th Armored Division, who participated in that unit's attack on Herrlisheim. For, during the period 8-11 January, this Combat Command was engaged in a bloody encounter against the Germans under the most trying of conditions. This assault at Herrlisheim provides the basis for this report. The purpose of this paper is to analyze an historical operation in which a combat command of an armored division was attached to an infantry division, and given the mission of reducing a bridgehead. In addition, this study will attempt to point out adherence to, and violation of, past and present doctrine. It compares past and present organization, equipment, and employment.

N2146.46 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.