Eisenhower Orders the Protection of Meuse River Bridges During the Battle of the Bulge (1944)

Date: December 19, 1944

Created By: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Original or Replica: Original

Era: Advance to the Rhine, The General

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Pre-Presidential Papers, Principal File, Box 13, Bradley, Omar N. (5); NAID #12117241

In this December 19, 1944 top-secret urgent cable, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower reminds General Omar Bradley of the critical importance of preventing bridges across the Meuse River from falling intact into German hands during the Battle of the Bulge. The brief message was sent only days after Germany launched its surprise offensive through the Ardennes and as Allied commanders worked to contain the rapidly developing German breakthrough.

Eisenhower’s instruction is direct: “no Meuse bridges” were to fall into enemy hands intact. If necessary, he orders that specialized service units be organized immediately to protect them. The message was intended for Bradley, with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery also receiving the information, reflecting the importance of coordinating the defense of the river across Allied commands.

Although short, the cable demonstrates how seriously Eisenhower regarded the possibility that German forces might reach the Meuse. Preserving Allied control of the river crossings—or ensuring that the Germans could not capture usable bridges—was an important precaution against a further German advance. The document also illustrates Eisenhower’s attention to defensive preparations while simultaneously reorganizing Allied forces and preparing counterattacks against the German offensive.

The document provides a concise but revealing look at Eisenhower’s response during the critical opening days of the Battle of the Bulge and his determination to prevent German forces from gaining strategically important crossings over the Meuse River.