Are you having trouble understanding that your source is talking about the situation on December 8th and we're talking about the situation on December 16th when this alternate offensive would start?Richard Anderson wrote: ↑19 Nov 2020, 21:31By midday 8 December, however, the Regiment had concentrated in Brunssum under 34 Tank Brigade, which now formed the nucleus of XXX Corps reserve, which was to be prepared to take up defensive positions on the right flank to hold bank any enemy penetrations down the Wurm Valley – the Corps front being held by 43 Division on the right with 8 Armoured Brigade under command and the Guards Armoured Division on the left.
Source got the 52nd division brigade wrong, it was the 157th. And it shows that 43rd division was relieved from the line and moved into reserve. Exactly what I said.Richard Anderson wrote: ↑19 Nov 2020, 21:31147 RAC relieved a regiment of the 8 Armoured Brigade [under command XII Corps] after a couple of days and on the eighth the Battalion moved forward into Germany to take their place, while 156 Brigade [52 Division] came under command 43 Division and relieved 129 Brigade.
Again, none of this is different from what I said. The 34th tank brigade was there, not the 31st. 8th armored was also moved into reserve since it was replaced by the 34th and was to fill an exploitation role for Shears before it was cancelled and then moved into the Netherlands for Veritable before the Ardennes offensive delayed the British offensive. So what is your disconnect? Just trying to cover up for your mistakes in placing additional tank or armoured brigades where they weren't? Just like how you claimed the 3rd AGRA was there too without a single shred of evidence?Richard Anderson wrote: ↑19 Nov 2020, 21:31On December 10th, the CO attended an “O” Group at 214 Brigade, 43 Division. Operation “Shears” was outlined whereby the enemy divisions disposed west of the River Roer between Roermond K 7990 and Gilenkerchen K 8664 were to be destroyed. 34 Tank Brigade with 43 Division were to do the break-out and 52 Division with 8 Armoured Brigade and Guards Armoured Division the mopping up. 9 R Tanks in support 214 Brigade were to complete the first phase of the break-out.
Following heavy and continual rain the ground provided poor tank going and frequent reports showed no improvements. Nevertheless, thousands of air photos and maps were issued and every plan was complete when the news came that the operation was cancelled.
The Regiment remained in its position with its role unchanged. On December 16th news was received of the German counter-offensive against the American First Army front, attacking with the 6th and 5th Panzer Armies."
I'll repeat what I stated before and is shown on the 12th AG situation maps for this entire period that fits with all the memoirs that have been quoted so far:
7AD was holding the Meuse to Sittard, at least the 157th brigade held part of the line between Sittard and wherever the GAD left flank was along with 34th tank brigade. There is no source yet that claims that even a single brigade from 43rd division was holding a position on the front lines in the area by the morning of the 16th of December as it had passed into reserve to prepare for Op. Shears.