Losheim-Merzig Offensive

Losheim Gap, March 1, 1945

Date	March 1, 1945
Location	Central Germany
Result	German victory

Belligerents

France

Germany

Commanders and leaders

Charles De Gaulle

Walter Model

The Losheim-Merzig Offensive was an offensive by the Wehrmacht against the Free French in the Central German Front. The Free French were pushed back from their defensive positions, forming the Losheim Gap.

Battle[]

With the French, British, and Americans rapidly gaining ground, the Germans plotted out a counterattack to drive the Allies back into France. Although there was a high risk of defeat due to recent losses of men, the German OKW approved of the attack. Walter Model, commander of Army Group B, was to lead the attack. The Wehrmacht used the last of its tanks on the Western Front and its last artillery in the attack, and pushed the French back. The French were forced out of the town of Losheim and Merzig, and the Germans defended the towns, creating the Losheim Gap. This was the last major German victory of the war.