Bastogne: The Story of the First Eight Days - US Army Center Of ...

132 BASTOGNE
Higgins reasoned that it was a fairly safe gamble. He had
studied the map carefully and had gleaned all that he could from
firsthand study of the country just outside the Bastogne perimeter.
The landscape to the south was heavily wooded and therefore
not suitable for armor. He considered that the only place
where the enemy was likely to strike Harper's sector in force was
at the Wiltz road. But the opening there was a pretty narrow
corridor and he felt that Harper had enough strength across the
Wiltz road to deal with any fresh threat at that point. What concerned
General Higgins most was the position in the northwest
sector, a gently rolling hill country, with no natural obstacles and
very little tree growth. Thus far it had been the quietest portion
of the perimeter but that fact did not lessen Higgins' apprehension;
he felt sure that if a real tank stroke was coming, this would
be the point of danger. He remarked to General McAuliffe that
they could expect to be entertained out there on Christmas Day.
"The Germans are a sentimental people," he said, "and they
are probably thinking about giving a present to Hitler."62