It took until the end of Jan. 1945 for US 1st Army to push the Enemy back to the line they held at the start of their (Ardennes) offensive. By the time for operation "Veritable" was to be launch it was clear to everyone now that the dams had to be captured before the great push in the north can be undertaken. The task was a tall order for the 78th division who had only limited battle experience and was to capture the village of Schmidt toghether with the largest and most important if all the Dams, the Schwmmenuel.