These two new fronts have expanded and allowed the liberation of a large part of the French territory within the span of a few months.

[4] The Germans resisted and launched a strong counteroffensive, Operation Nordwind, on 1 January 1945.

At that time, Eisenhower, the commander in chief, wanted to retreat and temporarily evacuate Alsace, but General de Gaulle opposed it and sent reinforcements to defend Strasbourg.

[2][5] General de Lattre, commanding the French 1st Army, launched a double offensive with his two army corps to defeat the Colmar Pocket.

[5][6] The last part of Alsace, from the Moder to the border, was liberated from March 15 to 19, 1945.