He had written on February 10 to General Alexander encouraging him to exert his authority and Alexander had visited the beachhead on February 14 to tell Lucas he wished for a breakout as soon as the tactical situation allowed.
Han havde den 10. februar skrevet til Alexander og tilskyndet ham til at bruge sin autoritet, og Alexander havde besøgt brohovedet den 14. februar for at fortælle Lucas at han ønskede et udbrud så snart den taktiske situation tillod det.