Although ordered to wait "until every tank, gun and plane was assembled", Kluge and SS General Paul Hausser (commanding the German 7th Army, which held the western part of the front) decided to attack as soon as possible, before the overall situation deteriorated further.
Selv om de havde fået ordre på at vente "indtil alle kampvogne, kanoner og fly var samlet" besluttede von Kluge og SS general Paul Hausser, som havde kommandoen over 7. armé, som holdt den vestlige del af fronten, at angribe så hurtigt som muligt, inden den generelle situation blev yderligere forværret.