However, once the Soviets became aware of the presence of elite SS units (Hitler's personal unit, the 1st SS Panzer Division took part in the operation) they counterattacked in strength.
It was particularly effective as the engineer unit that primarily caused the delay of the advance elements of the Sixth Panzer Army, especially the Kampfgruppe under command of Joachim Peiper, during the Battle of the Bulge.
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Wilhelm Mohnke, in charge of the Sixth Panzer Army, had charged his best colonel, Obersturmbannführer Joachim Peiper, commander of the 1st SS Panzer Division, with leading the push to Antwerp.