Bodenplatte did coincide with the
Nordwind offensive toward Strasbourg.
As for Peltz …
TNA AIR 25/731: No. 85 Group Intell. Summary No. 39, Period Sunrise 14.1.45 to Sunrise 21.1.45
The costly airfield attack of 1 January was unmistakably pure PELZ.
… so far PELZ has never learned from his mistakes. He seems brave personally, having been a Stuka pilot before the days of Allied air superiority. Since going off ops, the prospect of other men—his crews—facing murderous odds certainly has not caused him to quail.
… He is the ideal leader if rapid wastage of an air force is desired.
TNA WO 205/286: 9 U.S. Army (Part I) Operation “GRENADE”
G-2 estimate of enemy situation, HQ XIII Corps, 3 February 1945
4. Air …Pelz was given command of an anti-shipping force in North Africa in 1942 on which occasion he took such heavy losses his unit had to be disbanded. In succeeding commands he persisted in competing when overmatched, therefore we may expect he will continue his gamble against superior forces and made [sic] attacks on a scale similar to the airfield attacks of 1 January.