December 1944

Western Europe

In the XIII Corps area, Linnich falls to the 406th Infantry, 102nd Division. The 405th Infantry gains the heights along the Lindern-Linnich highway by a double envelopment.

In the XIX Corps area, the 116th Infantry of the 29th Division begins an attack to reduce the 2 enemy positions west of the Roer opposite Juelich--one a group of buildings called Hasenfeld Gut and the other the Juelich sportplatz, an athletic field. Both are protected by enemy fire from the commanding ground east of the Roer and accessible only through open terrain. Assault forces are soon pinned down by enemy fire.

In the VII Corps area, the 104th Division gains some ground in the southern part of Inden. The 8th Infantry, 4th Division, is still trying in vain to get out of the Huertgen Forest, has gained less than 1,000 yards during 3 days of hard fighting. The 22nd Infantry, committing its reserves, finally emerges to establish a thin line along the woods overlooking Gey. Gen Collins orders the attack halted. Since 16 November, the 4th Division has made its maximum gain of a little more than 3 miles at an exceedingly high cost. The 47th Infantry reverts to the 9th Division from its attachment to the 1st Division.

In the V Corps area, elements of the 28th and 121st Regiments of the 8th Division have cleared a portion of Tiefen Creek bottom land on the right flank and of the Brandenberger Wald on its left flank, to provide a measure of safety for the armored deive along the Kleinhau-Brandenberg highway, which follows the ridge line.

The XX Corps continues to clear enemy positions west of the Sarre in preparation for an assault across the river. The 10th Armored Division is overcoming relatively weak opposition in the Merzig. An air preparation precedes the 95th Division's attempt to reach and cross the Sarre. Medium bombers attack Saarlautern, Ensdorf, and Fraulautern. Fighter bombers interdict a movement east of the river. Resistance continues stiff, however, as the 95th Division attacks, making its main effort with the fresh 379th Infantry. The 377th takes Felsberg and begins clearing Ste Barbara. The 378th gains the hill near Berus but is unable to reach Bisten. The 379th attacks though the 377th toward Saarlautern. TF Fickett (Col E. M. Fickett), consisting of the 6th Cavalry Group and the 5th Ranger Battalion, assembles near St Avold to screen the southern flank of the corps, relieving TF Bello, components of which revert to the 5th Division. The 5th Division, still containing the forts in the Metz area, is assigned a narrow front to the right of the 95th Division in preparation for a drive to the Sarre across the Warndt salient. The 6th Cavalry task force is to protect the right of the 5th Division.

In the XII Corps area, CCB of the 4th Armored Division and the 101st Infantry of the 26th Division open a co-ordinated drive on Sarre-Union against lively opposition. The 3rd Battalion of the 101st clears Sarre-Union but, since it cannot take the hill north of the town, pulls back for the night. The 1st Battalion clears the Bannholtz woods. CCB secures Hill 318, north of Mackwiller. The 80th and 35th Divisions and the 6th Armored Division are ordered to make a limited attack on the 4th to straighten the left and center of the corps line.

In the XV Corps area, the 44th Division is meeting strong resistance in the vicinity of Tieffenbach. The 45th Division is likewise opposed in the Zinswiller-Meitesheim area. The 79th Division, reinforced by the 94th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the 14th Armored Division, clears Schweighausen.

In the VI Corps area, the French 2nd Armored Division continues southward along the Rhine. The 103rd and 36th Divisions are converging on Sélestat. CCA, 14th Armored Division, is withdrawn to corps reserve.