December 1944

Western Europe

In the 9th Army area, the XIII Corps has cleared its sector west of the Roer except for Wurm and Muellendorf and suspends the offensive until the 18th.

In the VII Corps area, the 104th Division improves its bridgehead across the Inde River. Upon the completion of the bridges, supporting weapons cross.

In the V Corps area, the 8th Division withholds an armored attack on Bergstein while awaiting reinforcements, but the infantry continue to clear the flanks of the Brandenberg-Bergstein ridge. TF Boyer of the 5th Armored Division eliminates the Vossenack strongpoint.

In the XX Corps area, the 95th Division regroups hastily to exploit the capture of a Saarlautern bridge. The 3rd Battalion, 379th Infantry crosses the bridge and begins a prolonged struggle for the suburb of Fraulautern, which is within the West Wall. The 1st and 3rd Battalions repel a tank-infantry counterattack. The 378th Infantry takes Lisdorf, on the Sarre just south of Saarlautern. The 10th Infantry, 5th Division, withstands a counterattack on the southern flank of the corps. The 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry, takes up positions to the right of the 10th and begins an attack to clear the region between the Roselle and Sarre Rivers.

The XII Corps begins a final drive toward the Sarre and West Wall. The 80th Division, with the 318th Infantry in assault, attacks after an intense, effective artillery preparation and takes Farebersviller and the hills to the northeast. CCA, 6th Armored Division, attacks toward Mont de Cadenbronn. The 35th Division attacks across the Maderbach before dawn, taking the enemy by surprise. The 134th Infantry seizes Puttelange. The 320th, to the right, is soon checked by enemy fire. The 104th Infantry, 26th Division, eliminates enemy remnants in Sarre-Union during a methodical mop-up. The 4th Armored Division, learning of the German retreat, begins a pursuit across Eichel Creek with CCB crossing an advance force at Voellerdingen and while CCA comes under accurate fire at Domfessel.

In the VI Corps area, the 103rd and 36th Divisions finish clearing Sélestat. The 36th Division takes control there, relieving 103rd forces.