December 1944

Western Europe

In the XIX Corps area, the commander of the 116th Infantry, 29th Division, reports that continued efforts to take the Juelich strongpoints will be fruitless. During the past 6 days the regiment has suffered heavy casualties and is unfit to continue action. The 115th Infantry replaces the 116th and prepares to continue the assault.

In the VII Corps area, the 9th Division completes the relief of the 1st Division and takes responsibility for the Luchem-Langerwehe-Juengersdorf-Merode region. The 1st Division, except for the 16th Infantry, which is attached to the V Corps, moves to rest areas. The 83rd Division, less the 329th Infantry, takes over the zone of the 4th Division on the southern flank of the corps, with the 8th Infantry of the 4th Division under its command. The 4th Division (- 8th Infantry) passes to VIII Corps control.

The V Corps virtually finishes clearing its sector to the Roer. The 2nd Ranger Battalion pushes to the crest of Castle Hill, where it is under heavy fire and repels 2 counterattacks. When a platoon advances to reinforce the rangers, the enemy withdraws hastily. CCR of the 5th Armored Division pulls back from Bergstein during the night but by this time the 28th Infantry of the 8th Division has advanced almost to the village from the south.

In the XX Corps area, the 90th Division attempts to improve and consolidate its bridgehead in the Pachten-Dillingen area with little success. The 357th Infantry establishes a thin perimeter on the northern flank and holds it against a major counterattack but is separated from the 358th Infantry in the Dilligen-Pachten area by the fortified West Wall belt. Enemy fire continues to prevent construction of a vehicular bridge, but a footbridge is improvised and the bridgehead resupplied during the night of the 7th. The 95th Division continues to battle West Wall positions in its Saarlautern bridgehead. The 379th Infantry makes limited progress in Saarlauter-Roden. The 377th takes over the fight for Fraulautern. The 378th is virtually at a standstill in the Ensdorf area and its 2nd Battalion is still west of the Sarre. The 10th Infantry, 5th Division, finishes clearing its sector and ties in with the 95th Division. In the Metz area, Fort Plappeville surrenders to the 2nd Infantry.

The XII Corps regroups for an assault on the West Wall between Saarbruecken and Zweibruecken by the 35th and 26th Divisions. The 80th Division withdraws to the rear upon relief by the 6th Armored Division and the 2nd Cavalry Group. The 35th Division is still engaged at Sarreguemines. The 4th Armored Division is being relieved by the XV Corps. The 26th Division reaches positions within sight of the Maginot Line forts at Wittring and Achen.

In the XV Corps area, the 44th Division is approaching Enchenberg against lively opposition. The 100th Division seizes Mouterhouse. The 12th Armored Division begins the relief of the 4th Armored Division (XII Corps).

In the VI Corps area, the 94th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and elements of the 19th Armored Infantry Battalion attached to the 79th Division begin an attack on Gambsheim. The 103rd Division is committed between the 45th and 79th Divisions.

The French 1st Army opens at attack on the Colmar Pocket in the I Corps zone while the II Corps is containing determined counterattacks in the Ostheim, Guemar, and Mittelwihr areas. The I Corps drives on Cernay and Thann with the Moroccan 2nd Division taking Bischwiller and establishing a bridgehead at Pont d'Aspach.