December 1944

Western Europe

In the VII Corps area, the Germans continue a successful defense of Pier and Schophoven, but elements of the 415th Infantry, 104th Division, take Merken and Vilvenich. The 60th Infantry, 9th Division, and armor of the 3rd Armored Division overrun Geich. CCR of the 3rd Armored Division, reinforced by a battalion of the 60th Infantry, makes a futile and costly effort to take Hoven. The 39th Infantry of the 9th Division seizes Merode and Schlicht.

In the V Corps area, the 2nd Division closes in the corps zone and is attached to the corps.

In the VIII Corps area, the 106th Division, with the 14th Cavalry Group attached, takes over positions in the Schnee Eifel formerly held by the 2nd Division.

In the XX Corps area, the 357th Infantry of the 90th Division withdraws a little on the northern flank of the Dilligen bridgehead in order to shorten the front and secure supply lines. The 359th and 358th Regiments attempt in vain to find a passage through the fortified belt between them. The 359th loses 3 pillboxes during a counterattack. The 90th Reconnaissance Troop takes responsibility for the west bank of the Sarre so that the covering force previously deployed there can be used the strengthen the bridgehead. The 95th Division expands the Saarlautern bridgehead in costly fighting. The 377th Infantry pushes to the center of Fraulautern. The 378th Infantry clears about 5 city blocks in Ensdorf. The progress of the 379th in Saarlautern-Roden is negligible.

In the XII Corps area, the 137th Infantry of the 35th Division finishes clearing Sarreguemines, except for a few snipers, and blocks Frauenberg. The main body of the division continues toward the Blies River. At night, the division prepares to attack across the Blies on the 12th. Teh 328th Infantry, 26th Division, continues toward the German frontier.

In the XV Corps area, 44th Division elements take Petit Réderching; others reach Siersthal.

In the VI Corps area, Haguenau falls to the 79th Division.