December 1944

Western Europe

In the VII Corps area, the 104th Division takes Pier in a 2-pronged assault and forces the Germans to withdraw across the Roer. Elements of the 60th Infantry, 9th Division, drive into Mariaweiler. Hoven is cleared of the enemy. CCR, 3rd Armored Division, and the 60th Infantry finish clearing most of the region west of the Roer, northwest and west of Dueren during the day. The 39th Infantry, 9th Division, begins clearing Derichsweiler.

In the XX Corps area, the situation in the Dillingen bridgehead improves. The 357th Infantry, 90th Division, mops up bypassed resistance within its sector and the 359th and 358th establish contact, opening a corridor through the fortified belt through which tanks are moved to the 357th. A vehicular ferry is put into operation. An effective smoke screen permits the delivery of tanks and tank destroyers to the bridgehead. Limited progress is made in the Saarlautern bridgehead by the 95th Division. Combat efficiency of both the 90th and 95th Divisions has been lowered sharply because of insufficient reinforcements and exhaustion.

In the XII Corps area, the 35th Division begins an attack across the Blies early in the morning. The 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry, crosses and begins to clear Habkirchen, gaining a weak hold there. The 320th Infantry, assisted by tanks, clears Bliesbruck, on the near side of the river, in preparation for a crossing. The 328th Infantry, 26th Division, gets forward elements across the German border and its relief by the 87th Division during the night of the 12th.

The XV Corps is virtually halted by the Maginot fortifications in the Hottviller-Bitche area, but CCA, 12th Armored Division, reaches Bettviller, its objective.

The VI Corps commits the 14th Armored Division between the 103rd and 79th Divisions. The 79th Division enters Soufflenheim as the enemy pulls back toward the West Wall and begins clearing Seltz.

Gen de Lattre alters their plan of action, calling for the capture of Colmar and Cernay but deferring a drive to the Rhine at Brisach unless circumstances are favorable. The II Corps is to make its main effort through Colmar to Rouffach, where it will link up with the I Corps coming from Cernay. The I Corps is so spent that it suspends its offensive until the 15th.