December 1944

Western Europe

The V Corps continues to gain ground slowly. The 78th Division secures Kesternich but the enemy infiltrates in some strength and isolates elements.

In the XX Corps area, the 90th Division opens an assaut for the rest of Dillingen and the Prims River bridge on the Dillingen-Saarlautern road under a smoke screen with the 359th Infantry on the left and the 358th on the right. The attack penetrates the enemy's main line of resistance in the Dillingen sector and gets well into the town. A lull develops after this and the 90th Division suspends its attack. The 95th Division continues its slow advance in the Saarlautern bridgehead.

In the XII Corps area, the 134th Infantry of the 35th Division, assisted by tanks and tank destroyers, takes Habkirchen. To the left, the 137th Infantry is driven out of Breiterwald with very heavy losses in an enemy counterattack. The 87th Division is also bitterly opposed but the 347th Infantry takes Obergailbach and heights overlooking the Blies.

In the VI Corps area, CCA of the 14th Armored Division, seizes Riedseltz. CCB takes Salmbach and Schlerthal. One 79th Division column clears Lauterbourg and another reaches the Lauter River at the village of Schiebenhardt.

The French 1st Army begins its offensive against the Germans west of the Rhine in the Colmar area. The II Corps, making the main effort, penetrates into Orbey.