December 1944

Western Europe

Reinforcments are being sent to the Ardennes sector to defend the vital road centers. 2 airborne divisions, the 82nd and the 101st, of the XVIII Corps (Airborne), 1st Allied Airborne Army, are released from SHAEF reserve for action on the Ardennes front.

The US 9th Army releases the 7th Armored Division to the VIII Corps and the 30th Division, whose zone on the XIX Corps front is taken over by the 29th Division, to the V Corps.

The VII Corps, while rounding up paratroopers and guarding against a possible airborne attack, continues to press its right flank towad the Roer River. The 83rd Division clears Roelsdorf and Lendersdorf. The 9th Division gains ground slowly just west of Dueren and releases the 47th RCT to the V Corps.

The V Corps is fully occupied holding current positions north of the breakthrough and delaying the German offensive, which continues to gain ground slowly toward Malmédy. The 1st and 30th Division are getting into position to counterattack. The 26th Infantry of the 1st Division is attached to the 99th Division. The 47th RCT, 9th Division, assembles in the Eupen area.

In the VIII Corps area, a disorganized 14th Cavalry Group continues to fall back on the northern flank of the corps. German columns isolate 2 regiments (the 422nd and 423rd) of the 106th Division in the Schnee Eifel salient and push on through Heuem toward St Vith. Elements of the 7th and 9th Armored Divisions are committed to the defense of St Vith. In the 28th Division zone, the Germans drive almost to Wiltz. The corps releases CCR of the 9th Armored Division from reserve to block the Bastogne-Trois Vierges road. The 4th Division halts the enemy south of Osweiler and Dickweiler, but units are isolated at a number of points. The 10th Armored Division arrives in the vicinity of Luxembourg city.

In the XX Corps area, the 5th Division continues to relieve the 95th in the Saarlautern bridgehead. Engineers complete a bridge in the Ensdorf area.

The XV Corps is still stalled by opposition from Forts Simershof and Schiesseck.

The VI Corps is virtually halted at the outer defenses of the West Wall.

The II Corps overruns Keintzheim.