December 1944

Western Europe

In the XIX Corps area, the 5th Armored Division clears Untermaubach and Schneidhausen before being relieved in line by the 8th and 83rd Divisions. The 8th Division attack on Obermaubach fails.

In the V Corps area, the Germans breach the lines of the 1st Division at Butgenbach and of the 9th Division in the Monschau Forest but are unable to exploit their success.

In the XVIII Corps (Airborne) area, the withdrawal of the delaying forces in the St Vith area through the 82nd Airborne Division line begins. The 82nd Airborne Division is under strong pressure along the Salm in the Trois Ponts area. A 30th Division column captures Stoumont. The 3rd Armored Division maintains roadblocks at strategic points and attempts to clear the Hotton area.

The VII Corps, reconstituted to consist of the 75th and 84th Infantry Divisions and the 2nd Armored Division, is rapidly concentrating in the Durbuy-Marche area of Belgium and organizing a defensive line. The 84th Division completes a perimeter defense of Marche and establishes a counterreconnaissance screen to the south and southwest.

In the VIII Corps area, Brig-Gen McAuliffe, the acting CG of the 101st Airborne Division, refuses the German demand for the surrender of Bastogne. The garrison is holding under heavy fire and sharp attacks. 28th Division troops that are blocking a road southwest out of Bastogne at Vaux-les-Rosières are forced back to Neufchâteau. The US ammunition shortage is becoming acute and weather conditions prevent aerial resupply.

The III Corps begins a northward drive to relieve Bastogne. On the west, 4th Armored Division columns reach Burnon and Margelange. The 26th Division, to the right, marches about 16 miles before making contact with the enemy in the Rambrouch-Grosbous area. After a 5-mile advance, the 80th Division runs into stiff resistance at Merzig and Ettelbruck but clears most of Merzig.

The XII Corps, in a new zone along the eastern border of Luxembourg, attacks with the 4th Division southwest of Echternach but is held to small gains. The 10th Armored Division maintains positions northeast of Luxembourg and straightens its lines. The 5th Division closes north of Luxembourg. The 35th Division moves from Puttelange to Metz. The 2nd Cavalry Group assembles near Vatimont.

In the XX Corps area, the 90th Division completes the withdrawal of the Dillingen bridgehead.