December 1944

Western Europe

In the XXX Corps area, the 29th Armored Brigade clashes with enemy spearheads between Dinant and Ciney.

In the XIX Corps area, the 83rd Division, in limited attacks, clears about two thirds of Winden and the 8th Division improves its positions near Obermaubach. The 104th Division takes responsibility for the northern part of the 83rd Division zone, turning over its positions in the Inden-Pier-Schophoven region to the 29th Division.

In the V Corps area, the 1st Division repels another enemy bid for Butgenbach. The 5th Armored Division closes in the Eupen area and is held in reserve.

In the XVIII Corps (Airborne) area, the 30th Division overruns La Gleize and releases CCB, 3rd Armored Division. The 82nd Airborne Division is under strong pressure in the Manhay area and loses Manhay, although elements of the 7th Armored Division are pressed into action in that region. The 17th Airborne Division is being flown to France from England and will subsequently operate under the VIII Corps.

In the VII Corps area, the Germans reduce the 3rd Armored Division's roadblock at Belle Haie on the road to Manhay. CCR columns attack eastward from Hotton and westward from Soy clear the Hotton-Soy road. Elements of the 75th Division enter combat for the first time. The 290th and 289th RCTs are attached respectively to CCR and CCA, 3rd Armored Division. In the 84th Division zone, the Germans drive through Verdenne. CCA, 2nd Armored Division, reaches Buissonville. The 4th Cavalry Group, attached to the 2nd Armored Division to cover its assembly and maintain contact with adjacent units, makes contact with the British at Sorinne.

In the VIII Corps area, heavy fighting continues around the Bastogne perimeter. The city is badly damaged by air attacks. The 11th Armored Division, released from SHAEF reserve to the corps on the 23rd, is held in mobile reserve west of the Meuse. Combat engineers are guarding the Meuse River line and blocking the approaches to the bridges.

In the III Corps area, CCB of the 4th Armored Division is meeting lively opposition south of Chaumont, as is CCA at Warnock. CCR seizes Bigonville. The 318th Infantry, 80th Division, is attached to the 4th Armored Division. The 6th Cavalry Group (TF Ficken) arrives from the XX Corps front to guard the west flank of the corps in the Neufchâteau area. The 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron is assigned the sector between the 4th Armored and 26th Infantry Divisions. The 26th Division secures Rambrouch and Koetschette but is held up at Arsdorf and Hierheck. The 80th Division contains determined counterattacks.

The XII Corps, the 5th Division, to which the 10th RCT has reverted, relieves the left flank elements of the 4th Division and attacks toward Haller and Waldbillig, making slow progress. The 2nd Cavalry Group, designated TF Reed, relieves the right flank units of the 4th Division along the Moselle. CCA, 10th Armored Division, captures Gilsdorf and Mostroff on the Sauer River.

The 6th Army Group warns that tne Germans are massing for an offensive.

In the II Corps area, the US 3rd Division clears Bennwihr, concluding operations in the Colmar sector.