December 1944

Western Europe

The XXX Corps is disposed along the west bank of he Meuse from Givet to Liége.

The British 51st Division is withdrawn from army reserve and transferred to the 1st Army as reserve.

In the XIX Corps area, the 83rd Division completes the capture of Winden and is alerted for movement to the 1st Army zone. The 8th Division gains additional ground near Obermaubach and begins an assault on that town.

The V Corps maintains defensive positions and has only light patrol contact with the enemy.

In the XVIII Corps (Airborne) area, the 82nd Airborne Division, to shorten its line, withdraws from the Vielsalm salient upon order, pulling back to the general line Trois Ponts-Basse-Bodeux-Bra-Manhay. The 7th Armored Division si reinforced by the 424th RCT, 106th Division, and tries vainly to recover Manhay. The 30th Division clears the region north of the Amblève River between Stavelot and Trois Ponts.

The VII Corps, directed to go on the defensive, conducts a limited attack to stabilize the right flank of the 1st Army. The 3rd Armored Division attacks toward Grandménil and the crossroads just east of it, which the enemy has recently seized, and reaches the edge of the town. It is also establishing a defensive line in the Werpin-Amonines area. The task force that is cut off in Marcouray radios that it is starting toward Soy through enemy territory. The 84th Division recovers Verdenne, but an enemy pocket remains between there and Bourdon. CCB, 2nd Armored Division, seizes Celles, blocking the enemy's westward advance on Dinant. It reonnoiters to Sorinne and Foy Notre Dame while CCA occupies Havrenne.

The VIII Corps maintains the Bastogne perimeter against pressure from all sides.

In the III Corps area, CCR, moving to the west flank of the 4th Armored Division from Bigonville, launches a surprise attack and gains the road Vaux-les-Rosières to Chaumont. CCB and CCA seize Chaumont, Hollange, and Tintage. A 26th Division task force begins a struggle for Eschdorf, gaining a weak hold there. Other elements of the division clear Arsdorf. The 319th Infantry, 80th Division, clears its sector to the Sauer and makes contact with the 26th Division. Assisted by the 317th Infantry, the 319th Infantry contains counterattacks and drives almost to Kehmen. Ettelbruck is found clear.

In the XII Corps area, the 5th Division takes Waldbillig and Haller.

Advance elements of the XXI Corps (Maj-Gen Frank W. Milburn) arrive.