January 1945

Western Europe

The XXX Corps opens an offensive west of the Ourthe River, protecting the US 1st Army right flank. From the Marche-Hotton road, the 53rd Division drives southward abreast the US VII Corps. The 6th Airborne Division meets determined oppostion south of Rochefort.

In the VII Corps area, the 2nd Armored Division captures Beffe, contains counterattacks near Devantave, seizes Lamorménil, and reaches the edge of Odeigne. The 3rd Armored Division takes Baneux, Jevigne, and Lansival and gains a bridgehead at Groumont Creek.

In the XVIII Corps (Airborne) area, the 82nd Airborne Division advances its line to include Heirlot, Odrimont, the wooded heights north and northeast of Abrefontaine, St Jacques, Bergeval, and Mont de Fosse. On the extreme left, patrols push to the Salm.

In the VIII Corps area, the 87th Division's attack is halted by resistance near Pironpré. The attack of the 17th Airborne Division evokes a strong reaction in the Pinsamont-Rechrival-Hubermont area. The German attacks in the 101st Airborne Division sector are ineffective.

In the III Corps area, the 6th Armored Division is repeatedly attacked in the Mageret-Wardin area east of Bastogne, and withdraws to shorten its line. The 35th Division clears Lutrebois but is still unable to take Harlange. The 26th Division gains a few hundred yards.

In the XV Corps area, the 44th Division tries vainly to clear Frauenberg and Gros Réderching. In a limited attack, the 36th Division takes the hill between Lemberg and Goetzenbruck.

In the VI Corps area, the 45th Division, continuing the fight to reduce the Bitche salient, drives to the outskirts of Wingen, then attacks northeastward across the Wingen-Wimmenau road to ease the pressure on Reipertsweiler. The 6th Armored also fights to open the Reipertsweiler-Wildenguth road, taking Saegmuhl and making contact with elements that had been cut off in Wildenguth. About half of Philippsbourg is cleared. TF Linden's line along the Rhine is extended to include the zone held by TF Herren.