January 1945

Western Europe

In the British XXX Corps area, the 51st Division, which has taken over the attack from the 53rd Division, reaches Laroche.

In the XIX Corps area, the 78th Division, in a local attack, reaches the slopes of a hill overlooking the Kall River.

The US 1st Army prepares to broaden the attack on the 13th, with the VII Corps thrusting toward the line Houffalize-Bovigny and the XVIII Corps toward St Vith.

In the VII Corps area, most of the Laroche-Salmchâteau road, the intermediate objective of the corps, is cleared. The 84th Division patrols toward Laroche. The 2nd Armored Division captures Samrée and clears the Laroche-Samchâteau road within its zone. The 83rd Division takes Bihain, advances slightly in the region north of Petite Langlir, and crosses the Ronce River east of Petite Langlir.

In the XVIII Corps (Airborne) area, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division secure a bridgehead across the Salm River near Gran Halleux.

In the VIII Corps area, the 87th Division captures Tillet. Renewing its attack toward Noville, the 101st Airborne Division clears a portion of he Bois Jacques. 4th Armored Division units, having passed through the 6th Armored Division, attacks northeastward with elements of the 101st Airborne Division toward Bourcy but ceases the attack upon orders.

The III Corps continues its attack, with greatest progress on the right or eastern flank. On the left flank, the 6th Armored Division furnishes fire support for neighboring VIII Corps units and outposts on the northern sector of the line reached by the 4th Armored Division. Elements of the 35th Division take Villers-la-Bonne-Eau and the high ground to the northwest. Betlange falls to the 6th Cavalry Squadron and Harlange to the 28th Cavalry Squadron. One 90th Division regiment advances from Berle to the heights overlooking Doncols while another fights indecisively for the Trentelhof strongpoint. Elements of the 26th Division reach the high ground southwest of Winseler.

In the VI Corps area, elements of the 45th Division enter Althorn, on the left flank of the Bitche salient, but are unable to clear it. Otherwise, the salient is unchanged despite continued fighting about its perimeter. On the 79th Division's northern flank, indecisive fighting occurs at Hatten. A battalion of the 315th Infantry is committed there and the 2nd Battalion, 242nd Infantry, is recalled. Another battalion of the 315th assembles in Rittershoffen. To the south, the enemy maintains the Gambsheim bridgehead. Elements of CCB, 12th Armored Division, are virtually surrounded at Herrlisheim, but tanks sever the enemy's lines in order to reinforce the infantry within the town.