January 1945

Western Europe

In the XII Corps area, some elements of the 7th Armored Division advance northeast of Dieteren and seize Echt while others move southward and take Susteren.

In the VII Corps area, the 3rd Armored Division mops up and improves its positions near Cherain and Sterpigny. The 331st Infantry, 83rd Division, starts to clear the high ground southwest of Courtil.

In the XVIII (Airborne) Corps area, the 75th Division seizes Petit Thier, Vielsalm, and neighboring villages. The 106th Division is pinched out by the 75th and 30th Divisions. The 30th Division is unable to reduce the roadblock at the junction of the Recht-Born and Malmédy-St Vith roads.

In the V Corps area, the 1st Division, making the main effort on the right, fights to clear the defile south of Ondenval through which the 7th Armored Division will pass in an attack on St Vith. The 23rd Infantry attacks toward the high ground north and northwest of Iveldingen, pocketing the enemy in the northern part of the Wolfsbusch and moving slowly through the Rohrbusch.

The US 1st Army reverts to the US 12th Army Group at midnight the night of the 17th.

In the VIII Corps area, Bourcy and Hardigny fall to the 101st Airborne Division. Having cleared the enemy from the area between Bastogne and the Ourthe River, the corps goes on the defensive.

In the III Corps area, the 6th Armored Division meets heavy resistance near the Bourcy-Longvilly road. The 90th Division resists enemy efforts to regain Oberwampach and clears the wooded area south of the railroad track.

The XII Corps completes is preparations for an attack. The 87th Division takes over the 4th Division's zone along the Sauer from Echternach to Wasserbillig, with the 4th Division now on the left and the 2nd Cavalry Group on the right. The 4th Division takes the responsibility for a portion of the 5th Division's zone.

In the XXI Corps area, TF Herren (less the 274th Infantry) takes command of the 103rd Division's sector.

In the VI Corps area, the 103rd Division takes over TF Herren's sector and the 274th Infantry in position. The 1st Battalion of the 315th Infantry, attached to the 14th Armored Division, attacks toward Rittershoffen, where CCA is still engaged, but cannot reach the town. CCR withstands enemy pressure in Hatten. The Germans continue to be aggressive in the 23rd Infantry's sector of the 79th Division's front, occupying Roeschwoog, Dengolsheim, Stattmatten, and part of Sessenheim. A counterattack clear Sessenheim. The 12th Armored Division makes little progress against the Gambsheim bridgehead. CCB is again held up at the river southeast of Rohrweiler. CCA gains a precarious foothold in Herrlisheim with the 17th Armored Infantry Battalion, but the 43rd Tank Battalion is cut off outside the town and wiped out.