January 1945

Western Europe

The US 1st Army opens a drive toward the West Wall and Euskirchen before dawn.

The XVIII Airborne Corps attacks northeastward with the 1st Division on the north and the 82nd Airborne Division on the south. The 1st Division's 16th Infantry takes Valender, the 18th gains Heppenbach and Hepscheid, and the 26th clears Richelbusch. The 82nd Airborne Division attacks through the 7th Armored Division, with the 325th Glider Infantry on the north and the 504th Parachute Infantry on the south, clearing the woods up to Wereth and taking Herresbach. The 7th Armored Division concludes St Vith drive with the reduction of stubborn hill positions in the Bois de St Vith.

In he VIII Corps area, most of the corps has reached the Our River. The 87th Division takes over the St Vith sector. The 4th Division enters the line between the 87th on the north and the 90th on the south, occupying the Burg Reuland-Maspelt sector. The 90th Division's 358th Infantry captures Weweler and Stoubach, The 357th Infantry clears all but the river towns in its zone and reconnoiters for crossing sites near Oberhausen.

In the III Corps area, elements of the 6th Armored Division make an unsuccessful attack on Kalborn. TF Fickett maintains flank contact between the 17 Airborne Division and the XII Corps.

In the XII Corps area, the 80th Division assumes responsibility for the former 4th Division zone. The 5th Division continues to clear the west bank of the Our River and secures Putscheid.

In the XX Corps area, the 94th Division improves its positions slightly in a limited attack.

The US XXI Corps assumes tactical control of a new zone between the French II and I Corps and has the mission of assisting in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket by attacking toward Brisach and affecting a junction with the French I Corps, a task formerly given to the French II Corps. The US 28th and 3rd Divisions are attached in place and the XXI Corps is strengthened by the attachment of the French 5th Armored Division and the US 75th Division. On the corps west, the 28th Division maintains positions from Le Valtin to the Ill River about 2 miles northeast of Colmar. The 3rd Division is clearing the region north of the Canal de Colmar from its juncture with the Ill River east to Wickerswihr. The French 5th Armored Division is assembled in the 3rd Division's zone. the 75th Division command post opens at Ribeauville. The 254th Infantry (attached to the 3rd Division) is unable to take the southern part of Jebsheim.

The French II Corps has the new mission of driving eastward to the Rhine along the axis Guemar-Markolsheim.