Sunday, 24 December 1944 — The Battle of the Bulge

Christmas Eve 1944–the ninth day of Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein–saw the final destruction of Kampfgruppe Peiper and the effective end of the northern thrust. Roughly half a million Allied troops had been brought into the Ardennes sector, and the German High Command completed plans to renew the offensive against Liège and Antwerp, though fuel shortages were crippling execution.

The Front Line — Sunday, 24 December 1944

Traced from: U.S. 12th Army Group, Situation Maps, 1200 hrs daily, 16 Dec 1944 – 25 Jan 1945. Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, G5701.S5 (LoC ict21195–ict21235). Approximate positions; interpolated between key dates.

The 30th Infantry Division overran La Gleize, liberating prisoners and capturing the abandoned equipment. The 82nd Airborne Division executed its first-ever strategic withdrawal to consolidate its lines. The 2nd Armored Division deployed around Ciney and Rochefort, while the 2. SS-Panzer-Division seized Manhay using a captured Sherman to deceive roadblock defenders. The 75th Infantry Division entered combat for the first time.

Northern Shoulder

La Gleize overrun; Kampfgruppe Peiper destroyed

Peiper and approximately 800 survivors completed their escape on foot by 03:00, leaving behind 87 tanks, 70+ half-tracks, and 300 German wounded. At first light, the 30th Infantry Division overran La Gleize, liberating approximately 170 American prisoners and capturing vast quantities of abandoned equipment.

82nd Airborne executes strategic withdrawal

The 82nd Airborne Division executed its first-ever strategic withdrawal to the line Bergival-Bra-Vaux-Chavanne, praised by General Gavin as one of the best-executed operations in the division’s history. The 504th PIR repulsed a 2. SS-Panzer-Division attack southwest of Lierneux.

551st Parachute Infantry Battalion arrives

XVIII Airborne Corps reported the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion on hand for the Ardennes battle. After a planned attack was cancelled on Christmas Eve, the battalion moved to an area near Ster, where paratroopers shared hot C-rations by a fireplace fire.

Central Sector

2. SS-Panzer-Division seizes Manhay

After dark, the 2. SS-Panzer-Division bypassed Belle Haie and attacked Manhay, using a captured American Sherman in the lead to confuse roadblock defenders. Ernst Barkmann’s Panther engaged American armour at near point-blank range, then destroyed two M10 tank destroyers before bluffing past nine Shermans. The Germans seized both Manhay and Grandmenil.

509th PIB’s Brewster Task Force holds Belle Haie

The Brewster Task Force held Belle Haie for 24 hours, repelling armoured and infantry attacks with P-47 air support. After the 2. SS-Panzer-Division bypassed their position to seize Manhay, the task force received orders to withdraw and fought its way out on foot on Christmas morning, destroying five tanks.

Bastogne under heavy air attack

Heavy fighting continued around the Bastogne perimeter. The city was badly damaged by German air attacks, but the garrison continued to hold under heavy fire and sharp attacks. Combat engineers guarded the Meuse River line and blocked approaches to bridges.

LVIII. Panzerkorps order captured

Allied troops captured an order revealing C-in-C West’s renewed operational intentions, including plans for Brigade Großdeutschland to pursue along the Lierneux-Chevron road and for the 2. SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Bataillon to reconnoitre between the Amblève and Ourthe rivers.

Southern Shoulder

III Corps closes on Bastogne

CCB of the 4th Armored Division met lively opposition south of Chaumont. CCR seized Bigonville. The 6th Cavalry Group arrived to guard the west flank in the Neufchâteau area. The 26th Infantry Division secured Rambrouch and Koetschette but was held up at Arsdorf.

XII Corps advances along the Sauer

The 5th Infantry Division relieved elements of the 4th Infantry Division and attacked toward Haller and Waldbillig. CCA of the 10th Armored Division captured Gilsdorf and Mostroff on the Sauer River.

Allied Command

Allied air dominance continues

Allied aircraft conducted over 2,000 sorties for the second consecutive day, bombing German supply lines and troop movements. The weather remained clear and cold with unlimited visibility, allowing sustained air operations that were crippling German logistics.

Operation Greif paranoia peaks

Rumours and paranoia stemming from Operation Greif led to an “almost hysterical” American response across rear areas. Security was ramped up, and Paris itself was put on high alert for disguised German soldiers. The paranoia disrupted movement and communications behind the lines.