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25
Day 10 of the Offensive

Monday, 25 December 1944

Clear and cold; unlimited visibility; below freezing; massive Allied air sorties flown for the third consecutive day.

Christmas Day 1944–the tenth day of Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein–marked the high-water mark of the German offensive. The 2. Panzer-Division was stopped at Celles, just four kilometres short of the Meuse River, representing the furthest German penetration. The offensive had reached its culminating point, with fuel shortages, disrupted communications, and Allied air dominance crippling operations across the front.

The Front Line — Monday, 25 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.

CCB of the 2nd Armored Division seized Celles, blocking the road to Dinant. The 82nd Airborne Division completed its withdrawal to a new defensive line from Trois-Ponts to Manhay. The major German attack on Bastogne was repulsed, and III Corps continued driving north. The initiative passed decisively to the Allies.

Northern Shoulder
Kampfgruppe Peiper formally disbanded
Peiper and 770 survivors reached German lines near Wanne before dawn. He reported to his corps commander at 10:00. The Tiger II east of Petit-Spai was set alight–the last members of the Kampfgruppe to leave the north bank of the Amblève. The unit was formally disbanded by divisional order, effective 26 December.
82nd Airborne completes withdrawal
The 82nd Airborne Division completed its withdrawal to the Trois-Ponts–Basse-Bodeux–Bra–Manhay line. At Bra, the 504th PIR repulsed a 9. SS-Panzer-Division patrol. The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion reported to the 508th PIR near Basse-Bodeux.
30th Infantry Division clears the Amblève
The 30th Infantry Division cleared the region north of the Amblève between Stavelot and Trois-Ponts. At Stavelot, troops enjoyed Christmas dinner of hot turkey with full rations despite intermittent small-arms fire along the riverside street.
Central Sector
Manhay and Grandmenil stalemate
The 2. SS-Panzer-Division held Manhay but failed to exploit westward. The 7th Armored Division and 3rd Armored Division tried vainly to recover the town. A 3rd Armored counterattack was mistakenly strafed by US aircraft, killing 39 American soldiers. Eight battalions of artillery plastered the area in lieu of a tank assault deemed suicidal.
Task Force Hogan breaks out of Marcouray
Task Force Hogan, still encircled at Marcouray after all resupply attempts failed, refused a German surrender demand. General Rose ordered Hogan to destroy his equipment and withdraw on foot. At nightfall, approximately 400 men left in small groups toward the Ourthe, leaving wounded behind.
Major German attack on Bastogne repulsed
The major German attack on Bastogne was repulsed. VIII Corps maintained the perimeter against pressure from all sides. The garrison continued to hold firm with aerial resupply sustaining operations.
Southern Shoulder
High-water mark at Celles
The 2nd Armored Division began surrounding and destroying the advance guard of the 2. Panzer-Division on the approaches to Dinant. CCB seized Celles, blocking the westward advance just four kilometres short of the Meuse River. This marked the western limit of the entire German offensive–the high-water mark of the Bulge.
III Corps closes on Bastogne
CCR of the 4th Armored Division launched a surprise attack and gained the road from Vaux-lez-Rosières to Chaumont. CCB and CCA seized Chaumont, Hollange, and Tintange. The 80th Infantry Division cleared its sector to the Sauer and Ettelbruck was found clear.
Allied Command
VII Corps goes on the defensive
VII Corps was directed to go on the defensive and conducted a limited attack to stabilise the right flank of First Army. The 84th Infantry Division recovered Verdenne, but an enemy pocket remained between Verdenne and Bourdon. Allied air power continued to dominate for the third consecutive clear day.
Operation Greif paranoia continues
The American rear remained “almost hysterical” with suspicion of disguised German soldiers. Cities far behind the lines, including Paris, remained on high alert for possible German infiltration, disrupting rear-area operations.