Thursday, 28 December 1944 — The Battle of the Bulge

The thirteenth day saw the counter-offensive preparation phase continue. The final German effort to force the 1st Infantry Division from Elsenborn defences failed, and the 6. SS-Panzerarmee was strategically defeated in its breakthrough attempt. Germans infiltrating in the 3rd Armored Division sector took Sadzot but were driven out.

The Front Line — Thursday, 28 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.

General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery met at Hasselt, Belgium, to plan the Allied counter-offensive. At Bra, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment repulsed a major German attack, inflicting heavy casualties. VII Corps continued preparations for the offensive toward Houffalize.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

The final German effort to force the 1st Infantry Division from Elsenborn defences failed. The 6. SS-Panzerarmee was strategically defeated in its breakthrough attempt toward the Meuse.

Bra and Erria

The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division repulsed a major German attack at approximately 09:00, inflicting heavy casualties. A battalion defending Erria counted sixty-two dead Germans in one field in front of their machine guns.

Stoumont and La Gleize

The 30th Infantry Division maintained control of the Stoumont sector. The La Gleize and Stoumont areas remained secured after the destruction of Kampfgruppe Peiper.

Central Sector

Sadzot

At 01:30, the 25. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment attacked Sadzot, overrunning mortar positions. Major Tomasik of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion committed his men on his own authority. By 09:30, Sadzot was cleared house to house: 49 prisoners taken, 289 enemy killed. Lieutenant Gordon Byers forced an M5 light tank crew at pistol point to bring their tank forward.

St. Vith Area

German forces pressed against the defensive line along the Salm River. The 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen” remained active near the former St. Vith salient. The 325th Glider Infantry Regiment held the crossroads town of Manhay.

Rochefort–Salm Front

The northern front stabilised along a line running through Rochefort, Hotton, Erezée, Vaux-Chavanne, Bra, and Dairomont near the Salm. The 83rd Infantry Division began relieving the 2nd Armored Division and pushed elements into Rochefort.

Southern Shoulder

Sauer–Wiltz Front

III Corps made limited progress against delaying opposition between the Sauer and Wiltz Rivers. The 35th Infantry Division continued its drive despite very heavy fire southwest of Villers-la-Bonne-Eau. The 26th Infantry Division made slight progress toward Wiltz. The 11th Armored Division was transferred to VIII Corps from SHAEF reserve.

Allied Command

Eisenhower–Montgomery Meeting

Eisenhower and Montgomery met at Hasselt, Belgium, to plan the Allied counter-offensive. First Army continued regrouping, and VII Corps prepared its offensive toward Houffalize.

Strategic Assessment

The 6. SS-Panzerarmee was deemed strategically defeated in its breakthrough attempt. XVIII Airborne Corps was assigned to protect VII Corps’ left flank during the planned offensive.