Saturday, 30 December 1944 — The Battle of the Bulge

The fifteenth day saw counter-offensive preparations accelerate. Following the inability of German troops to cross the Meuse, Bastogne became the main strategic target. Hasso von Manteuffel launched an attack against the city, which resulted in failure. The Germans again attempted to cut the Arlon–Bastogne highway, reaching Lutrebois and surrounding two companies of the 137th Infantry Regiment at Villers-la-Bonne-Eau. The Germans abandoned Rochefort.

The Front Line — Saturday, 30 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 Hodges held a major two-and-a-half-hour conference with Generals Ridgway and Collins to finalise counter-offensive plans. VIII Corps opened its drive on Houffalize. The area southwest of the Marche–Namur line was turned over to the British.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

The American defensive line remained static. German forces did not launch significant offensive operations. The US defensive lines remained firm.

Manhay and Grandmenil

The 82nd Airborne Division completed its consolidation. The 325th Glider Infantry Regiment held Manhay. The 7th Armored Division released the 424th Infantry Regiment to the 106th Infantry Division; the 75th Infantry Division took over vacated positions.

Stoumont and La Gleize

The 30th Infantry Division maintained control of the Stoumont sector. The destruction of Kampfgruppe Peiper was complete. The La Gleize area was secured.

Central Sector

St. Vith Area

The 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen” continued pressing toward Vielsalm along the Salm River line. Only thirteen of thirty-two available King Tigers of schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 501 were serviceable due to mechanical damage.

Rochefort–Celles Front

The Germans abandoned Rochefort. The 84th Infantry Division reduced the enemy pocket between Verdenne and Bourdon. The 2nd Armored Division repelled counterattacks at Celles, Havrenne, and Frandeux, inflicting heavy losses. The region southwest of the Marche–Namur line was turned over to the British.

Southern Shoulder

Bastogne

Hasso von Manteuffel launched an attack against Bastogne, which failed. The Germans again attempted to cut the Arlon–Bastogne highway and reached Lutrebois. Two companies of the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, were surrounded in Villers-la-Bonne-Eau.

Moircy–Lutrebois Front

VIII Corps opened its drive on Houffalize. The 11th Armored Division progressed slowly and at heavy cost. The 87th Infantry Division took Moircy but lost it in a counterattack later in the day. The 9th Armored Division was ordered to the Sedan area as SHAEF reserve.

Allied Command

Hodges Conference

General Hodges held a major two-and-a-half-hour conference with Generals Ridgway and Collins to finalise counter-offensive plans. VII Corps, including the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions and the 83rd and 84th Infantry Divisions, was scheduled to attack toward Houffalize.

British Relief Planned

The area occupied by the 84th Infantry Division was to be handed over to British XXX Corps during the nights of 1–2 January and 2–3 January. XVIII Airborne Corps was assigned to protect VII Corps’ left flank.