Sunday, 31 December 1944 — The Battle of the Bulge

New Year’s Eve 1944, the sixteenth day of the offensive, saw final preparations for the Allied counter-offensive, scheduled to begin on 1 January 1945. The 6. SS-Panzerarmee was strategically defeated and did not launch significant offensive operations in the north. German armoured strength was severely depleted. Hitler acknowledged the original Meuse–Antwerp plan was no longer feasible and shifted the German effort toward Bastogne.

The Front Line — Sunday, 31 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 Northern Sector remained stable with continued positional holding actions. In the south, VIII Corps took command of the 4th Armored Division and continued the drive on Houffalize. The 35th Infantry Division was unable to relieve isolated forces in Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, and they were presumed lost.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

The American defensive line remained firm and stable. The 6. SS-Panzerarmee did not launch significant offensive operations, having been considered strategically defeated in its primary mission to break through to the Meuse.

Bra and the Salm

The 82nd Airborne Division maintained its consolidated position. The 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was held in regimental reserve north of Bra. XVIII Airborne Corps maintained its defensive line along the Salm River.

Stoumont and La Gleize

The 30th Infantry Division maintained its positions in the Stoumont sector. The front remained quiet as the division consolidated following the destruction of Kampfgruppe Peiper.

Central Sector

St. Vith Area

The 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen” continued pushing toward Vielsalm along the Salm River line. German armoured strength was severely depleted: the 2. SS-Panzer-Division had 34 panzers, the 9. SS-Panzer-Division had 10, and the 12. SS-Panzer-Division had just 6.

Southern Shoulder

Bastogne–Wiltz Front

VIII Corps took command of the 4th Armored Division. The 87th Infantry Division closed in on Moircy. The 11th Armored Division drove to Pinsamont and Acul while attacking Chenogne. The 6th Armored Division secured high ground near Wardin and advanced to the outskirts of Rechrival.

Villers-la-Bonne-Eau

The 35th Infantry Division was unable to relieve isolated forces in Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, and they were presumed lost. The Germans still held Lutrebois. The 26th Infantry Division repelled a counterattack and reorganised.

Allied Command

Final Counter-Offensive Preparations

General Hodges convened a major conference with Generals Ridgway and Collins for final preparations. VII Corps was ordered to attack eastward toward Houffalize. British XXX Corps was scheduled to relieve the 84th Infantry Division during the first days of January.

Hitler Shifts Strategy

Hitler acknowledged the original Meuse–Antwerp plan was no longer feasible and shifted the German effort toward Bastogne, ordering SS Panzer Corps to transfer south to reinforce Fifth Panzer Army.