Tuesday, 2 January 1945 — The Battle of the Bulge

The Allied counter-offensive continued with gains around Bastogne while the British XXX Corps began relieving American divisions in the central sector. Operation Nordwind continued to pressure the US Seventh Army in Alsace, with German forces driving the 6th Armored Division out of Michamps.

The Front Line — Tuesday, 2 January 1945

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 British 53rd Division assumed responsibility for the Marche–Hotton sector, relieving the US 84th Infantry Division. Allied forces continued consolidation: the 87th Infantry Division took Gerimont, the 11th Armored Division took Mande St. Etienne, and Senonchamps fell to elements of the 10th and 9th Armored Divisions. In Alsace, VI Corps units began withdrawal to prepared positions on the Maginot Line.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

The American defensive line along the Elsenborn Ridge remained stable. The front in the V Corps sector was quiet as the counter-offensive focused on other areas.

Bra and the Salm

The 82nd Airborne Division patrolled aggressively to the south and south-east, maintaining contact with the enemy. The 325th Glider Infantry and 505th Parachute Infantry closed in forward assembly areas in preparation for the attack. The 75th Infantry Division assumed tactical control of the 504th Parachute Infantry.

Stoumont

The 30th Infantry Division maintained its positions in the Stoumont sector. The front remained quiet.

Central Sector

Marche–Hotton

The British 53rd Division assumed responsibility for the Marche–Hotton sector, relieving the US 84th Infantry Division. The boundary between XXX Corps and US VII Corps was adjusted.

Southern Shoulder

Bastogne–Moircy Front

Gerimont fell to the 87th Infantry Division. Mande St. Etienne fell to the 11th Armored Division. Senonchamps fell to CCB, 10th Armored Division, and CCA, 9th Armored Division. The 6th Armored Division entered Michamps but was driven out; Wardin was taken and then given up for the night.

Allied Command

Relief Operations

The British XXX Corps completed relief of the 84th Infantry Division in the Marche–Hotton sector, freeing American formations for the counter-offensive.

Operation Nordwind Continues

Operation Nordwind continued in Alsace, with German pressure forcing the 44th and 100th Infantry Divisions to fall back. Centre and right flank units of VI Corps began withdrawal to prepared positions on the Maginot Line. The Seventh Army command post was moved from Saverne to Lunéville.