Thursday, 4 January 1945 — The Battle of the Bulge

The Allied counter-offensive continued with significant gains. The British XXX Corps opened its offensive west of the Ourthe River, protecting the US First Army’s right flank. German forces counterattacked near Devantave but were contained, and the 6th Armored Division was repeatedly attacked in the Mageret–Wardin area.

The Front Line — Thursday, 4 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 82nd Airborne Division advanced significantly, capturing St. Jacques, Bergeval, and Mont de Fosse, with patrols pushing to the Salm River. VII Corps made substantial progress, with the 2nd Armored Division capturing Beffe and Lamormenil, and the 3rd Armored Division taking Baneux, Jevigne, and Lansival. The 17th Airborne Division received its baptism of fire west of Bastogne.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

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

Bra and the Salm

The 82nd Airborne Division consolidated its gains and seized limited objectives. The 325th Glider Infantry captured Hierlot and Odrimont. The 505th seized high ground near Abrefontaine. The 517th captured St Jacques, Bergeval, and Mont de Fosse and patrolled to the Salm River. The 504th attacked to dominate Salm crossings near Grand Halleux.

Central Sector

West of the Ourthe

The British XXX Corps opened its offensive west of the Ourthe River, protecting the US First Army’s right flank. The 53rd Infantry Division drove south abreast of US VII Corps from the Marche–Hotton road. The 6th Airborne Division met determined opposition south of Rochefort.

Hotton–Houffalize Axis

The 2nd Armored Division captured Beffe, contained counterattacks near Devantave, seized Lamormenil, and reached the edge of Odeigne. The 3rd Armored Division took Baneux, Jevigne, and Lansival and gained a bridgehead at Groumont Creek.

509th PIB’s Final Attack

The 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion launched its final attack toward a hill mass south of St. Vith. Seriously weakened from its 27 December attack on Sadzot, the battalion was reduced to seven officers and forty-eight enlisted men but held its objective long enough for the 7th Armored Division to pass through.

Southern Shoulder

17th Airborne Division: Flamierge

The 17th Airborne Division received its baptism of fire amid a howling winter storm. At 08:15, General Miley launched his attack with two regiments. Near Flamierge, Staff Sergeant Isadore S. Jachman single-handedly knocked out two German tanks with a bazooka before being killed by machine-gun fire, earning a posthumous Medal of Honor.

Bastogne Front

The 6th Armored Division was repeatedly attacked in the Mageret–Wardin area east of Bastogne and withdrew to shorten the line. The 35th Infantry Division cleared Lutrebois but was still unable to take Harlange. The 26th Infantry Division gained a few hundred yards.

Allied Command

Counter-Offensive Progress

British XXX Corps opened its offensive west of the Ourthe River, joining the advance. VII Corps continued toward Houffalize with significant gains. British and American forces were now advancing in coordination across the northern front.

Operation Nordwind

Operation Nordwind continued in Alsace. The 45th Infantry Division drove to the outskirts of Wingen and cleared about half of Philippsbourg while fighting to reduce the Bitche salient.