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05
Day 21 of the Offensive

Friday, 5 January 1945

Winter conditions continued with temperatures below freezing.

The Allied counter-offensive continued with progress in the central sector. In Alsace, a new threat emerged as Germans established a bridgehead across the Rhine at Gambsheim, crossing between Kilstett and Drusenheim and overrunning Offendorf, Herrlisheim, and Rohrweiler.

The Front Line — Friday, 5 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 made progress all along the line and repelled counterattacks near Bergeval. The 3rd Armored Division seized Lavaux and entered Lierneux, though the 2nd Armored Division made little headway against Consy. The French First Army was to take responsibility for the defence of Strasbourg.

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 continued in the central sectors.
Bra and the Salm
The 82nd Airborne Division made progress all along the line. The 325th Glider Infantry seized high ground between Abrefontaine and Lierneux. The 505th took Abrefontaine. The 504th took the high ground overlooking Grand Halleux. The 517th repulsed strong counterattacks near Bergeval and liberated Dairomont.
Central Sector
Hotton–Houffalize Axis
The 3rd Armored Division was slowed by rear-guard action in the Bois de Groumont but seized Lavaux and entered Lierneux. The 2nd Armored Division made little headway against Consy but moved toward Dochamps and cleared part of Odeigne. The 75th Infantry Division moved to the Aisne River.
St. Vith Area
The 517th PRCT Second Battalion attacked the defences of St Vith with elements of the 7th Armored Division. The capture of the city erased the German foothold in the Ardennes.
Southern Shoulder
Bastogne Front
The 87th Infantry Division met resistance near Bonnerue and Pironpré west of Bastogne. The rest of VIII Corps maintained defensive positions. The 35th Infantry Division continued to fight for negligible gains.
Allied Command
Counter-Offensive Progress
VII Corps made mixed progress, with the 3rd Armored Division entering Lierneux while the 2nd Armored Division was slowed at Consy. The French First Army was preparing to take over the defence of Strasbourg.
German Rhine Bridgehead at Gambsheim
Germans established a bridgehead across the Rhine in the Gambsheim area, crossing between Kilstett and Drusenheim and overrunning Offendorf, Herrlisheim, and Rohrweiler. Task Force Linden launched a two-pronged assault toward Gambsheim but was stopped.