The Battle of the Bulge Chapters Forces Units Bibliography EN/FR
07
Day 23 of the Offensive

Sunday, 7 January 1945

Winter conditions continued with temperatures below freezing; visibility poor in places.

The Allied counter-offensive accelerated with significant gains across the northern and central sectors. The 62. Volksgrenadier-Division was practically destroyed, suffering 33% casualties with the 183. Volksgrenadier-Regiment completely shattered at Rochelinval. A counterattack by the 18. Volksgrenadier-Division was shot to pieces. The next day Hitler would order the first withdrawal from the Bulge.

The Front Line — Sunday, 7 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 a rapid advance of two to three miles, clearing most of the angle formed by the Laroche–Salmchâteau road and the Salm River. The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion captured Rochelinval but was effectively destroyed, reduced from 840 men to 114. VII Corps captured Dochamps, Marcouray, Regné, Verleumont, Sart, and Grand Sart.

Northern Shoulder
Elsenborn Ridge
The defensive line along the Elsenborn Ridge remained stable. The front in the V Corps sector was quiet.
Rochelinval and the Salm
The 82nd Airborne Division resumed the offensive at 06:30 and advanced two to three miles. The 325th Glider Infantry occupied Grand Sart; the 505th captured Goronne; the 504th with the 551st attached seized Farnières, Mont, and Rochelinval; the 508th gained Thier du Mont. The 551st captured Rochelinval at devastating cost: of 840 men who entered the Ardennes, only 114 remained. Lt-Col. Wood G. Joerg was killed by mortar fire.
Spineux and Wanne
The 112th Infantry Regiment seized Spineux, Wanne, and Wanneranval on the eastern side of the Salm River.
Central Sector
Hotton–Houffalize Axis
Dochamps and Marcouray fell, with only rear guards remaining in the Consy area. The 3rd Armored Division seized Regné, Verleumont, Sart, and Grand Sart. The 2nd Armored Division began its assault on Samrée, where Colonel Mansfield was killed by German artillery while reconnoitring. After four days of fighting, the 2nd Armored had advanced roughly four miles at a cost of about 400 casualties.
West of the Ourthe
The 53rd Infantry Division took Grimbiermont.
Southern Shoulder
Bastogne Front
The 87th Infantry Division continued its attack on Tillet and was engaged sporadically in the Bonnerue area. The 17th Airborne Division took Rechrival, Millomont, and Flamierge, reaching the outskirts of Flamizoulle. The 6th Armored Division remained under strong pressure in the Neffe–Wardin region east of Bastogne.
Allied Command
Montgomery’s Press Conference
Field Marshal Montgomery held a press conference in Brussels, describing the battle as “one of the most interesting and tricky that I have ever handled.” He spoke highly of Eisenhower but omitted Bradley, causing significant diplomatic friction with American commanders. The German propaganda machine distorted his remarks further, and Prime Minister Churchill later publicly characterised the Bulge as an American battle.
Counter-Offensive Progress
VII Corps made notable progress with Dochamps and Marcouray falling. The 3rd Armored Division seized four towns. The 82nd Airborne advanced two to three miles. The 94th Infantry Division took command of the XX Corps sector.