Wednesday, 10 January 1945 — The Battle of the Bulge

Day twenty-six of Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein. The Allied counter-offensive continued to compress the Bulge from both north and south. German forces continued to lose ground on all fronts. In Alsace, the Gambsheim bridgehead was maintained, and indecisive fighting continued at Hatten. Elements of CCB, 12th Armored Division were virtually surrounded at Herrlisheim.

The Front Line — Wednesday, 10 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 51st Infantry Division reached Laroche. The 2nd Armored Division captured Samrée, clearing the Laroche–Salmchâteau road within its zone. Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division secured a bridgehead across the Salm River near Grand Halleux. The 87th Infantry Division captured Tillet. The 35th Infantry Division took Villers-la-Bonne-Eau.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

The defensive line along the Elsenborn Ridge remained stable. The front in the V Corps sector was quiet. Col. P. D. Ginder assumed command of the 2nd Infantry Division’s 9th Infantry Regiment.

Grand Halleux

Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division secured a bridgehead across the Salm River near Grand Halleux, expanding Allied control east of the river.

Spineux and Wanne

The 30th Infantry Division maintained its positions. The 424th Infantry Regiment continued to hold the Wanne–Wanneranval region.

Central Sector

Laroche

The British 51st Infantry Division took over the attack from the 53rd Infantry Division and reached Laroche. Most of the Laroche–Salmchâteau road, the intermediate objective of VII Corps, was cleared.

Hotton–Houffalize Axis

The 2nd Armored Division captured Samrée and cleared the Laroche–Salmchâteau road within its zone. The 83rd Infantry Division took Bihain, advanced slightly north of Petite Langlir, and crossed the Ronce River. The 84th Infantry Division patrolled toward Laroche.

Southern Shoulder

Bastogne Front

The 87th Infantry Division captured Tillet. The 101st Airborne Division cleared a portion of Bois Jacques. Elements of the 35th Infantry Division took Villers-la-Bonne-Eau and high ground to the northwest. The 90th Infantry Division advanced from Berlé to heights overlooking Doncols.

Allied Command

Planning for Next Phase

The US First Army prepared to broaden the attack on 13 January, with VII Corps to thrust toward the Houffalize–Bovigny line and XVIII Airborne Corps to thrust toward St. Vith.