Tuesday, 16 January 1945 — The Battle of the Bulge

Day thirty-two of Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein — and its last. US forces from the north and south physically linked up at Houffalize, cutting the German salient in two. Hitler ordered the withdrawal of four Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions from the line. The 6. SS-Panzerarmee was being pulled out of the front.

The Front Line — Tuesday, 16 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.

A spearhead from the 2nd Armored Division entered Houffalize and linked with the 11th Armored Division’s reconnaissance element, sealing the German salient. The US First Army reverted to General Bradley’s 12th Army Group command after one month under Montgomery.

Northern Shoulder

Elsenborn Ridge

The V Corps front remained static, having decisively defeated the 6. SS-Panzerarmee during the defensive phase of the battle.

Malmedy–Stavelot

The 30th Infantry Division continued operations as part of XVIII Airborne Corps. The 82nd Airborne Division remained in reserve. The XVIII Airborne Corps had fulfilled its role of protecting the left flank of VII Corps during the counter-offensive.

Central Sector

Link-Up at Houffalize

US First Army and Third Army forces met at Houffalize, cutting the German salient in two. The 2nd Armored Division spearhead led by Colonel O’Farrell entered Houffalize and linked with Lt. Col. Foy’s 11th Armored Division reconnaissance troops, who had driven through the night to make contact.

Hotton–Houffalize Axis

The 3rd Armored Division seized Sterpigny under enemy fire. Task Force Hogan entered Cherain against light resistance as Germans withdrew. Hogan then moved to Vaux and attacked Brisy with Task Force Kane, but the operation failed.

Southern Shoulder

Houffalize

The 11th Armored Division, advancing from the south as part of Third Army, met with First Army forces at Houffalize. This completed the encirclement of the remaining German forces in the tip of the Bulge.

Allied Command

First Army Returns to Bradley

The US First Army reverted to General Bradley’s 12th Army Group command after having been temporarily placed under Field Marshal Montgomery’s 21st Army Group during the crisis phase of the battle (20 December to 16 January). The period of the German offensive, lasting exactly one month, was concluded.

German Strategic Response

Hitler ordered the withdrawal of four Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions from the line. The 6. SS-Panzerarmee was being pulled out of the front. The 5. Panzerarmee was to assume command of all units on the former 6. SS-Panzerarmee’s front after 12:00 hours on 22 January.