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17
Day 33 of the Offensive

Wednesday, 17 January 1945

White-out conditions with daily snowfall; below freezing; Allied bombers and fighter-bombers rendered impotent.

Day thirty-three of the Ardennes campaign marked the first day of the clearance phase following the Houffalize link-up. German forces conducted an orderly retreat toward the West Wall. The 1. SS-Panzer-Division reported only four Panzers on strength and the 12. SS-Panzer-Division reported only six, illustrating the devastating losses suffered by the elite SS panzer divisions.

The Front Line — Wednesday, 17 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 counter-offensive continued in difficult white-out weather conditions. V Corps continued its drive toward St. Vith. The XVIII Airborne Corps attack was ongoing, though General Hodges observed that the advance was uniformly slow. The US First Army returned to the command of the US Twelfth Army Group, and General Patton declared the successful termination of the Bulge.

Northern Shoulder
Elsenborn Ridge
V Corps continued its counter-offensive drive toward St. Vith in difficult weather conditions. Elements of the 1st Infantry Division and 2nd Infantry Division pushed forward.
Salm River
The 82nd Airborne Division remained in reserve.
Amblève Valley
The 30th Infantry Division continued operations as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps attack. Progress was slow due to the severe weather conditions. The 14th Cavalry Group completed its attachment to the 106th Infantry Division.
Central Sector
St. Vith Area
The US drive continued in foul weather, consolidating the gains made following the Houffalize link-up on 16 January.
Cherain–Sterpigny
The 3rd Armored Division’s Task Force Hogan and Kane were exhausted, with Hogan reduced to 12 medium and 10 light tanks and infantry down to 120 men. Task Force Richardson and Welborn continued attacking Sterpigny and Cherain, occupying Cherain in the evening. Both Hogan and Kane were to be relieved on 18 January by the 4th Cavalry Group.
Southern Shoulder
Allied Command
First Army Returns to Twelfth Army Group
The US First Army completed its return to the command of the US Twelfth Army Group under General Bradley. A new boundary was announced including Liège, Eupen, Gemünd, and Euskirchen, all inclusive to the US First Army.
Patton’s Declaration
General George S. Patton declared the successful termination of the Bulge, noting that the final operation had begun on this date.
Hodges/Ridgway Conference
General Hodges visited General Ridgway’s headquarters at Francorchamps. Hodges observed that the advance of XVIII Airborne Corps troops was uniformly slow. Ridgway cited a general lack of aggressiveness and poor leadership, especially within the 75th Infantry Division.
German Withdrawal
Hitler had ordered the withdrawal of four Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions on 16 January for refitting behind the West Wall and deployment to Hungary. The 1. SS-Panzer-Division reported four Panzers on strength; the 12. SS-Panzer-Division reported six. Panzer Lehr held a position east of Houffalize and began preparations for a rallying position.