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From D-Day to V-Day

January 1945

January 19, 1945 - D-Day + 227

The British 7th Armoured Division from the British Second Army’s XII Corps mopped up Stevensweerd while units from the British 52nd Infantry Division conquered Isenbruch, Breberen, Saeffelen, and Broichhoven. Part of the British 52nd occupied Koningsbosch, crossed the Dutch-German border west of Bocket and made contact with the British 7th Armoured Division.

The 4th Cavalry Group (Mechanized) from the US First Army’s VII Corps took over the operational sector of the 2nd Armored Division. Tank groups from the 3rd Armored Division occupied Brisy, Retigny, and Regnez, and mopped up the remaining area south of the Ourthe River. The 83rd Infantry Division sent reconnaissance patrols out to Bovigny and Courtil. The XVIII Corps’ 75th Infantry Division pushed the enemy out of Ville du Bois and deflected an enemy counterattack out of Burtonville. The 30th Infantry Division conquered Recht, which had only weak defenses. The division went on to overpowering the defense of the barricades at the intersection of the Recht – Born and Malmédy – St. Vith highways, and continued to mop up the forest south of the Recht – Born highway. In the end, the division occupied the hills in the Bois d’Emmels, located southeast of Poteau. The 7th Armored Division advanced to footholds near Waimes and prepared for another attack. Units from the 1st Infantry Division mopped up Iveldingen, Eibertingen, Monteau, and Schoppen, thus creating an opening through which units from the 7th Armored Division would be able to attack in the direction of St. Vith.

Assault battalions from the XII Corps’ 4th Infantry Division under Patton’s US Third Army conquered the hills near the Our River in the zone northeast of Bettendorf, mopping up the area together with 5th Infantry Division units. However, they were unable to take German footholds near Reisdorf located on the access route to the Sauer River. The men from the 5th “Red Diamond” Division occupied the rest of Diekirch while conquering Bastendorf. Diekirch, Luxembourg, now plays a major role on the map of sites commemorating the heroic days of the Battle of the Bulge. Located in the center of the picturesque town of Diekirch is the Musée National d’Histoire Militaire de Diekirch, an exceptionally well-designed museum with extensive exhibits that primarily focus on the history of the battle in the Ardennes. The museum was opened in 1984 and to this day remains one of the largest and most frequently visited museums in the area where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. In addition to armored vehicles and a vast amount of weapons, visitors can also see a remarkable collection of uniforms, accessories, and other daily needs that accompanied the American GIs throughout the battles they fought in Western Europe. Perhaps the most poignant exhibits are the large human-scale dioramas that draw visitors into the action.

The 94th Infantry Division’s 302nd Infantry Regiment under Col Earle A. Johnson from the XX Corps went around the enemy’s fortified posts and mopped up the area so that the tanks from the 8th Armored Division’s Combat Command A under Brigadier General Charles P. Colson gathering near Koenigsmacker could advance forward.

Troops from the 45th Infantry Division’s 157th Infantry Regiment under Col Walter P. O’Brien from the Seventh Army’s VI Corps were under increasing enemy fire and deflected counterattacks carried out from the salient at Bitche. At the same time, they continued their efforts to free units from the 3rd Battalion from encirclement. Although enemy activity in the Rittershoffen – Hatten area already was not as aggressive, the 14th Armored Division was unable to improve its positions. The Germans only launched an attack south of Hatten. In an effort to prevent a breakthrough to Haguenau, the 25th Tank Battalion advanced to Hochfelden. Battalions from the 79th Infantry Division attacked in the direction of Sessenheim together with assigned units from the 3rd Infantry Division and entered the town, but were thrust back by a swift counterattack. The Germans were able to surround the 2nd Battalion from the 79th Infantry Division’s 314th Infantry Regiment, but part of the battalion fought its way back. In the course of the day, the 12th Armored Division withdrew in order to shorten the front and deflect an enemy counterattack. The 36th Infantry Division’s 143rd Infantry Regiment under Col Charles J. Denholm took up defense positions in the Rohrweiler – Weyersheim sector.

In the area around Dunkirk, France, nearly everyday battled between General Liška’s men and the members of Vice Admiral Frisius’ group continued. In the southern sector of the perimeter, three groups of member of the Anti-Tank Cannon Unit headed out on a patrol one after another. In the Armbouts – Cappel area, one of the patrols was ambushed. Two men were injured, and other two were taken prisoner. One Czechoslovak was killed - Private Bronislav Polek.