December 22 The US 30-ID, reinforced, continued to maintain defensive positions at Malmedy and improved its positions in the Stavelot area. The Division attacked to the east and advanced against strong enemy resistance seizing Rouat, and Stoumont, and advanced approximately 800 yards against heavy resistance in its attack to the west to seize La Gleize, but was unable to seize the town.
The 117-RCT (less King Co) with attachments, continued to maintain defensive positions at Stavelot along the commanding ground northeast of Stavelot, at Ster and Renardmont. Task Force L, attached Easy Co 120-RCT, continued to maintain roadblocks and attacked to the southeast at (22)-0800 to clear the enemy from the area southwest of Stavelot, but due to unfavorable terrain and stiff resistance was unable to advance. One Platoon of Able Co 117-RCT attacked to the southeast at 0830 and by 1100 had advanced approximately 400 yards against heavy resistance and assumed defensive positions, improving the 1/117-RCT’s defensive positions at Stavelot. Fox Co 120-RCT, detached at 1200 and reattached at 1930 occupied the west at 1300, and occupied roadblocks at (K682007) at 1600.
Task Force Harrison, attacked to the southeast at 1300 with the 3/119-RCT, and Task Force, CCB-3-AD, advanced against heavy resistance from infantry and tanks, and at 1430, captured and cleaned Rouat. At 1430, the 1/119-RCT attacked to seize Stoumont, and advanced against stiff resistance, and by 1515 the Battalion had seized its objective.
Task Force M, CCB US 3-AD, attacked to the west at 1430 to seize La Gleize, advanced approximately 800 yards against stiff resistance from infantry and tanks but was unable to seize the objective. The 120-RCT (less 2/120) with attachments, continued to maintain and improve its defensive positions in its sector and maintained contact with the US 1-ID. The 1/120-RCT repulsed an enemy attack by infantry at 1300. The 2/120-RCT, (less Easy and Fox Cos in Division Reserve), occupied defensive positions extending from (K742043) to (K757047). Easy and Fox Cos attached to the 117-RCT. The 1/551-PIB reinforced, in division reserve, prepared defensive positions extending from (K700055) to (K720042) to K741052). CCB US 3-AD (less Task Force L) attached to Task Force Harrison. Task Force L, attached to the 117-RCT.
December 23 The US 30-ID, reinforced, continued to maintain defensive positions at Malmedy, improved its defensive positions in the Stavelot area; cleaned out a large portion of the woods in the vicinity of Arrêt de Coo north of the Amblève River, and attacked from the east and west to seize La Gleize, advancing approximately 1500 yards east of Stoumont against heavy resistance from Tanks, infantry, mines, and self-propelled guns, but was unable to seize La Gleize. At dark, the Division held positions north, east, and west of the town with the Amblève River in the south.
The 117-RCT (less King Co) with attachments, continued to maintain defensive positions at Stavelot along the commanding ground northeast of Stavelot, at Ster, Renardmont, and Parfondruy. The Regiment attacked south at 0830 with Easy Co 120-RCT, and Love Co 117-RCT, encountering heavy resistance from small arms and automatic weapons cleaned out a large portion of the woods in the vicinity of Arrêt de Coo north of the Amblève River. The 2/120-RCT was attached to the 117-RCT at 1830 and George Co 120-RCT, further attached to the 2/117-RCT at 1830. Fox Co 120-RCT, moved at 1545 to defensive positions in the vicinity of Arrêt de Coo, reinforcing Easy Co 120-RCT and Love Co 177-RCT.
Task Force Harrison attacked to the east and northeast at 0830 with the 1/119-RCT and the 3/119-RCT, and Task Force M and King Co 117-RCT to seize La Gleize. the 1/119-RCT and the 3/119-RCT with Task Force J, advanced approximately 1500 yards against heavy resistance from enemy infantry, tanks, mines, and self-propelled weapons, but were unable to seize the objective due to the unfavorable terrain and heavy enemy resistance, and at 1700 the 1/119-RCT occupied defensive positions extending from (K652023) to (K651031), and the 3/119-RCT with Task Force J, CCB US 3-AD, occupied positions extending from (K651031) to (K651036) to (657035). Task Force M, CCB-3-AD, and King Co 117-RCT were unable to advance due to stiff enemy resistance and occupied defensive positions extending from (K662035) to (K661028). The 2/119-RCT in Task Force Reserve moved to the east and assumed defensive positions extending from (K645029) to (K645033) at 1500.
The 120-RCT (less 2/120-RCT) with attachments continued to maintain the active defense of Malmedy, patrolled its sector, and maintained contact with the US 1-ID. the 2/120-RCT (less easy and Fox Co) was relieved from Division Reserve at 1830 and the entire Battalion attached to the 117-RCT. The 1/551-PIB, reinforced, in Division Reserve, continued to dig in defensive positions and prepared plans for the counter-attack in the Division sector. The 517-PIR, less the 1/517-PIRCT, and one company attached to the 30-ID at 1000 and closed into an assembly area in the vicinity of Xhoffraix at 1700. CCB US 3-AD, less Task Force L, attached to Task Force Harrison and assisted that unit in its attack to seize La Gleize. Task Force L, attached to the 117-RCT and continued to maintain roadblocks and defensive positions in the vicinity of Parfondruy.
December 24 The US 30-ID reinforced, continued to maintain, and improve defensive positions in the Malmedy Stavelot area, attacked and cleared the enemy out of a large portion of the woods in the vicinity of Arrêt de Coo and captured La Gleize. The 117-RCT (less King Co) attached the 2/120-RCT; Charlie Co 823-TDB; 743-TB; Task Force L, CCB-3-AD, continued to maintain defensive positions at Stavelot and along the commanding ground northeast of Stavelot. The Regiment attacked to the south at 0900 with the 2/120-RCT (less George Co), attached Dog Co 117-RCT, encountering heavy resistance from infantry and tanks, and cleaned up a large portion of the woods in the vicinity of Arrët de Coo north of the Amblève River. The 2/120-RCT (less George Co) attached Love Co 117-RCT, attached to Task Force Harrison at 1745. King Co 117-RCT, released from attachment to Task Force Harrison reverted to Regimental control at 1200. Task Force L, CCB-3-AD, relieved from attachment at 1400. Charlie and Dog Cos 743-TB, attached to 117-RCT at 1605.
Task Force Harrison attacked to the southeast at 0730 with the 2/119-RCT, and Task Force J CCB-3-AD, and captured the town of La Gleize at 1040. The 2/119-RCT and Task Force J continued their attack to the south and southeast and assisted the 2/120-RCT, in its attack in the vicinity of Arrêt de Coo. The 1/119-RCT attacked to the northeast at 0745 and cleared that area south of La Gleize, and north of the Amblève River of the enemy. the 3/119-RCT attacked to the east at 0815 and assisted the 2/119-RCT and Task Force J in the capture of La Gleize. The Task Force captured 128 German prisoners and released 170 American officers and men who had been captured previously by the enemy. Task Force Harrison during the period, captured La Gleize, and cleared its zone north of the Amblève River of the enemy. In cleaning the Stoumont La Gleize pocket, the Task Force captured or destroyed 39 tanks, 70 half-tracks, 33 large caliber guns, and 30 other vehicles.
The 120-RCT (less the 2/120-RCT), with attachments, continued to maintain an active defense of Malmedy, defense, patrolling in its sector, and maintained contact with the US 1-ID.
The 1/551-PIB, reinforced, assembled in Division Reserve in the vicinity of Ster. The 517-PIRCT (less the 1/517) prepared and occupied defensive positions to add depth to the defense of that sector and prepared plans for a counter-attack in the Division sector.
CCB US 3-AD (less Task Force L) attached Task Force Harrison and assisted that unit in its attack to seize La Gleize. Task Force L attached to the 117-RCT, continued to maintain roadblocks and defensive positions in the vicinity of Parfondruy. CCB relieved of attachment to the 30-ID at 1400.
December 25 The US 30-ID, reinforced, continued to maintain, and improve defensive positions in the Malmedy, Stavelot area, and maintained defense of the river line north of the Amblève River from Targnon, through Stoumont, La Gleize, to Arrêt de Coo, and reduced all enemy resistance north of the Amblève River between Stavelot and Trois Ponts. The Division maintained blocks at bridges across the Amblève at (K640016), (K663019), (K679010), and (P677990), and maintained contact with the US 82-A/B at (K678010) and (P677990). The Division’s troops were bombed in the Malmedy-Stavelot area by friendly aircraft for the past three days causing considerable loss of personnel and Government property. B-26s bombed on Dec 23, B-17s on Decr 24, and A-20s on Dec 25.
The 117-RCT attached the 743-TB; Charlie Co 823-TDB continued to maintain defensive positions at Stavelot and along the commanding ground northeast of Stavelot. At 1450, Task Force Harrison was dissolved and the 2/120-RCT (less George Co) attached Love Co 117-RCT, and the 2/119-RCT, were attached to the 117-RCT, and the Regiment, with those units and King Co, continued the attack and reduced all enemy resistance north of the Amblève River between Stavelot and Trois Ponts.
Task Force Harrison (consisting of the 119-RCT; Able Co 823-TDB; the 740-TB (less Baker Co); the 2/120-RCT (less George Co); attached Love Co of the 117-RCT and continued to maintain the defense of the river line north of the Amblève River from Targnon through Stoumont, La Gleize, to Arrêt de Coo and attacked to the south at 1040 with the 2/120-RCT l(less George Co) attached Love Co 117-RCT, and the 2/119-RCT, to reduce enemy resistance north of the Amblève between Stavelot and Trois Ponts. Progress of the attack was slow due to thick woods and rough terrain, but by 1450 the Task Force had cleared a large portion of its zone of the enemy and was continuing to advance. The Task Force was dissolved at 1450 and the 119-RCT (less the 2/119-RCT) reverted to Regimental control; the 2/119-RCT and the 2/120-RCT (less George Co) were attached to the 117-RCT; Love Co 117-RCT reverted to Regimental control and the 740-TB (less Baker Co) and Able Co 823-TDB were attached to the 119-RCT.
The 119-RCT (less the 2/119) with attachments continued to maintain the defense of the river line north of the Amblève River from Targnon, through Stoumont, La Gleize, to Arrêt de Coo. The Regiment holds blocks at the following bridge across the Amblève: (K640016), (K663019), (K679010), and (P677990), and contact is maintained with the US 82-A/B at the bridges at (K679010) and (P677990). The 120-RCT (less the 2/120), attached Baker K 823-TDB; Baker Co 740-TB; the 30-CRS (Mecz), the 291-ECB, continued to maintain the defense of its sector and contact with the US 1-ID.
The 1/551-PIB, reinforced, relieved from attachment to the US 30-IDS. The 517-PIRCT (less the 1/517 and one company) relieved from attachment to the US 30-ID at 0800. Sufficient trucks to move the Parachute Regimental Combat Team were furnished by the US 30-ID and the 30-ID Military Police were used to control traffic and mark the route of the 517-RCT to Aywaille.
December 26 The US 30-ID, reinforced, continued to maintain defensive positions in the Malmedy-Stavelot area, and the vicinity of Trois Ponts, and maintained contact with the US 1-ID and the US 82-A/B. The 117-RCT, attached the 2/120-RCT; the 2/119-RCT; the 743-TB; Charlie Co 823-TDB and continued to maintain defensive positions of Stavelot along the commanding ground northeast of Stavelot and north of the Amblève River between Stavelot and Trois-Ponts. The 2/119-RCT, relieved the 2/120-RCT, at 1400 and relieved from attachment to the 117-RCT.
The 119-RCT, attached the 740-TB (less Baker Co); Able Co 823-TDB, and maintained an active defense in its sector and contact with adjacent units and maintained blocks at the following bridges across the Amblève River, (K640016), (K663019), (K679010), and (P677990). The 2/119-RCT released from attachment to the 117-RCT and placed in Division Reserve at 1400, moved and closed into an assembly area in the vicinity of Ster at 1530.
The 120-RCT (less the 2/120-RCT), attached Baker Co 823-TDB; Baker Co 740-TB, the 30-CRS (Mecz); the 291-ECB, and continued to maintain the defense of Malmedy, defense and patrolling of its sector, and contact with the US 1-ID.
