Communique Number 252 – 16 December 1944

Allied progress towards Düren has given us control of the high ground dominating the Roer River on the southwest side of the town. The villages of Gürzenich, Birgel and Kufferath are in our hands and enemy counter-attacks against both Gurzenich and Birgel have been repulsed. Targets in the village of Kreuzau, across the Roer River from Kufferath, were hit by fighter bombers. Farther north the two remaining pockets of resistance west of the Düren-Linnich sector of the Roer River have been cleared. Our units mopped up the factory area southeast of Mariaweiler and captured the castle near Schophoven.

Fighter bombers struck at military objectives in Baal and other villages in the Jülich-Linnich area; Buir northeast of Düren; and railway yards at Rheydt, Grevenbroich, Euskirchen and Köln. Southeast of Lammersdorf our ground forces are mopping up Kesternich. In this sector we are encountering mine fields and wire entanglements. Medium and light bombers attacked fortifications in five villages in the area east and southeast of Monschau. In the Saar Valley, the enemy continues to direct heavy artillery fire into our bridgeheads across the river at Dilling and Saarlouis.

A small counter-attack in the Saarlouis area was repulsed by our artillery. East of Saarguemines, mopping up continues in Habkirchen. We have entered Niedergailbach and Erching. Fighter bombers supported our ground forces in the Saar Valley, Striking at defended positions and communications behind the enemy lines. Farther into Germany, ammunition dumps were attacked. West of the lower Vosges Mountains where the enemy is manning Maginot Line fortifications, resistance continued to be stubborn. On the east side of the lower Vosges our units have crossed the Franco-German frontier north of Climbach, which has been freed.

Heavy fire is coming from the Siegrfried Line at many points between Wissembourg and the Rhine River. An additional slight advance has been made on the Aslace Plain northeast of Selestat. Fighter bombers attacked troop and ammunition trains and other railway targets north of the Ruhr and in Holland. Railway bridges at Zwolle and Deventer were targets for medium and light bombers. Medium bombers attacked an oil storage depot at Rüthen east of the Ruhr. Yesterday afternoon, heavy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the boat pens at Ijmuiden with 12.000 pound bombs. Last night, a strong force of heavy bombers made a heavy and concentrated attack on Ludwigshafen.

Communique Number 253 – 17 December 1944

Allied forces yesterday repulsed a number of local counter-attacks in the areas of Brachelen and Mariaweiler, northwest of Düren; near Rollesbroich, east of Rötgen, and in the forest southeast of Monschau. Increased enemy artillery fire preceded the attack in the Düren sector, particularly in the area of Kufferath. In the Saar Valley, we are steadily enlarging our bridgeheads across the river in the Dilling and Saarlouis sectors. Extremely heavy enemy artillery fire was encountered in the Saarlouis bridgehead. Northeast of Saareguemines, we made gains near Habkirchen, and farther east reached Gersheim. Supporting our ground forces, fighter bombers attacked troop concentrations and gun positions between Saarlouis and Saarbrücken, and southeast of Merzig, and Struck at rail and road transport behind the enemy lines.

Many locomotives, freight cars and motor vehicles were destroyed. West of the lower Vosges, gains were made in heavy fighting in the vicinity of Bitsch. To the northwest, Hottviller was entered. Nearer the Rhine River, the town of Wissembourg, just south of the Franco-German frontier, and Scheibenhard, in Germany, were taken. Railway targets in the upper Rhine Valley from Landau southward to Mulhouse were attacked by medium and fighter bombers. Locomotives and railroad cars were hit and the rail line was cut in several places. In the high Vosges, a slight advance was made north of Münster. Targets in the railway center and industrial town of Siegen were attacked in the afternoon by escorted heavy bombers.

Communique Number 254 – 18 December 1944

Fighting has increased in intensity from the Monschau area southward to the southern end of the Luxembourg-German border, with the enemy continuing his attacks. Both infantry and armor are now in action, and in some sectors the enemy has made use of small groups of parachutists. Gains were made by the Germans near Honsfeld, southwest of Vianden, and south of Echternach. The enemy’s efforts to give air support to his attacking ground forces, resulted in aerial battles in which we destroyed 108 of his aircraft for the loss of 33 of our fighters. Most of the action took place over the Monschau Forest and adjoining areas, Though combats also developed farther north in the Rheine, Münster and Bocholt regions.

Fighter bombers, operating mainly against road traffic in the Monschau area, and rail traffic radiating from Köln, destroyed or damaged large numbers of locomotives, rail cars, armored fighting vehicles and motor and horse-drawn vehicles. Much of the road traffic was moving eastward on the road running along the Roer River to the east of Monschau; other operations against road traffic were carried out between Monschau and Prüm.

In the Saar Valley, allied forces are making steady progress in the Dillingen and Saarlautern areas. Northeast of Saargemund, we have made gains north of Walsheim. Fighter bombers attacked fortified towns in the Saar region and bombed an ammunition dump east of Koblenz. In the Bitsch area, heavy fighting continues around the Maginot Fortified Line. Enemy resistance slackened slightly, but remains stubborn. Northeast of Wissembourg, our units have captured a half dozen villages inside germany, including Schweighofen and Kapsweyer. Our forces are now facing the Siegfried Line at many points.

Medium bombers, two of which are missing, attacked the Siegfried Line defenses between Oberotterbach and Steinfeld, including fortifications, pillboxes, tank traps and wire entanglements. Fighter bombers operating in the Kaiserslautern, Speyer and Pforzheim areas shot down four enemy aircraft and attacked rail lines, locomotives, rail yards and cars, and motor transport. In the high Vosges Mountains, our ground forces freed Kaisersberg. On the Alsace Plain some ground was lost to strong enemy counter-attacks. Fighter bombers, one of which is missing, struck at barges, bridges, road blocks and barracks in the Colmar, Freiburg and Neustadt areas. A rail bridge at Freiburg was attacked by medium bombers. Last night heavy bombers attacked industrial and railway targets in Ulm.

Communique Number 255 – 19 December 1944

Heavy fighting continues in the sectors where the enemy launched his attacks between the Monschau area and the southern part of the German-Luxembourg border. Supporting allied ground forces, fighter bombers knocked out 95 enemy armored vehicles and struck at rail and road transport. Medium and light bombers attacked targets at Herhahn, Olef, Harperscheid, Blumenthal and Hellenthal, east of Monschau. Forty-six enemy aircraft were shot down in the air. From these operations, 11 fighters are missing; all the bombers returned.

Our forces in the Linnich area are mopping up in Würm and Müllendorf. In the Dillingen and Saarlautern bridgeheads our troops continue to make slow progress in wiping out enemy strong points. In the area northeast of Saargemund, we have reached a wooded area one mile north of Habkirchen, and gains were made in the vicinity of Walsheim and Medelsheim. Fighter bombers destroyed or damaged many fortified buildings and attacked road and rail transport in the area of Landau. In the vicinity of Bitsch, our units have taken a large portion of two stubbornly defended Maginot Line fortifications. Northwest of Wissembourg, we advanced two miles and entered the German villages of Bundenthal and Niederschlettenbach. Farther east, heavy fire was received from the Siegfried Line. Stiff fighting continues northwest of Colmar. Further limited advances have been made in the high Vosges Mountains. Last night, a strong force of heavy bombers attacked enemy ships in the Baltic Sea port of Gdynia.

Communique Number 256 – 20 December 1944

Fighting continues in the area between Monschau and southern Luxembourg where the enemy has launched his attacks. Despite poor flying conditions, German armor and truck convoys in the Monschau Forest and in the Schleiden area were attacked by fighter bombers yesterday. Farther east, targets at Marmagen and Bad Münstereifel were hit. North of Monschau, allied forces continued mopping up enemy elements in Würm and Müllendorf. Fighter bombers attacked railway yards at Liblar, east of Düren. Farther south, escorted heavy bombers attacked targets at Trier in the afternoon and fighter bombers hit rail transport east of the City.

In the Trier area our fighters encountered enemy aircraft, 11 of which were shot down for the loss of three of ours. Our forces in the Saar Valley have cleared all of Dillingen except the factory district on the east side of the town, and we have made progress in the Saarlautern bridgehead against stubborn resistance. Northeast of Saargemund, our units have made small gains north of Habkirchen and Walsheim. Rail lines between Neunkirchen and Homburg were cut in several places by fighter bombers. In the same area a number of locomotives and many railway cars were hit. After several days’ heavy fighting, Fort Simserhof in the Maginot Line just northwest of Bitsch, was occupied. The enemy continued to resist stubbornly at nearby Fort Schiesseck.

Communique Number 256 – 20 December 1944

Fighting continues in the area between Monschau and southern Luxembourg where the enemy has launched his attacks. Despite poor flying conditions, German armor and truck convoys in the Monschau Forest and in the Schleiden area were attacked by fighter bombers yesterday. Farther east, targets at Marmagen and Bad Münstereifel were hit. North of Monschau, allied forces continued mopping up enemy elements in Würm and Müllendorf. Fighter bombers attacked railway yards at Liblar, east of Düren. Farther south, escorted heavy bombers attacked targets at Trier in the afternoon and fighter bombers hit rail transport east of the city. In the Trier area, our fighters encountered enemy aircraft, 11 of which were shot down for the loss of three of ours.

Our forces in the Saar Valley have cleared all of Dillingen except the factory district on the east side of the town, and we have made progress in the Saarlautern bridgehead against stubborn resistance. Northeast of Saargemund, our units have made small gains north of Habkirchen and Walsheim. Rail lines between Neunkirchen and Homburg were cut in several places by fighter bombers. In the same area, a number of locomotives and many railway cars were hit. After several days’ heavy fighting, Fort Simserhof in the Maginot Line just northwest of Bitsch, was occupied. The enemy continued to resist stubbornly at nearby Fort Schiesseck.

Northwest of Wissembourg, our troops encountered stiff opposition. Two strong counter-attacks were repulsed. Medium and fighter bombers struck at rail transport and communications north of Wissembourg, principally at Neustadt and Landau, and bombed the fortified villages of Schaidt and Kandel, south of Landau. Other fighter bombers flew deeper into Germany to attack an airfield north of Stuttgart where two enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and others damaged. Our ground forces made further small gains northwest of Colmar and in the high Vosges. A small number of fighter bombers attacks rail targets in northern Holland.

Communique Number 257 – 21 December 1944

Fighting continues in the area where the enemy attacked westward from the German borders of Belgium and Luxembourg. Our positions east of Monschau were restored after a German force which entered the town was surrounded. Enemy units, making two thrusts from the east in the general direction of Malmédy reached Stavelot, southwest of Malmédy, and Bütgenbach, east of Malmédy. Another enemy drive in the area of St Vith, cut off some of our forces east of the town, and enemy elements moved to within two miles of St Vith and to the vicinity of Maspelt, five miles to the south. In the Echternach area, an enemy penetration was made to Consdorf, and Echternach itself was surrounded.

The enemy force involved in the attack along the front includes five to six armored divisions and eight or nine infantry divisions. There have been no changes in our positions to the north of Monschau along the Roer River from Linnich to Düren. In the Saar Valley, fighting continues in our Dillingen and Saarlautern bridgeheads. Two small enemy counter-attacks northeast of Saargemund were repulsed. Fort Schiesseck, second major Maginot Line fortification to be reduced in the vicinity of Bitsch, was cleared. Farther east the enemy was aggressive and several of his patrols crossed the Rhine River. Northwest of Colmar limited progerss was made in the high Vosges Mountains, and in a series of local operations approximately 800 prisoners were taken. Weather reduced air activity yesterday to a minimum.

Communique Number 258 – 22 December 1944

Several small enemy attacks have been repulsed by allied forces in the vicinity of Monschau, and we have regained a few small towns in that area. On the north flank of the German thrust, we have stemmed the enemy advance and have retaken Stavelot, southwest of Malmédy. Fighting is in progress for Malmédy itself. Enemy armored elements have reached Habiémont, eight miles west of Stavelot, and enemy parachutists were dropped a few miles to the southwest of Habiémont. Our forces have slowed down the enemy pincer movement directed at St Vith, which is still in our hands. The enemy drive west from Vianden has penetrated to a point just east of Wiltz, and a force operating about six miles farther north reached the vicinity of Clerveaux.

Fighting continues in the Echternach area, where our troops have denied the enemy control of Echternach and other towns in the immediate vicinity. The enemy thrust to Consdorf, southwest of Echternach, made further progress to the west. In the Saar Valley, our forces have cleared Dillingen. North and northwest of Wissembourg, two counter-attacks, one supported by tanks, were beaten off. Repeated patrol clashes took place farther east nearer the Rhine River. Further slight gains were made in the high Vosges. We are now two miles south of Lac Noir (Blacksee), near Munster. Weather restricted air operations yesterday. Targets in Trier were attacked by heavy bombers. Fighter bombers which provided the escort, also struck at objectives in the city and at Speicher. A main road junction twelve miles north. Anti-aircraft positions east of Lebach were targets for other fighter bombers. From these operations one fighter bomber is missing. Last evening heavy bombers attacked the marshalling yards at Köln and Bonn.

Order of the Day – 22 December 1944
To Every Member of the A.E.F.

The enemy is making his supreme effort to break out of the desperate plight into which you forced him by your brilliant victories of the summer and fall. He is fighting savagely to take back all that you have won and is using every treacherous trick to deceive and kill you. He is gambling everything, but already, in this battle, your gallantry has done much to foil his plans. In the face of your proven bravery and fortitude, he will completely fail.
But we can not be content with his mere repulse.
By rushing out from his fixed defenses the enemy may give us the chance to turn his great gamble into his worst defeat. So I call upon every man, of all the Allies, to rise now to new heights of courage, of resolution and of effort. Let everyone hold before him a single thought – to destroy the enemy on the ground, in the air, everywhere – destroy him! United in this determination and with unshakable faith in the cause for which we fight, we will, with God’s help, go forward to our greatest victory.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Communique Number 259 – 23 December 1944

Allied forces in the Monschau sector continued local engagements with no substantial change in position. In the vicinity of Höfen, the enemy gained a small amount of ground. No further attempts have been made by the enemy to break out in the Stavelot area, and the northern german thrust has been confined temporarily to the area of St Vith, Stavelot and Malmédy. All three of these towns are in our hands. An enemy drive that outflanked Bastogne from the north reached as far as La Roche. Fighting continues in that sector. A large scale thrust is being made by the enemy in the Wiltz-Bastogne area. Wiltz has been encircled, and the enemy is pushing on after an action at the town.

German armor continued its advance to cut roads north, south and east of Bastogne, while a portion of the force by-passed Bastogne and continued west. In the Echternach area, the line has been stabilized. The enemy has been checked in the areas of Dickweiler, Osweiler and Berdorf, west and south of Echternach. In the sector east of Saargemund, we have occupied Uttweiler. Activity in the Alsace Plain was generally limited to patrol clashes. Further local gains were made in the high Vosges south of Lapoutroie where the village of La Chappelle was cleared. Continued adverse weather yesterday again prevented the weight of our air power being brought to bear on the enemy.

Bombing through cloud, escorted medium bombers attacked enemy troop concentrations and supply dumps while fighters and fighter bombers flew offensive patrols in support of our ground forces. Enemy troops, communications and rail transport in the upper Rhine Valley were struck at by fighter bombers. East of Freiburg, six enemy aircraft were shot down by our attacking aircraft. According to reports so far received, four of our fighters are missing from these operations, but the pilot of one is safe. Shortly after dark yesterday evening, heavy bombers attacked the marshalling yards at Koblenz and Bingen.

Communique Number 260 – 24 December 1944

There have been no substantial changes in the allied positions in the Monschau sector. In the area northeast of Marche-en-Famenne enemy forces have cut the road northeast of Hotton. The town of Hotton remains in our hands but there is considerable resistance south of the road between Hotton and Soy, three miles to the northeast. Farther south, enemy forces have reached Morhet, six miles southwest of Bastogne. In the area north of Mersch, our troops have made gains on the southern flank of the enemy penetration.

Allied forces in the Saar Valley repulsed a counter-attack by enemy infantry who crossed the Saar River south of Saarlautern. East of Wissembourg, enemy artillery and mortars were active. More than 1000 rounds fell on Berg within a few hours. Slight further progress was made in the Vosges west of Colmar. Improved weather yesterday permitted the resumption of air operations on a large scale. Fighter bombers in great strength struck at motor transport, tanks, rolling stock, troop concentrations, gun positions and other targets in and behind the area of the enemy counter offensive, while fighters flew offensive sweeps. Medium and light bombers in force attacked bridges, rail heads and communication centers behind this area. Great numbers of aerial combats ensued in the course of these operations.

The targets for the medium and light bombers were rail bridges at Euskirchen, Ahrweiler, Mayen and Eller, rail heads at Zülpich, Prüm and Tilburg, and communication centers in the neighborhood of St Vith, and at Hergarten, Lünebach, Waxweiler and Neuerburg. Farther to the south, medium bombers attacked bridges at Neckargemünd and Breisach, also dropping anti-personnel bombs on enemy troops in the latter area. Fighter bombers went for rail yards, rolling stock and rail lines in the areas of Landau, Ringsheim and Colmar, destroying locomotives and rolling stock.

Escorted heavy bombers attacked objectives in the railway and garrison town of Trier and seven other rail and road communication centers in western Germany including railway yards at Ehrang, Kaiserslautern, Homburg, and rail and road junctions in an area between Koblenz and the Belgian border. Last night, light bombers attacked rail targets near Bonn and Koblenz. In the course of all these operations 178 enemy aircraft were shot down and nine destroyed on the ground; eight of our heavy bombers, 26 fighters and fighter bombers, and 39 medium and light bombers are not yet reported, though some of the medium bombers may have landed away from base. During the night our night fighters shot down nine enemy aircraft.

Communique Number 261 – 25 December 1944

The Monschau and Stavelot sectors have been relatively quiet although both allied and enemy artillery fire has been heavy. No further progress has been made by the enemy in these sectors. The Germans dropped parachutists in small groups in several places in the area north and northwest of Stavelot. These are being dealt with. Very heavy enemy attacks directed to the northwest in the areas of Hotton and Marche have been successfulyy held. Enemy forward elements have moved westward and tanks and troop-carrying vehicles have been reported between Marche and Rochefort. There has been only local ground activity in the area, of Bastogne, but enemy pressure continues to be strong southwest of the town.

German tanks are in the vicinity of Rosière, seven miles southwest of Bastogne. Chaumont, about six miles south of Bastogne, has been cleared, and fighting continues near the town following an enemy counter-attack. Farther to the south, Martelange, on the Bastogne-Arlon road, is half cleared of the enemy and we have made gains to the vicinity of Bigonville, three miles northeast. In the area west and northwest of Diekirch, our troops have cleaerd the enemy from Heiderscheid. A german counter-attack launched with tanks and infantry near Tadler resulted in heavy fighting. Further progress has been made by our forces a few miles west of Diekirch. There have been no substantial changes in the area south and southwest of Echternach, where fighting is under way in the vicinity of Consdorf.

Allied air operations were continued in very great strength yesterday. German armor, troops, fortified positions, gun positions and road and rail transport in and behind the battle area were hit by fighter bombers operating from first light. Attacks were also resumed on the enemy’s reinforcement routes. Medium and light bombers struck at rail heads and communications at Nideggen, Zülpich and elsewhere in the area, while farther south, bridges at Konz-Karthaus and Trier-Pfalzel were targets for other medium and light bombers. Forty-four enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air in the course of these operations. According to preliminary reports, 45 of our fighters are missing, but the pilots of the two are safe.

More than 2000 heavy bombers, escorted by over 900 fighters, attacked 11 airfileds in the Frankfurt area and road and rail junctions, bridges and supply centers from Euskirchen south to Trier. Seventy enemy aircraft were shot down by the escorting fighters and 18 by the bombers. From incomplete reports, 39 bombers and six fighters are missing, but some of them are believed to have landed away from their bases.

Yesterday afternoon, strong forces of heavy bombers with fighter escort attacked two airfields in the Ruhr. In the evening, heavy bombers struck at railway targets at Köln and an airfield at Bonn. Enemy patrols which crossed the rhine northeast of Strasbourg were repulsed. North of Colmar, a counter-attack forced a slight withdrawal of our forward elements at Sigolsheim. Medium bombers striking deep into Germany attacked a bridge at Langenargen on the north shore of Lake Constance, and hit railway yards at Emmendingen, north of Freiburg. Night fighters shot down six enemy aircraft last night.

Communique Number 262 – 26 December 1944

Allied forces in Holland have encountered enemy patrol activity along the Meuse River north of Tilburg, and in the Venlo area. South of Düren, we have pushed forward into the village of Winden, where fighting is still going on against strong opposition, and cleared Obermaubach, one mile farther south. In the Monschau-Malmédy sector, following a quiet day, the Germans launched an attack in the evening with armor and infantry near Büllingen. This was repulsed with heavy losses to the enemy. Our troops have cleared La Gleize, three miles northwest of Stavelot. Malmédy, Stavelot and Stoumont remain in allied hands. In the area northwest of Lierneux, our troops made a slight withdrawal and the enemy has reached Granmenil a few miles west. More enemy paratroops have been dropped in the area a few miles southwest of Stavelot and north of Beauraing, five miles southeast of Givet. All these were mopped up.

Rochefort has been occupied by the enemy and enemy pressure has been increasing east of Hotton, near Rochefort and near Marche. Bastogne is still held by our forces despite heavy pressure. The enemy has launched an attack with tanks and infantry near Marvie, and after making gains southwest of Bastogne, now holds Rosière and Libramont. Along the southern flank of the enemy penetration, gains have been made and enemy attacks repulsed. Fighting is still in progress near Chaumont and we have cleared the enemy from Warnach. Ground has been gained just north of Bigonville, and in the areas of Neuenhausen, Heiderscheid and Arsdorf, which has been cleared of the enemy. German attacks near Heiderscheid and at Kehmen were repulsed.

Progress was also made south and east of Diekirch, where we took Moestroff, and south of Echternach, despite enemy counter-attacks. Air operations were continued yesterday on a large scale. Ground targets in the battle area, including motor transport, armor, strong points and gun positions were attacked throughout the day by fighter bombers. The enemy’s supply and reinforcement routes in and behind the battle zone were the objectives for heavy, medium and light bombers. Rail bridges and road and rail junctions in the battle area were attacked by medium forces of escorted bombers. Road junctions at Bad Münstereifel, in the Bitburg area and at Vianden were attacked by medium and light bombers; at the latter place a fuel storage depot also was hit.

Rail bridges at Konz-Karthaus, Taben and Keuchingen, as well as rail facilities in the St Vith area and at Wengerohr, and communication centers at Hillesheim and Ahütte were also attacked by medium and light bombers. Farther south, medium bombers went for a rail bridge at Singen, while fighter bombers attacked locomotives and rolling stock in the region of the upper Rhine River. In the Colmar area, fighter bombers gave close support to our ground forces. Seventy-eight enemy aircraft were shot down yesterday, 13 heavy bombers, 7 medium and light bombers and 43 fighters are missing. Some of the fighters are believed to have landed safely in friendly territory. Ground patrols were active in the Wissembourg area and along the Rhine River. Nothweiler and Schweigen-Rechtenbach were shelled by enemy artillery. North of Colmar, our troops have re-entered Bennwihr.

Communique Number 263 – 27 December 1944

Allied forces in Holland continued to encounter enemy patrols along the maas river north of Tilburg. South of Düren the village of Winden has been cleared by our forces against stiff opposition. The Monschau-Malmédy sector has been quiet except for a small unsuccessful attack by the enemy near Büllingen, and there is no change in our positions. Northwest of Stavelot, our units cleared up an enemy pocket near La Gleize and captured 150 prisoners, 38 tanks, 70 half-track vehicles, eight armored cars and six self-propelled guns. The enemy attacked strongly at Manhay, ten miles southwest of Stavelot, and succeeded in capturing the village. Our troops later counter-attacked and the situation was restored, though the village itself remains in enemy hands.

Enemy pressure continues to be heavy between Hotton and Marche but our positions have been maintained. A few enemy tanks and troop carriers pushed forward in the direction of Celles. These were engaged by our forces and driven back, some tanks being knocked out. Our forces maintained their hold on Bastogne despite heavy German pressure from all sides, and numerous enemy tanks have been destroyed in attempts to enter the town. Southwest of Bastogne, we have advanced to the vicinity of Cobreville, and fighting continues just north of Chaumont. South of Bastogne, the towns of Hollange and Tintange have been cleared of the enemy. Our forces are fighting in the vicinity of Arsdorf and have entered Lultzhausen. Fighting is in progress in Eschdorf, where the enemy is offering stubborn resistance with infantry and tanks, and in Kehmen and Ringel.

We have reached high ground west of Eppeldorf, four and one-half miles southeast of Diekirch, and have repulsed an enemy counter- attack in the vicinity of Haller and have taken Waldbillig. Additional] gains have been made by our units in the area south of Echternach. Heavy, medium and fighter bombers were out yesterday attacking targets in the immediate battle zone and striking at communications and supply routes behind the enemy lines. Our fighters flew protective patrols and escort missions. Communications and rail transport in northern Holland were attacked by fighter bombers. Other fighter bombers hit barracks at Zwolle and bombed enemy aircraft on the ground near Kleve. A strong force of escorted heavy bombers made a heavy attack on enemy troop concentrations, armor and supplies in the St Vith area. Fighter bombers in strength, maintaining a day-long attack on the enemy’s mechanized forces, destroyed or damaged 857 motor vehicles and 146 armored vehicles including a number of tanks.

Other escorted heavy bombers bombed two railway yards in the Koblenz area and railway bridges north of Koblenz, while fighter bombers struck at railway targets along the Rhine River Valley from Koblenz to Karlsruhe. Many locomotives and railway cars were hit and the rail line cut in a number of places. Medium and light bombers attacked railway bridges at Ahrweiler, Konz-Karthaus, Bad Münster and Rastatt. According to reports so far received, 71 enemy aircraft were shot down during the day. Thirty of our fighters and one bomber are missing. Our ground forces made a slight gain in the wooded area west of Wissembourg, but this sector was generally inactive. In the southern high Vosges Mountains, an attempted enemy raid on Thann was repulsed.



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