Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (December 26, 1944)
FROM
(A) SHAEF MAIN
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
261100A December
TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR
(2) NAVY DEPARTMENT
TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(3) TAC HQ 12 ARMY GP
(4) MAIN 12 ARMY GP
(5) SHAEF AIR STAFF
(6) ANCXF
(7) EXFOR MAIN
(8) EXFOR REAR
(9) DEFENSOR, OTTAWA
(10) CANADIAN C/S, OTTAWA
(11) WAR OFFICE
(12) ADMIRALTY
(13) AIR MINISTRY
(14) UNITED KINGDOM BASE
(15) SACSEA
(16) CMHQ (Pass to RCAF & RCN)
(17) COM ZONE
(18) SHAEF REAR
(19) NEWS DIV. MINIFORM, LONDON
(REF NO.)
NONE
(CLASSIFICATION)
IN THE CLEAR
Communiqué No. 262
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–Malmedy 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. Malmedy, 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 counterattacks.
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 reentered Bennwihr.
COORDINATED WITH: G-2, G-3 to C/S
THIS MESSAGE MAY BE SENT IN CLEAR BY ANY MEANS
/s/
Precedence
“OP” - AGWAR
“P” - Others
ORIGINATING DIVISION
PRD, Communique Section
NAME AND RANK TYPED. TEL. NO.
D. R. JORDAN, Lt Col FA2409
AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE
/s/
