Ardennes
January 1945
Just before Christmas 1944 the GOC took his commanders to carry out a reconnaissance for the next phase of operations - clearing the Germans from the River Maas to the River Rhine, which would commence in the new year. However, news of the German counter attack in the Ardennes (which became known as the Battle of the Bulge) now changed the plans and 51st Highland Division were ordered south.
Background
The 51st Highland Divisions redeployment to the Ardennes was Hitler's plan for an Ardennes offensive to break through the 1st US Army and drive for Brussels. The offensive reached Celles but was halted at St Vith and Bastogne.
On the 19th December Montgomery was given command of the 9th US Army and part of the 1st US Army on the northern side of the German salient. These he reinforced with elements the British second Army including the 51st Highland Division.
After an unsatisfactory period of order and counter order over the Christmas period the Division spent a week guarding a number of the River Maas crossings between Liège and Namur before moving forward on 7th January to take over from the 53rd Welsh division prior to the allied counter offensive.
The counter offensive had began on the 3rd January but for the 51st Highland Division operations commenced on the 9th January. 153 Brigade advanced first clearing the enemy from Hodister and other villages south west of the Ourthe valley.
Ronchamps
This made possible the advanced of 152 Brigade on Ronchamps and 154 Brigade on La Roche. The conditions were appalling with both extreme cold and heavy snow falls. Ronchamps was taken on the 10th
La Roche
154 Brigade on La Roche and its supporting position was taken on the night of the 11th.
Subsequent Operations
The two positions of Ronchamps and La Roche opened the way for the Division to exploit south down a number of routes, which they did in subsequent operations over the next two days. By this stage the Germans were withdrawing and opposition was light as moping up continued. Contact was established with the US 3rd Army fighting north. All combat activity in the 30 Corps area was concluded by 15 January. The Americans continued to pursue the withdrawing Germans until the end of the month but the 51st Highland Division had completed its task and gathered in the La Roche area to begin moving back north on 17th January to recommence the drive to the River Rhine.
|
| Area of Operations - Ardennes |