Evening star., 1945-01-15
MAP on Page A-3J
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
PARIS, Jan. 15.-Lt. Gen
Courtney H, Hodges American
1st Army today drove within q
mile and half of the communi-
cations center of Houffalize, piv-
OF of a new improvised German
deferse line in the flattening
Belgian bulge. The fall of Houf :
falize appeared imminent.
Heavy fog, a binding snowstorm
and a sharp drop in the freezing
temperatures slowed the pace of
three solidly linked Allied armies
elsewhere, and again grounded Tao
tical Air Forces late in the Gay.
Clear weather during the morning
had permitted some planes TO at
tack the Germans on the southern
part of the salient.
The famous I'd Armored CHells on
Wheels Division drove closest to
HouffaliZe, striking from the north
1t. Gen. George S. Pattons Sd Army
troops were miles south of the
town, and British and Americans
were last reported little more than
3 miles away from the west.
61& Miles From st. With.
Other 1st Army troops moved
within 612 miles of St. With, north
ern anchor of the new German arc
line spread from Wiltz northwest
to Houffalize and thence northeast
to St. With.
The 1st and Sd Armies established
contact southeast of La Roche, lop-
ping off another segment of the
virtually emptied western end of
the salient.
Strong German forces including
many rescued tanks were spotted
behind the new line. 1t was not
apparent whether Field Marshal
Won Rundstedt would try for stand
or use the forces to shield a con-
tinued retreat into the shelter of
the Siegfried Line.
Since the Nazi marshal struck a
month ago tomorrow he has lost
at least 1884 prisoners alone. Gen.
Eisenhower armies have taken
844,091 prisoners since invading
Normandy last June 6,
Nazis Counterattack.
North of ST. With. the enemy
mounted a series of counterattacks
against the 1st Army around cap
tured Thirimont, touching off a
violent tank and infantry battle.
Despite snow and ice, the Ameri-
cans made general gains of 1000
yards on the northeast flank of the
bulge between Stavelot and NAL
medy.
The 1st Army captured Is places
overnight, biting deeper into the
shoulder of the salient and striking
final blows to liquidate the western
tip of the bulge
The Germans tightened their de-
fenseS overnight in an effort to
check the Sd Army driving up from
the south. Presently, at least, Houf-
falize was the hinge of German de-
fenses.
Overnight, two dozen or more
towns were captured, including Tet-
tingen, 3 miles inside Germany's
Saarland opposite Luxembourg.
Nazis Pour in Fresh Troops.
Supreme headquarters said the
enemy was pouring reinforcements
into the Middle Saar and Upper
Alsace plain battlefields, where their
earlier offensive thrusts had been
brought to a standstill.
The 1st Army took Dinex on the
Liege highway 2 miles north of
Houffalize.
Between Malmedy and Stavelot
along the northeast side of the
bulge, the 1st Army captured Lig-
neuville, 612 miles northwest of St.
With and miles south of Malmedy.
Beaumont was reached and Coulee.
6 miles northwest of st. With, was
taken.
Near German-held Bovigny, 10
miles northeast of Houffalize, the
Americans captured Baclain, Mont
le-Ban and Halconreux, all in an
arc around the larger town. The
Houffalize-St. With highway, last
major traffic artery in the bulge, was
cut yesterday and was being over
run today.
Nedrin Is Taken.
Nedrin, 5 miles southeast of La
Roche, fell after scant resistance. A
cluster of nearby places were taken,
including Petit Mormont, Grand
Mormont, Filly and Ollomont. Also
captured was Wibrin, 4 miles north
west of Houffalize. The town top
pied after 6 of IL defending German
tanks were destroyed. Nearby
Wilogne also was taken.
On the south side of the bulge
Gen. Patton's Sd Army was held to
less spectacular advances.
His 9Th Armored Division thrust
mile ahead to Michamps, Az miles
northeast of Bastogne. Infantry
edged into woods 31a miles north
west OF the Luxembourg town of
Wiltz
The Germans fought resolutely
FtOe additional mea from the
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