Under Model and then the restored Rundstedt, the German army fell back, defending the Siegfried Line. Blumentritt and his command bore responsibility for almost of front northwest of Loverich (now part of Baesweiler) through Geilenkirchen all the way to the Meuse. After the Allied victory just to the south in the Battle of the Bulge, they turned their attention north to Blumentritt's position. Subsequently, he and the XII SS "Korps" failed in their attempt to hold the salient of the Roer Triangle during the British Operation Blackcock.