September 1944

Western Front

In the Canadian 1st Army's II Corps area, the 3rd Division, moving along the coast, bypasses Boulogne and reaches the Calais area. The Germans are prepared to defend both ports. On the right flank of the corps, the Polish 1st Armored Division continues toward St Omer.

In the British 2nd Army's XII Corps area, the 7th Armored Division captures Ghent, but the Germans continue to hold out in the northern outskirts for some days. The XXX Corps consolidates and reorganizes in preparation for the continuing assault.

The US 9th Army becomes operational taking command of the troops and the zone of the VIII Corps, 3rd Army, on the Brittany Peninsula. The 29th Division occupies La Trinité, which the enemy has vacated.

In the US 1st Army's XIX Corps area, reconnaissance elements of the 2nd Armored Division and the 113th Cavalry Group push deep into Belgium to the general line Brussels-Gembloux. In the VII Corps area, while the 1st Division continues mopping up the Mons pocket taking numerous prisoners, the 9th Division secures crossings of the Meuse both north and south of Dinant. The 3rd Armored Division prepares to press on to Liége. The V Corps continues its assembly on the right flank of the army and attacks eastward. The 5th Armored Division secures crossings over the Meuse near Sedan, CCA at Bazeilles and CCR at Mohon. The 28th Division is moving up behind the armor. The 102nd Cavalry Group screens the assembly of the 4th Division northwest of Mézières.

In the US 3rd Army area, Gen Patton orders the XII Corps to cross the Moselle, secure Nancy, and be prepared to continue to Mannheim and the Rhine. In the XII Corps area, on the northern flank of the 80th Division, the 317th Infantry makes futile attempts to force the Moselle at Pagny-sur-Moselle and in the Blenod-Pont à Mousson area after daybreak. Further attempts are made during the night at Vandières, Pont à Mousson, and Blenod. The 3rd Battalion succeeds in getting across at Pont à Mousson. The 318th Infantry attacks Hill 326, which commands Marbache. The 319th expands the Toul bridgehead to include Fort de Gondreville but is unable to reduce Fort de Villey-le-Sec. The XV Corrps, consisting at this time of the corps headquarters and troops while awaiting additional forces, receives the mission of protecting the southern flank of the army in the sector to the right of the XII Corps.