September 1944

Western Europe

In the Canadian 1st Army area, the British I Corps, pushing into Le Havre, gains the heights commanding the harbor. In the II Corps area, elements of the 2nd Division reach Zeebrugge. The coast of the Pas de Calais, except for Boulogne, Calais, and Dunkerque, is now clear of the enemy. The ports mentioned are being contained. The Polish 1st Armored Division, which has met strong oppositiom at the Ghent Canal, is moving to Ghent to relieve the 7th Armored Division of the XII Corps.

In the British 2nd Army's XXX Corps area, the Guards Armored Division strengthens its bridgehead over the Meuse-Escaut Canal and patrols across the Dutch border to Valkenswaard. The 50th Division maintains the Gheel bridgehead against considerable opposition.

The V Corps and the VII Corps are ordered to reconnoiter in force to test the border defenses of the West Wall and if possible to make a limited penetration. The XIX Corps gets a northern prong of pincers to be clamped about the enemy's Albert Canal line into action with reconnaissance elements of the 2nd Armored Division across the British-held bridge at Beeringen and turn southeastward in the XIX Corps zone north of Hasselt. By the time the southern prong, the 113th Cavalry, has reached positions south of the Vise, the 30th Division has already started crossing, having discovered a weak spot. The 120th Infantry occupies Lanaye (Holland) and seizes the locks near intact. In the VII Corps area, the 1st Division assembled forward elements at Aubel and Henri Chapelle. The 3rd Armored Division secures Eupen. The 9th Division, in reserve, is assembled near Verviers. The 4th Cavalry Group screens the right flank. In the V Corps area, a dismounted patrol of the 85th Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Armored Division, is the first Allied unit to cross into Germany, moving over the frontier at 1805 and reconnoitering uneventfully to the vicinity of Stalzenburg. The 28th Division (less the 112th RCT, attached to the 5th Armored Division) assembles west of the Our River and during the night of the 11th secures a bridge intact.

In the XX Corps area, the 358th Infantry, 90th Division, clears the heights west of Thionville in the Volkrange area and emerges upon a plain overlooking the town. The 357th takes Florange and reaches the Moselle at several points south of Thionville. CCR, 7th Armored Division, joins the 2nd Infantry, 5th Division, in attacks west of Metz. The 2nd Infantry continues a frontal assault after undergoing a series of counterattacks that gain some ground and necessitate bitter fighting in an effort to straighten lines south of Amanvillers. CCR, from the Roncourt area, attempts without much success to get behind the enemy holding up the 2nd Infantry. The 5th Division reinforces the Arnaville bridgehead with the 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry, and expands it toward Corny and Arry against severe counterattack. The XIX TAC assists with strikes on Arry and Corny.

In the XII Corps area, CCA of the 4th Armored Division prepares to cross the Moselle. Engineers are attempting to construct a bridge near Pagny-sur-Moselle during the night of the 11th, but lack equipment. After a preparatory bombardment, during which a deceptive site is hit, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 137th Infantry, 35th Division, force the Moselle at Crevechamps, southeast of Flavigny, but are pinned down by enemy fire. The 1st Battalion crosses near Neuviller-sur-Moselle, to the south, late in the day and pushes to Lorey. Meanwhile, one column of CCB, 4th Armored Division, crosses at Bainville-aux-Miroirs and another near Bayon against considerable resistance. Bypassing Bayon, the left column seizes the hills overlooking Brémoncourt and during the night makes contact with the 137th Infantry. The rest of CCB and the 2nd Battalion of the 320th Infantry cross at Bayon after engineers put up a bridge. An enemy force of 2 companies crosses to the west bank of the Moselle and attacks a fort held by elements of the 134th infantry near Pont St Vincent, breaching the walls, but the arrival of reinforcements and well-placed artillery fire eliminate this threat. The 80th Division is ordered to start crossing the Moselle north of Nancy on the 12th. To divert enemy attention from the proposed crossing site, an air strike is made on the Pont à Mousson area.

The XV Corps opens an offensive to close up to the Moselle between Espinal and Charmes while continuing to defend the southern flank of the army. With the 121st Cavary Squadron of the 106th Cavalry Group screening its advance, the 79th Division moves forward by motor and on foot, with the 314th Infantry leading. The 314th Infantry reaches the vicinity of Charmes too late in the day to attack the town. The 313th drives quickly toward Mirecourt. The 315th reaches positions near Neufchâteau. The French 2nd Armored Division screens the southern flank of the army and moves CCL eastward, bypassing Andelot, to the vicinity of Vittel.