September 1944

Western Europe

In the 1st Airborne Corps area, in Holland, the 1st Allied Airborne Army drops the second echelon of troops and supplies. Heavy fighting occurs in the Arnhem area, where Allied reinforcements are late in arriving and the Germans are counterattacking vigorously. Efforts to relieve the small force at the north end of the Arnhem bridge fail.

The US 82nd Airborne Division takes the bridge over the Maas-Waal Canal near Honinghutie, on the main Grave-Nijmegen highway, but is unable to reach the Nijmegen highway bridge and withdraws from the town, except for a small besieged force. No attempt has been made to take the Nijmegen railway bridge, although it is still lightly held. A German counterattack is thrown back as the landing zones between Groesbeek and the Reichswald are being cleared.

The US 101st Airborne Division, working southward, clears Eindhoven and makes contact with the Guards Armored Division moving northward. Attempts by elements of the division to take the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal southeast of Best fail, and the Germans blow the bridge. The 101st Airborne Division is attached to the British XXX Corps.

In the British XXX Corps area, the Guards Armored Division, driving on through Eindhoven, reaches the Wilhelmina Canal near Son with elements of the division clearing the flanks.

The XII Corps strengthens bridgeheads across the Meuse-Escaut Canal near Gheel and Lommel.

In the VIII Corps area, the 3rd Division secures a small bridgehead near Lille St Hubert during the night of the 18th.

In the VIII Corps area, organized resistance in Brest comes to an end, but the German fortress commander escapes to the Crozon Peninsula.

In the XIX Corps area, Gen Corlett orders the corps to prepare to attack the West Wall. The 2nd Armored Division breaks through to Sittard. The 30th Division, committing the 117th Infantry on the left flank, makes steady progress. The 119th Infantry reaches positions commanding the Wurm River.

The VII Corps, for the rest of the month, makes only limited attacks since its positions are insecure. The 3rd Armored Division fights hard for the heights along the Vicht near Stolberg. CCA is endeavoring to clear the high ground around Muensterbusch, west of Stolberg. CCB continues its efforts to gain Weissenberg Hill. On the northern flank of the 9th Division, the 47th Infantry is repelling light enemy jabs toward Schevenhuette. The 39th Infantry attempts to expand its positions in the Lammersdorf corridor, spending the rest of the month in efforts to take Hill 554, southeast of Lammersdorf, and a plateau between Lammersdorf and Rollesbroich. The 60th Infantry completes the capture of the Hoefen-Alzen ridge southeast of Monschau.

The V Corps passes to the command of Maj-Gen Edward H. Brooks, former commander of the 2nd Armored Division, as Gen Gerow is recalled to Washington temporarily. The corps is conducting local operations and virtual stalemate exists.

In the XX Corps area, the 5th Infantry and 7th Armored Divisions drive toward the Seille River. On left, the 5th Division's 10th Infantry reaches positions just short of Pournoy-la-Chétive, while its 2nd Infantry pushes almost to Coin-sur-Seille. CCR, 7th Armored Division, drives to the edge of Sillegny against intense fire. CCB, directed toward Longueville-lès-Cheminot, is stopped by fire from Hill 223, but patrols occupy Bouxières-sous-Froidmont without opposition.

In the XII Corps area, the 80th Division struggles to improve and expand its Dieulouard bridgehead, meeting stiff resistance in the center and on the right. TF Sebree, clearing the region northeast of Nancy, takes Pain de Sucre. The 4th Armored Division is ordered to attack on the 19th, CCB toward Saarbruecken and CCA toward Sarreguemines. CCB reaches the Fresnes-en-Saulnois area, west of Château-Salins. On the southern flank of the corps, Germans launch long-planned counteroffensive against the 3rd Army, attacking toward Lunéville. 2nd Cavalry Group outposts fall back through the city, but CCR of the 4th Armored Division, assisted by a task force from CCA, stems the onslaughts and forces the enemy southward. The Germans withdraw to Parroy after nightfall, and as a result of this action, CCB of 6th Armored Division is ordered to Lunéville to relieve CCR. CCA, 4th Armored Division, is directed to remain in place until situation stabilizes.

The XV Corps is ordered to cross the Moselle at once and drive northeastward to the Mortagne River. Crossings are begun in force during the afternoon. The 79th Division crosses unopposed with the 314th Infantry driving to Moriviller, 313th moving by truck to Ein-vaux, and 315th, in reserve, following 313th across during the night of the 18th. CCD, French 2nd Armored Division, crosses at Châtel and clears that town. CCV protects the bridgehead as CCL provides flank protection west of the Moselle.

The VI Corps suspends offensive operations more than 15 miles from the Moselle while regrouping is in progress. The 1st Division, French 2nd Corps, is relieving the 45th Division.