September 1944

Western Europe

Field Marshal Montgomery orders Gen Crerar to clear the Schelde as quickly as possible.

Enemy aircraft make a large-scale but futile efforts to destroy the Nijmegen bridges.

In the XX Corp area, the 359th Infantry of the 90th Division, after further efforts in greater strength to gain the road from Gravelotte to St Hubert's Farm, breaks off the attack. The 358th Infantry, having been relieved by TF Polk, moves to the right of the 359th, replacing the 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. The 5th Division begins limited attacks against Fort Driant, the outer bastion of Metz barring the northern approach to the city. After an ineffective aerial bombardment at low level, the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Infantry attacks at 1415 but is unable to reach the main works and withdraws to its original positions.

In the XII Corps area, massed enemy tanks again attempt to drive in the 4th Armored Division's salient, making their main effort on the southern flank where they succeed in taking Hill 318, southeast of Arracourt, which commands the road to Nancy. Subsidiary thrusts at Bezange-la-Petite and Xanrey are largely contained. The 35th Division, holding the Forêt de Grémecey salient with the 134th Infantry on the left and the 137th on the right, udergoes sharp counterattacks. The German columns push toward Gr&eacuremecey and Pettoncourt from Chambrey, reaching the latter. When reinforcements from the 320th Infantry of the 35th Division arrive, the Germans fall back toward Chambrey. Other enemy forces make a limited penetration into the northeast edge of the forest after infiltrating from the Forêt de Château-Salins, but most of the lost ground is recovered. The 6th Armored Division is alerted for possible action with the 35th Division.