October 1944

Western Europe

In the II Corps area, the mop-up of Calais is completed during the morning.

In the British I Corps area, the Canadian 2nd Division begins to drive westward across the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal toward the Beveland Peninsula through the northern suburbs of Antwerp. The 49th Division is engaging the enemy north of St Leonard. Polish armor crosses the Dutch frontier on the right flank of the corps.

The Germans make another strong but futile attempt to reach the Nijmegen bridges, pushing southward from Arnhem.

The XXIX TAC of the US 9th Air Force, which is to support the 9th Army, is detached from the IX TAC and becomes an independent body.

The VIII Corps, consisting of the 2nd and 8th Divisions and supporting units, prepares to take over the sector of the V Corps, 1st Army.

The 1st Army spends most of its time during October encircling and reducing Aachen, from which the drive on Cologne is to begin.

In the XIX Corps area, a two-pronged attack to clear the Peel Marshes continues to gain little ground. The main offensive of the corps, an attack on the West Wall between Aachen and Geilenkirchen, cannot be undertaken as planned on this date because of poor weather conditions.

In the XX Corps area, elements of the 83rd Division (C Company of the 329th Infantry) reach the outskirts of Grevenmacher, on the west bank of the Moselle north of Remich.

In the XII Corps area, the 35th Division is clearing the enemy from the Forêt de Grémecey, thrusting to the edge of the woods at some points. CCR of the 6th Armored Division moves southward from Pettoncourt and clears Chambrey, where it is relieved by the 137th Infantry. CCA moves around the western edge of the forest through Jallaucourt to seize the Lemoncourt-Fresnes ridge, which it turns over to the 134th Infantry. This about ends the battle of the Forêt de Grémecey. On the northern flank of the corps, the 80th Division begins limited attacks to improve its positions west of the Seille River. A company of the 318th Infantry attempts unsuccessfully to take a farm strongpoint that controls the Pont à Mousson-Nomeny road.

In the XV Corps area, the 79th Division commits the 314th Regiment in the Forêt de Parroy. Moving forward from Croismare, the 314th gradually pinches out the 313th and continues to attack to the right of the 315th. Progress within the forest is still very slow. Elements of the French 2nd Armored Division, in conjunction with the attack of the 45th Division (VI Corps), cut the Rambervillers-Baccarat road.