October 1944

Western Europe

Field Marshal Montgomery decides to drive southeast against the Ruhr from Nijmegen rather than continue northward. Gen Eisenhower asks that the 2 US divisions with the British 2nd Army be returned as soon as possible.

In the XIX Corps area, after aerial preparation that is none too successful and an artillery bombardment that virtually eliminates enemy flak, the 30th Division begins the corps' assault on the West Wall, attacking across the shallow Wurm River between Aachen and Geilenkirchen. The 117th Infantry of the 30th Division, crossing at Marienberg, reduces a band of pillboxes within its sector and takes Palenberg. The 119th, crossing at Rimburg, is strongly opposed from Rimberg castle and Rimburg woods and cannot get beyond the railroad embankment. Armor attempts to assist the assault but is mired on the east bank of the river. An enemy counterattack, delayed until about midnight by interdictory fire, is quickly repelled. A diversionary attack by the 115th Infantry of the 29th Division, northwest of Geilenkirchen, overruns Hatterath, Birgden, and Kreuzrath and penetrates into Schierwaldenrath despite strong opposition. The 7th Armored Division is assisted by British and US artillery as well as aircraft as it continues its effort to clear the corridor west of the Maas. A task force of CCB takes Vortum, but efforts to invest Overloon fail and the enemy begins a series of counterattacks. To the south, the Belgian 1st Brigade breaks off action in the Wessem area since it is greatly outnumbered by the enemy. The 113th Cavalry Group makes little progress toward Roermond but establishes a small bridgehead across Saeffler Creek. Corps troops receive a heavy volume of artillery support during this day.

The V Corps orders an attack through the West Wall toward Bonn. The target date is 7 October.

In the XII Corps area, elements of the 319th Infantry, 80th Division, continuing limited attacks, take the farm strongpoint. The 318th makes limited attacks on Serrières that is unsuccessful and costly. Elements of the 317th get into position for an attack on Sivry.

In the XV Corps area, the 79th Division is still strongly opposed in the Forêt de Parroy, although the 106th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, screening the northern flank of the corps, is assisting in the northern part of the forest.

In the VI Corps area, Grandvillers falls to the 179th Infantry, 45th Division.