October 1944

Western Europe

RAF Bomber Command breaches the Westkapelle Dike along the western edge of Walcheren Island, causing extensive flooding.

In the XIX Corps area, the 117th Infantry of the 30th Division reaches Uebach and begins clearing house-to-house resistance. CCB, 2nd Armored Division, crosses the Wurm at Marienberg to expand the bridgehead northward while the infantry works southward to establish contact with the VII Corps. The small bridgehead becomes very congested and neither armor or infantry is able to get beyond Uebach. The 119th Infantry, 30th Division, takes Rimburg castle and woods, the latter in flanking and frontal assaults, but can go no farther, the bridgehead being only 800 yards deep. On the left flank of the corps, the 7th Armored Division replaces CCA with CCR as efforts to invest Overloon continue.

In the XX Corps area, the 90th Division begins a limited attack toward Maizières-lès-Metz to secure a line of approach to Metz from the north and gain experience in attacking fortifications. 2 companies of the 357th Infantry reach a large slag pile overlooking the town from the northwest with little difficulty. At noon, the 5th Division renews limited attacks on Fort Driant, south of Metz, with close artillery support and a smoke screen, although weather conditions prevent a planned aerial bombardment. The 2nd Battalion of the 11th Infantry, reinforced by B Company, combat engineers, and tanks, attacks the southwestern and northwestern edges. B Company forces a gap in the southern part and G Company follows it through. The fighting is confused and costly, with the Germans emerging from tunnels to counterattack after nightfall.

In the XII Corps area, the 2nd Battalion of the 317th Infantry, 80th Division, finishes clearing Sivry by 0555. The corps line in the center and on the right flank is now firmly re-established.

In the XV Corps area, the 79th Division, assisted by tanks, makes limited progress in the Forêt de Parroy, outflanking an enemy roadblock.