October 1944

Western Europe

Bombers widen the gap in the Westkapelle Diky on Walcheren Island.

In the British I Corps area, the Canadian 2nd Division continuing westward in a region north of Antwerp toward Zuid Beveland, has cleared the Merxem-Eekeren area.

The VIII Corps assumes the responsibility for the sector between the 1st and 3rd Armies previously held by V Corps.

In the XIX Corps area, the enemy having massed reinforcements, counterattacks strongly, particularly against Uebach, where he is thrown back by the combined efforts of the 117th Infantry of the 30th Division, armor and artillery. The 119th Infantry repels an attack on its southern flank. After considerable delay because of enemy attacks, CCB of the 2nd Armored Division attacks from Uebach--TF Hinds (Col Sidney R. Hinds) on the left, taking the objective heights about Hoverhof, a mile north of Uebach, and continuing beyond there to the high ground east of Zweibruggen, while TF Disney (Col Paul A. Disney) on the right, gains about 800 yards toward the Geilenkirchen-Aachen highway at the cost of 11 tanks and heavy casualties. The 119th Infantry is unable to advance from the Rimburg woods. At night TF Cox (Lt-Col William C. Cox) moves northward to envelop the enemy barring the advance. The 120th Infantry attacks west of the Wurm at Kerkrade. The Germans counter strongly but withdraw during the night. Continuing limited attacks, the 115th Infantry, 29th Division, takes Breberen, on the far side of Saeffler Creek, where it is relieved by the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, but is unable to clear the woods near Hatterath and loses K Company in Schierwaldenrath. The 7th Armored Division continues to fight hard but indecisively near Overloon. The 113th Cavalry Group, having suffered heavy losses, breaks off the action south of the Peel Marshes.

The V Corps changes its target date for its West Wall offensive to 10 October. The 28th and 4th Divisions are directed to reconnoiter in force to the east beginning on 6 October.

In the XX Corps area, 90th Division units maintain positions on the slag pile northwest of Maizières-lès-Metz while plans are being made to attack the town itself. The 5th Division sends K Company, 2nd Infantry, to Fort Driant to assist the hard-pressed elements of the 11th Infantry there. Enemy positions are slowly and laboriously being cleared. The Germans again counterattack from tunnels after nightfall.

In the XII Corps area, a German predawn counterattack isolates elements of the 317th Infantry, 80th Division, in Sivry. Both sides move up reinforcements. E Company attempts in vain to reach the Americans within the town. The remnants of the isolated force succeed in rejoining the main body.

In the XV Corps area, the 315th Infantry of the 79th Division reaches the north-south road through the Forêt de Parroy near its junction with the main east-west road, but the 314th, to its right, is checked by an enemy counterattack.

In the VI Corps area, the 3rd Division's 7th Infantry begins an assault on Vagney, southwet of Gerardmer.

In the II Corps area, the French 1st Armored Division begins an attack to envelop and take Le Thillot but is soon brought to a halt by determined opposition in the Longegoutte and Gehan forest north of the town and in the Servance-Château Lambert to the south.