October 1944

Western Europe

The British I Corps gets forward elements on the left to Alphen, southwest of Tilburg.

In the XIX Corps area, CCB of the 2nd Armored Division on the left flank overruns the villages of Zweibruggen and Frelenberg and continues toward Geilenkirchen, while on the right, CCB cuts the Geilenkirchen-Aachen highway but is unable to reach Beggendorf, its objective. CCA, reinforced by the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry, 29th Division, moves into a bridgehead at Uebach to assist the 30th Division. The 117th Infantry, 30th Division, attacks southeastward from Uebach toward Alsdorf but is soon halted. Working to the south from the Uebach area, TF Cox of the 119th Infantry reaches positions east of Merkstein-Herbach and clears a ridge right behind the objective ridge except for a pillbox at its southern tip. Strong opposition continues to keep the 7th Armored Division from Overloon, though the town is almost encircled. The Germans are assisted by heavy artillery fire, which the corps counters with 99 missions, despite a dwindling supply of artillery ammunition. The Luftwaffe strikes at Palenberg in some strength but causes little damage.

In the VII Corps area, adverse weather conditions prevent the 9th Division from launching an attack toward Schmidt, an important objective commanding the Roer River and the Schwammenauel Dam, one of a series of Roer Dams.

The V Corps closes in a new zone in the Monschau-Losheim area.

In the XX Corps area, the 5th Division maintains a foothold at Fort Driant against heavy fire from surrounding forts. ADC Brig-Gen A. D. Warnock takes command of a task force that is being assembled to continue operations against the fort. The 1st Battalion of the 10th Infantry relieves B and G Companies of the 11th at the fort during the night. On the north flank of the corps, elements of the 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, assisted by artillery and fighter bombers, finally clear Grevenmacher after dark.

The XII Corps orders a 3-division attack to begin on the 8th. Several days of aerial and ground bombardment serve to weaken the enemy positions in the zone of the projected attack.

In the XV Corps area, the 315th Infantry of the 79th Division makes an unsuccessful attempt to outflank the enemy at a main road junction in the Forêt de Parroy and elements become temporarily isolated. The 314th Infantry is held up near the junction and at a clearing in the southern part of the forest. With about half of the forest cleared, the 79th Division goes on the defensive while preparing a new effort to break through.

In the VI Corps area, the 7th Infantry of the 3rd Division continues its assault on Vagney as the 15th Infantry reduces a quarry strongpoint near Cleurie after almost a week of hard fighting.

The II Corps concentrates against the heights north of the Moselle in the Longegoutte and Gehan forest with the Algerian 3rd Division making the main effort. The enemy is slowly forced up the slopes of the high ground in the Forêt de Longegoutte.