October 1944

Western Europe

The II Corps opens an assault on the Breskens Pocket, with the Canadian 3rd Division forcing the Leopold Canal north of Maldegem and establishing a small bridgehead against stubborn resistance.

In the XIX Corps area, Gen Corlett issues orders late in the day, as the corps' West Wall bridgehead is being firmly established, halting further advance until a link-up has been made with the VII Corps. The 2nd Armored Division, instead of driving eastward to secure crossing of the Roer, is to maintain its current positions on the northern flank of the bridgehead while assisting the 30th Division to push to the southeast. CCB, 2nd Armored Division, is stopped by the enemy on the left flank less than 1,000 yards from Geilenkirchen while on the right takes the villages of Beggendorf and Waurichen, the latter northeast of Uebach. CCA joins the 117th Infantry in an attack to the southeast that receives close air support and overruns a crossroads hamlet about halfway between Uebach and Alsdorf. A CCA column pushes eastward almost to Baesweiler. TF Cox of the 119th Infantry, 30th Division, undergoes a counertattack that overruns 4 pillboxes before it is checked, but these are later recovered. A battalion of the 120th Infantry, relieved by the 29th Division at Kerkrade, moves to the Rimburg woods. The Germans are again aided by massed artillery fire, but after the day's action offer less resistance. Costly efforts to clear the Peel Marshes comes to an end as the 7th Armored Division breaks off the attack. The division has gaines less than 2 miles in this operation and is still within the British zone.

In the VII Corps area, the 39th and 60th Regiments of the 9th Division attack at 1130, after a preparatory bombardment, in the Huertgen Forest toward Schmidt against tenacious opposition.

In the V Corps area, Gen Gerow resumes command of the corps.

In the XX Corps area, relief of the elements of the 357th Infantry on the northern flank of the 90th Division by TF Polk permits the preparation for an attack on Maizières-lès-Mets on the 7th. Heavy enemy fire fails to dislodge the Americans from the slag pile to the northwest. TF Warnock, which is strengthened by elements of the 3rd Battalin, 2nd Infantry, and the 7th Combat Engineer Battalion, prepares to renew its attack of Fort Driant on the 7th.

In the VI Corps area, the 3rd Division continues the battle for Vagney and clears the enemy from positions astride the Tendon-Le Tholy road.

In the II Corps area, German counterattacks prevent the French forces from progressing against the heights north of the Moselle and isolate forward elements.