October 1944

Western Europe

In the Canadian II Corps area, the Canadian 2nd Division, which is meeting stiff resistance in the Woensdrecht region, is transferred to the corps from the British I Corps. II Corps is now responsible for the first phase of the operation to open the port of Antwerp--clearing Zuid Beveland as well as the Breskens Pocket south of the Schelde. The Canadian 3rd Division gets reinforcements to the north bank of the Leopold Canal against strong resistance that prevents bridging.

In the XIX Corps area, the 30th Division, assisted by CCA of the 2nd Armored Division, makes substantial gains and takes about 1,000 prisoners. The 117th Infantry pushes toward Aldsdorf. CCA reaches Baesweiler. The 119th Infantry, assisted by an air strike on Merkstein, reaches positions across the Wurm from Kerkrade. This puts the 30th Division within about 3 miles of Wuerselen, where contact with the VII Corps is expected to be made. The 1st Battalion of the 115th Infantry, 29th Division, makes a successful retaliatory raid on Schierwaldenrath.

In the VII Corps area, the 9th Division continues its attack in the Huertgen Forest toward Schmidt. Forward elements reach the edge of the woods near Aermeter and Richelskaul, but the main body is held up far behind.

In the V Corps area, the 28th and 4th Divisions advance to its line of departure for its West Wall offensive.

In the XX Corps area, the 3rd Battalion of the 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, takes Echternach, on the west bank of the Sauer, after nearly a week of fighting. With the capture of Wormeldange by the 331st Infantry, the region west of the Moselle in the Luxembourg area is cleared. The Germans strongly counterattack F Company of the 357th Infantry, 90th Division, on the slag pile northwest of Maizières-lès-Metz. While the enemy is thus engaged, E and G Companies bypass the slag pile and push into the town, clearing the northern half and gaining a foothold in the factory area. The Germans move up reinforcements at night. TF Warnock, employing the 1st Battalion of the 10th Infantry, 5th Division, attacks to expand its positions at Fort Driant, making limited progreass at great cost. 2 platoons are cut off and destroyed. At night, the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, is committed.

In the VI Corps area, Vagney falls to the 7th Infantry of the 3rd Division.