October 1944

Western Europe

In the XIX Corps area, the reserve battalion of the 120th Infantry, 30th Divison, captures Bardenberg with little difficulty, opening a route to North Wuerselen.

In the VII Corps area, with the expiration of the surrender ultimatum, Aachen is subjected to a heavy aerial and artillery bombardment. Patrols of the 1st Division probe the enemy defenses. The 60th Infantry, 9th Division, holds the road junction in the Huertgen Forest against a counterattack and tries unsuccessfully to take another, between the first junction and the forester's lodge of Jaegerhaus. Enemy resistance to the rear is weakening. The 39th Infantry tries in vain to cross the open ground between Germeter and Vossenack. Elements, moving along the draw from Wittscheidt, gain positions north of Vossenack.

In the XX Corps area, the 83rd Division reverts to the VIII Corps, 9th Army, in place and the XX Corps' northern boundary is moved south to Sierck-les-Bains. TF Polk is given the mission of defending the northern flank of the corps west of the Moselle.

The VI Corps issues instructions for the drive to the Meurthe, calling for the capture of Bruyérea and Brouvelieures, followed by an attack on St Dié. To deceive the enemy, a heavy program of fire is begun against the approaches to Gerardmer.

The II Corps concentrates on clearing the region south of the Mosselotte.