October 1944

Western Europe

Field Marshal Montgomery halts offensive operations except those to speed up the opening to the Antwerp port.

In the II Corps area, the Zuid Beveland Isthmus is virtually sealed off with the capture of Woensdrecht by the Canadian 2nd Division. The Canadian 3rd Division continues to reduce the Breskens Pocket south of the Schelde. The pocket is now about half its original size.

In the VIII Corps area, the 3rd Division reaches the outskirts of Venray. CCB, US 7th Armored Division, establishes a bridgehead across the canal on the Deurne-Vennay road.

The 1st Army closes the ring about Aachen as patrols of the XIX and VII Corps establish contact on Ravels Hill at 1615.

In the XIX Corps area, the 116th Infantry of the 29th Division continues to batter Wuerselen, as the 30th Division attacks southward astride the Wurm River with the 119th Infantry. A patrol makes contact with a patrol of the 18th Infantry, 1st Division, VII Corps. The 120th and 117th Regiments of the 30th Division make limited attacks within their respective sectors.

In the VII Corps area, the Germans react promptly and vigorously to the closing of the Aachen gap, attempting to overrun a roadblock on the Aachen-Wuerselen highway during the night. The 16th Infantry, 1st Division, stabilizes it positions in the Eilendorf area.

In the VI Corps area, the 45th and 36th Divisions, against firm opposition, close in on Bruyéres, with 1 column from the south pushing through Laval.

In the II Corps area, the Algerian 3rd Division and the French 1st Armored Division begin an attack to pierce the enemy's winter line in the Vosges, pressing toward the heights east of the Moselotte against violent opposition.