October 1944

Western Europe

In the British I Corps area, the US 104th Division, inexperienced in combat, begins moving into the line along the Antwerp-Breda highway between the 49th Division and the Polish 1st Armored Division. On the left flank of the corps, the Canadian 4th Armored Division swings westward from Esschen toward Bergen-op-Zoom to seal off the Beveland Isthmus, along which the Canadian 2nd Division of the II Corps is preparing to drive.

The front is generally quiet as preparations for the offensive in November continue.

Gen Eisenhower, in a personal letter to Gen Devers, orders the 6th Army Group to protect the southern flank of the 12th Army Group in the coming offensive toward the Rhine.

In the XV Corps area, the 44th Division commits the 71st Infantry to action, relieving elements of the 79th Division of newly won positions east of the Forêt de Parroy.

In the VI Corps area, the 3rd Division is meeting stronger resistance as it approaches Les Rouges Eaux, on the road to St Dié. To the left, the 180th Infantry of the 45th Division succeeds in establishing a bridgehead across the Mortagne River east of Fremifontaine, from which to push northeastward toward Raon-l'Etape. On the right flank, the 36th Division extends positions east of Bruyères to Biffontaine. The 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry, attempting to secure the heights north of La Houssière, becomes isolated in the Forêt Domaniale le Champ.