October 1944

Western Europe

Gen Eisenhower issues a directive for the November offensive, calling for the destruction of the enemy west of the Rhine, the establishment of bridgeheads across the river, and the drive into Germany.

In the British I Corps area, the US 104th Division takes Rijsbergen, about halfway between Zundert and Breda, and pushes toward the Roosendaal-Breda highway.

In the XII Corps area, Tilburg falls to the 15th Division.

In the VIII Corps area, the US 7th Armored Division begins a two-pronged atack to recover Meijel, with CCB driving southeastward along the Deurne-Meijel highway and a CCR task force moving along the Asten-Meijel road. Small gains are made against severe opposition.

In the XX Corps area, while one company of the 357th Infantry, 90th Division, makes a diversionary attack north of the Hôtel de Ville in Maiziéres-lés-Metz, 3 companies enter the factory area in preparation for another attack.

The Group issues a letter of instruction for the reduction of the enemy west of the Rhine and the capture of Strasbourg.

In the XV Corps area, the Germans make a limited withdrawal during the night pulling back to the line Leintrey-Blémerey.