November 1944

Western Europe

Field Marshal Montgomery orders an extensive regrouping after the Schelde Estuary and southwest Holland are cleared, in preparation for an offensive by the British 2nd Army to destroy the enemy bridgehead west of the Maas as a prerequisite for the Rhineland battle.

In the II Corps area, the 157th Brigade of the British 52nd Division relieves Canadian 2nd Division forces at the Walcheren causeway, where the enemy continues to resist tenaciously. To ease pressure, elements of the 156th Brigade cross the Slooe Channel about 2 miles south of the causeway after nightfall. Flushing is cleared of the enemy.

The British I Corps attacks across the Mark River late in the day after a heavy artillery bombardment. The 49th and the US 104th Divisions establish bridgeheads, the 104th in the Standdaarbuiten area and the 49th to the west. The 104th, with the 413th and 415th Regiments in the assault, clears the village of Standdaarbuiten.

In the VIII Corp area, CCA of the US 7th Armored Division begins limited attacks to clear the Germans from the Canal du Nord. The 53rd Division makes patrol contact with the US XIX Corps near Maeseyck.

In the V Corps area, the 28th Division, after an hour-long artillery preparation begins a drive on Schmidt. The 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry, with tank support, seizes the Vossenack ridge, but the main effort by the rest of the regiment to drive southeastward from Richelskaul toward Kommerscheidt and Schmidt is stopped at once. The 109th Infantry gets elements to the woods line overlooking Huertgen on the northern flank, but the 110th is unable to advance on the southern flank.

Gen Bradley, while visiting army headquarters, asks if 3rd Army can begins the offensive alone, since 1st Army cannot attack until the British release 2 US divisions. He is told that 3rd Army can attack on a 24-hour notice. The 3rd Army offensive will begin when weather conditions permit a softening up of the enemy. In the event of poor weather conditions, the XII Corps will attack on 8 November.

In the XX Corps area, the 10th Armored Division enters the line in the Fort Driant sector.

In the XV Corps area, elements of the VI Corps begin relieving the French 2nd Armored Division in the southeastern part of the XV Corps' sector, but the French retain positions along the Blette for some days to come.

In the VI Corps area, the 100th Division begins the relief of the 45th Division, with the 399th Infantry replacing the 179th in line. Pushing northward northwest of St Dié, the 15th Infantry of the 3rd Division takes Nompatelize without opposition, but the Germans still hold La Salle, to the south.

Gen de Lattre is charged with the conduct of Operation INDEPENDENCE.