November 1944

Western Europe

The British I Corps finishes clearing the region south of the Maas.

The II Corps takes over the Nijmegen sector from the XXX Corps and assumes command of the US 82nd Airborne, US 101st Airborne, Guards Armored, 43rd Infantry, and 50th Infantry Divisions and of the 8th Separate Armored Brigade.

The XII Corps enters the line along the Meuse to the right of the VIII Corps and takes command of the 53rd and 51st Divisions and the Belgian 1st and 8th Separate Armored Brigades in place.

In the XIII Corps area, the 7th Armored Division arrives in the corps zone from the British 2nd Army sector.

The XX Corps lauches a full-scale attack to encircle and reduce Metz and is assisted by powerful air attacks by 8th and 9th Air Forces on the Metz-Thionville region. At 0330 assault battalions of the 359th and 358th Regiments, 90th Division, start across the Moselle at Malling and Cattenom, surprising the enemy and gaining a bridgehead. Since the swollen river and enemy fire prevent the immediate construction of bridges, supporting weapons cannot be crossed. The 359th Infantry takes Malling, Hunting, Petite-Hettange, Métrich and Kerling. To the south, the 358th clears Basse Ham and gains a hold on the western part of Fort Koenigsmacker. The 357th, crossing later in the day, takes the town of Koenigsmacker without opposition. The 95th Division expands and strengthens its small Uckange bridgehead, bypassing Bertrange. Elements of the 377th Infantry west of the river take the woods north of Semécourt, a slag pile south of Maizières-lès-Metz, and Château Brieux. The 5th Division begins at attack across the Seille River south of Metz by a footbridge and assault craft. The 2nd Infantry and 2 battalions of the 10th Infantry establish a bridgehead 6,000 yards deep and 5,000 yards wide, with the 2nd Infantry on the right taking Cheminot without opposition and the 10th clearing resistance at the Hautonnerie Farm.

In the XII Corps area, the 80th Division, assisted by aircraft and the advance of friendly forces on its flanks, gains most of Delme Ridge. The 6th Armored Division crosses the Seille in the 80th Division sector for a drive on Faulquemont. An advance party of CCB advances to positions west of Alemont while armored infantry assists the 80th Division in mopping up the Nomeny area. In the 35th Division sector, CCB of the 4th Armored Division is committed through the 137th Infantry, which then follows the armor, and drives forward in 2 columns, one reaching Hannocourt and the other halting short of Fonteny, where the Germans hold prepared positions. The 137th Infantry, 35th Division, takes Delme village in conjunction with an attack by the 80th Division on Delme Ridge. The 320th Infantry, after clearing the Fresnes area, concentrates on Bois d'Amélécourt and pushes into the forest, where the enemy is well entrenched. The 134th Infantry is committed to the right with the mission of clearing the eastern part of the Forêt de Château-Salins. The 104th Infantry, 26th Division, clears the enemy from Château-Salins. An attached task force takes Morville-lès-Vic and continues toward Hampont. The 101st Infantry is attempting to outflank Hill 310 and seizes Salival. CCA, 4th Armored Division, is ordered to attack through the 104th Infantry on the 10th.

In the VI Corps area, the 100th Division completes the relief of the 45th Division and takes over its missiong of protecting the northern flank of the corps and clearing the Raon-l'Etape area west of the Meurthe. The 45th Division moves to a rest area and passes to 7th Army control. The 103rd Division enters the line in the 3rd Division sector, relieving the 7th Infantry.