November 1944

Western Europe

In the VII Corps area, the 12th Infantry of the 4th Division breaks through to the 4 encircled companies on the plateau southwest of Huertgen and withdraws them, but by now the regiment holds only the southern edge of the plateau.

In the XX Corps area, the 358th Infantry of the 90th Division is hit hard by a counterattack that reaches Distroff, but forces the enemy to retire. The 357th attacks toward a bridge between Budling and Buding until stopped by fire from the Hackenberg works. The 359th passes into reserve as the 10th Armored Division begins to attack. CCB of the 10th Armored Division drives slowly along a road east of Kerling hampered by obstacles. Pushing southeastward toward Bouzonville, CCA takes Lemestroff. The 95th Division troops east of the Moselle are formed into TF Bacon (Col Robert L. Bacon) to drive southward on Metz, although the 2nd Battalion of the 378th Infantry and the 1st Battalion of the 377th are not yet in contact. The 2nd Battalion of the 378th captures the Illange forts, ending organized resistance in the northern part of the division's zone. The 1st Battalion of the 377th joins TF Bacon after the enemy if finally cleared from Bertrange and Imeldange. The 95th Division broadens its offensive west of Metz, employing the 378th and 377th Regiment, less elements attached to TF Bacon. The 378th takes Fort de Fèves, at the north end of the Canrobert works, and the heights southwest of Bois de Woippy. The 377th, making the main effort, drives south of Maizières-lès-Metz to La Maxe and Woippy, seizing La Maxe and beginning an assault ot Woippy. After dark patrol contact is made between the 377th and 378th Regiments. Enemy pressure against the 379th Infantry, on the south, eases somewhat. The 5th Division improves its positions and regroups for the final push to Metz. The 11th Infantry takes Augny and reaches the edge of the Frescaty airport. The 10th finishes clearing Bois de l'Hôpital and enters Marly, where bitter fighting ensues. The 2nd Infantry repels enemy drives toward the Sanry bridge from the Sorbey area and clears Mécleuves.

In the XII Corps area, the 6th Armored Division, assisted by elements of the 319th Infantry of the 80th Division, drives the enemy from Landroff. An armored task force takes Côte de Suisse. CCB, 4th Armored Division, reaches the Metz-Sarrebourt railroad but is ordered to halt since its flank is exposed and since its movement is confined to roads. The 35th Division advances through Morhange, which the Germans have abandoned, to the Metz-Sarrebourg railroad. Against light resistance, the 328th Infantry of the 26th Division pushes forward in the eastern part of the Koecking woods. The 2nd Cavalry Group and the 101st Infantry are pursuing the retreating enemy toward Dieuze. CCA, 4th Armored Division, is forced to yield Guebling, since the enemy cannot be driven from the ground commanding the village, and withdraws this salient won at great cost.

In the XV Corps area, the 44th Division continues toward Avricourt. The 79th presses northward toward the Vezouse River, clearing Halloville, northeast of Ancerviller.

In the VI Corps area, the 100th Division penetrates enemy positions north of Raon-l'Etape. The 103rd Division prepares for its first offensive mission--to clear the hill mass just southwest of St Dié.

The II Corps, with the Algerian 3rd Division on the north and the 1st Division on the south, moves forward to keep pace with friendly forces on its flanks. The Algerian 3rd Division reaches Le Tholy.

The I Corps makes excellent progress except on the extreme right along the Swiss forntier. The Moroccan 2nd Division, assisted by the 5th Armored Division, drives beyond Arcey, on the road to Héricourt. The Colonial 9th Division, with the capture of Colombier-Fontaine, Ecot, and Ecurcey, opens the route to Hérimoncourt.