November 1944

Western Europe

The XII Corps gets forward elements to the Maas across from Roermond and takes Wessem.

In the XIX Corps area, CCB of the 2nd Armored Division withstands determined counterattacks against Immendorf and Puffendorf but loses a hill northeast of the latter. Another attempt to take Apweiler fails. CCA commits TF A to drive through Puffendorf toward Ederen but cannot get through Puffendorf. The 29th Division employs the 1st Battalion of the 116th Infantry, attached to the 115th Infantry, against Setterich--on the main highway and needed to support the tanks of the 2nd Armored Division--but is unable to take it. The assault forces to the south also do not succeed in clearing either Siersdorf or Bettendorf. The 30th Division makes progress in the heavily built up area on the southern flank of the corps, taking the village of Heengen on the north and on the south clearing the rest of Wuerselen and overrunning Broichweiden.

In the VII Corps area, the 104th Division, renewing its effort to advance its right wing with a heavy volume of fire support, is still firmly opposed from the Donnerberg and makes slow progress, although Birkengang is largely cleared. TF Mills of CCB, 3rd Armored Division, gains a weak hold on the southern part of Hastenrath and Scherpenseel, but since its flank is exposed by the failure of the 104th Division to advance, is precariously situated. Enemy fire from the Eschweiler Woods and the Donnerberg takes a heavy toll of CCB's armor, which by nightfall is at half its original strength. In the 1st Division sector, the 47th Infantry eliminates rear-guard opposition from Gressenich. The 16th Infantry, with tank support, advances almost to Hamich while the 26th gains a few hundred yards to the right. The enemy continues to contain the efforts of the 4th Division to advance through the Huertgen Forest.

In the V Corps area, the 110th Infantry of the 28th Division, is relieved by elements of the 8th Division and moves to the VIII Corps sector.

In the XX Corps area, the 10th Armored Division fans out to pursue the enemy toward the Sarre, closely supported by aircraft. The 357th Infantry, 90th Division, cleans out the Hackenberg fortifications, which are found leveled by direct fire, and takes Klang. The 358th Infantry seizes Metzeresche. The Germans begin withdrawing in front of the division after nightfall. TF Bacon, 95th Division, gets almost to Metz, stopping for the night within sight of Fort St Julien. West of the Moselle, the 95th Division continues toward Metz, with the 377th Infantry reaching the suburb of Sansonnet. Against weakened resistance, the 5th Division continues northward toward Metz. The 11th Infantry clears most of the Frescaty airfield, but is stopped on the right by fire from Fort St Privat. The 10th is halted at Fort Queuleu but gets patrols to the city limits. The 2nd withdraws elements east of the Nied Française in order to strengthen the drive on the right flank of the division and pushes northward beyond Frontigny.

The XII Corps regroups and shifts boundaries in preparation for a final push to the Sarre. CCB rejoins the 4th Armored Division. The Germans begin a general withdrawal during the night.

In the XV Corps area, Avricourt falls to the 44th Division. The 79th Division reaches the Vezouse River line in the Blâmont-Cirey area and begins crossing. CCB, French 2nd Armored Division, seizes Badonviller, near the junction of the XV and VI Corps front, and pushes on to Bréménil.<.p>

In the VI Corps area, the 100th Division prepares for a full-scale attack on Raon from the north with the 398th Infantry crossing the Meurthe at Baccarat. The 103rd Division finishes clearing the heights southwest of St Dié and during the night patrols into St Dié, from which the enemy is withdrawing. 36th Division patrols enter Corcieux, where the enemy has already applied the torch.

In the Western French Forces area, Gen de Larminat organizes Forces Françaises de L'Ouest (FFO) to safeguard the coast of the Bay of Biscay from Ile de Ré and La Rochelle on the north to Royan and Pointe de Grave on the south. The command post has recently moved from Paris to Cognac. The I Corps breaks through the outer defenses of Belfort along the line of the Lisaine and Gland Rivers. Among the towns taken are Héicourt, Montbéliard, and Hérimoncourt.