November 1944

Western Europe

In the British 2nd Army area, the XXX Corps begins an offensive to reduce the Geilenkirchen salient (Operation CLIPPER), driving northeastward with the 43rd Division on the left and the US 84th Division, reinforced by the British Drewforce (flail tanks and a searchlight battery), on the right. The 43rd Division secures Tripsrath and most of Bauchem. The 334th Infantry, 84th Division, takes Prummern and continuing the assault after nightfall with the aid of searchlights, gains a position dominating Sueggerath but is unable to take the high ground--called Mahogany Hill--northeast of Prummern. Geilenkirchen is now surrounded on 3 sides.

In the XIX Corps area, CCB of the 2nd Armored Division, after repelling a minor counterattack against Immendorf, takes Apweiler in a limited attack, then pauses while the 29th Division is clearing Setterich. The 29th Division, with close tank and artillery support, makes substantial progress with the 116th Infantry, to which the 1st Battalion reverts, gains a firm foothold in Setterich. Other elements penetrate the outer defenses of Juelich taking Siersdorf and Bettendorf. The 30th Division continues to mop up Broichweiden and seizes Warden, southeast of Mariadorf, after being twice driven off.

In the VII Corps area, the 104th Division seizes most of the Donnerberg and breaks into the Escheweiler Woods as enemy opposition slackens. TF Mills of CCB, 3rd Armored Division, assisted by reserves, takes Hastenrath and Scherpenseel, but loses its leader, Lt-Col Herbert N. Mills, who is replaced by Col John Welborn. CCB then goes on the defensive. The 16th Infantry, 1st Division, committing its full strength, takes Hill 232, the key to Hamich Ridge, and clears most of the town of Hamich as the 26th Infantry continues slowly toward its first objective, the Laufenburg Castle. The Germans make several strong efforts to regain Hamich and Hill 232. The 4th Division advances in the Huertgen Forest, where the 8th Infantry, in a 1,000-yard drive, penetrates the outer defenses of the approach to Dueren and the 22nd reaches positions astride the road leading eastward to Grosshau, but a gap exists between the regiments.

In the XX Corps area, 10th Armored Division continues to pursue the enemy with CCB reaching Launstroff and Schwerdorff and a CCA detachment reaching the Nied opposite Bouzonville. Finding a damaged bridge north of Bouzonville near Filstroff, the CCA force begins crossing. The 90th Division races southward to cut off the retreating enemy. The 358th Infantry upon reaching Luttange, is withdrawn for much needed rest. The 359th is committed and gets elements across the Nied at Condé Northen. The 90th Reconnaissance Troop seizes Avancy. The 357th Infantry, on the division's left, is slowed by anti-tank ditches, mines, and craters. TF Bacon, 95th Division, pushes into the northeastern part of Metz, overrunning Fort St Julien and Fort Bellacroix. 95th Division forces west of Metz reach the Moselle and finds all bridges except one blown. The 377th Infantry clears the island formed by the Hafen Canal and the river. A 378th patrol starts across the Moselle bridge into Metz but the Germans blow the bridge. Other elements of the regiment begin an assault on Fort Plappeville. The 379th Infantry drives to the Moselle at Moulins-lés-Metz, where the bridge id down. The 5th Division advances into Metz from the south with the 11th Infantry, leaving elements behind to contain Fort St Privat, pushes into the city and begins clearing the southern part. Some elements of the 10th drive into Metz while others remain behind at Fort Queuleu. The 2nd Infantry advances northward as quickly as possible in an effort to make contact with the 90th Division and complete the encirclement of Metz, overrunning Courcelles-sur-Nied and Ars-Laquenexy.

The XII Corps renews its drive toward the Sarre with 2 divisions abreast after a preparatory fire. The 80th Division remains in place, blocking in the Faulquemont area. The 35th Division, attacking with the 137th Infantry on the left and the 320th on the right, takes Bistroff and positions east of Vallerange. The 26th Division attacks to the right of the 35th against the enemy's Dieuze-Bénestroff line. The 104th Infantry, on the left, pushes through Bois de Bénestroff. The 101st Infantry captures Guebling with the assistance of some tanks and tank destroyers and drives to the edge of Bourgaltroff, but F Company becomes isolated and is not heard from again.

In the XV Corps area, the 79th Division begins an assault on Fremonville. Elements find Blâmont clear of Germans.

In the VI Corps area, the 100th Division attacks Raon-l'Etape, the 397th Infantry pushing into town and the 398th starting across the Plaine River. The 36th Division is closing along the Meurthe on the southern flank of the corps and gains positions overlooking Gerardmer.

In the I Corps area, the 5th Armored and Moroccan 2nd Divisions are closing in on Belfort on the northern flank of the corps. The 1st Armored Division, assisted by the Colonial 9th Division, drives 7 miles throught the Belfort Gap between the Rhine-Rhône Canal and the Swiss border to Delle. From the Allaine River, where the Germans are holding out at Morvillars, the 1st Armored Division reconnoiters to the east toward the Rhine, taking Faverois, Courtelevant, Suarce, and Joncherey.