February 1945

Western Europe

The US 9th Army prepares for Operation GRENADE, a large-scale offensive across the Roer.

In the XIII Corps area, the 5th Armored Division is attached to the corps.

In the XIX Corps area, the 78th Division continues to mop up in the Imgenbroich-Kesternich sector. CCA, 5th Armored Division, is detached and joins its parent unit, to which it reverts.

In the V Corps area, The 102nd Cavalry Group, protecting the northern flank and maintaining contact with the 9th Army, relieves elements of the 9th Division in Rohren and Widdau. The 9th, 99th, and 2nd Divisions (from north to south) continue the offensive for the dams over the Roer and Urft Rivers. The 9th Division drives easward, taking the road junction on the Hofen-Harperscheid road about half way through the Monschau Forest. The 99th Division, after gaining objectives in the Monschau Forest and being pinched out by the 9th and 2nd Divisions, is withdrawn to reserve. The 2nd Division moves northeastward from Rocherath (Belgium) across the German border to join the 9th Division.

In the XVIII Airborne Corps area, the 1st Division, continuing its attack through the northern part of the Buchholz Forest with the 26th Infantry on the left and the 18th on the right, drives eastward about 1,500 yards against scattered resistance. The 82nd Airborne Division consolidates as the 517th Parachute Infantry is attached to it. Patrols of both assault divisions probe West Wall defenses.

The VIII Corps continues its attack to breach the West Wall along the Schnee Eifel. On the north, the 347th Infantry of the 87th Division takes Manderfeld (Belgium) and Auw (Germany). The 4th Division, in the center, advances almost 4 miles into Germany to positions overlooking Bleialf. Urb and Muetzenich fall to the 8th Infantry while Ihlren, Schweiler, and Winterscheid fall to the 12th. The 90th Division gets into a blocking position on the southern flank of the corps. A battalion of the 359th Infantry captures Gos Langenfeld as the 358th Infantry takes Heckuscheid.

The III Corps maintains and improves its defensive positions in Luxembourg along the ridge between the Our and Clerf Rivers, patrols to and across the Our. The 134th RCT, detached from the 6th Armored Division, leaves to rejoin the 35th Division.

In the XX Corps area, except for a limited-objective attack by the 94th Division, is static. Elements of the 1st Battalion of the 302nd Infantry, 94th Division, clear half of the Campholz woods, southeast of Tettingen.

The XV Corps maintains and improves its defensive positions. TF Harris (63rd Division) is dissolved and the 63rd Division (253rd, 254th, and 255th Regiments) is attached to the corps.

In the VI Corps area, the 36th Division continues toward the Rhine. The 2nd Battalion of the 142nd RCT crosses the Moder and enters Oberhoffen, where indecisive fighting ensues. CCB, 14th Armored Division, is attached to the 36th Division and makes a diversionary attack east of Oberhoffen, withdrawing at dusk. The 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, attached to the 36th Division, clears the Stainwald woods north of Gambsheim. The rest of the corps front is static throughout February. Activity is confined to an aggressive defense of its current positions, occasional raids across the Moder, and training.

The French 1st Army continues its operations against the Colmar Pocket.

In the US XXI Corps area, the 3rd Division's 15th and 30th Regiments, with French armor in support, drive southward along the Rhine-Rhône Canal toward Neuf-Brisach, reaching positions just north of that town. The 75th Division, with 2 regiments abreast, drives southward toward Andolsheim from the sector formerly held by the 3rd Division. The 28th Division, on the corps' western flank, starts southward toward Colmar at 2100.

The I Corps continues to clear the region south of the Thur River between Cernay and Ensisheim. Both Cernay and Ensisheim remain in German hands.