February 1945

Western Europe

In the British XXX Corps area, the Canadian 3rd Division takes Kellen and Warbeyen and relieves the British 15th Division of the responsibility for Cleve. The 15th Division is subbornly opposed as it attempts to push toward Calcar. The 43rd Division seizes Bedburg, a necessary action before continuing the drive on Goch, but is unable to make any progress along the Hau-Goch road. The 53rd Division continues to clear the Reichswald and withstands strong pressure from the eastern edge. The 51st Division advances in the southern part of the Reichswald and to the right takes Heien, south of Gennep.

The Advance Heaquarters of the III Corps moves to Zweifall (Germany) to take over the zone of the XVIII Airborne Corps. The XVIII Airborne Corps becomes responsible for the sector now held by the 82nd Airborne Division.

In the V Corps area, the 78th Division relieves elements of the 9th Division and is transferred in place to the XVIII Airborne Corps. The 309th Infantry and 1st Battalion of the 311th revert to the 78th Division from attachment to the 9th Division. The 9th Division takes over the sector of the 2nd Division.

In the VIII Corps area, the 4th Division completes the capture of Pruem. The zone of the 11th Armored Division is extended southward as CCB relieves the 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, detached from the 11th Armored Division and attached to the 6th Armored, closes at Knapschoscheid. The 6th Cavalry Group captures that part of Vianden (Luxembourg) west of the Our.

In the XII Corps area, contact is made at Bollendorf between the 80th and 5th Division bridgeheads and, within the 80th Division's zone, between those of the 319th and 318th Regiments at the eastern edge of Wallendorf. The 319th Infantry finishes its crossing of the Our and continues the reduction of stubbornly defended pillboxes on the northern flank of the corps' bridgehead. The 318th improves its positions south of Cruchten. Tanks and tank destroyers cross into the 5th Division's bridgehead, where the 10th Infantry completes the capture of Bollendorf and continues northward. In he 76th Division's zone, the 3rd Battalion of the 385th Infantry relieves the 1st Battalion of the 417th in place and is attached to the 417th, which continues slowly eastward along the northern bank of the Sauer.

The XX Corps maintains defensive positions. In the 26th Division's zone, the 328th Infantry begins the relief of the 104th on the main resistance line.

In the XV Corps area, the French 2nd Armored Division is attached to the corps.

In the VI Corps' 36th Division's sector, the Indian 10th Division takes command of the sector previously held by the 78th Division.