February 1945

Western Europe

In the British XXX Corps area, the Canadian 3rd Division patrols toward Emmerich. The 15th Division, driving on Calcar, captures Hasselt. The 43rd Division takes the strongly defended hill feature near the Cleve Forest (just east of the Reichswald) and screens it. The 53rd Division overcomes the final opposition in the Reichswald and links up with elements of the 51st Division there.

The US 9th Army releases the 95th Division to the operational control of the British VIII Corps.

The III Corps assumes responsibility for the zone of the XVIII Airborne Corps and operational control of the 1st and 78th Infantry and 82nd Airborne Divisions in place. The 14th Cavalry Group is detached from the 1st Division and attached to the III Corps. Elements of the 78th Division occupy Blens. A period of limited activity ensues during which the corps defends the west bank of the Roer within its zone, patrols actively, rotates troops, and prepares for an assault across the Roer River.

The XVIII Airborne Corps CP closes at Zweifall (Germany) and opens at Epernay (France) as the corps prepares to engage in planning and training activities for Operation VARSITY.

In the V Corps area, the 69th Division completes the relief of the 99th and takes over its zone. The 99th closes in assembly areas in Belgium.

The VIII Corps engages in routine defensive activities along the Pruem and Our Rivers until 18 February.

In the XII Corps area, the 80th Division's 319th and 318th Regiments continue to mop up and the 319th takes Ammeldingen. The 317th Infantry, to which the 2nd Battalion reverts, prepares to cross the river. The 10th Infantry, 5th Division, takes Ferschweiler and positions on the high ground around it. The 11th Infantry drives to the edge of Ernzen. The 417th Infantry, 76th Division, continues to clear the southern portion of the bridgehead and on the north co-ordinates with the 5th Division near Ernzen.

The XX Corps front remains quiet, but patrols are active. The 328th Infantry, 26th Division, completes the relief of the 104th in the Saarlautern bridgehead.

In the VI Corps area, the 36th Division's advance to the east is halted by flooded terrain along the Moder and Rhine Rivers. The 142nd RCT continues to hold Oberhoffen.