February 1945

Western Europe

The British XXX Corps closes in on Goch. The 43rd Division clears the escarpment northeast of the town. The 53rd Division maintains positions on the escarpment to the right of the 43rd. The 51st Division and attached elements of the Guards Armored Division move in on the west and clear Hassum.

The 75th Division is assigned to the US 9th Army and is places under operational control of the British 2nd Army.

In the V Corps area, the 9th Division (less the 39th RCT) is transferred to the III Corps at 2400 and starts to the zone of the 82nd Airborne Division near Huertgen. The 2nd Division takes over the former 9th Division's zone and is reinforced by the 39th RCT of that division.

The XII Corps in local actions expands and consolidates the Our-Sauer bridgehead. The 385th Infantry, 76th Division, takes responsibility for the southern portion of the bridgehead from the 417th Infantry.

In the XX Corps area, the 328th Infantry of the 26th Division continues limited action in the Saarlautern bridgehead.

The XV Corps begins the second phase of a limited offensive to straighten and shorten its line, employing the 70th Division on the left flank against the heights southwest of Saarbrücken. The 276th Infantry tries in vain to take Oeting but gains the hills commanding the town. The 274th Infantry seizes Kerbach and Behren. The 275th pushes toward Lixing and Grosbliederstroff. In conjunction with the 70th Division, the 63rd Division's 253rd Infantry drives northward toward the woods beyond Auersmacher, which some elements reach and gain a weak hold on Auersmacher. The 255th Infantry conducts diversionary raids across the Blies River. The 44th Division holds its line against determined counterattacks. The 100th Division defends the right flank of the corps and also engages in diversionary raids.

In the VI Corps area, the 42nd Division completes the relief of the 45th Division and takes command of its sector at 2400. The 79th Division, in reserve, is transferred to the XVI Corps of the 9th Army.