February 1945

Western Europe

The British XXX Corps begins an assault on Goch. Passing through the 43rd Division, the 15th Division reaches the northern outskirts of the town. The 51st Division enters Goch from the northwest. Upon being passed through, the 43rd Division gradually works eastward from the Goch area.

In the III Corps area, the 9th Division begins the relief of the 82nd Airborne Division and takes over its zone. Upon relief, the 82nd Airborne starts to an assembly area near Walheim (Germany) and from there later moves to the vicinity of Reims (France).

The VIII Corps renews its offensive, attacking southward toward the XII Corps' zone through the West Wall defenses in the region west of the Prüm. An early morning assault without an artillery bombardment takes the Germans by surprise, and the assault divisions--the 90th Infantry and the 11th Armored--overrun numerous pillboxes and other obstacles. On the north, the 90th Division's 358th Infantry takes a hill commanding Pronsfeld from the northwest as the 359th seizes Kesfeld. Attacking on a narrow front in coordination with the 90th Division, CCR of the 11th Armored Division gains Grosskampenberg and Leidenborn. The 4th Division's zone is extended slightly to the south as elements of the 12th Infantry relieve elements of the 358th Infantry, 90th Division, near Pronsfeld. The 4th Division sends out combat patrols as a diversion for the 90th Division's attack. On the corps' southern flank, the 6th Cavalry Group secures a small bridgehead east of the Our between Gemund and Biewels and builds a footbridge.

The XII Corps attacks northeastward toward the Prüm River against scattered resistance. On the left, the 80th Division's 318th Infantry takes Cruchten and drives toward Hommerdingen. The 317th captures Stockigt and advances on Nusbaum. The 319th Infantry contains the enemy remaining in West Wall fortifications and releases the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion, which reverts to the 4th Armored Division. The 5th Division, to the right, crosses the Enz River and drives to the west bank of the Prüm from the vicinity of Peffingen southeastward. The 2nd Infantry, making the main effort, takes Schankweiler as the 11th clears the west bank of the Prüm to the southeast. The 385th Infantry, 76th Division, consolidates positions to the right of the 5th Division.

In the XX Corps area, the 94th Division completes preparations for an attack. In the Saarlautern bridgehead, the 328th Infantry of the 26th Division consolidates, repels counterattacks, and clears a few more buildings.

In the XV Corps area, the 70th Division overruns Oeting and pushes on toward Forbach on the left. In the center, they take Etzling and reach the ridge south of Stiring Wendel, and on the right, clear Lixing and Grosbliederstroff. Enemy infiltrators recover Auersmacher from elements of the 253rd Infantry, 63rd Division.

In the VI Corps area, the 45th Division passes to army reserve.

The XXI Corps completes its movement to the Morhange area.