1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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elements at Pont Ste Maxence. Among towns overrun
are Chantilly, Creil, Pont Ste Maxence, Verberie,
and Compiègne. CCB establishes bridgehead in
vicinity of Pont Ste Maxence. On V Corps right
flank, CCA drives to the Aisne W of Soissons, passing
through 4th Div, which follows to Villers- Cotterêts
area. In VII Corps area, while 1st Div
consolidates in Laon and Soissons area, 3d Armd
and 9th Infs Divs continue pursuit NE to general
line Montcornet–Rethel.
In U.S. Third Army area, VIII Corps temporarily
suspends operations against Brest and regroups. In
XX Corps area, CCA of 7th Armd Div, followed
closely by 5th Div, establishes bridgehead across the
Meuse at Verdun. 90th Div remains in Reims area.
XX Corps advances then comes to a halt to await
gasoline. In XII Corps area, CCA of 4th Armd Div
reaches the Meuse at Commercy and Pont-sur-Meuse
and establishes bridgehead. 80th Div, following on
left, reaches Bar-le-Duc area.
S FRANCE—Hq, 6th Army Group, arrives.
In U.S. Seventh Army area, patrols of TF Bibo
find Briançon free of enemy. VI Corps speeds up
the Rhône Valley toward Lyon. 45th Div is concentrating
in Meximieux area to protect right flank of
corps, prepared to move on Bourg-en-Bresse. 3d Div,
upon relief in Rhône Valley, assembles at Voiron,
pre-pared to assist either 36th or 45th Div.
EASTERN EUROPE—Troops of Second Ukrainian
Front overrun Bucharest, capital of Rumania.
ITALY—AAI: Gen Clark orders U.S. Fifth
Army to follow withdrawing enemy. IV Corps
patrols cross the Arno, night 31 August–1 September,
in preparation for crossing in force and confirm
the fact that enemy is withdrawing. Br 13 Corps
also confirms rumors of enemy withdrawal. One
1st Div column pushes through Fiesole to Highway
6521 (Florence–Borgo S. Lorenzo); another takes
M. Muscoli and M. il Pratone with ease.
Br Eighth Army penetrates Gothic Line with
elements of Br 5 and Cdn 1 Corps; Pol 2 Corps continues
hard battle for Pesaro.
NEW GUINEA—Gen Krueger declares Noemfoor
operation at an end. TF CYCLONE has suffered
63 killed, 343 wounded, and 3 missing; has killed
about 1,730 Japanese and captured 186. In Vogelkop
area, CG Sixth Army, declares Sansapor operation
terminated. From 30 July to date, TF TYPHOON
has killed about 385 Japanese and Formosans and
captured 215 as against a loss of 14 killed, 35
wounded, and 9 injured.
1 September
U.K.—Br Chiefs of Staff propose airborne and
amphibious assault (coded DRACULA) on Rangoon.
[ 1 SEPTEMBER 1944 ]
N FRANCE—21 Army Group (Northern Group
of Armies): In Cdn First Army’s Br I Corps area,
49th Div, upon crossing the Seine, turns W toward
Le Havre while 51st drives toward St Valery-en-
Caux. In 2 Corps area, 2d Div takes Dieppe, and
port is opened within a week. 3d Div thrusts to Le
Trèport. 4th Armd and Pol 1st Armd Divs are
driving quickly toward the Somme, former in the
lead.
In Br Second Army’s 12 Corps area, 7th Armd
Div crosses the Somme near Airaines. 53d Div,
echeloned to left rear, protects left flank of corps.
30 Corps drives rapidly NE with 11th Armd and Gds
Armd Divs spearheading 11th Armd reaches St Pol–
Arras road and Gds Armd bypasses Arras. 50th Div
is following up.
12th Army Group (Central Group of Armies):
Passes to direct command of SHAEF from command
of Gen Montgomery.
In U.S. First Army’s XIX Corps area, 2d Armd
Div, followed closely by infantry, reaches positions
NW of Cambrai. V Corps speeds toward St Quentin.
4th Div, motorized and reinf by CCA of 5th
Armd Div, takes the lead, thrusting to vicinity of
Chauny. Other elements of corps improve positions
at and near Compiègne, where bridge construction
is in progress. VII Corps swerves from NE to N.
CCB of 3d Armd Div drives quickly through Vervins
to La Capelle; to right, CCA, in conjunction
with 9th Div, reaches Etreaupont–Aubenton area.
1st Div, on corps left flank, reaches Voyenne.
U.S. Third Army is practically immobilized by
acute shortage of gasoline. Enforced lull permits
enemy to build up behind the West Wall. In XX
Corps area, CCR of 7th Armd Div advances to
Etain along Verdun–Metz highway. 3d Cav Gp,
using captured gasoline, patrols eastward toward the
Moselle. In XII Corps area, CCA of 4th Armd Div
expands Commercy bridgehead over the Meuse,
and 80th Div crosses into it. CCB crosses the Meuse
S of Commercy. 35th Div protects S flank of army.
VIII Corps continues preparations for renewing
all-out assault on Brest when ammunition is more
plentiful; makes slight gains in limited attack in
conjunction with aerial bombardment. Aircraft,
warships, and arty pound Ile de Cézembre, off St
Malo, in preparation for amphibious assault by 83d
Div force.
S FRANCE—(Southern Group of Armies): In
U.S. Seventh Army area, VI Corps is rapidly closing
in on Lyon. 36th Div gets forward elements to
heights commanding the city. 3d Div is moving forward
behind 45th Div. 45th Div, leaving 179th Inf
to defend Meximieux, moves up E bank of the Ain
without opposition. In determined attacks supported
by tanks and SP guns, Germans isolate 179th Inf
within Meximieux at great cost; FFI forces are sent