1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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able to reach Bisten; 379th attacks through 377th
toward Saarlautern. TF Fickett (Col E. M. Fickett),
consisting of 6th Cav Gp and 5th Ranger Bn,
assembles near St Avold to screen S flank of corps,
relieving TF Bell, components of which revert to
5th Div. 5th Div, still containing forts in Metz area,
is assigned narrow front to right of 95th Div in
preparation for drive to the Sarre across Warndt
salient. 6th Cav TF is to protect right of 5th Div.
In XII Corps area, CCB of 4th Armd Div and 101st
Inf of 26th Div open co-ordinated drive on Sarre–
Union against lively opposition: 3d Bn of 101st
clears Sarre–Union but, since it cannot take hill N
of the town, pulls back for night; 1st Bn clears Bannholtz
woods; CCB secures Hill 318, N of Mackwiller.
80th and 35th Divs and 6th Armd Div are
ordered to make limited attack on 4th to straighten
left and center of corps line.
6th Army Group: In U.S. Seventh Army’s XV
Corps area, 44th Div is meeting strong resistance
in vicinity of Tieffenbach. 45th Div is likewise opposed
in Zinswiller–Meitesheim area. 79th Div, reinf
by 94th Cav Rcn Sq of 14th Armd Div, clears
Schweighausen. In VI Corps area, Fr 2d Armd Div
continues southward along the Rhine. 103d and 36th
Divs are converging on Sélestat. CCA, 14th Armd
Div, is withdrawn to corps reserve.
EASTERN EUROPE—In E Czechoslovakia, Soviet
troops cross to W bank of Ondava R in vicinity of
Humenne and Trebisov. Germans are containing
attacks by troops of Second Ukrainian Front in
vicinity of Miskolc, NE of Budapest in Hungary,
but Third Ukrainian forces SW of Budapest gain
ground NE and N of Pecs.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, Br 13
Corps alters plan of attack because of enemy withdrawals.
First phase calls for capture of M. Penzola
by 6th Armd Div.
Br Eighth Army continues preparation for offensive
on 3d. In 5 Corps area, Ind 10th Div secures
Casa Bettini bridge over the Montone and is relieved
on right flank by Cdn 1 Corps troops. Cdn 1
Corps moves assault forces across the Montone via
bridge at Casa Bettini.
BURMA—Gen Stratemeyer issues general order,
effective 4 December, reorganizing EAC.
On NCAC front, Ch 30th Div, with 90th Regt
in the lead, is moving southward from Bhamo area
toward Namhkam over rough terrain.
CHINA—Gen Wedemeyer directs Gen Chennault
to make main effort of Fourteenth Air Force
in defense of air line to China and SOS; in addition
to providing logistical support of U.S. military activities,
to support certain Ch forces in China Theater.
On Salween front, Ch forces take Che-fang.
NEW GUINEA—Australians take over from U.S.
troops at Aitape.
[ 2 DECEMBER 1944 ]
LEYTE—Japanese food supply is exhausted by
this time.
U.S. Sixth Army: In X Corps area, after preparatory
fire, Co E of 128th Inf, 32d Div, attacks through
CO C of 34th Inf, 24th Div, to clear knolls on SE
end of Kilay Ridge, taking the first. 1st Bn, 34th
Inf, is ordered to withdraw from the ridge but is
unable to do so for several days. 112th Cav attempts
in vain to clear ridge SE of Limon. In XXIV Corps
area, warning order for assault on Ormoc is issued.
PALAUS—Elements of 81st Div complete occupation
of Kayangel Atoll.
2 December
WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Cdn
First Army’s 2 Corps area, Germans breach dyke
area on the Neder Rijn near Arnhem and flood region
to SW, forcing corps to withdraw Waal R
bridgehead to rail line running W from Elst.
12th Army Group: In U.S. Ninth Army’s XIII
Corps area, 334th Inf of 84th Div takes Leiffarth
and high ground NE of Beeck and Lindern. 407th
Inf, 102d Div, makes co-ordinated effort against
Roerdorf and Flossdorf, taking former. In XIX
Corps area, 116th Inf of 29th Div continues struggle
for the 2 strongpoints in Juelich area.
In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, 104th Div
finishes clearing Inden and its entire zone W of the
Inde; at 2300, 415th and 414th Regts, supported by
fire of 413th, start across the river at Inden, taking
enemy by surprise. 1st Div is ordered to straighten
line by clearing Luchem and then prepare for relief;
1st Div has gained less than 4 miles during 15 days
of hard fighting. 22d Inf, 4th Div, repels counterattack
from Gey with help of arty. In V Corps area,
TF Hamberg of CCR, 5th Armd Div, attacks down
Kleinhau–Brandenberg highway under fire from
Kommerscheidt–Schmidt ridge but is stopped by
mine field; interdictory fire is placed on enemy during
night while mines are being cleared.
In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 10th Armd
Div, with capture of Dreisbach before dawn, finishes
clearing its zone W of the Sarre; CCB is then held
in reserve while CCA outposts W bank of river between
3d Cav Gp and 90th Div. 90th Div, night
2–3, begins extending southward in preparation for
attack across the Sarre in Dillingen area. 95th Div
is again supported by aircraft as it fights for crossing
of the Sarre in Saarlautern area; 2d Bn, 379th
Inf, drives into Saarlautern and begins house-tohouse
battle in W part of town; St Barbara falls to
377th Inf; 378th forces enemy from Pikard; arty
observation plane spots bridge intact leading to Saarlautern
and 379th Inf prepares to seize it. 3d Bn of
11th Inf, 5th Div, joins 10th Inf in attack through
SW part of Forêt de la Houve. In XII Corps area,