Third Army Battle Route
from 1 August 1944 to 8 May 1945
Week 7
11 September
The 358th Infantry Regiment from the XX Corps’ 90th Infantry Division mopped up
the hills west of Thionville in the Volkrange area and advanced to near the city.
357th Infantry Regiment occupied Florange and reached several points on the Mosel
River south of Thionville. Together with the 5th Infantry Division’s 2nd Infantry
Regiment, Combat Command “R” from the 7th Armored Division attacked the area
west of Metz during the day. Following a series of counterattacks, assault battalions
from the 2nd Infantry Regiment continued with a frontal attack in the effort to even
out the line south of Amanvillers, while Combat Command “R” tried to get from the
Roncourt area to behind the enemy above the zone held by the 2nd Infantry
Regiment, but without success. Major General Leroy S. Irwin, the commander of the
5th Infantry Division, added the 11th Infantry Regiment’s 3rd Battalion to the
reinforcements of the bridgehead near Arnaville. Despite several enemy
counterattacks, the bridgehead was successfully expanded towards Corny and Arry
– due in part to Thunderbolts from the XIX Tactical Air Force Command. With the
strength of their aerial guns and bombs, the P-47 Thunderbolt “flying tanks”
supported the infantrymen in their attack on Corny and Arry.
In the meantime, in the XII Corps area, Combat Command “A” from the 4th Armored
Division prepared to cross the Mosel. Combat engineers attempted to build a bridge
near Pagny-sur-Moselle in the night from September 11 to 12, but they did not have
enough materiel. After more than one hour of heavy artillery shelling from the XII
Corps, which bombed false potential river crossings so as to deceive the enemy,
units from the 2nd and 3rd Battalion from the 35th Infantry Division’s 137th Infantry
Regiment reached the other side of the river by Crevechamps, southeast of Flavigny.
Enemy fire from concrete fortified posts pinned the first battle waves to the ground.
The regiment’s 1st Battalion crossed the river late that afternoon in the south near
Neuvillers-sur-Moselle and advanced to Lorey. One column from the 4th Armored
Division’s Combat Command “B” crossed the river in Bainville-aux-Miroirs. The
second column made its way forward near Bayon, and then went around the town
and occupied a hill near Brémoncourt. In the night from September 11-12, they
made contact with infantrymen from the 137th Infantry Regiment near Lorey.
Together with the 2nd Battalion from the 35th Infantry Division’s 320th Infantry
Regiment, the remainder of Combat Command “B” crossed the river near Bayon on
a temporary pontoon bridge that the American combat engineers had been able to
build. German artillery tried to destroy the bridge after it was built, but to no avail.
In an effort to push the Americans back, two enemy companies crossed over to the
western bank of the river and attacked the defenses built up near Pont St Vincent
and held by units from the 35th Infantry Division’s 134th Regiment. They partially
broke through the defenses, but the arrival of reinforcements and well-aimed
artillery shelling eliminated the threat. The 80th Infantry Division received an order
to start crossing the Mosel north of Nancy on September 12, 1944. Attacks on Pont
and Mousson were launched to distract the enemy away from the planned river
crossings. The XV Corps launched an offensive to occupy both banks of the Mosel
between Epinal and Charmes, and at the same time continued to protect the army’s
southern flank. With the 121st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron as an assault
unit, the 79th Infantry Division started to advance forward during the day. The 314th
Infantry Regiment under Col Warren A. Robinson got to the vicinity of Charmes,
which it attacked in the afternoon. In the meantime, the 313th Infantry Regiment
quickly advanced towards Mirecourt and the 315th Infantry Regiment advanced to
positions near Neufchâteau. Maneuvering on the army’s southern flank, Combat
Command “L” from the French 2nd Armored Division headed eastwards and went
around Andelot, near Vittel.
12 September
The 90th Infantry Division of the XX Corps eliminated all of the enemy resistance in
the Thionville area west of the Mosel River – except for access to the main bridge,
which the Germans had managed to destroy. Battalions from the 5th Infantry
Division’s 2nd Infantry Regiment continued with heavy fighting for positions on the
line south of Amanvillers. By deflecting a coordinated German counterattack, the
regiment successfully maintained the perimeter on the bridgehead near Arnaville.
At noon, combat engineers completed the bridge over the Mosel; tanks from the 7th
Armored Division’s Combat Command “B” immediately started to cross the bridge.
In the XII Corps area, the 80th Infantry Division’s 317th Infantry Regiment
conducted an assault-crossing of the Mosel in the Dieulouard area and occupied
the east bank of the river. The 318th Infantry Regiment followed the 317th shortly
before noon. Late in the afternoon, heavy arms and vehicles crossed the river. With
minor problems, the bridgehead was expanded as far as Ste Geneviéve, Loisy,
Bezaumont and La Cote Pelée. Units from the 35th Infantry Division’s 137th Infantry
Regiment and the 4th Armored Division’s Combat Command “B” reinforced and
expanded the bridgehead by Lorey, south of Nancy. The Germans immediately
launched a counterattack, but it was doomed to fail. The Shermans from the 8th
Tank Battalion and the infantry from the 137th Infantry Division surrounded the
Germans and killed a great number of them. Nearly 150 enemy troops were taken
prisoner. Another enemy counterattack was eliminated in cooperation with fighter
aircraft from the XIX Tactical Air Command. Part of the 106th Cavalry Group
(Mechanized) from the XV Corps crossed the Mosel north of Charmes without
encountering any resistance. On the same day, the 79th Infantry Division’s 314th
Infantry Regiment mopped up Charmes and after sundown, the regiment’s 1st
Battalion crossed the Mosel over the ford in Charmes. Its “sister” 313th Infantry
Regiment engaged the enemy near Poussay, while the 315th Infantry Regiment
headed for Neufchateau where it surrounded the enemy garrison. The French 2nd
Armored Division’s Combat Command “L” occupied Vittel, and Combat Command
“V” mopped up in Andelot. The Germans retreated from Epinal in two columns and
prepared a counterattack to relieve the surrounded units in the Vittel area.
13 September
The XX Corp’s 90th Infantry Division from Patton’s US Third Army planned to cross
the Mosel in the Thionville area. At the same time, it received an order to advance to
the south to alleviate forces that were embroiled in heavy fighting to the west and
north of Metz. Units near Arnaville held the bridgehead despite a critical shortage of
artillery munitions and enemy fire from Fort Driant that destroyed the ferry boats,
the railway bridge located on the ford and the pontoon bridge that was just being
built. Combat Command “B” from the 7th Armored Division crossed the bridgehead
and attacked towards Mardigny, but they were soon halted by shelling out of Arry.
At 0100 hours, the enemy deployed a massive number of forces in the XII Corps
zone to launch a critical counterattack against the Allied bridgehead. The German
counterattack was halted just before the bridges held by the Americans. Working
with Combat Command A from the 4th Armored Division that arrived at the
bridgehead during the battle, units from the 80th Infantry Division renewed the
original perimeter. As the enemy no longer had any reserves that would have been
able to break the American perimeter, its plan did not work out. After a fierce battle,
Task Force “Abe” under Lt Col Creighton W. Abrams from the 4th Armored Division’s
Combat Command “A” defeated the strong enemy defense of Ste Geneviéve and
subsequently advanced along the main highway to Château-Salins. They were
stopped by barricades and several German tanks south of Nomeny. Fire from M4
Sherman medium tanks and M7 Priest self-propelled artillery quickly neutralized
the enemy. In the battle, 12 enemy tanks and 85 other vehicles were destroyed and
354 German soldiers were taken prisoner, while 12 Americans were killed and
another 16 injured. Units from the 320th and 137th Infantry Regiments of the 35th
Infantry division along with Combat Command “B” from the 4th Armored Division
advanced towards the Meurthe River. Tanks from Combat Command “B” were able
to wedge a gap between the retreating enemy forces. The 314th Infantry Regiment’s
1st Battalion from the 79th Infantry Division of the XV Corps held its bridgehead
across from Charmes. In the meantime, part of the 106th Cavalry Group
(Mechanized) carried out mopping up operations. The 313th Infantry Regiment broke
through to Poussay while its sister 315th Infantry Regiment finished occupying
Neufchateau. Combat Command “L” from the French 2nd Armored Division
discovered enemy columns prepared to convoy towards Vittel and immediately
launched an attack against them. The men from the French division caught up with
one column in Dompaire, and the other near Ville-sur-Illon. With the support of
aircraft from the XIX Tactical Air Command, 60 enemy tanks were destroyed in the
battle. This was an excellent example of the well thought-out coordination of air and
land strikes. Combat Command “D” from the French 2nd Armored Division defeated
strong enemy resistance in Chaumont during the day.
14 September
The XX Corps was ordered to regroup and increase the pressure on its right flank.
The 43rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, a support team that reported directly
to the command of the 12th Army Group, received the task of protecting the corps’
left flank. The 90th Infantry Division left part of its forces behind in Thionville and
advanced to the south. Here they replaced units from the 7th Armored and 5th
Infantry Divisions located west and north of Metz, who could then continue their
mission southwards. The planned expansion of the bridgehead at Arnaville was
postponed due to deep mud which made it practically impossible for armored units
to move. The XII Corps finished surrounding Nancy and prepared to attack
Lunéville. In local counterattacks against the 80th Infantry Division’s bridgehead in
Dielouardm, the Germans won Ste Geneviéve and Loisy. Units from the 80th then
quickly regrouped, attacked, re-conquered their lost territory and started to expand
the bridgehead. The 318th Infantry Regiment’s 3rd Infantry Battalion occupied Atton
and continued northwards to the top of Mousson Hill, while the 317th Infantry
Regiment launched a strike eastwards on Mt Toulon, which was being held by the
enemy. They reached the Failaise Hill south of Nancy, from where scattered German
units were attempting to move northwards.
Combat Command “A” from the 4th Armored Division remained in their conquered
positions that morning and waited for rear units bearing munitions and fuel. After
noontime, the group’s commander, Brigadier General B. C. Clarke, ordered that
they go around Château-Salins and occupy the hills surrounding Arracourt. At the
same time, they were to block the highway out of Nancy which the retreating enemy
could possibly use, and make contact with Combat Command “B” which was
advancing from the south. Task Force “Abe”, the leading attack unit of Combat
Command “A”, was now deep in the enemy’s rear. Tank crews observed a column of
German armored vehicles advancing forward to support the defense of Nancy. The
American tanks went on the attack and after a fast and fierce skirmish they had
destroyed 26 of the enemy’s armored vehicles, 136 other vehicles and took 409
German soldiers prisoner. On their own side, ten soldiers had fallen in battle, 23
were injured and two Shermans were destroyed. Southeast of Nancy, the 35th
Infantry Division held its position along both sides of the Meurthe River; its
vanguard units were located six miles from the city. From the Meurthe. Combat
Command “B” from the 4th Armored Division thrust forward through the Forét de
Vitrimont to the Marne-Rhine canal near Dombasle and cut off the main highway
west of Lunéville. After crossing the Meurthe southeast of Lunéville, the 2nd Cavalry
Group (Mechanized) secured access routes from that direction. Late that night it
made contact with reconnaissance patrols from the 4th Armored Division’s “A” and
“B” Combat Commands near the canal, thus completely surrounding Nancy.
The French 2nd Armored Division from the XV Corps made contact with the French
1st Armored Division from the 7th Army near Clefmont. Combat Command “B” from
the 6th Armored Division took over protecting the southern flank of the Third Army
west of Troyes from the French 2nd Armored Division. With the exception of the
battalion on the east bank, the 79th Infantry Division was ordered to remain west of
the river and await further orders. The 313th Infantry Regiment cleared Poussay and
occupied Mirecourt on the main highway between Neufchâteau and Epinal. The
315th Infantry Regiment pursued the enemy’s rear units, which were retreating from
Chatenois southeast of Neufchâteau to Ramecourt; it was here where units from the
313th Infantry Regiment destroyed the enemy that night. The French 2nd Armored
Division fought the retreating enemy near Hennecourt.
15 September
The XX Corps’ 90th Infantry Division from Patton’s US Third Army started to attack
the German fortifications west of Metz with the 357th Infantry Regiment on the left
and the 359th Infantry Regiment on the right flank. The 357th Infantry Regiment’s
1st Battalion advanced forward to positions they used to launch attacks on the
Kellerman manufacturing complex from the north, while the 359th Infantry
Regiment’s 2nd Battalion attacked Fort Jeanne d’Arc and moved about 200 meters
forward. Combat Command “B” from the 7th Armored Division, maneuvering on the
right flank of the corps, increased the size of the bridgehead at Arnaville. It then
advanced northweards towards Metz, conquered Hill 396 in the area northeast of
Arry and mopped up in Lorry, Mardigny and Vittonville. After this mission, the
group halted, waited until the 2nd Infantry Regiment would take over the sector from
the 5th Infantry, and returned back to the division. Other units from the 7th
Armored Division were gathered together at the Arnaville bridgehead. The XII Corps
- Task Force “Sebree”, named after the deputy commander of the 35th Infantry
Division Brigadier General Sebree and comprised of units from the 35th Infantry
Division’s 134th Infantry Regiment and the 80th Infantry Division’s 319th Infantry
Regiment, advanced from Toul to Nancy without encountering any resistance. The
Germans gathered their forces together and following intensive artillery shelling,
launched a critical counterattack that allowed them to re-occupy Atton and St
Geneviéve. As a result, the enemy isolated the US units on Mousson Hill. Both sides
were embroiled in heavy fighting during the day. Reserve units from the 80 th
Infantry Division’s 317th Infantry Regiment were withdrawn from Mt Toulon to
reinforce the bridgehead, while Combat Command “A” from the 4th Armored
Division was ordered to relieve the 1st Battalion from the 80th Infantry Division’s
318th Infantry Regiment for the same reason. Units from the 35th Infantry Division
and the 4th Armored Division’s Combat Command “B” advanced to the Marne-Rhine
canal in Maixe and Crévic in the area southeast of Nancy. During the battle, they
were engaged in fierce fighting with enemy units providing cover for the retreating
Germans. In Maixe, the Germans used artillery shelling to hold up the advancing
enemy; only after dark was one armored infantry platoon able to get across the
canal. As the armored units did not encounter heavy resistance in Crévil, the tanks
from the entire contingent were directed to cross the canal here. Enemy shelling
prevented the 137th Infantry Regiment from crossing the Meurthe River in St
Nicolas du Port, but the 320th Infantry Regiment crossed the canal in the DombasleSommerviller sector. Part of Combat Command “A” from the 4th Armored Division
was sent forward with a mission to attack the enemy’s rear units in the Maixe area.
The US XV Corps continued with mopping up operations west of the Mosel River.
The 1st Battalion from the 79th Infantry Division’s 314th Infantry Regiment held the
eastern bridgehead on the Mosel across from Charmes while part of Combat
Command “B” of the French 2nd Armored Division crossed the river by the town of
Chatel in the night from September 15-16.
16 September
The limited attack launched by the XX Corps’ 90th Infantry Division west of Metz
was also unsuccessful. The 7th Armored Diviion launched an attack from the
bridgehead along the Lorry – Sillegny highway, but was soon forced to halt. The
division’s Combat Command “B” crossed the bridgehead early that morning, and at
1400 hours joined the attack towards Marieulles. The 5th Infantry Division quickly
regrouped at the bridgehead. The 2nd Infantry Regiment relieved the 7th Armored
Division’s Combat Command B on the right flank; the command then started to
advance on Vittonville. The 11th Infantry Regiment secured the left flank while the
10th Infantry Regiment, maneuvering in the central sector, carried out
reconnaissance while fighting towards Fey. The 80th Infantry Division from the XII
Corps, supported by artillery and the air forces, launched an attack against the
bridgehead by Dieulouard. The 1st Battalion from the 318th Infantry Regiment
turned and advanced towards the bridgehead from the east, surprising the enemy
and occupying Ste Geneviéve. In the meantime, the 319th Infantry Regiment
advanced to the bridgehead. The 1st Battalion once again gained Atton and fought
their way through to the isolated troops on Mousson Hill. The retreating Gerans
were pursued all the way to Lesménils. Following this mission, the men from the
80th Infantry Division mopped up the conquered area and regrouped for another
advance eastwards. The 134th Infantry Regiment from the 35th Infantry Division
advanced northwest of Nancy to the hills north of Essey-les-Nancy. Their “sister”
regiment, the 137th Infantry Regiment, crossed the Meurthe River and Rhine –
Marne Canal, and advanced to within two miles of Nancy; northwest of Rosicresaux-Salites they encountered the fierce defense of German screening forces. At
0800 hrs the 320th Infantry Regiment (momentarily without the 2nd Battalion) was
assigned to the 4th Armored Division’s Combat Command “B” to attack Dombasle.
The regiment’s 3rd Battalion advanced to Buissoncourt, but was halted by enemy
fire. After dark, the battalion was able to surround and attack Buissoncourt. After
occupying the village, the Americans took 115 German troops prisoner. In the early
morning, a patrol from the 37th Tank Battalion observed enemy troops retreating
from the Maixe area. The battalion attacked, pushed through the village of
Courbesseaux and attacked the surprised Germans. Up to 200 Germans were killed
and seven feared 88mm anti-aircraft cannons were destroyed – without a single loss
to their own side. Combat Command R from the 4th Armored Division was sent out
to Lunéville and occupied the northwestern section of the city. At the same time,
the 42nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized) started to enter the city from the southeast.
Units from the XV Corps’ 106th Cavalry Group (Mechanized) crossed the Mosel River
and started to investigate the terrain eastwards towards the Mortagne River.
German Panzer units carried out a critical battle against the French 2nd Armored
Division’s Combat Command “V” located on the bridgehead at the Mosel near
Chatel, and forced the French units to retreat from the bridgehead.
17 September
Major General Walker, the commander of the XX Corps, issued orders for to carry
out operation “Thunderbolt”, an aerial and land offensive in the Metz area. In the
meantime, the 90th Infantry Division continued with limited attacks west of Metz
against the enemy’s increasingly stronger resistance. Due to heavy losses and
minimal territorial gains, the decision was made to halt the offensive in the sector.
The German counterattack launched in the area where the 5th Infantry Division’s
10th and 11th Infantry Regiments were positioned, on the bridgehead in Arnaville,
was deflected. In the meantime, the 2nd Infantry Regiment from the 5th Infantry
Division successfully conquered Hill 245 located east of Marieulles. The 7th Armored
Division’s Combat Command “A” conquered Marieulles in the course of the day and
occupied the sector of the 5th Infantry Division, which was subsequently placed in
reserve. Combat Commands “R” and “B” were ordered to continue their attack
toward the Seille River. The XII Corps - Task Force “Sebree” was comprised of the
134th Regiment, 737th Tank Battalion, tank destroyers, an artillery unit and part of
the 6th Armored Division’s Combat Command “B”. Their mission was to mop up the
forested ridges of Bois de Faulx and Bois de la Rumont in conjunction with units
from the 80th Infantry Division. Late in the afternoon, Task Force “Sebree”, for now
without Combat Command “B” from the 6th, launched the attack that was to clear
the enemy from the heights northeast of Nancy. The 1st Battalion from the 35th
Infantry Division’s 134th Infantry Regiment occupied Pain-de-Sucre. That evening,
though, the enemy carried out a counterattack with artillery and mortar fire out of
Agincourt, forcing the battalion, which lost about 150 men, to retreat. With only
minor difficulties, the 80th Infantry Division mopped up the area around the
bridgehead and prepared for the next offensive. The 4th Armored Division regrouped
for an attack to the northeast towards the Rhine River and the city of Darmstadt.
This city was designated as the corps’ main target in place of the city of Mannheim.
Combat Command “B” from the 4th Armored Division attacked in the direction of
Nomeny to support the 80th Infantry Division in breaking out beyond the
bridgehead. Due to the slow pace of the advance, though, the attack was halted. On
the corps’ southern flank, the Germans penetrated through to Lunéville, but the
American units keep hold of the town. Armed reconnaissance carried out by the XV
Corps’ French 2nd Armored Division made contact with patrols from the Seventh
Army’s French II Corps near Bains-les-Bains in the area southwest of Epinal. When
Combat Command B from the 6th Armored Division arrived, it relieved the French
2nd Armored Division’s Combat Command “D” in the Chaumont area and took over
securing the corps’ flank in the sector between the Meuse and Mosel Rivers. The
French 2nd Armored Division, now without Combat Command “L” and the
reconnaissance squadrons, advanced along the western bank of the Mosel River
south of the 79th Infantry Division.