Re: WWII: European Theater daily - 1944 (was Normandy Daily)
November 15, 1944: In Hürtgen, the Allied forces prepare for Operation Queen, desperately hoping the weather clears allowing the planned bombing raids before tomorrow’s ‘go’ date.
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1st Battalion 22nd Infantry: Regimental Situation, 15 November
The day by day postponement of the attack from 11 November through 15 November provided the regiment with valuable time for preparation for the attack.
All company grade officers received additional instruction in the conduct of woods fighting and adjustment or artillery fire.
In anticipation of serious communications problems during the attack, plans were made to augment the normal communications system. A surplus of wire and radio equipment was obtained, communications personnel within the rifle battalions was increased, and plans were made to provide double wire lines to all battalions during the attack.
Evacuation difficulties were also expected. To take care of this problem, extra litter squads were organized. Plans were made to use “Weasels” (Carrier, cargo, M-29) to evacuate wounded from areas impassable to the 1/4 ton truck, which proved unable to operate in deep mud. The weasels were not effective since logs, stumps, and rots caused them to throw their tracks very frequently.
All 81-mm mortars of the regiment were massed and placed so as to be capable of supporting any unit of the regiment. Wire communication was maintained between each battalion and the mortar position.
The regiment was supported by the 44th FA Battalion (105-mm
Howitzers), which was reinforced by the fires of the 20th FA Battalion (155-mm Howitzers). Attached to the regiment were the medium tanks or Co. C, 70th Tank Battalion; one platoon or light tanks from Co. D, 70th Tank Battalion; Co. C; 87th Cml Battalion (less one platoon); one platoon Co. C, 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP); one platoon Co. C, 4th Engineer (c) Battalion; and Co. C, 4th Medical Battalion. Tanks and tank destroyers were initially held in reserve, as the rough terrain and dense woods were not suitable for their effective employment.
The regiment planned to attack initially in a column of
battalions, in the order 2nd, 1st, and 3rd.
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British 2nd Army is attacking toward Zig Canal and US 3rd Army continues attacking all around Metz, to the south of the city, the Metz-Sarrebourg rail line is cut. US 7th Army continues advancing along the line north of St. Die and attacking around Avricourt, Halloville, Ancerville, and Raon-l'Etape while the French 1st Army attacks in the area around Le Tholy, Arcey, Hericourt, Colombier-Fontaine, Ecot, and Ecurcey. US 9th Air Force conducts limited operations due to poor weather conditions.
Over Germany, US 15th Air Force attacks Linz, Innsbruck, and other targets, RAF Bomber Command sends 177 aircraft to attack Dortmund during the day and 36 aircraft to attack Berlin overnight.
In Italy, US 5th Army captures Modigliana.
Pictured: Members of Anti-Tank Company, 22nd Infantry November 1944 in the Hürtgen Forest
New York Times headlines from November 15, 1944