November 2, 1944: On the western front, the Canadian 1st Army continues the battle of the Scheldt. Intense fighting is recorded on the island of Walcheren. Canadian 2nd Division withdraws from its Walcheren, the Netherlands bridgehead. Nearby, Allied troops capture Wissenkerke and Zoutelande. Elements of the British 52nd Division capture Flushing. To the rear, on the English Channel coast, Zeebrugge and Heyst are cleared (these are the last pockets of German occupation in Belgium). Meanwhile, British 7th Armored Division (an element of British 2nd Army) begins new attacks and achieves a limited advance. Forces of US 3rd Army launch a new attack as well.
In accordance with Dwight Eisenhower's plan, Bernard Montgomery orderes a complete redeployment of his Army Group in Europe. First Canadian Army now assumes responsibility for the front from the sea to the Reichsward near Kleve in Germany, while Second British Army is ordered to clear the Germans west of the Maas River from the huge pocket between Venray and Roermond in the Netherlands, and then to take over the American front north of Geilenkirchen in Germany known as the Heinberg Salientl.
Near the German-Belgian border, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest begins in earnest. The US 28th Infantry Division’s attack begins, but the defenders are expecting it and are prepared. The U.S. 109th Infantry Regiment is slowed after only 300 yd (270 m) by an unexpected minefield, is pinned down by mortar and artillery fire and harassed by local counterattacks (only one mile is gained over the next two days, after which the 109th dug in and endured casualties). The U.S. 112th Infantry Regiment attacks Vossenack and the neighboring ridge, which are captured later in the day. The 112th is then stopped on the Kall by strong defenses and difficult terrain. The U.S. 110th Infantry Regiment works to clear the woods next to the River Kall, capture Simonskall, and maintain a supply route for the advance on Schmidt - very difficult tasks due to weather, prepared defenses, determined defenders, and terrain.
RAF Bomber Command sends 184 aircraft to attack Homberg during the day while US 8th Air Force attacks Merseburg with 593 bombers, Sterkrade with 107 bombers, Bielefeld with 172 bombers, Castrop with 131 bombers, and targets of opportunity with 102 bombers. RAF Bomber Command sends 992 aircraft to attack Dusseldorf overnight and 42 aircraft to attack Osnabruk overnight.
In unusually heavy air-to-air action, 400 Luftwaffe fighters intercept US 8th Air Force missions, downing 40 bombers and 16 escorts which in turn claim 136 interceptors. The Luftwaffe also loses 133 fighters in daylight operations in defense of the Reich and occupied territory against Allied strategic bombing. When presented with these numbers, Hitler declares it would be insanity to continue producing fighter aircraft under such circumstances.
All eligible German males were ordered to enlist in the Volkssturm under penalty of military court-martial.
In Italy, elements of the US 5th Army take Casseta, south of Bologna.
On the eastern front, the 14th Army of Soviet Karelian Front captures Mustola.
Pictured: The 28th Infantry Division, known as the "Keystone Division" by its distinctive red insignia, entered the Hurtgen Forest on November 2, 1944. By the time they left the "The Green Hell" eleven days later, all officers in the 28th's rifle companies had been killed or wounded. The division suffered 6,184 combat casualties, 620 lost to battle fatigue and 738 disabled by trench foot. Nearly every soldier of the 28th who entered that forest became a battle casualty.; 28th Infantry Division soldiers headed for the disastrous battle in the Hurtgen forest.; Map of the battle in the Hurtgen Forest, November 2-9, 1944.; An M31 Tank Recovery Vehicle of Co B, 752nd Tank Bn, near Udine, Italy, November 2, 1944. Note the dummy cannon tube attached to the hatch cover.
