Re: WWII: European Theater daily - 1944 (was Normandy Daily)
October 20, 1944: As the Battle of Aachen - the first German city attacked by Allied forces - appears to be coming to an end, Colonel Wilck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Wilck) issues an order:
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“The defenders of Aachen will prepare for their last battle. Constricted to the smallest possible space, we shall fight to the last man, the last shell, the last bullet, in accordance with the Fuehrer’s orders.
In the face of the contemptible, despicable treason committed by certain individuals, I expect each and every defender of the venerable Imperial City of Aachen to do his duty to the end, in fulfillment of our Oath to the Flag. I expect courage and determination to hold out. Long live the Fuehrer and our beloved Fatherland!”
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This rallying cray actually does little as the resistance crumbles rapidly in the face of the determined American forces. Even though the battalion of the 110th Infantry is officially committed only as a defensive role, the unit joins Lt. Col. Derrill M. Daniel’s battalion in eviscerating the city. Colonel Daniel’s men already seized the main railroad station and are nearing a railway line leading north to Laurensberg and Geilenkirchen, separating the main part of Aachen from western residential sectors. After the collapse of a strongpoint in the Technical University in the northwestern corner of the city, the battalion reaches the western railroad tracks as night falls. The few Germans remaining are corralled in the western and southwestern suburbs.
Operation Suitcase begins, as Canadian 4th Armored Division advances to take Esschen, 7 miles east of Bergen-op-Zoom on the Dutch-Belgium border (this marks the only time an American division serves under Canadian command during the war). The British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) begins attacking northward from northeast of Antwerp. The Canadian 1st Army attacks Breskens pocket and pushing toward Woensdrecht, the US 1st Army attacks around Bardenberg, Mariadorf, and Schmidt, US 3rd Army attacks Maizieres-les-Metz but loses Fossieux to German counterattack. US 19th Tactical Air Force breaches the dam at Dieuze, causing extensive flooding to the rear of German 1st Army, opposite US 3rd Army. The US 7th Army clears Foret de Parroy with German forces withdrawing overnight and the French 1st Army, attacks around Le Thillot, capturing Trougemount.
Allied bombing raids continue over Germany as the US 8th Air Force attacks Schweinfurt with 329 bombers, Koblenz with 360 bombers, Mainz with 210 bombers, and Gustavsburg with 148 bombers. RAF Bomber Command sends 435 aircraft to attack Bochum, 47 aircraft to attack Wilhelmshaven , and12 aircraft to attack Krefeld, Saarbrucken, and Dusseldorf overnight
In Italy, elements of the British 8th Army push north along Highway 71 while the South African 6th Armored Division (an element of US 5th Army) repulses a German counterattack. To the east, the British 4th and 46th Divisions of British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army) enter Cesena. US 88th Division captures Monte Grande, Italy while US 5th Army attacks around Monte Cauala, Barga, Monterumici, Livergnano, La Villa, and Gesso.
Pictured: The destroyed infrastructure of Aachen
Civilians are forced to surrender arms and cameras in Aachen
Mission photo from the 461st Bombardment Group’s attack on Isotta Fraschini Works in Milan, Italy
October 20, 1944: As the Battle of Aachen - the first German city attacked by Allied forces - appears to be coming to an end, Colonel Wilck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Wilck) issues an order:
______
“The defenders of Aachen will prepare for their last battle. Constricted to the smallest possible space, we shall fight to the last man, the last shell, the last bullet, in accordance with the Fuehrer’s orders.
In the face of the contemptible, despicable treason committed by certain individuals, I expect each and every defender of the venerable Imperial City of Aachen to do his duty to the end, in fulfillment of our Oath to the Flag. I expect courage and determination to hold out. Long live the Fuehrer and our beloved Fatherland!”
______
This rallying cray actually does little as the resistance crumbles rapidly in the face of the determined American forces. Even though the battalion of the 110th Infantry is officially committed only as a defensive role, the unit joins Lt. Col. Derrill M. Daniel’s battalion in eviscerating the city. Colonel Daniel’s men already seized the main railroad station and are nearing a railway line leading north to Laurensberg and Geilenkirchen, separating the main part of Aachen from western residential sectors. After the collapse of a strongpoint in the Technical University in the northwestern corner of the city, the battalion reaches the western railroad tracks as night falls. The few Germans remaining are corralled in the western and southwestern suburbs.
Operation Suitcase begins, as Canadian 4th Armored Division advances to take Esschen, 7 miles east of Bergen-op-Zoom on the Dutch-Belgium border (this marks the only time an American division serves under Canadian command during the war). The British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) begins attacking northward from northeast of Antwerp. The Canadian 1st Army attacks Breskens pocket and pushing toward Woensdrecht, the US 1st Army attacks around Bardenberg, Mariadorf, and Schmidt, US 3rd Army attacks Maizieres-les-Metz but loses Fossieux to German counterattack. US 19th Tactical Air Force breaches the dam at Dieuze, causing extensive flooding to the rear of German 1st Army, opposite US 3rd Army. The US 7th Army clears Foret de Parroy with German forces withdrawing overnight and the French 1st Army, attacks around Le Thillot, capturing Trougemount.
Allied bombing raids continue over Germany as the US 8th Air Force attacks Schweinfurt with 329 bombers, Koblenz with 360 bombers, Mainz with 210 bombers, and Gustavsburg with 148 bombers. RAF Bomber Command sends 435 aircraft to attack Bochum, 47 aircraft to attack Wilhelmshaven , and12 aircraft to attack Krefeld, Saarbrucken, and Dusseldorf overnight
In Italy, elements of the British 8th Army push north along Highway 71 while the South African 6th Armored Division (an element of US 5th Army) repulses a German counterattack. To the east, the British 4th and 46th Divisions of British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army) enter Cesena. US 88th Division captures Monte Grande, Italy while US 5th Army attacks around Monte Cauala, Barga, Monterumici, Livergnano, La Villa, and Gesso.
Pictured: The destroyed infrastructure of Aachen
Civilians are forced to surrender arms and cameras in Aachen
Mission photo from the 461st Bombardment Group’s attack on Isotta Fraschini Works in Milan, Italy