By Lt. Frank U. Roquemore

FIRST ARMY SITUATION

The First U.S. Army, at the time of this 12th Army Group order, consisted of the VII Corps, the V Corps and the VIII Corps. VII Corps was on the left, or north flank; V Corps was in the central sector; VIII Corps was on the south, or right flank. 3 (See Map B)

Included in the First Army sector was a wooded area of approximately fifty square miles called the Hurtgen Forest. This forest is within a triangle formed roughly by the cities AACHEN-DUREN-MONSCHAU. First Army troops entered this forest for the first time in September, and were still attempting to clear the area of enemy at this time. (4)

Acting on the directive issued by 12th Army Group, First Army Headquarters issued a letter of instructions on the 36 October verifying the Army Group order and the alteration of Corps boundaries directed by this order. (i.e.- boundary between armies to be determined by the First Army's main effort). First Army's instructions of 26 October further outlined plans and missions for the VII, V and VIII Corps. The plans were: (5)

1. "V Corps would initiate a preliminary operation with mission of securing the area formed by VOSSENACK-SCHMIDT-STRAUCH".
2. "VII Corps would make a coordinated attack in the direction of DUREN-COLOGNE. The mission was to penetrate the enemy's positions and reach the Rhine River in vicinity of COLOGNE". (this being the main effort, First Army boundary became the left flank of VII Corps)
3. "When VII Corps accomplished its mission of penetrating the enemy's positions, V Corps was to be prepared to advance to BONN on Army orders".
4. "VIII Corps was assigned the mission of conducting an aggressive defense within its zone and to make preparations for an advance on KOBLENZ on Army order".

A tentative date for the preliminary operation, that of V Corps, was set for 1 November.

Between 26 October and 1 November, the offensive activity within the First Army zone was limited to minor gains and preparations for the coming offensive. (6)

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