10 - 15 December 1944 - (Rhineland Campaign)
By Major John F. Staples
THE GENERAL SITUATION
Prior to the end of November it was evident that fresh divisions would have to be attached to VII Corps to give further impetus to the attack.
On 28 November a First Army Letter of Instructions which was effective at 1200 29 November, provided, in part, for:
The main objectives of the offensive were:
- Attachment of 5th Armored Division (less CCR) from V Corps to VII Corps.
- 83rd Division to relieve the 4th Division and the 4th Division to take over the 83rd Division sector in Luxembourg. (25)
The change in dispositions was accomplished as follows On 1 December the 331st Infantry relieved the 330th Infantry, which moved to VII Corps Zone on 2 December, relieved the 22nd Infantry by 1900 3 December, and was attached to the 4th Division.
The 331st Infantry was relieved by the 22nd Infantry on 5 December, moved to VII Corps Zone on 6 December and completed the relief of the 12th Infantry by 1480 on 7 December.
Responsibility for the respective zones passed at 1480 on 7 December; the 8th Infantry being attached to the 83rd Division and the 329th Infantry to the 4th Division.
The 329th Infantry was relieved by the 12th Infantry on 9 December; moved north on 10 December and relieved the 8th Infantry on 11 December. (26)
On 8 December VII Corps issued an order directing that an attack be made on 10 December to seize the west bank of the Roer River in its zone and preparations made to cross the Roer and continue on Army order. (See Map B) (27)
The 104th Division was to seize high ground in the vicinity of Pier and Merken. (See Map B) (28)
The 9th Division, assisted by a combat command of the 3rd Armored Division was to relieve the 1st Division and seize the high ground in the area Echtz-Hoven-Mariaveiler. (See Map B) (29)
The 6th Armored Division after capture of Gey by the 83rd Division, was to attack on the right of the 63rd and seize the west bank of the Roer from south of Lendersdorf to Bilstein. (See Map B) (30)
The 83rd Division, with 774th Tank Battalion, 689th T.D. Battalion, and the 24th Cavalry Squadron attached, was to seize Gey and Strass initially and continue to its objective along the railroad which ran through Rolsdorf and Lendersdorf. (See Map B) (31) (32)
