GEORGE S. PATTON DIARIES Annotated transcripts Aug 1-Nov. 29, 1944 (2 of 2) BOX 3 FOLDER 8 October 1, 1944 The attack of the 6 Armored Division to restore the salient of the 35th Division west of Chateau Salins jumped off at 0600 and the situation was well restored by 1200, the 6th Armored alone counted nearly 700 enemy dead. The troops of the German 19th Division, which were attacked from the north, broke and ran very badly. So much for hysteria. All that was necessary was a vigorous attack. Had I let Eddy retire 5 kilometers, as he was about to do, it would have been neralded in Germany as a great victory and would have been worth 100,000 men to them. I have again earned my pay. I released the Regimental Combat Team of the XX Corps which had been alerted to cover the hole behind the 35th Division. Simpson could not leave due to weather. He is spending the night - delighted to have him. October 2, 1944 Stiller and I drove to Nancy and then to the woods where the fight was yesterday. I looked up the commanding officers of the two infantry regiments of the 35th Division, Sears and Byrne, and gave each of them a Bronze Star. Then I saw General Wood, of the 4th Armored, and we looked over his position, which is good. I then called on the 6th Armored Division but General Grow was out. Went to Headquarters 35th Division to see Baade, who had been wounded in the chin. I gave him a Bronze Star. Then I returned to town and visited 35th Evacuation and 12th Station Hospitals in Nancy and talked to about 200 wounded men mostly from the 6th Armored, whose casualties in yesterday's fight were 40 killed and 200 wounded. Double that from the 35th Division. I saw two self-inflicted wounded, or so I think, and told them that if they were, I could not despise them too much, but that if I was mistaken, I apologized. Another boy who had shot himself in the left October 2, 1944 (cont'd p.2) arm was not self-inflicted. I think I did a good job. Today morale seemed high. I also saw in the 35th Evacuation Hospital ten German prisoners all so young that I am sure none of them had ever shaved. October 3, 1944 A battalion of the 11 Infantry, 5th Division, opened an attack on Fort Driant this morning. General Weyland, Colonel Harkins, Codman, Stiller and I went up to the Headquarters of the 11 Infantry to see if we could look at the show, but found it impossible. The attack was very well planned with a number of small task forces, and with the use of tanks to force their way through the wire entanglements in the gorge. When I returned, Mrs. Congressman Rogers called. She was very full of venom and innuendo, and wanted to get my opinions for her political advancement. I was very careful to give her none. She is a congenitally dishonest woman, but does not know it. October 4, 1944 Drove to Luxembourg to visit the 83d Division, which has recently closed. All the extensive industrial plants in Luxembourg are wholly undamaged. There must, it seems to me, be some sort of international ownership which has prevented anybody from blowing them up. The only damage I saw was the railway yards of the City of Luxembourg itself. I should think that after the war these plants will be very profitable, as they will have little competition for some time. On the other hand, it may be that after the war it may be impossible to get dividends out of foreign owned securities. General Jack Christmas of the Ordnance called and asked what were our special needs. I told him that we need two co-axial machine guns in the tanks instead of one, preferably one .50 and one .30, but October 4, 1944 (cont'd p.2) two .30's would be better than one .30. That we also need more white phosphorous ammunition. General W.S. Rumbough, Chief Signal Officer of the Communications zone spent the night. He seems to be a perfectly harmless old lady. October 5, 1944 We are still having trouble with Fort Driant but will not be evicted, as we have brought up an additional battalion of the 10th Infantry. General Eddy came up to talk to me about General McBride of the 80th. He fools too much with battalions and has not the confidence of either his officers or his men. We may have to relieve him. The 26th Division is closing in and will take over the sector now being held by the 4th Armored Division. The Third Cavalry, my old regiment, (Colonel J.H. Pollk) sent me two very splendid ship models with the suggestion that I send one to the President. I have arranged to do this. 1 It is reported that quite a number of buzz bombs are passing over Conflans. It is my private opinion that these are not buzz bombs but markers dropped by our heavy bombers. We can hear the bursts at Conflans quite plainly. October 6, 1944 Some more of the 280 mm shells hit near Conflans. We believe it is from a railway gun, probably concealed in a tunnel, and that it is unquestionably a naval gun because the fragmentation is very bad, and the wall of the shell is too thick for anything except an armor piercing projectile. 1. The model of the pocket battleship, Admiral Scheer, is at [Green Meadows. BAP] USNA, Annapolis, Md. BAP. October 6, 1944 (cont'd p.2) Things are going very badly at Fort Driant. We may have to abandon the attack, since it is not worth the cost. I was over optimistic in letting the 5th Division start, but I hate to crush initiative. October 7, 1944 Generals Marshall and Bradley came in at 1330. The whole staff was present, and we went over the plans for the Fort Driant operation and also those for the attack by the XII Corps (General Eddy) tomorrow. As usual, General Marshall asked very incisive questions, but we could answer them. He was more pleasant than usual and regretted that he had to go and see General Montgomery in the morning, and so miss the battle. The plan for this fight is for the 80th Division to attack and take the hills in its front. In order to get a fresh regiment for this operation, we sent a regimental combat team of the 26th Division to take over the northern sector of the 80th. One battalion of the 35th with a tank company will attack to the northwest to clear the woods on its left, while two combat commands of the6th Armored Division attack north through the middle. This should be a good, and not expensive, operation, and will give us a much better line. It is also a cheap way of being on the defensive. I intend to go to Nancy in the morning to watch the battle. October 8, 1944 Decided to fly to Nancy, which was a mistake as the fog did not clear until 10:15. We went to a fine observation post and had a really good view of the attack, which was going nicely. Four towns in the immediate foreground were blazing brightly. In one there was a column of flame and smoke at least 4000 feet high, alleged to be a tire factory which our artillery hit. While we watched, several hundred October 8, 1944 (cont'd page 2) prisoners came in. I had my Leica camera with a telephoto lens and believe I secured some good pictures. I then visited General W.H. Paul of the 26th Division, He was Adjutant of the 27th Infantry at Schofield Barracks in 1924-5. He seems all right. I believe he will make good. I then drove to an observation post in the 80th Division from which we could see their part of the battle. I noticed a tendency in General McBride to be content with less than perfect performance, and reluctant to use all his troops. Eddy tolerates this. There was a hill held by a few Germans and no visible effort was being made to secure it before dark, so I ordered him to put in his reserve and take it; otherwise it would have left a point from which the enemy could have started a counter-attack. When the reserve attacked, the hill fell readily. The whole tempo of our infantry attack is too slow. October 9, 1944 General Bradley asked the three army commanders and their G-4s and Ordnance Officers to come to Verdun at 11:30. When we arrived, he explained that it had always been Montgomery's claim that the capture of the Ruhr was a two-army job under one commander and that he, Montgomery, should therefore command the First U.S. Army. Ike agreed with him, only he said it should be two American Armies. To do this, the Ninth Army goes north of the First Army and takes over the XIX Corps. The First Army takes over the VIII Corps and adds to it the 83d Division. The First and Ninth Armies start the attack as soon as gas and ammunition become available, probably October 23d. We then discussed the supply situation so as to iron out all points prior to the arrival October 9, 1944 (cont'd p.2) of Beedle Smith. At the insistence of Brad and myself to Ike the other day, SHAEF will now supervise the allocation of supplies. Heretofore the SOS had the say, and advantaged themselves to the detriment of the ground troops and air forces. From now on allocation will be umpired by SHAEF. Smith arrived and, as usual, was very assertive and, as usual, knew nothing. Bradley took him down quite hard and he was better thereafter. At one point in the conversation he said to Bradley that any soldier should know so and so. Bradley replied that he thought he had more combat experience than General Smith and did not care to be criticized. After that Smith was much more tolerant. I made the point that too much emphasis is made on tonnage and not enough on field requisitions. Also that we should have ammunition issued in kind and not be told what we can shoot, but be given a definite amount and then be allowed to make a saving. It was decided from now on that ammunition will be listed in rounds per gun per day and not in units of fire, which means nothing to anyone. We believe that 60 rounds per gun for 105's and 40 rounds for large calibers would be a minimum. The Fort Driant show is going sour. We will have to pull out. General Marshall gets to Nancy tonight. October 10, 1944 Returned to Etain (Third Army Headquarters) so late that I was unable to spend the night in Nancy with General Marshall. I therefore left Etain at 0615 in the morning with Colonel Codman, and arrived in Nancy at 0800, just as General Marshall finished his breakfast. Eddy had a good itinerary laid out. We first drove to the Command Post of the 6th Armored Division, where we met not only General Grow and his staff, but General Wood of the 4th Armored, and General Paul October 10, 1944 (cont'd p.2) of the 26th Division. While there I had a chance to talk to General Marshall and General Handy with reference to getting a star for Colonels Bruce Clarke and George Read. I also plugged for getting a second co-axial machine gun in all tanks. We next visited the headquarters of the 35th Division under General Baade, and a Corps Fire Direction Center under General Lentz. In returning to Nancy, two salvoes of enemy shells hit about on line with our cars but about 300 yards over. This is the third time in which such instances have happened when I have visited this part of the front. I believe that there must be a telephone or very good observation reporting this in. We next drove to the 80th Division where the General decorated several soldiers and made a very nice speech. On leaving here General Walker, Commanding the XX Corps, picked us up and we drove to Headquarters 5th Division and then to the XX Corps Headquarters where we had lunch. After lunch we visited the 90th Division, General McLain. General Marshall stated to me privately that he hoped to be able to give McLain a Corps as he feels that not only is McLain a very superior officer and certainly of Corps Commander caliber, but also that since he is a National Guard officer it will have an excellent political effect in removing criticism from the Regular Army, owing to the fact that in the beginning of mobilization we had to get rid of so many worthless National Guard officers. As I discovered McLain and got him promoted, and also gave him a division, I am very much pleased. General Walker left us here after we decorated some soldiers. General Marshall and I drove to Luxembourg to see the 83d Division and here I said goodbye. I believe that General Marshall and General October 10, 1944 (cont'd p.3) Handy were very well pleased with what they saw. I have never known General Marshall to be so nice and human. October 11, 1944 General Bradley came down in the morning and I had Walker in to explain the situation at Fort Driant and recommended to Brad that we pull out. He concurred, as the glory of taking the fort is not worth the sacrifices in men which it would demand. The ammunition situation is very bad. About 7 rounds per gun per day for 155's and not much better for 105's ; and it may get worse; probably will. This will defer our big attack until November. October 12, 1944 General Bradley asked me to come to Verdun and entertain Mr. Justice Byrnes, who had expressed a desire to meet me. Bradley had to leave in order to see General Eisenhower. As we were moving the Command Post to Nancy I went to Verdun and asked Justice Byrnes if he would like to go over my old battlefields. He was quite enthusiastic about it. We drove via Blercourt and Parois to Clermont, at which place we stopped at the railway station where my tanks detrained in 1918, and where the train was actually hit by shell fire without waking up some 20 men sleeping in a boxcar. From here we took the road to Neuvilly, passing enroute the little woods where Brett's battalion spent the first night after detraining (1918). He moved in the morning, and during the second night the woods were shelled and practically obliterated. Neuvilly was the place where I found our columns stopped because of enemy harassing fire on the bridge. I used my stopwatch and got his sequence, and passed over all the tanks without a hit. October 12, 1944 (cont'd p.2) From here we drove on and stopped to take a picture of Vauqois Mountain. I could not recognize it, as in 1918 it was perfectly bare and had a crater right down the middle where the town had originally been. Now it is covered with a 26-year-old forest. Varennes, which was our next stop, has been spoiled by a number of huge monuments erected by the State of Pennsylvania. However, Stiller found the place where he thought he had been hit. Beyond Chappy I could not find my way at all, as the country has grown up and the 60-centimeter railway, which had been my guide in the war days, was gone. Mr. Byrnes wanted to visit Montfaucon, so we drove there on the return to Verdun, where he said goodbye. He seemed a very intelligent and honest man. Stiller and I then drove to Apremont via St.Mihiel. At Apremont we turned north on the road to Vigneulles, but it was raining so hard that when we got to Womville, we turned off on the road to Montsec and thence to Richecourt and on to Essey, thus going across the southern third of my attack on September 12, 1918. The country has greatly changed and is very difficult to recognize, as in every place where it was too much shelled, forests have grown up. On September 12, 1918, Brett's battalion, reinforced by 28 reserve tanks, jumped off west of Rambucourt and moving west of the Rupt-De-Mad-Rau went to Nonsard. Before jumping off, his troops had been concealed in the Faux-Bois-Nauginsard. Compton's battalion and the French Battalion, also under my command, jumped off west of Beaumont, moving on Essey, where they cross the Rupt-De-Mad-Rau and moved via Pannes on Beny and St. Benoit. I accompanied the right column as far as Pannes, and then walked along our front line to Nonsard. Both columns were halted on this line due to lack of gas. October 13, 1944 Mr. Gibson and a number of Red Cross luminaries called. October 14, 1944 General Eisenhower invited me to visit him and the King at Headquarters First Army. Codman and I drove to Toul and flew in our C-47 to a point west of Liege, where we were met by two L-5's and flew to Headquarters, First Army. Generals Eisenhowever, Bradley, Simpson, Gerow, Collins, Hodges and myself were there. The King arrived about noon and we had a brief talk, after which he presented General Bradley with the K.C.B. There was no ceremony. He just handed Bradley the box. At lunch I sat next to Sir Allen Lascelles, a member of the King's household, and we talked about hunting. After the King left, Ike had all of us in and said that we must keep up the spirit of the offensive and not criticize Lee or the Com Z. Both of these things are easier to say than to do when you have nothing to be offensive with, due to the failure of the Communications Zone. October 15, 1944 Drove to the Headquarters 26th Division where we met Generals Paul, Eddy and Wood, and then drove to a hill where the Regimental Commander, a large percentage of field officers, and one officer and one non-com from every company was assembled. I talked to them on the lessons of combat and on the offensive spirit, and particularly on fire and movement. I am sure that if I could get the American infantryman to shoot his rifle, we could win the war much more cheaply. On the way back I stopped at a collecting station and talked to a psychiatrist on war weariness. As far as I could figure out, he was the biggest nut of the crowd. There were five badly wounded men in the station, one of whom I decorated. October 16, 1944 Drove to the Headquarters XX Corps to tell General McLain goodbye. Was met by General Twaddle 1 and General Van Fleet, who relieves McLain in command of the 90th Division. After lunch I drove to the Headquarters of the 95th Division and addressed the field officers and one officer and one non-com from each company. I again talked on the question of marching fire. General Twaddle is not impressive, but the general appearance of the officers and men of the Division is satisfactory. At Walker's headquarters we saw a dud from the 280-mm gun. It is about 4 1/2 feet long and practically 11 inches in diameter. It has no rotating band but has metal strips set into the side of the projectile in a spiral form. Apparently these strips are introduced into the lands and grooves of the rifling of the gun. It rained during the whole of this trip but we didn't get too wet. October 17, 1944 Generals Gaffey, Gay, myself, and Colonels Harkins, Maddox, Muller and Koch went over plans for our next operation. We will attack first with the three infantry divisions of the XII Corps and get a bridgehead over the Seille River. When this is done, the 4th and 6th Armored Divisions are to move through the infantry and the 6th Armored will secure the high ground east of Metz, while the 4th Armored goes straight through and crosses the Saar River south of Saargemund and goes on to the Rhine if it can. As soon as the XX and XII Corps have joined, the 10th Armored Division will turn north and force a crossing of the river at Saarburg. This will be facilitated so far as practicable by the action of the 1. Maj. Gen H. L. Twaddle October 17, 1944 (cont'd p. 2) Polk Task Force, which will attack Saarburg at the same time that the 90th Division crosses the river. When the 10th has forced a crossing at Saarburg, it will move through the mountains and then advance on Mainz in the zone of the XX Corps. This should permit two armored divisions to move rapidly on the Rhine, and in the case of the 6th, will permit the crossing of the Siegfried Line at its weakest point. The infantry attack will start on D minus 2 or D minus 3. On D Day, the XX Corps crosses north of Thionville with the 90th Division to be followed immediately by the 10th Armored Division, headed in a southeasterly direction, to meet up with the 6th Armored Division and the 80th Infantry Division from the XII Corps. The 5th Infantry Division of the XX Corps crosses south of Metz right behind the 80th Division, the idea being a double envelopment of Metz without getting mixed up with the forts. The sooner we can start this the better, as the enemy continues to dig and mine ahead of us. Ike and Devers came in after lunch and I showed them the plan. Of course the whole thing hinges on ammunition, and apparently there is none. After I showed the plans, with which they found no fault, Ike left. I told him that someone in his office had told the French to prevent our soldiers from using their whorehouses. He had never heard of such an idea, which is absurd, and will result in a very bad situation. Devers stayed on and I sent for his son-in-law, Lt. Colonel Graham. Devers was full of himself, as usual, but is a clever man. The accumulated scoresheet as of October 17th is: U.S. - killed 5,455; wounded 27,191; missing 5,492; total battle casualties, 38, 138; non-battle casualties, 18,998; grand total, October 17, 1944 (cont'd p.3) 57,136; replacements, 58,498. (Note: this is the first time on the Continent of Europe that the replacements have exceeded the casualties. BAP) German (actual casualties)- prisoners of war, 92,496; killed and buried by our graves registration, 11,603; total, 104,072: German (estimated casualties)- prisoners of war, 100,800; killed, 40,300; wounded, 111,200; grand total, 252,300. Of course this grand toatal does not take into account the German sick. In our case, the sick are about 50% of the battle casualties. If this is true of the Germans, and it probably is, their total in disabilities would run close to 400, 000. Material losses: U.S.- light tanks, 156; medium tanks, 374; artillery (75 mm and over) 104: Vehicles, 1,634: total, 2,268. Material losses, German- light tanks, Mark 3 and 4, 834; heavy tanks, Mark 5 and 6, 445; artillery (.75 and over) 1,766; vehicles, 5065, total, 8,110. October 18, 1944 Gaffey, Stiller and Captain Taylor and some others went to the Uk in a C-47, which had to make the trip for repairs. Plan for the proposed attack is being typed. October 19, 1944 Harkins took the completed plan of our proposed renewal of the offensive to General Bradley. I also gave Harkins some additional reasons which he could advance should Bradly prove balky. I called Bradley on the phone and asked that he talk to Harkins personally. Brig. General R.E. Jenkins of the 6th Army Group and Colonel Guthrie of the Seventh Army called to arrange the Army boundary between the Seventh and Third Armies; also to get us of the railway through Toul and Nancy. There was no trouble about the boundaries, but I told October 19, 1944 (cont'd p.2) them that for the present, the sharing of the railway is impossible as we are using it to maximum capacity to sustain our Army, and it is the only railway we have. About 60 German planes went over Nancy last night, but no bombs were dropped. Our AA got three certains and three probables. Fred Ayer Jr spent the night. October 20, 1944 Drove to Neufchateau, Langres and Bourg to inspect rear areas and also to get a little rest. General Patch came at 0945 by appointment. He wants to borrow one of our treadway bridges for his operation on November 1 and I told him he could have it. General Spaatz came and spent the night. Fred Ayer Jr. was also there. October 21, 1944 Took Spaatz out to see General "P" Wood and the 4th Armored Division. While there we looked at a demonstration of tanks with and without (Dukws feet - that is, track extensions.) The Dukws feet are extremely efficient. The country is about as muddy as I have ever seen it and it was a good idea to let Spaatz see how the other half lives. I told him goodby and went to visit the Regimental Command Post of the 101st, 104th and 328th Regiments of the 26th Division. The 101st, under Colonel Colley, is putting on a limited attack in the morning. All the units seem to be in good shape, but a little bit helpless in looking after the health of their men. They had never thought of arranging drying rooms in the basement of houses. I told them how to do it. It is the only way of getting the men dried out and can be easily arranged with one or two stoves. On the way back, a high burst landed about 300 yrds. away. October 21, 1944 (cont'd p.2) General John Millikin, commanding the III Corps, and General Hawley, Chief Surgeon, ETOUSA, came for dinner. I had all the senior staff officers, III Corps, ordered up for a tour of duty with the Army staff so that they can get on to our methods and will be less at a loss when they become operational. General Eddy came in with the details of his Corps plan for the attack, which is all right. A few German planes went over about 0230. October 22, 1944 Brig. Gen. B.O. Davis, (Colored), who is visiting negro troops, came in to call. He is a nice old negro and quite intelligent. The French Prefect, Monsieur Chailley-Bert, of this area, called and had fewer troubles than I had anticipated. Coal is short, there is no mail, and no railway transportation. I arranged to alleviate these troubles to the best of my ability. After the briefing I met the staff officers of the III Corps. Bradley and Allen came for lunch, after which we discussed my plan for future operation. My contention is that at the moment, we do not have enough munitions to attack with all three armies. However, there is enough to attack with any one of the three and to do it now. The Third Army is in a position where it could jump off on two days' notice, but Bradley is too conservative - he wants to wait until we can all jump together by which time half of our men will have flu or trench foot. I argued all I could, but the best I could persuade him to do was to say I could jump off any time on or after the 5th of November. Also, he is keeping the 94th Division on the Loire, guarding nothing. I believe it could be replaced by one light tank company. I wish he had a little daring. One V-1 Buzz Bomb came over about 1230 and hit on a mountain east of the city, doing no harm. October 23, 1944 Inspected all ordnance maintenance units in the vicinity of Nancy. There are a great many of these, and the amount of supplies and the work done is impressive. Discipline was good and enthusiasm high. Also had a look at some of the 26th Division casualties. All were in fine spirits and wanted to know how the fight was going. October 24, 1944 We sailed from Norfolk two years ago today. Last night the Germans fired on Nancy with 280 mm railroad guns. They seemed to be trying to get our house as they put the last three right around the house, none of them missing it by more than thirty yards. [*?*] Our house is #4. #5 across the street was hit.[*?*] One piece came into Stiller's room and one went into the guest house and just missed Sergeant Woods. I dressed, on hearing the hollering in French across the street. I went out and helped pull out an old man, a baby and an old lady. (Ed note: there is a very funny letter about this to me.Put it inBAP) At 0900 General Walker came in with the XX Corps plan. Eddy and Millikin were also present. The plan is okay, but to keep from alarming the Boche we will have the III Corps move initially to Etain' instead of Briey. At 10:00 Colonel Muller had a surprise for me in the shape of a train, or rather a R.R. car. We inspected the railroad as far as Toul, then went through the various quartermaster depots. October 25, 1944 Generals Lee, Sayler and Plank called on the question of supply. It was pointed out that the three critical shortages are gas, two million gallons below allowance; ammunition, none received for three days, and B Rations none for three days. Suggested corrective measures. I October 25, 1944 (cont'd p.2) also showed Lee a copy of the telegram I had sent Ike on the failure to provide gas. This annoyed him a good deal, as he poses as the perfect supply man. Dined with the Prefect and Mayor. At my speech at the Doughnut Dugout the men cheered for five minutes. October 26, 1944 Inspected all regiments of the 95th Division. They seem all right but have so far sustained negligible casualties and taken no prisoners so I doubt they are agressive. Stressed care of man and the use of all weapons for short violent attacks, also marching fire. I am not certain how good General Twaddle is. October 27, 1944 General Truscott and his Chief of Staff spent the night. He is going to get the 45th Army. His promotion has been well deserved and he has invariably done a good, but never a brilliant job. I am very proud of him. By some clever work on the part of an engineer, Lt. Colonel, we have the locations of the observation posts used by the Germans when the 240 fires on Nancy. We have completed arrangements by which we hope to get them the next time they fire. I hope we kill them all. I never knew a people I cared for less. October 28, 1944 Inspected a British-type flame thrower. It has to be transported in a tank and has only 125-yard range. Called General Walker and told him to go ahead and take Mogreis as I was fed up with waiting. Captain Butcher [*Gen Eisenhowers aide, to*] was in. He says that some of the junior officers October 28, 1944 (cont'd p.2) of this army say that Ike is the best General the British have, and that I was halted to save Monty's face. October 29, 1944 Weyland, Harkins and I drove to Luxembourg to see Bradley. I wanted to get the use of all, or part, of the 83d Division to secure the crossing over the Saar at Saarburg. This is Gay's idea and is a good one. The 83d will cross after the 10th Armored north of Thionville and secure the crossing, which will be later used by the 10th. This will save time and also get a lot more men into action. Tried to save a fighter bomber group for Weyland, but all the air goes to the First and Ninth Armies. Well, all the more glory to us when we go it alone. Got D day [*Nov 8th] fixed. We attack at last. [*(rain or shine air force or none.*] Lost out on over strength, but have until the 15th, by which time the enemy will have evened things up. On the way back inspected a part of the Maginot Line. The defenses have little value unless you try to storm them. Called on 83d Division and XX Corps to give them advance information on the new move. On the way home had a most sinister idea. Election is November 4th and we are not going to be allowed to attack before that date. This is done by the simple method of not letting supplies arrive. The idea is too fantastic. General W.H. Morris' 10th Armored Division has arrived. October 30, 1944 Eddy and Walker came in to coordinate the crossing at Pont-a-Mousson. We also decided to relieve the 95th with the 5th Division. The 95th has not shown enough drive. I inspected the AA defenses at Nancy, which is October 30, 1944 (cont'd p.2) a gloomy spot, although the men are very keen. October 31, 1944 General Allen, Chief of Staff 12th Army Group called to say we would have to send Bruce Clarke to the 7th Armored Division. This is a blow, as he was the sparkplug of all our attack across France, but he may get a promotion out of it. Had to relieve Bob Sears from command of an infantry regiment. He, Sears, has done a fine job but simply can't keep it up at 60. He is as thin as a snake. Colonel Carl Baehr and Sears and P. Wood came to lunch. P. is getting morose because he is not a Corps Commander. I wrote Bradley requesting him to replace Millikin with Wood, who is the best Division Commander I know. It is a blunder to send untried Corps Commanders to command veteran divisions. This is a good flying day. I hope that Fort Driant gets smashed. Vandenberg promised to do it for me. November 1, 1944 All Corps Commanders are in the final check on plans. Yesterday I inspected a colored tank battalion attached to the 26th Division. They gave a very good impression but I have no confidence in the inherent fighting ability of the race. This waiting for the starting signal is very trying on the disposition. November 2, 1944 Bradley came in and explained the next plan. The First and Ninth can't go before the 10th. He asked me when I could go. I said, "Twenty- four hours from when you say 'go'." He said, "Any time on or after the 8th, when you get a forecast of one good day." I said, "O.K., but in any case I will jump on the 8th, bombers or no." He agreed. November 2, 1944 (cont'd p.2) We talked it over with the XII Corps and since it is 98% likely that bombers can't work before noon, even on a good day, we will jump off the morning after they bomb and if we can later get them before the First and Ninth want them, we will use them on direct targets. I feel 40 years younger. I was slightly put out with Brad. He let the 9th Armored Division take Hoge in place of Piburn, took Clarke from the 4th Armored Division to the 7th Armored Division, and then sent my Piburn. But it is not worth making an issue of. Also he tied a string on one Combat Team of the 83d Division due, I think, to the timid talk of Middleton. November 3, 1944 Mrs. McCormick of the NEW YORK TIMES , sent here by Public Relations at SHAEF, came to dine last night. I took her along this morning when I made speeches to the 26th, 35th and 80th Divisions. She seems quite a bright woman. Husband is a stick. All arrangements for attack are buttoned up. Asked for extra rifle company to guard bridges. Got none. Score sheet November 3d U.S. - killed, 5,676; wounded, 28,051; missing, 5,382; total 39,109; non-battle casualties, 23,218; grant total 62,327; replacements, 63,771. Germans: (actual casualties) killed, 11,738; prisoners of war, 102,450; total, 114,738. Germans -(estimated casualties) killed, 82,250; prisoner of war, 103,000; wounded, 116,200, total 201,450. Materiel losses, U.S. - light tanks, 156; medium tanks, 374; guns,(75mm and over) 108, vehicles, 1057; total 2295. Materiel losses, German - Mark III and IV Tanks, 834; Mark V and VI, 445; guns, (75 mm and over)1771; vehicles, 5082; total 8132. November 4, 1944 Made speeches to all divisions in XX Corps, that is, 5th, 10th, Armored Divisions, 95th and 90th; also Headquarters XX Corps. It was a long nasty drive in the rain. All the men seemed to be in good shape. Of course the 95th is still a problem, especially Twaddle. Had a message from Brad to state my opinion of Sylvester as Commander. He wanted a similar statement from Walker. Find that 4th and 6th Armored Divisions feel hurt that I did not talk to them. I will do so Monday. I did not include them at first as there is nothing about war I can tell them. November 5, 1944 Had a bad case of short breath this morning - my usual reaction to an impending fight or match. Went to church. Devers was waiting to see me when I returned. He seemed most cooperative and said he would push the XV Corps along on our right. Had Marlene Deitrich and her troupe for lunch. Later they gave us a show. Very low comedy, almost an insult to human intelligence. Everett Hughes arrived and is staying for a few days. He has been ill with an infected leg. He brought Colonel "Hank" Reed 1 back from the hospital with him. Sent a copy of our attack order to Patch and Haislip. November 6, 1944 We were to have 300 heavy bombers on the Metz forts today., but the weather was so bad that is has now postponed until tomorrow. It is useless to put any confidence in the air at this time of year. I made talks to both the 4th and 6th Armored Divisions by request, and told them that I could tell them nothing about war or valor because they knew as much about war as I did. In talking to the 4th 1. Col H.H. Reed C.O. 2o Cav Regt (mech) November 6, 1944 (cont'd p.2) I said that in their case I could quote the Bible and said that "the first shall be last and the 4th shall be first." In the afternoon I presented colors to a new engineer battalion and said that "when a unit gets its colors it gets the symbol of its immortal soul." Talked to the correspondents at 1630 and had stenographic notes taken. I asked the BBC correspondent to announce on the 8th that th e Third Army was attacking to get high ground on which to spend the winter. November 7, 1944 Two years ago today we were on the August approaching Africa, and it was blowing hard. Then about 1600 it stopped. It is now 0230 and raining hard. I hope that that too stops. I know of nothing more I can do to prepare for this attack except to read the Bible and pray. The damn clock seems to have stopped. I am sure we will have a great success. At 1900 Generals Eddy and Grow came to the house to beg me to call off the attack due to the bad weather, heavy rains and swollen rivers. I told them the attack would go on. 1 I am sure it will succeed. On November 7, 1942, there was a storm but it stopped at 1600. All day the 9th of July 1943 there was a storm but it cleared at dark. I know the Lord will help us again. Either he will give us good weather, or the bad weather will hurt the Germans more than it does us. His Will Be Done. 1 This is the time the General asked them who they recommended as their successors because he was going to attack. PH November 8, 1944 Woke up at 0300 and it was raining like hell. I actually got nervous and got up and read Rommel's book, "Infantry Attacks". It was most helpful, as he described all the rains he had in September, 1914, and also the fact that, in spite of the heavy rains, the Germans got along. Went to bed and to sleep at 0345. At 0515 the artillery preparation woke me. The rain had stopped and the stars were out. The discharge of over 400 guns sounded like the slamming of doors in an empty house - very many doors all slamming at once. All the eastern sky glowed and trembled with the flashes of guns and I thought how the enemy must feel, knowing that at last the attack he has dreaded has come. I also remembered that I had always demanded the impossible, "Had dared extreme occasion and never one betrayed". How I had never taken counsel of my fears, and I thanked God for his goodness to me. At 0745 Bradley called up to see if we were attacking. I had not told him for fear he would call off the attack, but he seemed very pleased that we were going on without any air support. Then Ike came on the line and said, "I expect a lot of you; carry the ball all the way." I wonder if he ever made a decision to take risks when his best men advised caution. I doubt if he ever has. Codman, Stiller and I drove to the Observation Post of the XII Corps but there was so much artificial smoke covering the bridges that not much could be seen. At about 1000 our fighter bombers appeared in force and attacked the known enemy command posts. The day was the brightest and best we have had in two months. I visited the command posts of the 80, 35th, and 26th Divisions and also saw "P" Wood. We are doing better than we expected. Thank God. Eddy called up after supper to say that everything was on its objective except the 35th Division, which is a little behind schedule. It started to rain at 1700. November 9, 1944 We drove to the Observation Post of the 2d Infantry, 5th Division, which crossed the river this morning. The flooded condition of the river is very bad. It is said by the local inhabitants that this is the biggest flood in the history of the Moselle Valley. Many trucks, airplanes, and one hospital platoon are in the water, or are marooned. I am sending the Inspector General down to find out why the officers concerned did not get their stuff on high ground. Our chief trouble in this war is the inefficiency and lack of sense of responsibility on the part of company officers. While we were at the Observation Post of the 5th Division with General Irwin and Colonel Roffe, some 2,000 planes of the 8th Air Force came over and bombed the Metz forts and other targets on our front. It was a great sight. First we saw lots of smoke corkscrews in the air and thought they were German anti-air rockets - actually they were our markers. The roar of the bombs at the Observation Post was quite audible and the ground shook. All the bridges over the Moselle south of Nancy, except at Pont - a - Mousson, are out. The Seille River has increased in width from 200 to 500 feet since we started bridging it. When I crossed the Moselle at Pont-a-Mousson, I got stuck in the water and had to be pushed out by a truck. We met some of Combat Command "B" of the 10th Armored Division near Mars La Tour. They looked very well and had splendid march discipline. Five battalions of the 90th are over the river and have their support bridges in place, hoping to complete the treadway bridge for the armor by dawn. The 6th Armored is having trouble crossing the Seille River. The 4th Armored is moving up and has started fighting. We will have over 2,000 prisoners by night. November 9, 1944 (cont'd p.2) Generals Spaatz, Doolittle, Curtis, and Colonel [*?*] Allen, also a Professor [*Bruce?*] survivor of 96 day bombardment sdqn, 1918 - Codwain old outfit - Hopper spent the night. I think that all the bombers we had today were really an expression of friendship to me from Spaatz and Doolittle - personality plays a tremendous part in war. Spaatz feels that the infantry is being given undue importance in this war. Americans are mechanically minded. All arms using gadgets like the Air Force Armor, and engineers are superior; while the infantry divisions are not so good. We both feel that this national characteristic should be developed in the next war. Score sheet as of 2400, November 7, 1944: U.S. Losses (since August 1) - killed, 5,734; wounded, 28,273; missing, 5,421; total 39, 428; non-battle casualties, 24,386; grand total 63,814. Replacements received, 64,655. German losses, (actual since August 1) prisoners of war, 102,680; buried, 11,776; total, 114,456. Germans (estimated) killed, 42,500; wounded, 117,000; prisoners of war, 103,000; total 262,500. Materiel losses (U.S.) light tanks, 157; medium tanks, 324; guns, (75 and over) 109; vehicles, 1663; total, 2306. Materiel losses (German) Mark III and IV Tanks, 834; Mark V and VI, 445; guns (75 and over) 1,773; vehicles, 8,135. Our AA has shot down 320 enemy planes. November 10, 1944 The Moselle river has gone down a little and we have it bridged - or rather the bridge at Pont-a-Mousson is in operation again; also one in the 90th Division area. Combat Command "B" of the 4th Armored Division is going well east of Chateau Salins. The 6th Armored is moving northeast and has apparently caught an enemy column between itself and the 5th Division. Things are very satisfactory. November 10, 1944 (cont'd p.2) General Haislip came in and said he would be responsible for seeing that nothing attacked our right flank at the present time. We will shoot the two spies tomorrow morning. 1 [*Shot at Toul*] Prisoners to date about 3,000. Called the 12th Army Group to report the situation. November 11, 1944 Visited the 26th Division, 6th Armored Division and 80th Division. We got well up to the front and saw quite a few dead Germans. The flood is abating. I think we made quite a killing today. Visited the wounded in Nancy and all were in fine spirits. At 1710 Bradley called, and after asking in a casual way how we were doing said, "I am not at all pleased with the way Walker is planning to use the 83d Division. He is not following my orders. I think we should not use the 83d at all, especially in view of the change in timing." I replied that I was sure he was misinformed about Walker's plans, but Bradley persisted so finally I said, "If you are personally going to command the 83d, it had better not be used." He then told me to tell Walker that he could not have the 83d and that he, Bradley, would phone Hodges to the same effect. This was done. I imagine that this is one of the few times in the history of war when 1/10 of an attacking General's command was removed after the battle had been joined. I suppose that Hodges and Middleton have been working on Brad for a week and this, added to his natural timidity, caused him to make this decision. I hope history records his moral cowardice. I am sure that it is a terrible mistake, because by using the 83d we could take Saarbourg easily. Without it, we will not get Saarbourg 1. P.H. note on spies. November 11, 1944 (cont'd p.2) and will have, therefore, to be always bothered by the triangle between the Moselle and the Saar River. The heads of the sections gave me a birthday party at Colonel Koch's quarters. We had "Armored Diesels" 1, field expedient type, and they were very good. November 12, 1944 General Gay and I went to church where I heard the worst service yet. Sent for the Chief of Chaplains to have the offender removed and get a new chaplain. Bradley called on the phone to say that he and General Hartwell Bonesteel would visit me in the morning. Inspected the 35th Evacuation Hospital to see the wounded. Their spirit is most stimulating. The 90th Division and the 10th Armored Division are still held up by the flood. The 90th sustained a severe counterattack by about one German division, but after a hard fight, repelled it. The XII Corps is making steady but not spectacular gains. The weather is awful and we are getting lots of trench foot. I directed that all shoes be dubbined before issue and that if humanly possible, the men get one dry pair of socks daily. We have also practically equipped every infantryman now with overshoes. I must get the XII Corps in column of divisions so as to give one division at least a chance to rest, sleep, and get hot food and dry out. Supplies are satisfactory except 240mm howitzer and 8-inch gun ammunition. Ike called to see how I was doing and also to tell me that General Silvester said I had a personal animus against him. As a matter of fact, I saved him from being reclassified by Walker on two occasions. 1. cocktails resembling a whiskey sour, a recipe of Lt Col Franklin (2nd Armd Div) November 13, 1949 Seventh Army attacked this morning. General Bradley and Bonesteel called at 1015 and we drove to Headquarters XII Corps and Chateau Salins, headquarters 4th Armored Division. The weather was extremely bad and Brad got a good idea of the flood conditions. He told me the build-up contemplated was that we will get the infantry of the 75th Division around December 10, and the whole division by December 15th. We will also get the 11th Amored Division now in the UK. He also plans to use the Fifteenth Army to take over the area from the Moselle to the Rhine and so relieve Third Army and the left of First Army of the trouble of covering so much territory. Visited wounded in the afternoon - all in fine spirits. November 14, 1944 General Eddy wanted to by-pass Falkenburg, but I told him to take it because it is easier to defeat the Germans there than later on the Saar or on the West Wall. Took my railroad car and went to Briey where I met General Walker and we went to the [9th] 95th Division. They were doing something but seemed to lack vigor. Since November 8, they have lost 80 killed and 482 wounded - not commensurate with the effor t they are supposed to be making. I told General Twaddle that he must do better. We then drove to Thionville where the largest Bailey Bridge in the world was being put up by an egineer company. It was built under fire and they had rather heavy losses. Some shelling was going on at the time we visited the bridge. From there we drove to Cattenom and crossed on a treadway bridge, under a smoke screen to see the 90th Division. This Division made an epic river crossing and is in great shape. The 10th Armored Division started crossing at Malliring and at Thiancourt at 1600. When it gets across I hope things start moving. I never saw November 14, 1944 (cont'd p.2) so many dead Germans as I did when Van Fleet took us to Kerling and showed us where the counterattack on November 11th was stopped. November 15, 1944 General Eisenhower came at noon, and in the afternoon we visited the XX Corps and the 26th and 35th Divisions. He seemed well pleased and got copiously photographed standing in the mud talking to soldiers. After supper we talked till 2:30 a.m. and I believe I put over my ideas on getting decorations and promotions for the staff. The 4th Armored got set back a little today, but otherwise fighting is going slowly but steadily. At present all the present known reserves of the enemy have been put in. I hope the Seventh Army does better than it has to date and also wish the First and Ninth would attack. Eddy is regrouping the XII Corps and will pull out the 6th Armored ready to exploit. November 16, 1944 Ike and I visited quartermaster and ordnance installations and also a hospital, leaving at 1315. I think he was well pleased and said that we had gone farther than he thought possible. General Lee called and we put the heat on him about trench foot. I hear that the Germans use tetanus serum to prevent trench foot, so I am trying it. Walker called to know what to do when Metz surrenders. I hope it does. November 17, 1944 Visited XII Corps and saw General Grow,6th Armored Division, so I did not have to hunt him up, but went to the 80th Division at Falkenburg. McBride seems fed up with Grow. Prisoners state that there are 13 delayed action bombs buried at this place with a delay of as November 17, 1944 (cont'd p.2) many as 21 days. Two of these have been found. Got back in time for lunch with Mr. Walter Lippman. He is a very impressionable person with good eyes. Eddy's allowance of shells for tomorrow is 9,000 so I told him to use 20,000. If we win now we will not need shells later; if we do not use the shells now, we will not win the war. November 18, 1944 We had a great day for air. The XIX Tactical Air Command flew from 0800 to dark, attacking many enemy columns. After dark they sent out their night fighters on numerous missions, and attacked fifty convoys of from 12 to 25 vehicles with fair results. The XX Corps made good progress. Both the 90th and 95th moved forward long distances and they have practically made contact with the 5th Division east of Metz, by dark. The 10th Armored was on the northern part of its objective by dark. Combat Command "B" of the 10th Armored is within a few miles of the Saar near Merzig. We hear that elements of the German armored divisions are assembling and have asked for four groups of medium bombers to attack them in the morning. If the weather holds good, we may get to or through the Siegfried Line soon. I did not go to the front today, as I think everything is going all right. Walker called me late today to say that he was not satisfied with the progress of the 5th Division. I will visit them in the morning. November 19, 1944 At 0845 Eddy called to say he was having trouble with Wood and wanted to see me. He came in at 0930 and stated that General Wood did not drive hard yesterday and was almost insubordinate. I wrote Wood a letter which I sent him by Gaffey, telling him plainly that if things did not improve I would have to relieve him. I hate to do this as he is one of my best friends, but war is war. November 19, 1944 (cont'd p.2) I drove to the front at Fort Verney, Headquarters of the 5th Division, and met Walker there. The 10th Infantry of that Division made a night attack and advanced some 6 kilometers and cut the last escape route from Metz. While I was there, it made physical contact with elements of the 90th Division coming from the North. Now both the 5th and 90th are fighting in the streets of the town. We have almost half the forts and are containing the rest. A column of Germans in all types of vehicles is stalled on the road and under fire of a company of tanks at a range of 200 yards. I heard of some instances in which the Germans beat up, and even killed, our wounded. The air attack on Merzig was a success. Combat Command "B" of the 10th Armored is over the border. there. Walker will leave the 5th Division to clean up Metz and will attack to the east north of Merzig. He is showing plenty of drive. We also took the bridge leading to the island west of Metz by covering air bursts on it, and then by moving tanks across under the air burst s so as to prevent the Germans from blowing it. Called Bradley to say that while Metz has not officially surrendered, it is ours. General Wood apologized to General Eddy and everything seems all right. November 20, 1944 The weather has closed down again so that we have no air. However, on the bright side, the French have nroken through at Belfort and the Seventh Army is going ahead well. At noon we got a report that the enemy infantry in front of the 26th Division is pulling out in a northerly direction. The City of Metz is 2/3 cleared of the enemy. I sent Maddox to the XX Corps to see about turning Metz, with the 5th Division, over to the III Corps. I also sent Gaffey and Koch to the XX November 20, 1944 cont'd p.2) Corps to arrange for an attack due east as well as the one against Saarbourg. I am sure that an attack between Merzig and Saarlauten will produce quicker result, and owing to the fact that it is against the heaviest part of the Seigfried Line, it may well find that line not fully manned. November 21, 1944 The weather is getting bad and we will probably not get much air today. The Germans are flooding the country in front of the 26th Division. Gaffey wants me to send the 80th Division east from Falkenburg to cover the gap between the XII and XX Corps. However, I do not believe there is enough enemy in the gap to hurt us, and I prefer to narrow the front of the XII Corps. I sent him up to talk this over with Eddy. There is still a small pocket holding out in front of Merzig. I wish things would move faster in this Army, because I fear that at the moment, the French and the Seventh Army are stealing the show. Visited two hospitals this afternoon - the casualties are light. Wrote a letter on trench foot to corps and division commanders. The impetus of our attack is naturally slackening, due to the fatigue of the men. I am trying to arrange to get at least one infantry division in each corps out of the line for a rest, but I doubt whether we can do it. The weather cleared a little in the afternoon, so we had some air. November 22, 1944 The weather is still bad so we will get no air support today. The 26th Division had some useless losses, due to impetuous ignorance. However, it is nevertheless a very fine division. November 22, 1944 (cont'd p.2) General Bonesteel, who is "hatchet man" for General Eisenhower, came to spend a few days with me. I think he will be of very real value. Gaffey, Maddox and myself went over Corps plans for the continuation of the offensive. In brief they are as follows In the XX Corps, the 10th Armored Division and one combat team of the 90th Division will try for Saarburg and Merzig. The rest of the 90th and 95th Divisions will attack east in the vicinity of Saarlauten. The 5th Division, less one Combat Team in Metz, will follow whichever assault makes a hole. I cannot refrain from again regretting the fact that Bradley did not let me use the 83d in the attack on Saarbourg. Had we done so, the situation would now be better. In the XII Corps the 80th and 6th Armored Divisions will attack in the vicinity of Sarregeumines. One combat team of the 35th Division will accompany the 6th Armored Division. The 26th and the rest of the 35th will stand fast and refit to what degree is possible. The 4th Armored's northern thrust is really efficacious, due to the slowness imposed on it by weather conditions. When I planned this operation, the ground was dry and hard and I hoped for a blitz; however, the movement of the 10th to the north will further attentuate the Germans northern forces. A river crossing or a landing should be on a wide front with the hope that somewhere, somehow a foothold will be gained. I rather think that the attack of the 80th and 6th Armored Divisions has the best chance. Score sheet as of midnight, November 22, 1944: U.S. Losses (since Aug. 1, 1944) killed, 7,433; wounded, 39,095; missing, 7,709; total, 54,237; non-battle casualties, 34,488; grand November 22, 1944 (cont'd p.3) total, 88,725: replacements, 84,734. German losses (since Aug. 1, 1944) prisoners of war, 122, 533; buried, 12,774: total, 135,307. German losses (estimated) prisoners of war, 123,100: killed, 53,300; wounded, 145,600; total 322,000. Material losses (since Aug. 1, 1944) U.S. light tanks, 193; medium tanks, 456; guns (75 and over) 115; vehicles, 1,973; 2,737. Material losses( Germany from Aug. 1) Mark III and Iv Tanks, 877; Mark V and VI, 468 (75 and over) 2,073; vehicles, 5,334; total, 8,752. November 23, 1944 This morning we had a guard of honor for General Eddy and one for General Walker to celebrate the respective captures of Nancy and Metz. Actually, the band played three ruffles and three flourishes. I hope that this is prophetic, as I am sure Corps Commanders should have three stars. We then all went over, with Millikin, the present plans for the continuation of offensive operations for two corps. We had a nice Thanksgiving lunch. General Giraud called and told me that our planes for the con- tinuation of the attack are very sound as based on his knowledge of the ground, which he had studied carefully during the several years he was commandant of Metz. He also stated that in his opinion I am the "Liberator of France" - I am glad someone thinks so. Elements of the 130th (Panzer Lehr Division) were identified on the line between the XII and XV Corps about where the 4th Armored Division is. The 4th Armored has, therefore, an opportunity of striking them November 23, 1944 (cont'd p.2) in the flank and rear. The situation as to ammunition is not good, but we will use all we need until we run out, and then dig in. General Eisenhower wired congratulations on the capture of Metz but did not mention the XX Corps, although I had asked him to do so. I had G-3 prepare a study for use of all or part of the XV Corps in the zone of the XII Corps. I will try to sell this idea to Bonesteel, and he may get it across. If this is permitted, it will give me an opportunity of out-flanking the Saar River line rapidly and cheaply. November 24, 1944 Bonesteel and I were just leaving to inspect the 6th Armored Division and XX Corps when I got a telephone call that General Eisenhower was to pass through Nancy and would like to see me, so General Bonesteel went on alone. Bradley was with Eisenhower, so I had them stop in the office and showed them my plan for use of the XV Corps. Eisenhower seemed to like it, but Bradley suggested we could do the same thing by shifting the boundary of the 6th Army Group to the north within the zone of the XII Corps. I objected, on the grounds that the zone of advance of the Third Army is natural and self-contained, and that to put an Inter-Army boundary within it is a tactical mistake of the highest order. No matter how much you try, you cannot coordinate two different groups of armies or even two different armies. After they left, I visited the XII C orps but it was too late to see the 6th Armored Division. The distances are terrible, and it is dark by 5:15. I should move the Command Post forward, but there is no place to go at present, except to St. Avold and I have not got the wire laid at that point yet. I will send my private railroad car to Thionville tomorrow and then drive up to visit the 95th, the 5th,90th and 10 Armored and return in the car after dark. November 25, 1944 The 95th Division has done well and has high morale; however, I thought the plan I inspected this morning was over-timid and said so. They are talking about seizing successive objectives and closing up on them. As it is, there is nothing to oppose them from marching straight forward. On the way to the 95th, three shells (probably 88's or 105's) fell near the road we were on. I do not think they were firing at me, but map-firing at the road. The 5th Division was in Metz, and it was very pleasant to drive into a town which has not been captured for more than 1300 years. I told General Irwin that his division was not as good as it had been, and he should improve it. When I got to the XX Corps Headquarters at Thionville, I found General Giraud there, and that I was being roped into a couple of formations in his honor. The 10th Armored Division is very self-confident and while it is not moving fast, it is progressing, so I decided to let them keep on toward Saarbourg for a little longer. The 90th Division is advancing very well and is well up to strength. I told all division commanders that I am going to send up some replacements of captains who will be used lieutenants under veteran captains until they learn the ropes. I also urged them to push battlefield promotions. When I got home, I found that the G-3s of the 6th Army Group and the Seventh Army had been up with a proposed boundary between the XII Corps and the Seventh Army, which would pinch the Third Army out. Gaffey made them take the one we had proposed initially. Evidently Devers talked Eisenhower out of letting me have the XV Corps. It is a very stupid decision and almost impossible tactically. Well, it can't be helped but I hate it, and from a military standpoint it is stupid. I called Bradley and protested but got nowhere. His thesis November 25, 1944 (cont'd p.2) is that all four American armies should consist of 12 divisions. This is absurd. An Army should be the size necessary to accomplish its task in the theatre of operations where it is committed. The First and Ninth Armies are on narrow fronts and need fewer divisions than the Third Army, whcih is on a wide front. Furthermore, the First Army is making a terrible mistake in leaving the VIII Corps static, as it is highly probably that the Germans are building up east of them. 1 The only way to think about these things is to remember that, "What can't be cured must be endured." Bradley is without inspiration and all for equality -- he may also be jealous. November 26, 1944 Bradley came by at 1000 with a final arrangement for the boundary between the Seventh and Third Armies. The XV Corps gets a northern boundary in our area on the line Lorentzes-Rahling-Houling-Walthalben- Kaiserlautern-Bobenheim. This is about the boundary I would have used had I kept the XV Corps. The VI Corps turns northeast along the Rhine. We will see how this comes out. I personally believe the VI Corps should have crossed the Rhine, but it was stopped by Eisenhower the day he visited Devers. I called up General Haislip to congratulate him on his breakthrough, and he said I was the only person who had commended him--neither his Army nor his Army Group Commander had said a word about it. 1. It was opposite VIII Corps that Von Runstedt broke through 21 days later. November 27, 1944 Averill Harriman, Ambassador to Russia, accompanied by Lt. Colonel Gault, Aide to Eisenhower, arrived at 1010. Eisenhower had called to ask me to see that Harriman saw the worst flood conditions. We crossed four tank ditches and innumerable lines of trenches, all of which had been captured by our men. Arriving at the 4th Armored we crossed the Saar River. The ground was as bad as it could be--practically all the meadows looked like lakes. We then visited the 26th Division and in returning home passed over one of our tank battlefields. At one point we came on a place where one of our Mark 4's had put out five German Mark V's. General Wood had asked me to decorate this tank officer with the DSC and I did so; also I was very much interested to see what had happened. Apparently our tank, coming down through a cut, had spotted two of the German tanks at a range of about 125 yards, and evidently got them both on the first two shots. Our tank then left the road and charged into the middle of the three remaining Germans, which he put out at ranges of not in excess of 50 yards. All five German tanks were burned. Our tank had a track knocked off and several holes through it, but was not burned. It was a very great piece of fighting. Harriman told me that Stalin had praised the Third Army in the highest terms of which he is capable when he said to Harriman in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Red Army, " That the Red Army could not have conceived and certainly could not have executed, the advance of the Third Army across France." Harriman says that Stalin is a strong, ruthless revolutionist and therefore a very potential threat to future world conditions. He says that discipline in the Red Army is the most rigid and ruthless he has ever seen, and that the November 27, 1944 (cont'd p.3) officer caste is a new nobility. This is a strange result of communism. I think he had a very pleasant time. November 28, 1944 Colonel J.C. Macdonald, who has been Provost Marshal of the Third Army, leaves today to take command of the 4th Cavalry Group. He has done a very fine job and I hate to lose him. However, there is no Table of Organization promotion for him here. I will write a personal letter to Hodges about him. Generals Brereton and Ridgeway called to get a job for the airborne troops. They state that the place in the vicinity of Worms where I would like to cross is highly suitable for an air drop. We arranged to have the staffs make a mutual study. Beedle Smith, Truscott and a lost of industrial magnates came to dinner including Stuart Cramer, who brought me a pair of suspenders and a letter from Beatrice. Truscott is to return to Italy to command the Fifth Army, now that Clark commands all the forces in Italy. I believe that Truscott is a great soldier, but I believe Keyes is a greater one, and regret that Truscott is to get the Fifth, which I am sure Keyes merits and would have gotten, had it not been for the mistake of the War Department G-1, which sent Simpson over to command the Ninth Army instead of letting Truscott take it over, as originally planned, when Truscott got his third star. Walker can attack Saarlautern anytime after tomorrow morning. He would like air support which may be available in the next few days. I told him he could wait until Friday and then attack anyhow. He November 28, 1944 (Cont'd. p. 2) feels most optimistic. November 29, 1944 Large numbers of people kept bothering me so I could not get off to visit units until 1100. Drove first to the 80th Division and found them very cocky and doing well. Next, I saw the 6th Armored Division in a very liberated town. Then the 35th Division, which has practically all units out of the line, and finally the XII Corps where I examined plans to get the 26th across the Saar northwest of the 4th Armored with the idea of opening the crossings over the river from the east, and eventually insuring the passage of the 35th north of Sarre Union, and probably permitting the 6th Armored Division to come in its wake. Between Chateau Salins and St. Avold we crossed four new, and one old, anti-tank ditches. The amount of dirt moved in constructing these Chinese Walls in reverse is appalling and to no purpose. The Maginot Line itself is not very impressive--in fact part of the 80th Division advanced through it without knowing it was there. The shortage of replacements for the Third Army is this day, 9,000 and none in sight. I cannot see why Eisenhower could be caught short on both men and ammunition, because after all, these are the two elements with which wars are fought. I will have to withdraw 5% of the Headquarters personnel of the Army and make infantrymen out of them. General F.L. Culin Jr commanding the 87th Division, came to dinner. He has an "inherited" face. I do not know how he will turn out, but fear the worst. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.