The rapid occupation of Lyons and the unexpected speed of the German withdrawal brought about a change in the original plan for regrouping the Seventh Army at this stage. Their assigned mission—to land in southern France, take Toulon, and Marseilles and probe northwards towards Lyons and Vichy—had been completed, although Americans had not yet formally entered the last-named town, and it was consequently decided to continue the pursuit of the enemy and effect a link-up with the Third Army much sooner than planned.[5]

Germans in Full Retreat

In the early hours of September 3rd, a special office courier arrived at the command post of the Seventh Army with an urgent message from General Truscott. The VI Corps commander stated that the Germans were in full retreat and greatly disorganized, and that delaying action at advantageous defensive positions were the only opposition to be expected. … Truscott intended to give the enemy no respite; he wanted VI Corps to drive after them hard and fast along the Lons-Le Saunier-Besançon-Belfort axis to try to prevent their escape into Germany.[5]

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After regrouping and resupplying its forces on 3 September, VI Corps had begun its drive northeast on the 4th, heading in the general direction of Besancon on the Doubs River about fifty miles away. Initially O’Daniel’s 3d Division led the attack with Dahlquist’s 36th Division on the left and Eagles’ 45th in the rear.[3] … On the 4th VI Corps began its northward drive in the general direction of Besançon, with the 3rd in the lead, the 36thon the left, and the 45th in the rear.[4]

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Heading to Besançon

Dad’s 30th Infantry remained in an assembly area south of Lagnieu until 1045, September 4, 1944, when it entrucked for its area in the vicinity of Lons-le-Saunier. The regminent closed in about noon that day.

The new objective was now Besançon.[1]

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Execution of “Cohabiters”

While waiting to move, a crowd was gathered below us. We inquired about what was going on and were told that six women were having their heads shaved before being taken to the priest for last rites. It seems they were going to be executed for cohabitating with the Germans during occupation.[2]

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The City Fortified by Six Forts

Besançon was a key communication and road net center, as well as an important industrial city of approximately 80,000 persons in peacetime. It is divided by the Doubs River, with the industrial and most valuable section situated in the loop south of the river.

This loop has a bottleneck opening, solidly guarded by a huge Vauban-designed fort, La Citadelle, which in turn is supported by four minor forts—Fort Tosey on the southwest, Fort des Trois Chatels on the southeast, and two other forts at a high elevation across the river; Fort Bregille on the northeast and Fort Chaudanne on the west.

These forts were built in the 17th Century. La Citadelle alone took six years to complete (1667-1673). Its aspect is formidable to an attacker, presenting a extremely thick walls surrounded by moats, and being situated on high ground which commands all avenues of approach.

The 30th Infantry made no contact during the period [but] advanced on the Division right boundary, neutralizing enemy roadblocks southeast of Besançon. The 1st and Dad’s 3rd Battalions moved to the north by motor, starting at 1025, to cut the roads to the north and northeast and to enter the town from those directions. The 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry, followed to the rear of, and assisted, the 15th Infantry.[1]

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[1] Taggart, 224-225.

[2] Hartstern, 53.

[3] Clarke, 186.

[4] Heefner. Dogface Soldier, 208.

[5] Turner, 70-71.

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