September 20, 1944 – Phil’s 3rd Division battles toward the Moselle River
September 20, 2024September 22, 1944 – Gen Truscott writes his VI Corps troops, including Phil and his men
September 22, 2024September 21, 1944 – Phil’s 30th Infantry began some of the most bitter and exhausting fighting in its entire history
During the period of September 20-26, 1944, the 30th Infantry engaged in some of the most bitter and exhausting fighting in its entire history and contributed materially to the 3rd Infantry Division’s outstanding role in the Seventh Army’s flanking attack on the Belfort gap.[1,2]
The terrain ahead was hilly and wooded dotted with swamps and lakes. The route was lined with snipers, defended road blocks, concealed machine guns and mortars. The weather was foggy, damp and cool.
From 20-26 September the 30th Infantry was engaged in some of the most bitter and exhausting fighting in its entire history to that date, contributing materially to the 3rd Division’s outstanding effort in the Seventh Army’s flanking attack on the Belfort Gap and also securing a jump-off for the French armored attack against the Belfort Gap.[3]
The road ahead would almost cost Phil and one of his men their lives.
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[1] Taggart, 242.
[2] The Belfort Gap is an area of relatively flat terrain in Eastern France between the Vosges Mountains to the north and the Jura Mountains to the south.
[3] Prohme, 245.
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