September 11, 1944 – WWII heroes Winston Churchill and Audie Murphy write about the coming hell in the Vosges
September 11, 2024September 13, 1944 – After only 29 days the US heroes had moved over 400 miles into France
September 13, 2024September 12, 1944 – The capture of Vesoul officially ended the Campaign of Southern France
Dad’s 3rd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, prepared for an all out attack on Mt. Jesus and Vesoul, moving in from the west.[1]
The 3rd jumped off at daylight as planned, but was immediately met with fire from three sides, and the attack was halted. A combat group of infantry tanks, and TDs was sent to clear the enemy from a ridge on the left flank. This was accomplished, but heavy fire from Presle as well as observed artillery fire from, and machine-gun and sniper fire from the Bois de Petit Pas continued to halt the attack. Company I moved to Thieffrans at 2130.[2]
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The Germans counterattacked the 3rd Battalion position. This was repeated five times during the day with the small-arms, machine-gun, mortar, 20mm. flak and artillery fire employed in great quantities. As a result, the 1st and 2nd battalions were subsequently committed in flanking movements to encircle the town and assist the hard-pressed 3rd. … Heavy fire from Presle, observed artillery fire from Mt. Jesus southeast of Presle, and machine-gun and sniper fire from the Bois de Petit Pas northwest of Presle continued to slow the advance. … the encirclement of Presle was progressing.[4]
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Finally, about noon on September 12th, with units of both the 36th and 3rd Divisions beginning to surround Vesoul, the LXIV Corps ordered an immediate evacuation, and by 1500 that afternoon General O’Daniel pronounced the town secure.[3]
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With (Vesoul) now almost completely surrounded by the 3rd and the 36th Divisions, the enemy forces in Vesoul received orders to withdraw, and by three in the afternoon of the twelfth elements of both American divisions had secured the town.[5]
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The capture of Vesoul officially ended the Campaign of Southern France. The distance from St. Tropez to Vesoul was approximately 400 miles. The U.S. VI Corps, under General Truscott, covered the distance in less than a month. The men of the 3rd Division were instrumental in making the campaign a success. Although there were some objections concerning the feasibility of the landing in Southern France, there is no doubt that the Operation contributed significantly to the capitulation of the German Army in the west and ultimately brought about a quicker end to the war.[6]
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[1] Taggart, 239.
[2] Taggart, 232.
[3] Clarke, 192.
[4] Prohme, 238.
[5] Heefner. Dogface Soldier, 210.
[6] Champagne, 90-1.
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