At this point a commentary is necessary on the general tactical picture on the Seventh Army and VI Corps fronts. [‘Up until 19 October], the VI Corps have been fighting with the same divisions which had landed on the Riviera two months before—the 3rd, 36th and 45th. All had been continuously engaged. With winter approaching, the rugged terrain adding to the difficulties imposed by the weather, our tired troops were finding it increasingly difficult to keep up their day and night advances.[1,2]

Meanwhile the enemy’s lines were shortened, as replacements were more numerous and frequent, and he had had time to displace an employ his artillery more and more effectively.[1,2]

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Unhappily, the Allied build-up was too slow to create a really large striking force to break through and reach the Rhine at this time. The French were moving into the line opposite Belfort, which was to the French First Army’s objective. Not until November, however, were additional American divisions to join the VI Corps and Seventh Army, to enable the breakthrough to the Rhine.

However, the relief of the 3rd Division in the Le Tholy sector by the French and the 36th Division did enable the concentration of a strong breakthrough force in the Brouvelieures area October. And it is with this breakthrough that we are now concerned.[1]

~~~~~

Against this, the Allies had in their favor the slow but steady buildup of troops and supplies which everyone knew spelled eventual victory, but which was powerless to offset the temporary enemy advantages. It was part of the Allied build-up that the French were to come into the line opposite Belfort, and relieve United States troops as far north as Le Tholy; the slowness of the Allied build-up was emphasized by the fact that our troops could not be relieved fast enough to build up a really large striking force, strong enough, say, to break through and reach the Rhine.

Thus the 7th and 15th Infantry Regiments, relieved by the French in the Vagney and St. Amé areas, were able to effect a breakthrough at Brouvelieures, and the 30th, relieved around Le Tholy, was able to exploit the breakthrough nearly as far as St. Dié.

But there the advance momentarily stopped, while our forces regrouped and our build-up continued, augmented next by the 100th and 103rd Infantry Divisions, recently arrived from the United States.[3]

~~~~~

[1] Prohme, 261.

[2] Taggart, 253.

[3] Taggart, 252-253..

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