The departure of General Truscott in the VI Corps was also marked by another high-level command change affecting the 6th Army Group.[1]

On 22 October General Jacob L. Devers, commanding the army group, turned over his concurrent command to Lt. Gen. Joseph T. McNarney, formerly Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.

This rather belated shift relieved Devers of what had become nagging U.S. Army administrative responsibilities in the Mediterranean area and allowed him to devote all his time and energy to the affairs of 6th Army Group.

Devers, however, unlike General Bradley, continued to operate with only a small operational staff, monitoring problem areas between his two subordinate armies and SHAEF headquarters, but rarely interfering with tactical operations conducted at corps level, or with the logistical and administrative responsibilities shouldered by the larger army-level headquarters.

In any case, with the XV Corps’ battle of the Parroy forest and the French II Corps’ attack in the southern Vosges ended, there was little Devers could do while he waited for fresh supplies and fresh units for a major army group offensive scheduled for mid-November.[1]

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On 22 October 1944, the 30th Infantry Regiment was completely relieved in the Le Tholy area by the 36th Division. … After a very brief two-day rest, Phil and his men would cross the Mortagne River and enter the deadly Mortagne Forest.[2]

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[1] Clarke, 323.

[2] Prohme, 263.

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