| They manned their
fortifications and prepared to defend. No longer confused and bewildered,
they were ready to make the most of their natural and man-made
fortifications.
The stalled Americans, knowing that
victory had been almost within their grasp, chafed impatiently and
helplessly at the delay.
At last gasoline was available, and the Division moved
to the vicinity of Etain, 20 kilometers east of Verdun, the springboard for
the push toward the fortress city of Metz. Corps plans called for the 7th
Armored Division to lead the attack, followed by the 5th Infantry
Division on the right and 90th on the left. The mission of the 90th
Division was to capture the town of Thionville on the Moselle River,
establish a bridgehead over the Moselle, protect the north flank of Corps,
and to take an active role in the ambitious long-range plan to advance
eastward as far as Frankfurt-am-Main.
The latter plan was never effected. The Germans had plans of their own,
plans which were to make the path to Frankfurt long, tortuous and costly.
Almost immediately the enemy showed his hand. A strong enemy reconnaissance
force, driving down from the north, re-took the town of Spincourt from
elements of the 90th. The town was later recaptured after intense
artillery fire had driven the Germans back to the north. Unimportant in
itself, the engagement was the first of many and it provided an indication
of enemy intentions. The days of precipitant retreat were over. The Germans
had had their rest. Now they intended to fight.
From H-hour on September 7th the advancing infantry met
opposition, opposition which was brushed aside with an ease bred of
confidence and experience. By the day's end the Division held a line roughly
from Trieux to Avril to Briey, more than half the distance from the line of
departure.
On that same night the Division CP, near Mairy, was directly menaced by the
Nazi 106th Panzer Brigade. Approximately half the panzer force
had passed through the area before its presence was discovered. An immediate
battle ensued with personnel of Division Headquarters, Signal Company, and
Division Artillery fighting back with whatever weapons were at hand.
Elements of the 712th Tank Battalion moved into the battle zone to counter
the enemy's armored strength, while two battalions of infantry were called
from reserve to aid in the destruction of the powerful intruders. Division
Artillery headquarters, although almost completely encircled by the enemy,
extricated itself from its precarious position and moved to a less exposed
location.
All through the following day the battle raged and ended late in the
afternoon with the utter annihilation of the 106th Panzer
Brigade. At the same time other 90th troops had detected the
movement of an entire Battalion of the 559th Division, held its
fire until the enemy flank had been exposed, and proceeded to destroy the
German forces. By the day's end little ground had been gained, but the day
had |
