Jumping off the 0700 hrs, November 16, the Task Force drove on Guenange and quickly reduced
it. The town of Bousse further south received the same summary treatment and was cleared by 0900 hrs.
Continuing the rapid pace, Task Force Bacon wrested Ay-sur-Moselle from an amazed enemy and took
Tremery before nightfall.
The drive continued on the 17th of November. A path was blasted through several more towns
until Antilly and Malroy were reached. About two miles to the south old Fort St. Julien stood squarely
astride Task Force Bacon's path into the northern outskirts of Metz. Located on high ground, the fort
commanded the two main routes into the city and was reported to be held in force by the enemy.
A plan was prepared for the reduction in this obstacle, and on the morning of November 18th,
the attack was launched after Corps artillery from west of the Moselle had hammered the fortified
position. The Task Force, after an all-day fight, had entirely surrounded the fort by dusk. After dark, a
155 mm self-propelled gun was brought up and fired point-blank across the moat at the iron gate barring
entrance into the fort. The gate collapsed after 10 rounds and the infantry raced into Fort St. Julien.
Reports received about this time related that the German garrison was abandoning Fort
Bellacroix in the eastern suburbs of Metz. The fort was quickly overrun and bypassed. As elements of
the Task Force moved on toward Metz, a terrific explosion blew up part of the fort and killingsthe road
next to it, killing eight and wounding 49 of the Task Force troops. The evening of November 18th
found Task Force Bacon extended along the railroad line in the railroad yards of Metz, ready to sweep
into the city itself at daylight.
 |
 |
 |