CLOSING IN FROM THE SOUTH
While these steady gains were being made on the north and west sectors of the XX Corps front,
the 5th Infantry Division was surging up from the south converging swiftly on the city of Metz.
The 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division, in an attempt to halt the advancing Corps drive from the
south, formed the switch line on Fort L'Aisne extending to Sorbey. A strong combat patrol was sent to
check on the strength of the garrison in Fort L'Aisne on the night of the 10th of November and
surprisingly found this strong fortification manned by only a few stragglers. It was learned that the elite
SS Garrison had withdrawn in order to be relieved by a fortress machine gun battalion, but the patrol
had reached the fort before the relief was affected. The fort was immediately secured in strength.
Fort L’Aisne, south of Metz, captured while awaiting next relief.
Another attack was made on the river line west of Metz on the morning of the 18th. Forts
Kellerman and La Caene were occupied and the huge Fort Plappeville was contained. An effort was
made to seize intact the bridge that spans the Moselle to the Isle De Symphorien, but the bridge was
blown as a leading platoon was in the act of crossing, and eight men of the patrol were killed. The entire
95th Division was now drawn up near Metz for an assault into the city.
With the fortunate fall of this critical fortress position, the German switch line was unhinged, and
General Walker decided to take prompt advantage of this opportunity to make a straight thrust into the
city of Metz through the fortress system. The 5th Division was ordered to make a close-in encirclement
of the city.
The division moved swiftly north in a series of rapid movements, meeting sharp but scattered
resistance. The fortresses, when encountered, were first enveloped and then combat patrols were sent to
probe their defenses. In most cases it was found that the garrison had withdrawn and none of the forts
had to be taken by assault. To speed the advance, the entire strength of the 5th Division was committed
on the 16-mile line.
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