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surrounding forts, Jeanne D'Arc, Somme and St. Blaise. Unable to approach the well protected positions
with demolition charges, the attackers were forced to withdraw to their original lines.
Unfavorable weather postponed further efforts until October 3. The lessons learned in the first
unsuccessful attempt were made the subject of close study by Corps officers, and a more ambitious plan
was adopted. On October 3, the fort was bombed with napalm bombs, which are filled with jellied
gasoline it ignites as the bomb explodes and burns with great heat. At the same time, a combined force
of tanks, infantry and engineers, carrying the latest demolition equipment, bangalore torpedoes, flame
throwers, and every type of explosive charge, struck at the fort from the north and south.
The southern force succeeded in reaching its initial objective, using the fire of the tanks to blast a
path through the protecting wire. Even the point-blank fire of self-propelled 105 mm guns firing at
ranges of 30 yards failed to penetrate concrete turrets and barracks. For a time, concentrated fire
dropped on the exposed assault troops threatened to stop the attack. A few ventilators atop two barracks
were discovered, however, and after several explosive charges were dropped through these, the Germans
came out.
There began now a strange, confusing fight that has been called the "battle for the tunnels."
Down in the subterranean fastnesses of the mysterious old fort, Germans and Americans hunted each
other through the tunnels in an eerie, medieval atmosphere. Deep in the interior of the fort for the
control centers for the garrison and the heavy revolving turrets of the guns; and, these were the targets
sought by the Corps troops. The fight became more desperate and weird as the days went on. The
combatants lobbed hand grenades around corners at each other, burned and blasted their way through
steel doors and stonewalls, and set up ambushes in the dark, twisting, underground quarters. But, little
progress was made, and the constant strain in the sickening fumes of explosives were gradually
weakening the attacking force.
The action is described in a XX Corps Operational Reports as follows:
"The following morning artillery fire from the adjoining forts forced the attackers into the cover
of underground barracks and also hampered the supply of assault units. No additional ground been
gained since the initial penetration. In fact, enemy counterattacks periodically eliminated small infantry
patrols that out-posted the underground barracks, and knocked out four tanks by bazooka projectiles.
The Commanding General of the 5th Infantry Division decided the afternoon the 5th of October, after a
conference with the Commanding Officer of the 11th Infantry Regiment, to organize Task Force Driant
under the command of the Assistant Division Commander, Brigadier General A. D. Warnock, and
additional troops were placed in Fort Driant to eliminate enemy resistance.
"The assault on the various casemates in Fort Driant continued under increasing artillery fire
from adjoining forts, especially the Verdun Group and Fort Marival. On two occasions American
troops, in determined sallies, were able to get on top of the gun positions of the underground concrete
artillery encasements located in the southern portion of Fort Driant; but, the steel revolving turrets
resisted all attempts to blow them with engineer charges. A carefully planned, concerted assault by an
infantry company, supported by tanks, to take the entire southern portion of Fort Driant, resulted in the
capture of most of the Company and its officers. Firing thereafter was cut down to the exchange of
small arms fire and enemy explosions of engineer charges in the tortuous, subterranean passages that
linked the various forts in Fort Driant. The infantry was now safe from the artillery fire, but dust fumes
stirred up by the explosions made unbearable the living conditions of the men in the crowded Fort.
Casualties continue to mount.
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