[Homer_J_Simpson]

Nazi Flank Turned (Middleton) – 2-3
War News Summarized – 3
Hitler Highway Clogged as Foe Flees Eschweiler (Denny, MacDonald) – 4
Americans Moving along a Barren Path inside the Reich (page 1 photo) – 5
Red Army 3 Miles to East of Miskolc – 6
3 Ships Set Afire (Horne) – 7
A Marine Keeps a Rendezvous at Grave of Brother on Guam (Shalett) – 7
Americans Hack at Leyte Bastion (Parrott) – 8
Emergency Conference to Offer Program for Rehabilitation of Jews in Europe – 8
China-Based B-29’s Smash at Kyushu – 8
Chinese Fight Way into Vital Bhamo – 8-9
The United Nations: Dumbarton Oaks Proposals for the General International Organization (chart) – 10
The Texts of the Day’s Communiques on the Fighting in Various War Zones – 11-13
Navy Announces Loss of 10 Craft – 13
Books of the Times (by Orville Prescott) – 14

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1944/nov44/21nov44.htm#

Americans advancing on Leyte
Tuesday, November 21, 1944 www.onwar.com

The smoking ruins of a Japanese position near Ormoc [photo at link]

In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 32nd Division, advancing from the north coast, is held in the Ormoc Valley by Japanese forces. US 7th Division begins attacks north from Baybay toward Ormoc.

In the China Sea... Northeast of Formosa, the US submarine Sealion sinks the Japanese battleship Kongo and a destroyer.

On the Western Front... British 2nd Army continues attacks near Venlo. US 1st and 9th Armies meet firm resistance from German forces west of the Roer River. The US 3rd Army continues the siege of Metz while other elements gain ground near Saarebourg.

In Albania... Albanian resistance members occupy Tirana and Durazzo.

[henkster]

We're going to take a look at Holland today for a couple of reasons. One is that the HQ of 15th Army still shows up in Holland. The actual staff of AOK 15 has been transferred to the Aachen sector and is called "Grp. von Manteuffel." That unit will be renamed 15th Army and the 15th Army in Holland will be re-designated 25th Army. The other reason is that Holland appears to the Germans to now be a backwater, and they are pulling out some infantry divisions for use elsewhere.

The front around Aachen, where 10SS Panzer Division is in reserve. Hitler would have wanted this division to be part of his strategic reserve, but the situation is too critical to keep it out of the line. I don't think 10SS Panzer was ever completely refitted as were the other mobile divisions; it had to stay near the front. It will not have a major role next month.

The Ardennes sector. We don't see the panzer units being deployed yet. I would expect that will happen fairly soon.

The Lorraine sector, where most of the German "divisons" are just blue marks on Jodl's map.

And finally the front in Alsace.

[PapaNew]

Metz is another fascinating feature of this war. According to Page 3 NYT, Metz was a fortress that before Patton was “last conquered by direct assault 1,500 years ago by Attila the Hun”.

I guess one obvious question might be how many times was there a serious assault made on Metz between Attila the Hun and Patton the America?

Anyone know what was it about Metz that made it so formidable?

Patton is a study in how to achieve success - actually BELIEVE that the obstacle can be overcome. Apparently Patton genuinely scoffed at fixed fortresses in wartime. Reminds me of the four-minute mile - thought impossible until someone thought it possible and broke it - them everyone thought it possible.

[PapaNew]

Cool article on Ernie Pyle, page 14 NYT.

Didn’t know about Ernie Pyle. I even got the name confused with Gomer Pyle.