Battle Analysis: The Moselle River Crossing, Hasty and Deliberate River Crossings at Dornot and Arnaville, France, September 1944

摘要

An analysis concerning the crossing of the Moselle River by elements of the XX US Corps, Third Army, in Sept 1944. The action occurred at Arnaville, just south of Dornot, France, where the US 5th Infantry Division fought several divisional size German forces. Included in the German order of battle was: 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division, 3rd Panzer Grenadier Division, Division Number 462, 15th Panzer Grenadier Division. The Arnaville crossing, which was successful, was a continuance of the river crossing effort after US elements had previously been unsuccessful in a river crossing attempt at Dornot. The main emphasis of this battle analysis is on the Moselle River crossing at Arnaville. Both primary and secondary sources of information concerning this battle are available. In addition to the unit operational reports and books listed in the bibliography, there are numerous interview transcriptions. These interviews were conducted with both individual combatants as well as with groups. Only US units and personnel are interviewed, and the interview techniques are not discussed. It is not specifically known who the interviewer is, nor has there been an evaluation conducted as to the reliability and accuracy of the interviews. Although those involved in the action contributed a great deal of valuable after-action material, one must accept that individual perceptions are the product of individual interpretations. Facts present themselves in all of the reference material and it is only through reading a large volume of available data that one can successfully begin to separate fact from interpretation. This analysis is the product of that attempt.