Advance to the Saar

Advance to the Saar

1 Nov 1944 - 20 Mar 1945

This article has been removed for review and updates, please check back again soon!

Advance to the Saar Interactive Map

Photographs

M10 Wolverine tank destroyer of US 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion crossing the Saar River outside Dillingen, Germany, Dec 1944

African-American soldiers of the 161st Chemical Smoke Generating Company of the US 3rd Army refilling a M-2 smoke generator, at the Saar River near Wallerfangen, Germany, 11 Dec 1944

See all 3 photographs of Advance to the Saar

Advance to the Saar Timeline

8 Nov 1944	The 761st Tank Battalion advanced on German positions in the town of Vic-sur-Seille, France. The battalion was stalled by trees across the road and they came under intense enemy fire. Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers in the lead tank quickly dismounted, helped direct infantry fire, connected a cable to the tree trunks blocking the road, and pulled the roadblock out of the roadway before continuing leading the advance. Rivers was awarded the Silver Star for these actions, the first Silver Star awarded in the 761st Tank Battalion.
16 Nov 1944	The tank commanded by Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers of the 761st Tank Battalion hit a mine while advancing on the town of Guébling, France. The tank was disabled and Rivers received an injury that slashed his leg to the bone. Rivers refused a medical evacuation and took command of another tank.
19 Nov 1944	East of Bourgaltroff, France, the advancing A Company of the 761st Tank Battalion ran into stiff German resistance. The Company commander, Captain David Williams, ordered a retreat. Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers in the lead tank reported that he could see the German tanks holding the American column down. Holding his position with another tank and firing on the German tanks, the remaining Americans were able to effect their withdrawal. Rivers' tank, however, received a direct hit that killed Sergeant Rivers. Over 50 years later, Rivers would be awarded the Medal of Honor for these actions.
24 Nov 1944	Allied troops crossed the Saar River on the border of France and Germany.
3 Dec 1944	US Third Army armored units penetrated the German Westwall defenses near Saarlautern, Germany. Meanwhile, the British 2nd Army mopped up the last German resistance west of the River Maas.
20 Mar 1945	US Seventh Army captured Saarbrücken, Germany while the US Third Army reached Mainz, Germany.

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Please help us spread the word:

Reddit
Bluesky
Mastodon

Stay updated with WW2DB:

RSS Feeds

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name

Your Webite

Your Email

Your email will not be published

Comment Type

Your Comments

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View

Desktop View

Search WW2DB

World War II Database

Advance to the Saar