World War II: The U.S. Army's Determined Drive on the Moselle River In September 1944, the American Third Army in France mounted a drive to bridge the Moselle River at Dieulouard and cut the German forces in two. Here's What You Need to Know: On September 5, 1944, American intelligence estimates of German forces in the sector of the 80th Infantry Division, between Nancy and Metz in northeastern France, described scattered units and limited defenses along the east bank of the Moselle River. Elements of the 3rd and 15th Panzergrenadier Divisions were reported to be withdrawing through the area as German Army Group G attempted to gather Panzer units behind the front.