Part I - The Moselle Crossing, 9-19 ITov 44. Part I1 - The Drive To The Saarg 24-30 ?Tov 44. Overlays: Plate I --- Assault & Consolidation. Plate I1 -- The Brealcout. Flate III - Approach to the Saer. rlate IV -- Opns CT 358 w/l~th~md Div. Tlate V --- Assault of 1st Bn 358th Inf on Ft Koenigsmacker, Ltr of Cornlnendation - Third Army & XX Corps. Ltr, CommendRtion, Unit Citation - XX Corps. Plan "Att & PO # 35 thru 41 6c Bield Nsg # 17 thru 20. G-1 After Action Report. G-4 After Action Report. FA'EIT I
TK% MOB"XGLE CZOSSING
8-19 November-1944 ---../lt:lin tbc zonc of opeTC.i;iofis of 'tho ;:_:';Co:,lps, s~~~~-~lci" pv-rsilit haG conc 'GO an ~b~uptcn6 si-Lll tho Gc~;;ln;idccisioli to hold i;;jp~ Cormlittcd. to =L broad fI?0ilJ~, all6 -:!i'l;ii i~sufficiclit;iqdscrvc st~cil~tlito ycss l~oncc"i dccisivc 'ulolr: at any ono sso-b, the CoTps i-re~sf o11cc6. !;o zd-opt pol2 of ?.il ng~rcssivcc0ilt2~inillg i'oycc Tor i?_oaPlgti:~o montlis . Thc gat11 ilivision, dis;?osol- on 2. vicl-c ai7c, prcs- suycc -khct loi-tion 03 the ..:~;ln--~C~~:IC~CP fo?til"icat ions :.;icst of the
-.>-- 7-, ,,;osz;-,a ILLVA!~, i:~iilo the 5th Inf'?~;-t~;~]ivis ion l;.li^.intziilc 6- 2- s c silt byiGychc26. 2.ciqoss tllz s riv2;- Jc 0 J,hc soi~-i;hoc ci-t7; -i;',ic 5i7iJ - :.> -- Cc-7~~1.1~~G~O~P i~~?ti-311~C:r tl1c :.~~stb?+illc of h?--,blib xCSZi,LE fr oix ii: ICyT.:: :Oi\jT r.,.. . --. - -- i2orth ~~.,~.ljfiT,ILL~ Z.~~CI -i;il~il~~ i1oTJGjic~st .LO th~ciiliilcilcc or fiA.~SS3 .... u.(ji But vkilc thc lincs rcmninzd- ilclF.tivcly st2tic f70m mi6 5cp tcfi1bci7 to thi: first L~JC\:!I: ill ~ Givis ions . YTall-liri:po ~;~f.snc i;v.zll;(? pi-,>~cyib~fimi: Frliti~.-tzd, .1.t. tiic >li,vision, f:c i;d itil ;;no..-rloc!.-p tl;:.j; ;.~tc?..rg~ t d ztt; of J~no gpc??..'l;ion co~~ldbr; tit11 c.nd G;i"ini'c;ol;r 1;:o ... :-16bc; not l>tcl? Lllant . ~!IC 9th, ilsd SC?.II~ biT!l~ f oi* ~".llgtllinzhc-;-oad t.hs ;2i)02n2 ?tioil 226 !,ooi.din?.t ion of the iilillt iJ~ilSiinoilsi?i-i.~.~g~~ni;s nti;cilcia:lt .u;lail an >i?~jo~C! ... halgsis of the tcrre-in north of t??c17ivcr h?.d 3. dcfinitd iiifluclicc on t!~c dcvclopilc~?tof the p12.n 2ncl th~~~2~'i?ti0iz of p~clinina~iistl~crcto, If sccpccg vns to bc ~~GSC~~VC~t'llc 90th Divis ioil nould ..l.lc".vcto s t ngc into . tlilc: FO~L%T3s Ciinnil-TL l.!~luOlI at night and at the lntcst possiblo till13. Coi;lciclcnt with thi\ 2oi3~~oir,g,a thic!;cniilg of tlic cc.v?.lry ?.long .J- LAIC1 ~ivoi-1::ns i;id.icatcc? to 111nlcc compl-ctcly cffcctivz ths COU~~~C~rcconn~~issnncc scTccn 131ich p~c;io:lsly had bccn un\?.bl~to slit ircl th:-lart Gcrrnan ;?ctPol pciic-brztions. Of cvcn gre~.tcrimportance ho~-rcv~r,::I:-s 'ihc obvious rcquii7ciilclit I'o? 2~ linitccl ~?tt,?clrby other foi-czs to 6i.i.v~ thc G~pi;lc?nfPoril his :::cst banlr j~ositionsin ti.1~BAS33 r:oilTTZ - LE ST:;~S~Z:.~~LG21-cc"~ piar to thc iliiti~.tionof ths ci90sSii~g '~lic~cbg :~3i'~otcct ills tllc 2s s a?-11t tpo ops fyom tllc f l?.lilr 03s cyva-i;.ioilirfilich -1-7.~~~~catcilcc'! tllc ~ZCCCSS of tl3.c 2ss?~ll*t. tic: coin:pk!t2l;: Gi?Cil nn-k'c'~~~ os? i;;ic 'ccprain fi-on1 thil south cc'!si: of $:is nsso1;lhi~r2.pc2 to tk~ r.ivsr iii?..dc ~~iaiidntoryc? ni@lt crossifis 2rossC~-'~cC~1:c.itl.l Z;lli= i.??xpfi1~m speed. and the :?.tmost of siloi~c~to i~~~rnittilt ostablishmciit of thc initial >i7l6g~!-i~c?~~.dpi-iop to dnyrn. 1ici.o~~t:ia rivcp thc oncfii-1 tcl?r?.iii most I"oi7mic?c.blc, For 2 ciopt!l of 1 to 2 1~1stho gilo~l~dj,~osssssod cl~~.~nctcristics sii;lilF.l? to tI?c fl?.ts ncljclccrt to l;aG i2,..F.i1Sanl: ?dl$- 'clidii slopcd l-.br.l..?.ptlyto tilo r iciac's r:.~ni?in:; :>~rpc;~dic;~l~".rto tllc iiivcplinc, a.. in tile right or tl~cOivisioil scc-iio~,oil a hill =~p:l.rt, s too6 tllc : c;RO.~-;~FO-"r. 1 L~ :'----II 11 LA DE I;O~~~~IC;Q~..~PLCI~~.~, a I:IZTZ t;r;~o f oi*'lrc s s ii-;licli c oin.land CCI tl~~cntiiqs ciqossing CiqCZ. .. r1lrl_;c;) it co~ldb;;l by-pnsscd. by llaadiil OlCi;lc~ts,'nut iipon. its s pccdy lici~t~?~liz?.tionand r~ciuct ion c'?c;y~itcd 2-7 LL~& SI-:CCCSS 02 tlld mc".l?cuvor.. 1316- sh.?.dcs of F;-)j'lT j>L;IJ'ci.jT, .i;llis --rns a taslr of .l;i7~;i~~1iC7!0~1sproport iolis ! Sq~c~ClyGonn thc ~licl6.lcof 'cllc . . T:ic Division pi?.".n of ?.ttac!c :-:?.s sii;~pl;: ?+nd soi.?.i~dill coi1cc;ltion 2nd:. t~~_10~0~@ll:,i-'!Ji-~~~~7-i~2~~.nLO G-OVC~OP tl10 1.1?.~l~:i~~:1Sti7~:.l:tll ?.~.'LLc cai-li~si;;>i-~.c-tlc.?blc no.->.-> i.,bnt, t11.2 ::.ss?.~lt:-J= 'GO bd iilcd~vith two :-og~:L:fiJcs, cnch ;:ith tl,;fo S2tt?.li0ilc ?,bTc?.st. Y~IYC~~c~I~TP~~ ci30ss iil,rl; CYC ?.s T-:'~p~ ,POS s ibLc, ~?gtilid~:ti12 -LO:XIS OSi;yiTIi>J:L, ,:v -'-. .7'7 .-, ~~!3!~-i.ifli,L~~~~C;'al~d.C-,\TTXI?OM i-2 s.9~c l; ivclg, Tli~;2XTn11EL 2i-c~~;7?.~ discc".l?-cd bc c ausc of it s pj?oxinit~to t11~?L or:lir,c".tin~ gPoi1.nd ?long tlic L;ci3iilc"-ilborclcr cnst .of thc ?.tB?.c1: z.ol?-c, ground to !-~lliciino t17c.ops could bc div~rtccl.. Colis~~ja'ont1.j~t!lc 12.ft ragiiiicnt 52s . . @.'E.s.2 8 2 g 2 2arnarkzd to cross in thc GAVISS:3-!4ALLIXG arzs and drive rapidly ~ast ,?nc?, southzast to szcure th(? high g20~~~?r322,r?11.el to and cast of the XTTEL-EZRLIi:G ro,qr!. Tlx r i $l-i_t r.?~i~~nt, crossing in thz vicinity of CATTENOM, iva s to c .-!pttlr8~lid. ;F..7 IGS16:I,CIG2j3FORTiiLoa I .,7-,710 with. ;linirz;um Form, siqultnn3ously p!.)-shing the ass2s~ltto sccnrz a lodgs~~mton ths hi:$ ground on tha ri-:l?t-- of th2 Division ssctor. Since tho tofli? of Ko?'''Ir..'A . " Sli:,Cr,R, cllong thi rivli?, .~i?s~q'mr~'17 in tha middle of tha Divisio~ zone, its inclll.sion v!i.tLLin thz ob_icctivc: of :ither assvnlt regim~nt aol~ldnec5 ?ration fires. ' ,At H-hol:ir 3 1-~qvyprocrzm of dzstruction fires y!zs to be hid on the KO%I\TIGS:!ACF-33 ,az.nr? i:/?J:TRICz fortifi.c?t:ons 3nd oil the closs-in towns of CASS'r!: HA:f, HATJTE HAM, KOEI\ITTC.S!$ACICER, IjBTRICH, -JALLIlTG 2nd FIUNTING , This then, ii:. bro?d o.~tlins,vins the phn for the est2blish.q~nt of the bridgzhead, tixs ti?Slo'd ns T. two day opzrrtion. It s.~~~J~-.' po??ted the r~conmcndatioi~sof tke llnit corn!n3xd;;srs 2nd Divisica Staff and in fi;:~c?l.form, therefore, g2ve voice to ths best cons2'.dzr- z'd thoughts of t!?e Division in ~nnttersboth trlctical ?lid tc~lnni&~~ -1fte.r consideration of all possible ansles. Co-mnllnicatc'd vi2 con- '.'erence to comrn,mdor s and staff down to 'md incllldin:' b2ttalion.s ?n the 3rd of Wovemb~r, it boc3ke the point of dapnrtllre for the ?raparction nnd irnpl-ci+!~ent?tionof unit plans. 'lit11 the clcsing of the 90th Diy in its rcar asscrnbly arca on 3 1Tove;-lbcr began a period of intense actSvity. Xeconnaissance of thc area of future oper~tions.was eneri3etic- ally pushed within the limitations made necessary by security can- siderations. -",tillery positio::~, engineer eqaipwnt parlrs, infentr; sse~lblyareas, routes of sl;i-oach %o ,the rivei-, crossiiz~zones an? the road act, were all rcconrloit-,re? and/or chosen by smll cff icer partics vrho movcz as inconspfcuously zs possible xithout divisional ' insignia on their clothing and in vzhiclcs of the 3ri Cav Gp. This sketchy recomaissance was not at all 6esirzbls but It was fclt that the greserv?~tionof sccrecg rc{r;c.rdiiig thc cont;rlplatlc? operations of tho 90th Division 8116. -its point, of ii-.lpszt outv>:zighed the advantages accruing from a mors detailed survey of the attack zone. The sup- porting cngineer battalions, uysn ficsignation by Cor>s, were wedded with the 358th and 359th I.nfan$ry lic~imnts,chosen as the right an?. left assault rcgim.2nts respcctivelp. Training in bssic assaulf boat technique from the infantry stanCpoint was g,ivcn to each sold-ier since battle ccsu:2ltics during thz ps~cct'ing5 raoaths ha$. cut to a more hane.fu1 those f'or:ncr ~acnbcrsof' tha 5'0th 7:;ho had. b.d ample ex- pcrisnce in river crossiag 0;3erat:ons, Simultaneously , infantry staffs and co:msnr?crs plannec! to the last ect~ilthc composition of the boat wavas an6 in B.lovcment to forwarc?. aesen51y ;?Tea ?:;as cm31icatc,r? 'Li- the grest numbsr of units involvs6, kot,ll Division cnC COTPS, (all of v;kcm ha?: to move at night), coupl.eC with the inad.cciu.ati agd. tltc)~+:i3~~sraad n~t. Tho .ciarch tablej aftcr close 1.o-orClnatlon ?with S.~ans,i;:?s 'caacr: on til:3 movemcnt of -the TJlivisizn o,i thc n:;h+,s of 0-3-2 an3 17-2-1, As it .r?cvclopcd, the succr=ssivo postponu~cn'tof 3 3cy p.r;r;lit t c?. schc;c!uling of' thc move ovcr a 3 nizht peric\ci, Thc artillcr:? displnciiig on thc n;i;hts of 5-C) iind 6-7 No-q vcss c.o,npletelg po~it~ioncl?.'cy d~yli-rit9 7 ITL~3T~. This movt, aCcoaplishoc':v;lthe:;.t bcncf i't of noon ancq. unfizr in- cessant rain on slippej:y, narrov: rose-s V;~S a triSut,c to tt; G-riving 'skill ant!. 2iscipli.a~of t!lc crtillory battalions. Trl~hc renai3?-cr of the Di-~isionsc'!i.spl?czd on tiic night 7-5 Xov, a mvc of cvr.11 2rczto:r cliff iculty. The i.istanco involvc3. 'oiin~too great for ~~arcliing,,the displt;czri~cntvms il~dcby i-~zirchin~alzcl. shutt1i.n~~c.nd involvid t?;o round t7ips for tllc attachcd tx-~,i:sr;ort~rjtion. Tiail16 all?. rod d clear- ance to evoid ictsrfcrcncc v;j.ti? C.3rps columlrls mdu iIC sczsary a 4 hour ~:rait in ti-lc_ r~incind nuCi the 357th Infs~try- a distasteful episodi, accc;2tkc? witilout nur-lur Sgr ncn of that rsgimcnt. 357 d..9vn 3 Nov, tile Bivision an?. ell su~;;ort,i.n~elernents ha6 closed tl:i+lhin tha pr~tect~ivecover of the PC*%T DZ C,:1T.'TE?Ir3'id end tlie defilac!eii hrca. ku;lec?iately rear~:jard thereof. Gn the l~~csedin,.;2 nlats the Di.vision ccmplete., plus 6 bsl.tta1ion.s of artillory, 2 battalions of t.en!: de- stroyers, 1 hat,tnlion of tnnics, 3 battclions of enc,i.n~ersand 3 briclge trains noved 7:;ith but three a.cr,idel:ts an average distaricg of 15 miles over the nos t Cffflcult road canCLitions ii-~~~ineciklc. 7 Kov had. keen a ?ark an? raifiy dsy and t.he tar~etdete definitely set es C Pov. An?. EP, 8 NOY, the init,int;on Bate far the XI1 Cores offensive t.0 the Soutc, becane a I?a;; of final prep;lirat.ion and co-o~din~.tion;"cr the rfiorrolvs asssult, .'irtil.lery battalioris re- ,n,isteriq s.killfi4~ll:-with but one .3~nper Sattalion ,pre?cre? t.heir final data. Cog-~unlcationswere exten<%?. forward ail? laterally throi~ghoutthe Division area. Lover echelon con~'~~ar.ciers~:.a de their rsconnaissancs of routes of a92roech am': crossiny areas c?n?. surveyed fror; a distoilce their far bafiir objectives. 'Per~amelca~~ernec'l with traffic circl.~lationend brid,~econtrol recsivei their final 'Lnstruc- fjions end de>arter! for their yosts.,. In the early afte~naoncll nen 3-f the Ilivision ware thoroughly briefed. on the Tivision nissian, its 2 I. ir-lportance to the Xrng sche~zean6 tysir indi7iir?..ualparts rn J. In the driving ?gin ant! mud of the FOST 33 CRT?!EIT91bI, cornsany comander,c and platoon leaders gathered their nen int,o snall linots fcr the - plnming and detziled briefj-nz of th2i.r pnrtj.cu!.sr mitts job. rn he enlpl3cament of supporti-r-3 t~~a.--!ponson tl?e nznr bailk to covcr the crossing, scl7,edulcd for iril.~len;ncnt:~tioflnt d,?rlr, w*?sc?rcfully c oordinytsd mith cavzlry units, scr~..u.nlnytht. river bank. B?I dark 90th Dfvision VJ?s rszd)r 2nd poise6., Its f?ci?d mith th? kilon- ledge tk:t. thsirs was ;? t0~lgl.1job, were aazar. Prior to midnight, supporti:l? n?qchl.na guns nnd aortars 2nd tnnks emplclced for dir~ctfire mere ~ositlo:?cdto sll~y,ortthe cr ossin- from th.2 i?.Zzr b?nl::. Advmcs regiment31 CPs were estz- blishcd i.n the tov~i:s of GAVTSSS ,!i:d CATIIEN0E.i. Under the covor of accelerated ixrizht hnr.?ssi_r,gfi.ras of' thz C?v~.iry, trucks of the supporting cngirieers i3ov~df oraqrd to the bozt ur~l.08dirypoi-fits, preparations had b2an corql-cted. Shortly after midnight 9 NovsrL5sr the ~sr;a~.l"L~~ttc?li~i~~of ths 358th and 359t11 Ir,f,?ntrles .loved f';-~;m i;;x?ir ,?-Q>.,.",,-: L !:9ly -' al',.'?~to the bo2t statioils pr?vio7xsly ~st~hllshcdby ji17.2 ~i~g?-nx:rs.The restricted road net preclrxdcd t;?;?t~l?,c;~j.s~.:- of tlx bo3.t~any closer .to tlie river than 400 yard at t1.i r.c..cirest l~oiilt?nd coi?s?q:!-eiitly tli2 lignd. carry mas sxtrzrn2ly diffj.cult, for In ~!(jc?i-,;ici-~to .the sheer weight and cumberso;neness of' tll~'~~ssc~LJ-I~ ?.IC'~~~S.t!.i~ grouiid to be crossed was swampy, irt-tsr..la?ed with irrigatiori ditChss, Fences aild barbed wire. E3~2.t the inf snt.2~arid ~n;irizei-s, d7iv?n '3:; thsir olnrn datcrmination arid ins~irntionof tkfr oi"ficzr.s, str~~gledforvvardl. The left bnttalicn of yach r~girnmt,the 1st 3attalion 3 53th Infant~ynnd 3rd. E~att2lion3 5Ftl-1 Inf rtr-try hit the ,;lator at precis~lytlia ,givei? tine, 0330 hours, and thi3 flrs'c w.?vcs st3rl;c.d across t1-x ra~idlyrisi~ig streem vwliich had nl.rczdy begun tc in1.mda-t~its bsnlrs. The ri~htbqttalion of ec?ch rcgi::isnt, 2nd l?rttnlion 359th Infantry and 1st Battalion 35eth Irifnntry were r;ornewhzt dzlayzd bzcause of their '70~.~crand *noris arduous routss !f a:3:3roach. 2.kanwh.i!.e th.2 res?rvZ bnttalioiis schsd:llcd to cross :;IT foot bridzz had assembled in thz town of GAVISSZ in thc cr!s4d of ;ke 35?th Infantry and CATTZi\'Ol:I in thi. czs~of the 35?,tl-i Ii~fc?l~try. By 0500 the left assaul-t bcltt.?l-l.r.ms l:?d compl-etad their cross- in2 and t'iia right ass'2!rl-t b~ttsli.onsw~dri. nstridc thc rivor. Thc .:.n~iny, recovsrin.?; ffr orri thz initi~lslrrprisc , beg.3.n sh;:ll:i.iig eiid ~iortn.rin:~;the naar b-:~!r and arnw.;: tha infzntrlr xri-tii?.: to cross mil the en.rjineer s strl~.g~linyitlifoot bridg2 s n:r~d rnf t S, :ncn bilgc?n Lo f2ll. At the salw tiine thz swirlins waters of the rivzr rising ..~ith~mh~ard of ve!:.cxenc.~, posed ndditional probl~as, As the river 3yresd ollC frorn tlx banks logdin;; a>;! ~rnlo_?di:~?;1~1l~rs c?rri;;ld o:.~tin 1at2r first knee, than waist' ddep. Ths increasi~.,c;current tossed tlrii h2avil.y laden boats like mtch boxes. En;lnc:3r crews retl.lrnir,g for additional loads discovarcd tk.eir bo?+,s 1.1n.-nanegsa?;lo ?,i~d.:{;?re swcpt far down stre.?m. It bt'c?~~~~CCSSL-~ to do:~.blzbo2t crzT:js and halve tha nur~lbilr of rst~~-rilingbo~ts ~riikk: .2;7c'I: slrccessive t~ip. be Foot bridgccrtbl.es co11l.d not z:ic:ior?d .rLd d~spiteits LW-d.?:osir--- sbility, assault boat crossiiig reinaincd the only sol-ution. dith d?creasing speed the infantry co,rltinucd to move ecross, sp13.rrzd by tke rcallz,?tion tlmt 03.1~th.2i.r mo,xntir:.; build-an on ,thc fzr b?nk \nd fnst uovcment iclnnd would j._n_s.xrc the succoss 02 the attack. By dawn tho ].st B:?ttolion 359th Infantry's loq.ding elcmmts 1y-2essi:iz MAIIE13T:2 hr2d c!.rt tha main I..?tcrr?l ro.?d in two lqlzccs 2nd V~C011 the o:ltskirts of IiWTIFG; tha reserve comynliy was xo;xli.ng 17 MALLIXG. 2nd Battalion on tl7.e right ?JV.TISas;?roachiny; thc towns 13 PETITE; FBTl'Al'lGE and I!ETRICH. 3rd. Batt<\liochad initiatad cross- in;; in the wa!.se of thc 2nd Bottalioc. ,In th? zorio of tlid 35?th -11:Cmtry ths 3rd Bnttelionls 1zadi.n~ele:i;;lr,ts, pnssi~gto th? cast -f FU8T :(0Z??113-S1'.4ACKERhad sacllred .n footing on the ridgc! just short P th,zir initial ob:ective, vvhils th2 remainder of ths bzttalion ,no;,:p2d ilp ths pillboxzs adjacent to the rivar ban!.;. 1st Battalion hnd driven C Co.m,-?as?.yhalfway tl?rol?,.;h BBSSE !iA!,d, r;~hil.eA Co-~?~~?,il~ hqd darin~lyscalzd the hei,;lits of FORT I Th2 fiyst prisor,;;.rs trsl:j.i-~; back anr,olmcod "Ll?2,'f! thi). ci'ossi_ulg h;?d ken n coixpl~tesurprisa trxtil they wsre forci.bly ejectad from their f'oxl?oles ,~?,nl! dagout s. Tha znemyls olnt;3ost rasistarice hzd 3ccn overrun with bzyonzt 2ild gr2p::da or by-passed .?,ild 1.cf'c f GT ?esarvc elements. Bsszult ele:xniits had m3intniiiod their inpatus per ordor ,?nd yer sclizdule cxd thereby insllrzd the succcss of tha initial lodgement. As the morning !:lor2 on the rl4C)SELII.E FiITJZR b2cnmo a most Torri~idablefoe. Fron its nor~lalwidth of 350 fzet it 4:1'?.d cxponded 20 400 tlien 600 "L-ic~11.00 yards - 2400 fzet of s-ivirlinz .treacherous atAnd still ths rriin fell! BBore r~ndnore bozts were lost, ;one by shell firs, but th? majority s?,-~ei2tdovcnstra?.n 2nd srnashsd -t;;ginst oSst-.cles Gr strmdsd oil tha rnaddy frin~esor" the stream, 1 sup?ort rGAVISSE, 2rossed in power launches and assembled in IETRICH. Palxols from the 2nd Battalion entered the town of KOCNIG$!lkCEaR after dark and 2ound it unoccu-pied. As darkness closed in supply officers moved provisions and ammunition and similar necessities to the river bank and, combining tl1ei-r personnel vith the tiring engineer crexr?s initiates what mas to be a nightly ferry service. Throughout tile night t.~esesrnzll bo8ts plied back and forth moving supglies across and bringin& vllounded back. On the far bank carryin: parties niot~ed supplies for- mard to front line units, Throughout the nicht also enemy mortar and artillery fire interdicted both banks rendering doubly difficult kheir tremendous task. At aidnight, 20 hours after initiation of the assault, Division could look with justifiable yride at the day's accomplishmmt. It had achieved complete tactical surprise and by dawn had breached the enerlyls first liiie of defense, It had crossed eight ini'antrjr bat'cal- isns despite a torrential river arid the resistance offered by a stubborn foe, T'iithout benefit ol" armored support it had p~netrated to s. dei2th of 3 Kms , ' overrunning s eve11 towns and capturing 200 pri- soners. It liad made tlie first penetration into a F1&TZ type fort, s fozt defended by an entire German battalion, It had secured the plaxied initial bridgehead, At 03.).P..10 iaovenb'ei. a strong &n&rny inf aztr;. and tack f ores liad hit the s eve?al. outposts of, the 3-~dPzt-talion (- ) and smashed its way into XERT,ING, (It vfzs l-atcr. det.5,-ini'nzd th:?;'ou$l interroga- tion that our dispositions hail ben,gln-poi.n-te6 'for the Geilrnsns by syinpathizers vlio h2.d goile over. to their lacs during the nig:rlt). I; ailit K Companies fought gallkntly to sten tI-& cnr.fGsed, , night assaolt, Lhe machine gunners remaining at their,pasts uxtil a?.iixl~-:il.tion'was 2x1.-aus t ed , Bu-t tke pmer of we'il ,plailned attacl; $!as too g-i.eat and .:he ccnpslzies , lilngtnr;. , on their .iefJ;, 'fell back 'to tlze high g~~liild ;o I;hn iio~-t~~v~r~~+~fsi7 re~~gan3-~:~-Ltion. The ail: fi-OXIC.T;ELIIJG to PETITE ,.- ilij ll:T.b~\J~-~~)IT:~:; kh!.:.s 25: o-uesed bi~ttk1.e G.eyl?afi ;lad been c ;; ea!;er;ed by I;ic; ccskly at.tac!r; ths'i; he could r,cj-k 9:-ess '.?7_omc? hi.s a.dvant;age. At; ?.ay.J.j.gl-it I Co.~~pariyvias pushed to block %he crcssroad s outheas t of r-,--.;-.-~~~li~-r ,,-, IGTTkNGE G Cor~paiip was moved :to gssitioil atri,de PETITE $7 TJ-~;.TGE ICiRLING road sonne 1500 meters eastward, lii-i '!: the center - , , af the reginenta?: zone thus bols t.erect, and viiri'th 'c;~r;za.ssec! Diafs ion C-rtill-ery heavily hitting :CSSFLLIMG and ~u~roundin~. . .'ground the enemy was effectively contained, . . At 0630 the 3rd Battalicn 357th ~nfant~;?'moved from its sssem- sly area west. of the tov~liof ICQI;NIGZ:fiC:E;5 to seize the lU3T?,ICI4 group of for-tif ica'tiolis, tke initial reglrnen.taX' obzectiv.~, In the nis'ty moriliiip; twilight the bat.tallon ac'vanced thilough re&:r element of the 3rd Batta.iioii -35S"u Ilirfalltry doyi? thii road,,to 6i.ZA4NGE until abreas:t of the vlooded nose;col~tainin~.;the fori;s, At that poirtt the 1-eading company (I) mad6 a .TFsl:t angle. ... -turiz and assaulted up the steep ,slopes', Advancing 'rapidly, tv~oplstoo;ls, in -1.i:ie of skirm- rshers. and employing 'na';'~chingfires', Youted the Germs;? defendezs from.their hil-ltor, entsenz;~ri~ents,killing 60 and captiuricg or dis- nersing tile remaihder, Ey 0800 the ba.tt.alion had ove.r.rui: the west half of the ?4SiTBICH C'ilCUT, .14ean~hile'the 2nd Battalion had initia- ted ail assau.lt on the eastern Ti.ETHICH forts .froi:! th.e c?.i~ectioiiof LETRICF1, F Co~panyia~ved across the open ground vd ithout opposition halfv~ayto tlie objective. k f ev~ hundred yards fvzther ncv~ever, it was capght b.y ti-emei~dous heavy cross machine. gun. f $re 'from the con- c.rete fortifica.tions which no amount of. artiliery .fire was able $0 neutralize. ~v'itlithis thrust effectively stoiqed th9 Sattalion :omme:.~.dsr grsdualiy T;rF-Lhdre~F C~mpanyto its starting point and 'IU-shedC and G Compalzies .-south from !SOLN'lGST.GCKER dcwn to join 3rd :at.LeLFon on the rigkt p@rtioii of the objective, 3rd sat-tallon ~ovecito the left (east), iiiopped! up .ti-~eremainli-~g fo~ts of the group and both SaJr;i;~lionssquared away for the coiltinuation of tne attack. On the rig;?-t of the Division zone the acivance of the 358th 7 1 )ifantry lvas bitterly contestec. 3rd Battalion on the reg ilnental ief t,, af tei- re;~ellingcounterattacks on both flank:; ady~anced500 ya-ds against stubborn resistance and ~0ns~lidatedits positions In the initial objective. 2nd Eattc;';! o2, ~.'c;te:!~ptingto swing onto lie ~iglitfla.nk of 'the 3rd Ba'ctaliin was >illy cut by flanking fire -'ram the emplacements on the south 2 i$.e of' FCST KCSll\iIG,F;l!kCIiEn. Lfter relief of its blocking missio;l on tk.Tight: flank by elements of the Regimental Security and I & Ii ':slztoqr_s, C C0rnpa.n~joined the remainder of its battalion or, the northern pci-Lien of F'13RT ROZTJIGS- I;%CKER. Continued .prosecution of the assault on the fort required explosives in quantity and since supply by boat across "Lie river xas impracticable due to the current and the accuracy of the enemy's .fire on the crossing sites, otlier' means had to be provided; Dis- regarding the enemy8s flak a convoy of five liaison planes, heavily laden viitli C2 winged tlieir way across the river and dropped the ex- 210s ives. into .the hands of tlie 1st Eattalion. Th~1.s reinforced, the oattalion continued the atta.ck, blor:?ling open and securing a lodge- :nelit in t~rotunnel entrances. There they maintained themselves throughout the day, undaunted by the murderous hail of moztar and srtillery fire which German defe~lders,co:qpletely under ground, mre able to call down upon tlieir 0~~11positions. Throughout tlie day rain colitinuell and the river steadily rose. dhe inundated area mas nov 1$ miles wide, vater standing in the .treets of both CATTSl\rOi\d and GAV:[SSZ, Bridging construction at the !AVISSE-IIALLING crossing wa.s sloved by tlie greatly res tris ted work >iteand -the standing water on the apnroach road, as well as the :ontinuing shell fire whicli from time to time forced cessation of ~perations. Flood crest and a break in the weather vras expected nomentarily, but t4e effect of the river at its height on the bridge 3pproaclies was a matter of conjecture. kt dayts end the Division situation was critical. The first 1.ajor German reaction could be expected at any time, The eight nfaiitry battalions were still unsupported by armor and the speedy -mplementation of this support was doubtful, The infantry moreover iho had fought constantly for two days and nights, viers rain drench- 3d, numbed with cold. a.nd utterly fatigued in body; they had no blanlcets, were on much reduced rations and had barely sufficient r.mmunition. (Thc projected attack of the 3rd Battalion 359th Infail- try for the capture of KERLING had been postponed on th~latter account), Battle casualties had been severe and the toll from ex- posure 2nd trench foot was beginning to mount. The enemy with his 32bservation on the bridging sltes, togcther with the worst river zonditions in Iiistory, had so far nullified bridging efforts despite She heroic work of thc engineers, 0::; the completion of a bridge - 3- bridge for armor, for anti- tank guns, for supply, for evacuation - lay the key to ultimate succcss. At dzrk tl?~,long supply trek started. Small boat traffic pre- sented even greater navigational hazards than during the preceding night. Starting from the streets of CATTENOM and GJ-VISSE boat crews zroped their way across the water covered fields. The and again boats smashed into submerged fence posts and sank. Fence vvires and tangled hedges fouled propellers rendering motor boats helpless. Out' in the stream tln~bwts were rocl .light, ' Hezvily burd~i~edboth ways by lit t~rcnsds OT s~~-p;?liesthe 'carryin;":~,?,rties mado tlleir way.for~ir~,7rdand back over :~:ou'c;esintzrc dicted' by cnemy firo . Uo unit -as y~tbzd.'h .protectedcirixial road. -i.: T o r3:;inent in f :ct lirtd more tk~iitwo vzki,c?-&s, lt ho!zgh horses, ."lagoas, aild even baby bum-gies hld bezn i-3rasst.d icto scrvic2. At 02'00 hol;.rs on th~morning of tho 11th th~Kb51.Ii:~~bridgc nns completed, but th2 oddsiuerG still c~3instthe 99th, for the ::~.~n'i;eron the cn.:lssway, approc~ckiWi-iS GOVV 3t,c7 depth .of 5e iiichzs ,?nd 4-,ITG I q bridge was cons~q!.l,ent?.yunusenble by nny ,vch?.cle,,akelcld, or .-,, * c.clredqCI in the Division. . c . . . . The attock rws rdslimed prior to d~ti~m11 ~ove?b'er; -2nd 2nd 3rd B~~ttalions,:357th Infrlntry, ntt~ckingnbrsnst, drove forward d o~vntha lin~02 Maginot ,Forts. Op~ra t in.; thr o1n;k, r11g;;z.d ,-tvoodcd terr?in, devoid of route s', thzy rdzde uxc? lient pr ogr? ss : by-passing and I~avtnq:,for cont3i.ning f orccs,those en?l.ncernents .:which could ~ot,qll.ickly:be r.cdl~ced, Tlio d.?yl"s nttctck was a Srilllaqt .perfor- ;-lance by kilo v~plltr,?ir_ed, st1.1~1.1 controlled bz tt~lionsfor ,-nlthough Tightin: ?very S~CD' Of,: thi3 vn;j9 tuhz leading co:in!snnie.s wers on' th~ Iligli gromd oiia kiioineter nortilvost of B~I",TOOFE'-LA-TIZTE by dzrk. 3~t.t,??ioinsmere depl$yed in coi?sid-.r~bl-ede~th for their g~ii7.shad slaced.,th'~mvdel1'-lo fr.orit .of the cdj3.cent regiments .qi~dhad dan- -,:erollsly exposed thaty flxiks; this, dep$h qlso 7rotzcte:d the' supply =out@to tha center of tha regibentfl.1 zo& ,froin potential inter- ference by the still mannad pillboxies ir,..tho rear aTen9. At mid-mornin: all three bC~tt.~liofisof th~2 359th. Infantry l-l,~ngcdahead. 1st Sntt:~lFonon the cxtreme . left, which h-?d naiil- 'xincd itself szainst heavy eneiiy 2ressura for the prucedlng tl~o lays,' attacked .with comyanics qbre2s-t. A Co~;l=??anvdrove north 2nd 7ftt.r 3 six hour stiff fight s2ized and blocked the .n.?,ili crossrond on2 kil-omcter south,2?st of. RETTEL, fir,-,lin.ythe left f!..m.k of th~ Division. B nlid C .Compenies' .seclIi:;.d tl-o so~mandinggrolnd i~ortli ?r_d south of K~iTIGS3ERG~,.F&RI'I';I,K arid I Corni3,7nics n.ttnckzd soatlil- cast towards KZRLIFG against hsavy fire.' Deter~icedto ?vci?ge its loss of tha pre~riollsdrly tha batS;?lioii succeeded in rarch?'.i~; the road junction west of tovili ~fi~i.t';~I Compr:ny .r?d Hill 287 to the north with K, L Coinpany vvas moved to tha left and ahrc.;:st of K Com?any, gcining coizt.~ct~vith the 1st -Battrlion. 2nd B,zttal.ion zdvanced E .~ndF Corn;~.xiiessouthcst tlhong thz two roads le3ding to OVDX3NNXE <-. ... . coi2trollnG its poytj..cn of ths b~?idgc!~end.objective ~:iit!?.the excep- T:-T ?T a -T >,7p t ion of t:le tolj~nsof .,-,,, - .. -T 2~1-d. O7 '3-.F',777-1... 'JLI . On the rigl?-t of the Division's sector, 358th Inf-.nt:ry !:ies having an exceptionrl day. Th1S.e~cover of da;?:nas!: tlnc 2nd ?tattalion less G Col;lpany liad slij?.?e$.pmt the ?lzcl?ine .xuns an6 obeerva'iion vii.ich fiei~iedits ad.var,ce the pre~?r',ol,:,s 6.2~and i~o~!itioiieditself on t1rl.e ~r,rooded?ic'!.ye on the riyht of the 3rd. Rattalion; G Coxpaiiy vrc?sfaced. to tl~enest 2nd left boll.in6 to conta1.n the rear of FO3T rC9%T.:TGS' A(!:'-ZB. At 1:)800 the 3rd Enttalion ;.-,.?a.stiffly corn-ter-attacked bu.t :< 3:om.?any, r-Tl.tli-i~~13.its fire 1.1ntil the enemy assault v?as ~??l"Liin50 yzrds of its position, am-ih.ilated the eneiny. Thz17eafter. bot?~.tha 2nd md 3rd F:'att?ltons moved ahead, their advaiice .yi-eatly slo:.ro21. loy strong Tesis'tc?nec .?.ncl tbe most conceiitr;ted nortar firs the ~~~iy~enthzd yet experienced. ::'-eanr?l.~ilethe in6.omita3Se 1st Eattalion ?.:TF.s ;-!7?.1r,in,4:.. ersnt iJToFress agc?i.nst the Fort. Under continil.al ar.tillery i'ii?~,adrjus t ec'. f from armored OPfs 1017 yarcls e?!!?.;f, assau.lt tc3ns bla.stcd their rTay - 7 thro??gb, structure after strv.ct~x?e drivin; the defenders into 'a ?radu.allg constricting a7en. .51.1or-tl-yafter noon G C01ili3an~on ';he outsj.de cf the Fort, 'tiying of the incessant harassing :achine gun fire fro.:-?the eaplaccr?ents cil the .o~!.thcast corner >f 'ch;:t fortificction, assc?~:.ltcdtkcz-il.. '-.e6.v.ci-n? t:!io pilllsoxes ;hey regained an en ti-:^ end found tlwzl.~elvo.eface to face ?:iith :he ei?'e:..y ,garrison ~etrertingfrox the onslav..rht of the 1st eattalion. Ca-ql-~tin a ~i11.tr rac?::er 372 ?.'do-bqd-iec! Gcri::ans ssmt l1.p a white flag ~.ncthe capture of the first type lrctz Fo~ti:rss romplet ed, P. full stren~thGcT~:1.c7.n 3?.t t .l.i.on I:jc?C. f ol~~elitI _ its last i~litfor, in addi~t<-o~to tha 9rison.cr t,?lre, de~dGzrl-.:.ans littered :.ie perineter f ielcl fort3.f j-cat'ions rnd tlrc blqstcd p:,ssaqecrcjrrrs ;ate in -the aft~riinonthz 3rd R,stti..ljj.oi ?:;?vrre6 by the success in ;.ts rear assaulted sr1.d too!.< E-SiI-1 252 i--illing 0;: c~.~t~:.:?Til?;its con- 3ide~ablegarrison. 2nd I?a-tt;>.lionto ite ri?lit rear :~ositjon~d. it self for the assault on VAL; -ES8T:-I,0FFthe f ollo:-iing r?o~n.lng. On this the 37d day of the b?ttlc, tEe Di-vi.sinn, ?till astride : 6-ifficp-lt ~iver;.nd -;!j-tho:~.t a S-ridge,-, r,eerl;r do:.?!:!lc.d. t,'he are2 of' :ts p~nek~atior,.Fight Lnc: i-ii'ih. c? fury ,>~ddetermin2.t ion ~l-rich!;ner.-r lo bj?ool;ln~.;they i-out ed the ,.?rernani.~f ent ry fro:?. fielc'!7-70r1:is 8.~~1 xplacci-~ents,killcd thhen By the drov?:.: end rL~ool.r ~.pr~rrds of 500 -cisonzrs. Tbey c2,rriecl by stor:n. thc redoubtable FOXT ?rGXYTG,5- RCT3R, the red~~ctlonof rzhick bee ?...me 9. .syi?i~;olfor evz.ry ran!:; in ;he Division. fit 180n the rj-ver reached its crest en2 ~~itilnzdclening slo~?- ~cssbegm to subside at the rate of 3/4 of en inch cn hour. It r~ou-ldbe dawn beforc the IrALI,T?!G hridgc c3uldl be p11.t into opera- t ion and another ni.ght nlus t -thcmfezc ein7s.e v:ithout suiteblc support for the infantry. Again tl?.e a;d.~oi;.l; tas!; of rc-,:;-c>piy by assault and motor boat p~oceededvilldor thc t~~-i;?,gccjiiGi-tions which hnd characterized thc ~JSC',yo iiig;;:?, AC~CTS the river carrying parties, partic11larI.y in .sl;c 3 ?',;tnan:! 3 56th ZUX~CS s trugglcd forward over f ir~eto si.;: k:io;r~c-lcr.s of :;.tJ~e;3 sli;3pcry gror~nd, through dense woods :~ndtilro?~.gll th.e cnc~zjif? re, Scmc fe71v vehicles had been crossed di;l.ring tlrc day l:~y Xgh.; ferries but basically re-supply ~2sa. foot problem; Su2giciil .tacrms operating across thc rivcr, working calinly tind rcpidly, prepared the wounded for the rough boat crossing to the v~,2itj.a~nmbulc7nces. - VJith priority .going to nmm~r,i';S.cr~,food and i~iedicalsup~~lics, no i~.divld-ualroils coulcl be tTa;:.;ljcr.ted. noy did tho men clemand them-- they uderstood thc diff'iculttes and patientl.y .(.-;.aftcdfor the morrowi s attack signal. Duri.ng all this time the artillery h.ad bcen doing yocman work. Its forward observers and liaison officers uerc respond- ing to all infantry needs. Gun sections working night and day kneedecp in mud maintained z.n even peak of ~fficiency, Dcfcnsive fires elaborately'planned boxed off thc assault ~mitsfrom enemy encroachment , Dcspittl the unpreccnted i'ctc of ~xp~ndi't;r~r'~~ ~dequateammunition, stocks !sere const:intl.y at gun nositions, By midnight 11 - 12 Novcmbtzr the aatcr on thc causeway leading from GAVISSE had receded to an c:e.tent which permitted thc movement first, of 144 artillery tractors towing enginccr trailers, and, t7;ro hours Inter, of engi.neer briclgc r;onstruction trucks ai-tb. h.cavy pay locd. In this manner considcrab;le supplies and 2. few trailer loaded ton trucks were ferried zcross the river, Forecast in- dicated that by dawn tkrc wt;tcr v101:ld be below fording depth of tanks and self-propelled tank dcstroycrs, At 0300 hours a German attack in 'c;giincntal strength rrith artillery 3.nd tr7.nk support was laisnchod against t!.>c entire line of the 359th Infantry. Against thc 1st Eattalion what was obviousl.y the holding ~ttackmade but little progress, but the main. effort directed along the I(ER1,ING -' PETITE !fETTANGE road ?:.as pushed with strength and skill, Thc crcight of thc ass,?.ult, striking the right flank of I Cornp#yLny,drove that unit no~.t?):i.rc;-stavsy from the road :_.ncl lunged ahead to encircle G Company and continue l;o~;rc?rdPETITE EETTANGE vhere the I & R Pla,toon, Security Platoon, CCIQ~Sand head- quarters personnel were hastily mobi.li.zed to block thcl ro,?.,d jv.nct ion soutlleast of t ovm. G Company, cornpl~i~clyciicircI.ed, for'mcd a tight ~crimeterdefense and ~?:i.tha skillfullv ad-iusted close box Gorraze covering it on four ides, held off tGt pGrtion of the cncmy force earmarked to mop up. The fire of 21.1 twenty artillary battalions zvailablc to the Div sion vrere brov.ght into play; a dcep dravr in front of the 1st Eat alion, the town of KGRLING, the TCERLING-PETITE T-IETTP,r\TC+Z road an.d all ot,hc;r approaches 1;:iar~rcpid.ly and heavily 2li.t hit again. :,7hilc the l~t,;?.i7~' 21'2 F!iit,tsl_ions stabi-li-zcd tt~-_!cirpositj-ons l;l.~.c rcrnaindo?: .C .';?Ic :?xi;l i2,attz:ii.ol: c;;~ t;;~? regii2ental i.i:,i-it9 a.ssc,mbl.?d fc? a ct,ui:i;c~a.c-lr~?:ron the flanl; of the cncriy i,cnct~etion, JII.~:~c;ast el' t4?,~c,llocsroad of PETIT:; FETTA.IT.TGE a fi:ri.oi.~s fight l!!;ls ra;:ii"-g i-rith. ~ii!a.l: ai-nrs fLrc r-acll- ing the rcgi.ulzn.tn.l CP. Tl:l? nzi:?cc! forcci at tlic crassroa6 h.l~l_d thciy @:roundz~nd s:o.:.rc6. the Gsrfi~nr.~ass~uit. Two Gcraan 7p zuns WET;. dcstroycd hut thc rcm;!in.dr;r acre crirc!.ing thc:ir position, Rack at thc rlvcr thc recr:!di.,n.g 7~3.ti~~p~rn~ttcd the :!iovcmi.nt of the tan!: r'cs<;roycrs, 2nd a COI~I~G~I:~tartcd for thc hridg~:?. The f lyst ~TVO esrn.!t:,rkcd fur tTu 3 5'7th Inf ant~:y, crorlst-d .zaf cly 2nd , i.iv,;rtcd to thc 3 59th 1n:f ai~try,rolled to~rurds'i:'ETITE EET'~A?'GE. 111 the llalf -ligI.?t of c~ rly morning they vrc!rc injtin1l.y mirita'.rcn. f'or German arrnrji: and only the ~~ofilpta.ct ion of an unidentified sorgoant prevented a "uzoo!;a t'::a.n fro^ dcstroyri-rig thcm. 3c.f orc t12csc TDs had rollod to a stop tb~yhad destroyed t~?oscif-pro- pt"1lc.d guns ad. i~iunobl'.lizcda .third. T?;us rcinf'orccd, 3 59th Infantry f oughk with even greatr;r fury , stopping the Crcrxans and forcing thcrr,-back. As the Gesrgz~srctrcatcd toward 1:ERLITaG thc countsrattack of the 2nd Battalion stru.ck them squsraly on the f lan!c, cutt lng them to picccs an<- tur~ingths ~.ni:tig.ll!i orderly urithdra.--la1 to a prccipitoi~.~routc. G Conpany ?.nd I Comp,?..ny furthcr harassed their flanks. Sir:iultanco~~sl~tlw ~.~-ti.llery" continued its r!v.rdcrou.s pounding . l.'!hcn the crnoke l?;.iil completely , clcarcd 200 Gi-crn~c?nslay dc!z:d around the cross.ro?c!s a-nd in the ficlds csst of PETITE !~~TTA.FGE ilc.gj..r:!c:nt of the 25th Panzzs C.r~n,?~.,dierT!i.vis.j.or,, .the Gur:ri.?n ',.lee‘; p;:;nctr?.tcd. nearly to thc bridg, sito, th~c.atcnii.:.p'ko cut tk1e l?ridgchcad in tliro. E1:it thc cool covr,7.go and. f izht-l.ng spii"i..t of "LC infznt~y, tha trc;; cndov..? nnd acc1,ir:;t c artillery .supi?ort, amd. the ti.mcly aTrival of t2i>k destroyers, had .'topped and- s!a?.slzccl th,: cffort. 'fifter th.3 second. tan!< destroycj: bad cle2.~ed,a p~'tici;ll!-rly he,-,vy artillcrr concentration had dama~cdlthe- trcacllrrc?y bri6.c: punck~zringb.slf of ths pontons, Tiith ;;Iir ~oi~~~~rc.;sir~~~lnec~t;o mzintain buovnncv of the ~unctu.rcdfloc~ts and in viol!? of tha ~ ~ lJnf ortunetely, ?jr'"Lt;1:1 "Lhe t11ii.d tcnk 6cstroy;:r in nidstri;,?~.th:,; cor,bination of sqrif't c?iyri.nt and tkc addit iojlt.1. c!alnagc-- cav.scd by thc shranel of F r,c;,?r miss, tht Fyid~c.bro!:;e in t-.TOcnd swept 8CiO yards down strcam, Snlva.yc operations imr~.cdli_atclygot u-ndcr il~c!y !rand thc constrirctS.on of a tan!< rzft T~TPJ~?Sst-rtcc?., P-t the s.?I~&tine bridge construction bccamc: fon7iblc at the CAT'I'EFO',i 5i.te nnd vrnr!.r :iras ordi;'rod inj.ti~.tcd. Thc first DUKiiVS were nt this time c~routc:fro~ .P,pny depots. In the 357th Infantry zone, 2nd ar6 3rd pa-Ltzllons nri:ccked st daylight after beatin? off loco:, 5i:'e a~gl-~si;rnlyexncuted counterattacks. 1st att tali on, wl-,.lch had 'bc en releas t?d f:~lj:;! its ~ivision reserve status and which liad crG5sc.d ?!i th g'eat cliff Pculty the preceding day, mopped up the ?sy-passed ~illboxcsail3 forts in the I;OFNIGS?t7ACXI:fi woods and the EILLING GROUP, Sd p,a%talion over- ran BRT ISTEOFF LA PI'TITT, and forged ahead unti'l stopped by a fortified belt half way up the slcpes south of that tcwn. "5th the leading elements pinned by heavy fire, an..heroic machine gunner made his vray througl~the barbed lvire and before being killed eni'iladed and crippled the enemy fLrst line of defense, permitting the conipany to continue the advance. 2nd zattalion on the right, aSle to by-pass this resistance, secured the west 'half of the high around dorninating the tovm of INGLANGT' from the east. At the close '.d of the day 3rd Battalion CLeeply refusin.% its lcft flank because of the situation in the 359th zone, had advanced its ripht conpany abreast of the 2nd Battalion. 2nd and 3rd :Eattalions 358th Infantry ii? z coorGinated attack drove ahead in bitter fighting to secure by midafternoon the line ZLZbKGL - VALIAFSYROFF, both inclusive. Advancing south from -~AL~':~~'sTRoFF,2nd Battalion developed a fortified area to its right front, sus tainin~heavy casualties. Ist Battalion ::2s dispose'J. in depth f r orfl VALf.T;STROPF?to I, O3T KOIilTIGL~Cbuttress in2 the Div- ision right flank. During the lattir- part of the clay a heavy ferry was success- fully put into opepation at the IJJ~~L:,IM'C-site and by midnight two platoons of tank destroyers and two platoons of tanks hail crossed the rivcr along with an equivalent nunber of command and litter -$ ton trucks. Bridge constructioi? at both the ZALLINO cnc: C1,T'nFOM site was renewed viith visor as thc fall of the yiver accelerated. The first D~J~XIbecame o;?erationa.l and perfoplxed valuable vrork in the tr4nsportatio.n of miscellaneous ~up;?liesand evzcuai;io-rl of yvounded. .)?tthe clcise of the 4th day thc Divisioll could tabulate additional gain's in ground and reassure itself that it had effect- ively stopped a major Gsrman countcrthrust, Although casualties had been severe (6 battalions were at 50% effective cm;.ibat strength) and- the infantry :vere still without dry clothes and blankets, the punch still remained. The orders for 13 ?JoT~t;nlberl??ere to continue thc- attack. Throughout the early mornin3 hours of 13 1~~7veriibcr,ferrying operations at the IULLINC- site and bridge construction at the ------RESTRI CATT TTO1J site continued. apace with 'the s3all boat traffic. Eg dawn the CATT!:.N01? bridge, constructed f r~iiboth sidcs of tl?o rive, lrlas t~vo.-tIlirdsco?ipl~te, TO ius~refregdom fr-~ciobserved cnemy artillery fire clabo-at~ scrcsn5.c~::;ieasu7ss wsrc prescribed and implemented; in addition to 2 sections of .a s:flo!ce generator co;npany, which lS.ocked the site progcr, 2 battalions of artillery smoked thc. hi~hground to thc svl ~iililt,.a 4,2 cf-lcrril.sal lillortar com- pany completed the coveraze to the SF. So effcct;ivcly wert; these niissions accoi;.lplished that at 1-10 ti;ae during thr: day did a brca!; in thhe silokc occur. ~t 1090, ~v..Jiththt; brfclge nearly ca~nplctcd, a nukw clarailcrin~ui3 the f2.r bsnk nas blo::in sky l~ighby a box mi.nc;, disclosii~~~an unexpectcci Lazard. ~hc.lr6ccdin,3 ::jaters of th:: izivcr uncovcr.cd 3 densc nincfield squarely astridc. tflz bridge elte ~?.hich~xtendcd. for s aat: distance ui?,d~rthe brid;;c, flf tcr firs7; clearing the exposed xlincs, it tcc-LXC ncccssilTy io rirlovc 50 f ect of ,thc co~iripl~tedbrid.2~-:, gragc for and cistonate those . rii:lcs still undt;r ~:rat~r,a task l.$:icil consuc,ed 5 valuablc kiours, The prescncc of lilincs in profusioii c,lso!~diert; in -L-;L. Sivisian zoni ~~:,.as'creatin~a scrious problc-r;i, r:x;t;cnsivc fiili2-e ::at?C. dis- covcrcd across 'il~c.cntire I)ivision fr:sr?_t 2 co~i;?l.c.tc.E;ms from th6 rivcrfs cdgo. onc btlt, a 1;ia in d~ptlrllay across the 358th Inf ,~ont;bcyond FORT KOTNIGS?U!!CK.S;R blocking tl.1~roads south from b,oth $ASS.T-IIRM and E:OI-NIGSTJACXJ-;T1 $Tincsvii.cping.details workin2 on the road fyom :FTliICI-: to OUT?RTT\'T-;a: iincov~-rcSIan elaboratc,ly plnccci and cnmouflagcd field containing 12,030 miilcs in ci ciistancc of 15 Iims nl .-igthat routc:. Still anothtr fitld lny SF of the: bC'T2IZHgroup of f ortificatioris and had alrccdy talcen a sizablc toll in the 557th Infantry. 3rd )3attalion '359th ~nfsntry attzckcd .to.rard ICT FLLIIZQ at 1200 and eli thin 2 hours rccapturcd thc t~i:~:~?.and tht hi@ gro;~nc!i~iu~it.d- iatcly north thcrcof-'. 1st Bii ma.int,n,incd its i~ositfonsagainst continuc:d 6ncmy prclsuuri. 2nd Dn given tbt ,nission of seizing the: v!estcrn half of the R:. 1T::OLTZ ~~oodsar,d cstablishint; contact --iith thc 357'tll Infantry in vicir1it.y of 91TELREBNE; attackcc', to the southcast at 1500. Only sli$?t cnimy rcl.sistancs. ::vr\ras encountercd bg F Co and its supporting arinor, but tht forcc was al~ruptlystopped by a dc;nse m9ntf icld. 3 tanlcs r:lcrc; 'ulolvn u;2 in r~pidsucccsston, fi'ter reconnaissance failcd to locatc u suftaSlc bypass, that zallant company rcs~mizdthcir advancc throu~htht mini- ficld nccc:ptin$ 10 casualtics in reaching thefr objcctivc. Thc 357th. Inf antrp consolidatr,d its positions, cletincd up tlzc forts in its rcar 7~itl-i f'lami:t;li~cjnci~~2nd t.xplosivt,s, 2nd rcachod out to tlit flanks to c stablish contact ~viththi. 2.58.th and 359th Infantrys resp~ctivcly. 3rd En 358th Infzmtry continued its advancc along tht ridge. 77~. . dark it had capturcd ::ill 262 and 71ith a stronc co.-i~~atpatrol hacl dcv~,lopc;dtl?~ cneng rcsistancc in INQLli~GL. 2nd Bn on its rlght;., assault in; 2nd c.arrging tlic: stronc::.... position. ahich had OCC~SS~O~CC~ so .much trouble thc ~rcccdinq dajr, ailvanccd. t.1 tho high spould inid!:ja;. bc:l;~i;ccn VALi,4J:CycI;@l?!? aild DISTRQPF', The 1st En rcfreshc.d by a day of rc. st at'iackc-c;. to t!:~c_ southv~estand securcc? thc: higii grounl:! in tl~.t. atran~t.ly nmitc! woodcd area, LT: t!TJf\RT LN RESXVE, 1 2: P12toc~n c1c;ancd out ti1.t; town of IIP1T.T TI.' % :?A1\'1. nt 1740 tht: :first vchiclc.. crossed t,hc no-;;I com.plc:.tc C.L!TTI?TOM bridgc and its crossinc; marlr~dthe :Final ph~scof thc. consolida- tri cn of thc bridz~:h.cl.acl. Btl-lind thr. or~r,s~nictranspor tntion of . thc 357th and 358th Infantry roll-cd the 90th 3cn Troop and the liqh? tniiks crhich sv:ung into action on thc S)ivision.ri;;bt flank qi tg t1.c mission of cstablishin,:; cont~tctwfth thi sccor~darybridgthcad fc~ct.dby the:! 95th Infantry Divfsion at T:-IIi>l:TJILI;T. nnc. gur~from i:ach of thi: light artillcry battalions r:;tls crossc.I-1 i:.fi~~~didttly' bcf ore- dark to register in f or-vard position, areas so ,tila.'t the ' .* .. rcnaindcr of thi, battalioi~smight be crossed at nig!i.twithout irt~pairmtntof arti1lt:ry support; thc advance of tht inf ~mtryhad carried thorn to the. limit of 1i;;ll:ht artilltry rctnGc and thc, con- . . tinuation of th(- cff ort vras conti.rigcnt ugon proi~~ptforrr~~rd &is.- p1acr:mtnt of tht suppor tiilia batt~lian. 7hroughout the' black 'of the night, traff i.c roiled across thc. bridgt in a stiur.!:; strcla.iil,' a tributc to driving skill, trafTFc control and tin. vc:hf clc ~tctption provic1c:d on thi, far bank. 9uri.n~; thc ni~ht,ordc.rs wirt rcct ivcd that t!ic 10tli nrnzored r?f vision Would .. cross at tht TEHONVILLX bx.ii?;ge upon it&compli; tion, pass through thc. Division rtnr and. assc.slblc. in tht lcft oi' thc 93th Division zor~o.prcparatdry to tiif: initin.tion L;" its attzck. Sfniults.nc-ou sly onc squadron of tlr.. 3rd Cavalry Group .::oulil cross bchirld tllc Division,:on thc. Cp.TTl'lslOi';T Srid~::; to tnkc ovtr f ts .A assi~ncdxission. -;?ol7k cont-in~l~,d.apacc on :I nc-: bricl.,cc at thc iTALiI!'TT+. site;., an 3.2 span suitable for -i;l?c xodificcl tank tpcads, ::,.i?bch l??ould cvcntually st17vc. thc 19th flrmope,:i givision. By dawn 14 ??ov;:::nbur all rcgi.mc.nka1 trarrsp13rtatiorL, all light arti1lc.r~battalions, th.6: tank d..c.s%royc-rbattcilion and thc vehiclcs of thc cngincc-.r Satta1.i.~;~had clcar~d.tlle bridgc. For the first tirnc since:: the. initiation. of' the assault thi. small boat ferryin: operqtion was suspcndcd, except for thc csscntial evacuation of ~vounded. Delay in the completion of the TEIONVILLT' bridge postponed for. the. ti?iqtbeing ang'.intcr-, f erencc bztwer n our column d.cbouc.hing fran t:,lic: bridge sitc and the ~rmorof thc 10tli movinp: ~astfroin '11X13T\rVILLF.. At 0800 2nd and 3rd Rattaii.cns 353rh Infantry advanc~clto .m.aintain prtssurc: against the. t-.ncny wltkin their rcepc.ctivc zone. 3rd Fat talion quickly capt~rcdFRI CIIING, rnopptd up LT S ILL:'REY, no~dsand pushid co;:;ibat outposts to thc strcsrn beyond, F Co:ilpany Ats advance still slowcd by :mines, clrcvt; in :i light rncrny scrc~n and cut thc ' KERLING - LFMZ STROPI;' r ond s 011th of tht; LE SILL: REY woods. C1, company, also piclr$.~g; its ~vqy through riincl'ields, oc- cupicd 0UDRE:NITT' in thc midcllc of the af tcrnoon e.nd f irrnsd contact :. with thc 357th Infantry. 357th Infantry comp1c:trd mop up opcratiorls in it;s rcar area T.;. . , and rnaintainsd strong corilbat patrols to its front to thoroughly ! ,.:., . dcvslop cntaiy dispositions pre;pnr.~toryto rcnc&..:al of tl?C attack.-- . ;. : .... , . ., 3rd att tali on 358th. Infantry advanccd against continuingly .: ., . stubborn yesistance and ~ecurcda firm foot astrido tht 1NGMNGE'-: DISTI~OFFroad.' Hesitating to commit thc weight of liis unit in' a divt;rgcnt t ff ort to capturc: IMGLJ-FLNC:F, thc: bat talior, cormandcr . . probtd its.defcnsos, It dcvc.lopcd, ho~v,vevc:~r,that that town had bec.n converted into .a strong point, its garrison heavily ,rein- forced by arm0.r and anti-ttink guns. Plans wcri accordin@lydraft- cd for a full scale assault upon it th.e follonin,g, morning prior to dayli,~ht. 2nd Battalion driving for1??arcl at 1400 advanccd 2 Klns and in particularly bittcr fighting capt.ui7rdIIISTROFF. Prior to thc atta'ck artillery observers with 2nd Battalion spottcd :,nd f ircd on an ' cncny mcchanized colwnn of 100 'vehicles moving f ron IIISTROPF to STUCKANGZ. The effect cf thc accurately adjustcd aasscd. f irks striously cripplcd that rntrny forci: 2nd grc:a.tly tvcak- cn~dthc blow it struck against thc' bridgchcacl force at UCKANGE :: thk f ollol:~inrr ~norning. ?.!canusrhilc thC .Ist Battalion, its flank protcction ml'3 ,sion t.9.lrcn ovc r by thc R~connaissanct.Troop, assem- .bled in VALlKSTRCFP as rt,gi?.ni.ntal rt:sci9vc. 90th Rcconnaisshnce Troop., , ~,v,iiikhattachcd light tznk company!, . bridgc:d tlie gap b~t?~vkc'ntlic: 95tli. Division bridgehead at' '~?IIOT;VILLE and that of thc 90th, 'firmly linking thc t!-Jb ancl providing a protected route for the p?ssagc of tile 16th. Ariii~~edD',.visic~:~., Otli~rclemciits of that fl?1.~3~probTi.~ig s~)!::i;lc.agt~~.-i.ec?. -(\--;...bi~I~~-G -Tr7 :- - and 1-irked up wit:-1 the 2:ld Ea.I;tai$.cr:..3 5fti1 ,._ Irf _. an-t~y. By 1500 all but n few xl.isc~ll.~ze~ij.~v.ehi.zi.2~ hc!d cros=1.>d -the river. Iil 23 hoinrs the 90tt; Llvis~:)nl, cc~r,?pi.e.l.e with at.tzcliments and four reinforcin5 b:>t:aliocs of ~r?t;i_?-lsry,!73d crossed on a sin;z$~ span, At ~~~~e . , 3rd' cr3.~72J-~-;*,L* $i~2.;!c;:i>A izl!Lt:j-8ted ~qo~e~~nJ~a Coi.ncidental wit3 ttha c9~lalLry.c:~!~~.sslng P 'the f11:~i; comSat coinraand r.,-- *- ..T..- - of thz 10th Ar.r.]oi.ed Di-,~isio_rl-!laser.. ,,d ';i~.:?cugh L ki!-(!,.:\j IL~on to the .-.ast 'bznlr of t:he ?,!lCSSLTiZ 2;;d rcrl?,ad tc as3axSlg 3rCa in the ~rlc:'-nit~-of ImFiLIT:XG, '?:'!lg inc;'~iiy.y of cnvi-lr:y arlcl zymo~cdcalm -795. - s'.rlllflnlly 1lai:dl~d by the YC-Lh Div-is'j-c:l !,Jilitayy Polics - at ?lo time d.id traffic c.cnges'tion. deveEo;,3 cz ?,;ier_ 'ielld LLO c7ri~~. .- -- - . , 1::ri.n:;. the early evanin: hours the MA;J~L:\TG oridgz sita was open -?or traffic and the remainder of 0~1.rs~xpport:.ng tsnks crossed at th?t locality. Under cover of d.-lrlmess the 3rd Cavalry Sq!nsdron relieved the 1st Battalion 35'9th Infantry in yl,:cz nr,d thzt latter ~mit 3 ssenloled. 2t HJi'TI?!G. 2nd ard 3rcl - Eattc7.lions 3 57 th Ii~f2i:trg aemained in position ol.1t2ostin% the assembly area of thc :?rmor. For the first tiw in six days alld six nights of cantinuous fizhtinr. ... the inf'antry- had avril>bl.e to tham overcoats and blmket s xd slso n change or^ socks; somz fow ;2ixong th~reserve elenents .,ere' provided vvitll ,a hot mezl. Thro..~ghoutthis period the dspriv- ,-!tion by force of circ~~mstancesof those things norm?il_:~coi~sid?red -1ecessiti.e~bad irnp:?ir,2d ii~no ~7j.s~their will to fi~ht?ad to win. i3y sheer gl?.ts, datzrmination and recklzss co11ra:;e they had coiitinued to drive tli~Hun bsfore them, b-ro~kinghis evssy defense ain_d blood- i3.y rzplllsin: his every colnlter~ttack Exactly at dq~fiii 15 iYovexber the most violent colxtter blow of th? c-?.mpaign strlick tl;s 2nd Bst.tn.lion 35Pth I:~f::ntr~,yositioi?d in rtild aroimd DISTXOFE'. Przceded by a fierca . nrtill~~y.prepsra- tioil -two bzttalions of th? 25th Fmzer Eivisiog drova abrs,?st into thz to1~1nfrori ti-i~souths while ,? third in tanks znd halftracks, i=-nvt?lopsdfrorrl "Ls east. The Icft (wes-t) battnli'on never reachad th~tolivn in strength th~?i~k~to th.e nnihilcltlng effcct .of the Div- ision artillery.. Bint the other two, overr:u~~il?~o1_1t?2osts. drove :> wedge into the town s2littins thaldofending S, ,?t 1400 2nd Battalion swl_mn, ~o~~tl-i.oastoiltc the high.a ;:ro?~_n,d.., 2nd t hei? t~-~niii,:abrl~.ptl:i to the right a?pr oached 3ETZER;I'ISSJ :horn the northe2st lulder .the cover of tkl~z1.2~s.3d artillsr:~ of tl~Div- ision. The 1.1n,x:,7ected dircctio~iof tl?.;>.a?tzck tools the defenders unavdares and by dark 2nd Bztt?lion had ~13~n~dollt thi3 towil, c2ptllring or IcilZin:? its entire gzrrison. 1st Bat t<~l.i~ilcxtznd- cd to the sol?.ti~i:~estand. made cont~ct~-,:ith the 21id Br!ttalion on the extension of the railroad enst from toxin. In the 357th Infantry zone the self-propelled gtxs positioned under the cover of darknzss ?nethodi::nlly v~eri-t,abo!lt the iilork of reducing the HACKElljBFRG g!ms from a rangs of ~pproxirnatcly2000 yards. Tei7minz with 6'' howitz;3rs7 thcsa potent w?a?ons cffcctively silcnced the encrny fires. Thynu r~licvadof tha flank' tl?rc,~t1st 2nd 2nd BT?iG v\rl?ilk 2nd Bn ttalion cl;.ncnts seized H?3LLING. On the right flank 90th Raconnai_ssz?nce Troop, supported now by 2 platoon each of light to~lcsarid tank dcstro:rcrs, contin:l.od its screening and cont3ct mission. D:l.ring thi~.morning it captured STTJCI Attacking 2t 0900 17 November, 3-st Zattalion 358th Infantry dispatched one company rei~forcedto secllre tha crossroad atop Hill 253 while the blllk of the battalioa :noved into I;E-STOLBUSCH WOODS. The latter objective was taken ayains't 'light infantry resistance but l~nderterrj-fically he2vy mortar and artillcry fire.. After the woods had been consolidstsd 2nd Battalion was stagzd forward into the wcstern half, while 3rd. Battalion displaced to .MZTZERVISSE. Regimental plan 'for the continl~ationof the effort called for the ccordizated effort by the 1st and 2nd B-3ttslions on l.!ETZERESCIIE. At 1400 2nd Bntt2lion .j.noved to close with tha tolm. supportod by' the fire of the 1st Battalion. S~carheading tha'attack with tVOLSTROFF, moving in on the town from thz west and the north, Subsequently it dsveloped considerable resistance at the crossroad west of IIETZ?3RESCHE. Contqct with elements of the 95th Divisio~was made by a circuitolls rclnte for the Troop in their contin~ledwestward probing had developed tho existence of n con- tinuous and deep mine belt parallelin? the river and 3 or 4 Kms eastward. - 25 - RES2RLGTED Daring the day 359th &,fantrystaged forward to the BFaISTROFF LA P3TITE - IAGLABGE area prepar.atorp to their commitnent tlvough the center of the Division'"zc.Yle ti;5 following morning. As indica- tions mounted of the possibili.ty cf ar? enenlIT withdrawal d!le to th~ caitinned tightening xoose arouncl i;l?l'2,:'2, Diuis'on planned to inject new blood into the ati;a-2, 9rivl:;g ths 355th 111:^antry straizht down the KEDAPTGE - BBORCGURT - ST I-;JBE.F.I road. C!lri;?y the night artillery fire throagholit the enti-re Division srea increase:! per- ,. ceptibly strengthenin: the belief that a withdramal was in the. . 3f f i11g. 18 November was a day of pursl~it. At 0430 1st att tali on 3%. Trifantry moved from its asr,sably zrea, f si-loived at me-half Hour I-,-,- -:.:,ion details. Sridges and overpasses had been v~llpepamd for . ! 5~~olitionand,' if bl&n, 'v{o?;.ld have :~ateriallydek-ysd the .pv.r- : . . s!lit. Rut in. all instances the speed of the advallcci ~)xtr?lfrt'38, . , zxeclntion. By 1030 1st Ea ttnlion 21~1.3clearecl ABONC~~XT'aild ,sylmg southeast on the axis ST i3ERNAI-D - LHAF~IEVIUE-sous-BOIS. IZnd ; Sattalion moved south towards ST IXJBEIIT. 3rd Battalion' followed .. in trace behind the 1st Battalion. , . I~leanwhile357th Tnfarrtry on the left had advanced cross- country to EBERSVILLEH. :"~e3 5f::li Ir,f antry had swept two battalions .- soutli through the woods from I~~ETZT239SCIE"i LGTTAPJGE where 5'0 pri- soners were capt~red, Covered soilti1 of L1lT'Z'A;JGE by the 90th Recon- raissance Troop, 3 58th Infant1y assembled for a !nl-?ch needed rest. 90th Reconnaissance Troop, given a zo2e of operations on the Div- ision riglit, rolled through 1,UTTAYCE towards VIGY. As the advance c antinued unchecksd a.11 previously assi.gied. -. obJectives wer'e scappzd and the lrnits were ordered to -extend tk,?mselves to the utrnos t. 1st Battalion 3 5'9t,h In? sr,try, b!::lshing aside resistance at CH!,RTXVi'LLE-scus-Bi)1.S9 raced, o2mard ~ndat 6.arX crossed the NIED river and selzad CO3TDE-KORTYA %qn< the ~oad junction or_e kilometer to the soutb:!v3st. Th!ls pos:',r;Ii.onsd sql~ark- lg ast,ride a major escage route from LETZ th9 bs~talicnint;erlcepted.--., 2nd d.?stroyed .with ar"i:illery, tank arid t~:n!r d~stroyei:.fire, German f~~l-;lc:!2.;3r col!:.;"rx~s throu~houitthe ni.skt. 2cd arid ~rii-.-~a. .t t;alicrLs ;1a1%6;;9 ior ths night at IFJSSY L~E\E@~and GiADYBVILU respec tiveb... TiV':~ilethe 1st and 3rd Battalions, 357th Infantry p~shedforward 39. f GC'+ the 2nd Batta1.ion was eil.t~l;cked.and moved sc;=,;;lnth2ough --, ! , j- 7, ,--7 -: .L.-~,:J.LLF~and bravtng a hail of EFre, rolled past l;he rear of the 'JI,;;53LSEEF.G fortifications under attac..: f~o!-nkh.a 933t by the 10th Armare$ Division. Between ESERSVILIER and FESTHOPF an antis-tank ditch blocked the road. The battalion reversed direction b~t fj-rdiny all ot!:er ro:l.tes iqpassa';~?.?3 as;jeeb!.ed. at EB3133VILI~ZX1mtj.l road re;1air col~ldbe co~.s~~.m~teft,Ey l-atc afternoon the Ist Eat- talion rezched BOCKAYGE, das-trojred i^: Ger-:s.c su.)ply co1ln:;n aiid too4 the s:lraivors priscl:er, With all rotates. fl.lr-th2 sou-th bloc!ced by mices and craters or c11t by anti-ta;;l:: d.j_tclnes, the regi.iient. halted in CO~U~!~OC battalions pendin$ engineer operatj-ons. . . O:? the ilj-vision ri~htthe 90th. Recorr~aiss'anseTroo13 c kared .iIW aiid VHY an? establis1;sd itself at .AVAl ;liere trapped: German trai: s?ortioi?. zl-~ttonin:the road' wzre ,. .. destroyed br th~combined efforts of t11.e s.r4;il-l2r!r ahd the- si.lper- order. 3 57th Infantry advaj-;csd to t3.e IVIED ca9tllrin:; 'R0;7?ZLDAFGE 9 GUIPTKI:?CEEN ar-d HIP.TCii;AKE, It t:;~cl?gkepared.- - for an a ssalxlt. ecross. tbe '"-'L~I-D river to seize E0'JiA-Y. f;ov~?ver at t2is Juiictllre the Divisicn was ordzrzd to kalt on the line of tha EIED a~1.G all patrols rajere recalled. At 1100, SC>tl:. Rc?cornaissance Troop advqncad so!]-th acr ass ths Eivision lool~ndary and rwde cont~ctwit11 rc?ccnasissancs ele-qeilts 'of the 735th Tadr Eattalion, su??crtins 'the -5th Civisioi~,thcs -om.pletin; the circlzuient of ?!ETZ West of the 34ZRDERET RIVER and in the FORET Dl3 ITC:T\'T CASTE3 9 in the bit.ter fighting which characterized Jme an.d Jt?ly, the 90th Infantry Divisior?. had denonstrat~dits capacity to sll?g it out and win agai~stthe best and most determined soldiers of the Reich. In the rapid encircling nlaiicuver which turned thz flailk of the German Seventh Army it had shov~nits aptitude for bold, daring strokes where flanks and conkact were forgotten and th.e pay-off as speed of exac:ntion. At the FALAISE GAP it had proved that it collld develop and maintzin a terrific plmch. But it wa's the J!IOSELL;E crossin: which called upon thz Division to display the fi-111 extent of its varsatilitg ?ad. of courzge. It was the PJOSELIX crossin?, cliaaxing the proq1d history of a tried divisi.on, which called for the pro,apt nild unzrrin: application of every lessoii learned-in five months of coi-nbat. The de.~andswere mat in full measllre and the success of the operation, a forsgone concllxsion to the men of the ?Oth, tlxrahy insixred. In eleven da;~sand nights of continlnol-1s combat thz 90th Division won a brilliant victory. Attscking across a majcr river in the face of strongly manned fortificnti.ons which had bsen ~~onthsin the making, it had achieved coinplete tactical s!lrprise and overranning th2 first 1j.m of dc3fense insured its inaintenance on the far bank. In so doing it had sacceedod in the trip@ combinatiofi of a night assault, a river crossing end the penetration of a fortified area. I-Ia~lpered5y the worst river conditions in history and despi.te heavy resistance OE 211 sides it had none the less deployed! eight battalions iil the first 24 l?oli-rs and had relentlessly driven forwarcl to sccllre its iilitizl obiective. It had assaulted nild ";ail~ed in 60 holnrs th3 formidable an5 of ftime called impregnable FO3T KOE~~IG~?~hCiXRwith its corn- plete battalion zarrison. It had redlXced all I,IAGI?'OT fortlfica- tion within its zone. Without benefit of arnor or anti-tank support it had seized and consolidatcd its bridgehead. For four days and four nishts it had rnaint VAN FLEET C O]/nJ A_P:D 117 G PART I1 DIE DRIVE TO TiIE SMLR 24-30 ITovember 1944 THE DRIVIC TO Tia SAAR 24-30 November 1944 The fall of I,,KET.Z on 20 Wovelzlber Sroug:;ilt to com~le+,ic,nthe first phase of the XX Cor~soffensive cnd steps -were . imie2;is.t ely icit.iated to reorient the Divislol:~ to the Ezs-6. CCA lGth A1-iiid Div vas turned ITorth to ?;?ass through the 3rd CLV Gp and attack up the S,L4R-P!?OSELLE triz~gleto ,S.iUKBU3G. Meantime, however, the 95th Inf Div, which vas to Dass through the 5th Inf Div ar,d drive tov~zrdsSAARI.XUTEF&T, was still mopping u.p in the lvZTL area. Consequently the SCth Inf Div, ordered to extend IE to contact with CCA9 10th Armd Div and hold along the line of the ]TIED R until the 95th Inf Div should come. abrezst , planned the ~aximu.n poesiSle rest for the buLk of the Pro,~l2s. In alinouncing the details of the redisnositions, Div directed that Regtl zones be outposted lightly with t.he bulk of the units' held in reserve, (a) 359th Inf on right to hold the zone from LES EST,4NGS (inclusive) 1% to GULFLA>TGB (exclusive). (b) 357th Inf on left to hold the zone from GUIXLAUGE YiZ to GVICHING, (c) Task Force Spies (773rd TD Bn (- 2 COS) and 90th Rcn ~r)to ,relieve elements of 10th Amd Div in area from right boundary of Z57th Inf to FILSTROFF. (d) RCT 358th Inf, now attached to 10th Armd Div, was alerted for move?~entto the zone of action of that unit. During the morning hours, unit commanders reconnoitered nsnly assigned zones of responsibility and at 1200, Div ordered iria~ er?i.att? initiation of %he planned rediapositions. ----357th Inf: By 1800, the regt had occupied its new zone with dispositions as follows: (a) S Co outposted PREISTRGFF, DIDLlTG and GUICHITJG, contact- ing TF S2ES at the latter point; F Co ocsuried ANZELIWG and patrolled to FISEISTZOFT; G Co remained in Bn 9es at BOBLING. (b) K Co outposted 3rd Bn zone, yl~cing1 plat at GOIl~L-+lNGE with the remainder of the Co at 9UPAITGE; bulk of the ' 3d Bn was held at 3OCE:AlTGE. (c) 1st Bn pre~aredfor move to HEST20LW as Regtl Rss u2an relief in the GUIlZIR'JHEN - HI>iUI%+I:GE area by 3d Bn, 359th Iuf, 21 November 44 (~ontfd). :. , .,. , By 2000, regt va.s dismsed as follows: (a) 1st F2c 0ccu~fe51-03EE;T nit11 yeinforced plat outp~s'cs in the tov~nsof VOLi\:SL?Ai;GZ arid 2O33 - L?GET;ZP;I. (b) 2nd En was held at LT8 ETANG3 wit:? one reinforced plat at GLATIGW. (c) AT Co out5osted in the vicinity of VRY. (d) 3rd Bn remained in position, prepared to take over re3ponsibility for 1st Bn, 357th Infls area on the morrow. -----358th Inf still in its assembly areas at XETZZRVISSE,. IzETZZEI- E5CI.E ancl LTjI,LAITG3:, awaiting call from the 10th Arnd Div. Meanwhile that latter unit, having passed through the 3rd 'Jav Gp, was finding going difficult where just previolclsly the csvalry h2.d been making 'excellent progress. Immedia-tely beyond the relief line, theyunexpectedly encountered a switcli position of the SIEC;TEILD LI?iZ, strztching in a continuous baLt from the '&UR R through 033_LRL3U1CElTand TETTINCl3M to the KOSELLE. Althoilgh lightly Izelrl at the outset, the armor's initi~~l. hesitation hcd given to t'ne su~emgy two precious dsys t grezttly reinforce the deferding garrison and the task of penetraion , becaae hourly more formidzble. . .. Re~tmoved. by motor at 1200, thrsq:gh Nl3TZ=?"ISSE, I~~G:.~TGZ, ZLZAEGE, KO3UIGSPLEICI33 and SIEXCI:. Tlie entire ST had closet by 160C 1-?ithRcgtl Hq 2nd 2xd En billeted in SIERCK, 3rd Bn in lGTT%L and 1st Bn in SNTIZ-WiT. The latter En 'zas -attz Anticipating orders reorienting the Division to the E, - the Div CP moved to ECKRIBG EZiFi)d-ZJZS 2nd displaced the 712th Tk Sn to DALSTZIN. ----.-22 Yovember 44 1st Bn, 357th Inf TJZS relteved by %hi=3rd Bn, 359th Inf and, assembled at HBSTROFS closing by 1215. GU~llI<.IRCIEIB ,C-.-..T1-d -- -:.---9s Bn ~~9t.h.-,-----..~nf occupied and IXINCLLNGE with one rcillf plat of L Co each 71.;l?-i2o the ssm.%inde.rof the Bn displaced to CK4~~ViT,I,E-soussBOIS.. . -----356th hnf: Tii~t.; oordered to 2-ttrcl; 'c:?e f51 lc~ifl~?gnorning to bre2.ch the LI1;!X, seizing SliE and IiiUXZI1iG:EiT ~scd;staSlishillg a bridgeher?..cl for the armor, 1ni.tin1 2ssc:ult nze ~l?.l.;_:-.;~!. for &he 2nd and 3rd Rr,s ~'ilp~oi-tadSy +t;c entire Eiv Arty, kith the 1st Rn prepared to assist either c?sszulL unit, - Intelligence estimates s11o~;ved ele~er;'tsof the 416 Germr! Div to be liolding the line generc~lly7zetneen ?7LSmTNG (0204) 2nd EiES.IG (2094)~ The total front line strength.of the Div ~2s estimated at 1000 men,most of mhm~were in concrete >ill5~xss. Son?e were in o~en-emplzcements 'o?-ftnze:? the pillboxes, It w2.s estirnatcd this line..%v:ls suppo~teqby 4 Sn3 of Field Arty and some 12 cln mortllrs. bTumber of ener,~ytmks vc.s unkcown. Shortly befcr~the 358tI: Infts attack the enemy strzngth in the ETTINGXE.-O32X,E'L'ISI~? crez was estinc.te3. to be crguncl 300 nen. Zut due to the prcvlous z.c,t;ivity of the I.Ot'n krmd. Ijiv i11 ths .r;rrm., there 1-!era ::I lreS3y i.ndl.cn -t50x1s of heavy reinfo scements c.rriving in the ayes, : . . In ?.ccordznce xith the nei;~ Corps order, tha 95th Inf Div, w2.s to nake the m2in effort, forcing 2" brldgehmd ccross the SLiR i? in the vicinity cf 3-L"LE~IX,AUmF1TD90th Inf Div, initizlly less RCT 8 ?;:'as to .z.ttack nbrenst 2.rid o,n the lcft (3) cf the 95th 3s f:r ::i.s the SLL~FI; thc crossing of tine S.lLlR within zone i:rzs conti~l- gcnt upcn the success of the S5th in uncovering the c!iosen bridging sitc at FGIELIXG71$. 10th Xrmd Div ncs to c~r,tiaue its driva tc1::srd S;I($'XBIJT,G,~,rh.ile ~.t t?;le szrfie t.ime probe to7;iqrd I 5th Znf Div. nas left behind to contz-in these LX'TZ forts ~vlfichh2d not yet capitulzted. . . The zone assigned the 90tli 1~2sdeline.2.t.ed on the S 'cy the ,iUED -7-T-,7 .R as far as l~IJ%SILT30RFt;hence r2n due E to include bt,i.~~P<2nd ' 1;on tlie N , it Fnc luded L;LS TROP2 2.26 JJ07,)mC)Lwthere- after follol-~ingthe valley to t!ie river. The 357th Inf and 359th Inf xirere e~rmarkedfor employmeilt in the right and left zoces respectively and so notifie:'. . . . Th-2 Division groper spsnt n cornl;arotively quiet T;ialiksgiving dcy, Reconn-i--en-L.. 2~d~ce p2rties frca tbe 557th and 359th cont2cted elements of the 13th Arm& v;ithin t'ne resr zone of zction and checked assigned assembly areas, ----3513th Inf :: During the early morning hours, the 2nd 2nd 3rd Bna moved to. forn-rd s.ssenbly zreas vicinity \VOCI-XlDT and BORG and at 1000, crossafi their res3sctive LDs. 3rC! En adv.z.nced. tllrough the woods E ' of the WOClZPJT - mTTI?JG:W road under . heavy artille 1-y and s:n~.ll srms fire, . Elnl-ie~avering !;.ith skill, tlie Rn pressed tlie attaclc an2 by 1.800 had clearzd the woods, destrjying 15 pillboxes and capturing 85 Ts:'J, But, between the woods and :ZBTTINGEB, the initial object ivz , o tl~er pillboxzs squzttzd in sullen def ianca and with di2rknes~fast zpproachir,g, continuation of thz ~sssaultnt;l.s postpo~eduntil dcylight, 22d Bn, moving from its ~"ssenblyarea in the woods X of BORG was hit by & concentr~tionof high velocity fire just ss it cleared the tvoods, This fire, ccxb~1gfrsm the left rear, disorganized the attzcking trosps and -LoL--.--->t \,d postpnilil~)ielitof t'nsir asszuit until 1-400, st2rt;ng afresh in tlie afternoon, the En advanced to the high ground ;;J of 0!33~ZXUICGB 2g:llnst hezvy resistance, Here tha Bn consolidated fcr the n4ght with G Co on the revsrse slopz3 of the !?ill_.cLn3 E 2nd Y Cos just inside the dragon's teeth. Some 40 PsTJ 11nd been tzken, Lecving behind a ccvering shell to be relieved by elements of the 95th Div 2.nd 90th 4cn Tr, regt moved by shuttling 2-L 1030. 1st En assembled at rJOLT;iEF, pushing X Co to TdXUlKIRZ~PJand FE3!ELSDOLw, The reminder of the regt asse-mbled in a col~~~nn fo:rma-t ion xiith 2nd En vicinity of BISIICI-E cmd 3rd Bn in vicinity DliTlPCNT FAk_Rd. .3.53'h , 9 Tnf initixting movement at 0800, sent its 2nd Bn to ou,'i;yost c!. line from WiSTROF?;' ta LX GROSSXi!T?.VkI,D XOO2S; relief of the Arrnor in t3c.t area TXS completed by 1EOC. 1st and 3rd Bns assembled at 17iiLDJl318TIIOFF ;~ncl 7ALSTRO23' respectively. Tha shell left in the old zrea was relieved late in the day by elements of 379th Inf and closed into the regtl assembly nra after dark, .' . ', 2 -24 Povember-- 44 (conttd) . .A. I . .. . . , -. 90i;h Rcn---- Ts I-ZS ordered ixto r,c~iticrisclong the ZIXD to maintain cont:?ct bet-vc. i? 357'rn Iilf uici.clit;r Jj1ILS';E0>P 2nd 379th Pnf ini-i;izl.lyf:t C33T&'-BORIT-ZBB, Completing its r&isy?.ositions, Civ ardcred an attcck at 250730 to secure the high ground or1 tlie 'd bnnk of the SAiR RI~~3, At 0630, 2nd Bn continued t?le attack ngzinst Hill 338, its advance slo7.'-ed by heavy direct fir* from -the IT 2nd -.:r;:.td p?,rl;icul?..rly by exfilnding i~z~hi.asgun fire from a 1;;~ge>illm box on the outskirts of OETP&L~~3~T~.;it Z~GCT~~the ~J..Z~~I:C:-:~I~ fortific.ztion n,?s reduc~d'07 an assault .i;ss;13, bi~tthe a,tt-?~ on L' the hill. c ont inued to make lit ble progress 2s LYL~G.;r.-;.-::::?. tel~aciouslydefznded this excellent ~pprachclo:?rr! 'il-~z'i~oghsrk rid32 to S&IBGRG, To provide additio~slnu:lch fcr the right effort, the Is t Bn t6sa alerted to assaalt OEXPZE'fiC:'$T at 1530 and moved forw.rd from i.ts assembly in O3XREXL, i&~Fckl)-;ioverrur?ning the scattered resistance short of the tarn? A and B ?,oa zneshcC i.nto firat buildings-and by dark liad sec.vrcd the sol-~thern'iz~lf of the objective, 3rd Bn, after repulsing a strcng counterattack agai~stE Co on tE13 En right, attacked zt 8,303, 1 'Jo rrorking with mscfzinelike precisi~2reduced the 16 ~i1lbo.x~~betmen 'cl:~ ~vocdsaxd TETTINGZB but postpolled tlis assault on the town until norning, Uns7;:are of this dec3.sion al?d norking deeper in the belt a€ pill.- bcxes, Co K attncke?. and cal>ture? EUTZDOW1 (N of TETTiITG-EX), tihere it remalned uniocated and out of cornmsnication with En Hq, a facxor in its subsequent disaster. Co E;: fought all night long as elements of the 21st Taneer Di3 counterattacke.d fson SIX2 17fitll tanks and inf~~ntry.5:lc ircled and isolated, t2l-e ?:!:!en qf that Co~panyfought furio.usly with every zva iiable !-~eagon ai?:ainst the eneny armor rirhj-ch rur:ibled up to f ise c4,t point 'c!l.ar,k reAil officers were chsualties; ther2 Jiras no armored si:.p*.nr+,; ammumiticn vras fast dvindling; but still the 35 surv- irors held out against all odds, besting off thrust after t-;l?l.ls t , On this day, elements of b!o regts of the 30th Div xs=: f f ghting inside Germany for the first ti~e, ------35'1-th Inf t 1st; En pushed a strong combat ratrol into SSI-;TdIrE:X3SP9 in the face of small ams and mortar fire froa the hie11 ground viclz.Fty BCTR~I~ILER. Prom that 230i17.t ths r~gtecheloned to the rizh-L rear connec'ti~gwith the 90th Rcn, -.-.---.--.--.359th Inf: 2nd a1361 3rd 3?ns attacksd. ab~eastat O?Sijg the latter on ths .-,-- . . 1:;K cc tag t:-:retj j3x3'yi_\i&327 lr~jli_Ee5 rJ (-~rn;>a?rqC,UL the .7!:,J I-~LLT~- - :,YALD7J.R93E Rozc?. a!?& o c. cilyi. 3," .;he Illgh gr7 :i.:n<- S rr f BC IS GZat3E T, 22d En reached po si-tie:qs ~ii.2ST;T of !~3~:~~3rd w;;:!,h.ou-t; ~~j:'f'i.~-t~lty but e-~ev~ECV~ fire fro111 -i;i?.e .to1fi~:\rnitself, Dy 3.400 csn~lsiio~' of bri5ging o~>e;'a-l;io:?.s~nt ZXUTr?lTGE zll~tn~edfo:?wa.-.d. mcre;.r!e:-j-tof suyporting tnr_i<:s ant! thus bols.tel-ed9 3l:d Eij, c:3s~~i;l'cs,5gZ?FdSCR, F End G Cos occupied the 'covrn vrbi2e Z Co st;ood fas-c to refuse the right flank. 1st Sn assembled at ZEURA.MGE. ------358th Inf: At c?zylfgkt I Co, followed by L 60, att2c.k 6: ~andseci~rsrl. TETTINGBN 2nd pushed W to coiltact 1: Co, all tl:;ciwclre !;f s critical situfltion, Tt smnshed into the besieging 'G?rms.ns andg teaning with -the remainder of E Co, ~.~OVEti~e~m back to the N ~6geof I3UZ7EQW. In t'ce action I Co tgok considerable casualties 2nd energed with but one oTficer, 1st Rn cai~tinuel?,the mop-ux, of 033?ILEUliEIiiT until hit 53- c". strong ta~kand i:ifc?n.try countera~ttc~ckfrom the IT7 z,zross the frolit of -Lhe 2n.d Bil, .;'%f.ter a Ilouse to hc1;:ae fig13.t: the attclick ;bias driven off ii,~iththe helpf~lzssis-Lzz~ee of the 2nd Bn;s flanking fi~eznd the artillery. Ist Bn remined in rossession of its p3::tion of town. 2r1.l 31:.fol.lncl the going equally difficult, It sec1.1.red i;be bald K.ij.:i. 386 but here vas suh,jec-ted 'co bils.t,er5:l,s;- hii'1:17.- velozitq f'i-=e from the dornina4~iiisggr.o,:??d -be>-oind.. Ey dz~y'send the c~c;ul.~?'i;i'vetoll of 2nZrq-y actio;~and tyc.scll :?o>'i hzc? reduce3 the efrective rifle strengt;l of t:-,e ~fito b;.re 100, Dw-5rg the ~iglit,Corps, ~,p-prc?.ise&of the coi~ditionof the reg-b anf ter its ex~~uciati'ng-i:,hhl:o dzy 2I 2-g?~t ,r dii;e,.cted relief of J..~ne 1 358th Inf as soon as possiblie a:xi its rzt,urn 'co the 90th Ci~~ision,The reg% had acquit";e6 :'L%see:!,fn5bly -- it hnd ca,ptr*red 500 prisor?ers, 2 towns and part of a third 2nd hzd reduced 26 pillbo:ces, It h2d made the deepest ~cnetrztioninto the snitch position df the SITG3XIED to be effected 'iy nny unit during the yeer 1P44, At OCOO, C Co advcnce? into the ?-~oods S';! oof CC,TTX~Z?OXY,~~~~.ring them without difficulty ar,d aubsecjuently czpturing the town' it- self a.nd for:xing contact viith 359th Inf s.t th~tpoint. Xeallv;l.iile a. strcng pz:trol and a platoon of B So vaere repulsed' in thsir at- tem~tsto enter OTZWILLER, 3rd En ~.ttzckeclthrough the 1st BE at 1100 frozl: the iiiYec"sic>r of SCT~~~VTZLTIOBP,1 Cg, le~~ding,drov3 2 ~?;z$.ge 3nto tl~ehed.v.i:~y dcfen- Sed tavrirn of FJR-:'EIL%R,', I< Co wss cov~~..d,up on $lye right of 1 Co 2nd together thes2 Cos f inslly r'2dcaed the strong3ol?, tz.kisg 107 PsV, I Co then di-sp12ced to the 3' to outpost thz 6n zoi:e, v~hileL Co noveci forv?a.r& to the to;;n. YI Co nttzcked at 0730 and with tznk suc~ort- - secured :mehi& ground in !!XS SILLXBEBTEG V0L3DS, overloo;:ing ,ZlL:.TI2?G33!T, At 11C9, 2nd Bn savenced to the E 2nd dcs--7,-te :: 3rofusisn of z.ntitznk ditches 2nd. nines were il.1 yossessio~of the high grou.cd .lieway 'bsts~een- OEE,WSCH and GB?LI?!NG3IT by dark. 1; Co w.2~sncng in-co.positi.on betvleen K Co an3 the 2nd Bn to firm the line. Stro~gpatrols probed enemy defsnses to the E. .-.-..---558th --.. Tnf- t-.-ns r~lievedduring the day by the armored infantry s orns:.;rlsa t re:: rf~,rd.of %lie exl~ti ng- f r o.nt lilies an3 rea a senbled j-n the toms origii~c~llyoscul;ied. lirrcngementa v:?r.z i;.yuck;y coy>- r.Leted for the C~ovcxcnC,0.f' the unit t3 TTSICZID'G EARPLJCIIS the fol- I~vingd2y for thorough rest cnd reh~.bilitation..,. . TIi~e;lghoutthe d~y,for~icrd elements of -the Di.vision hzd been sv,b,~ac'l;e2 to 3 sustt>.inedp~unding by. enemy artillery from across the 5AAR R, suppienen'ted by SF ~L~YJSstill en -the 7 bsnk. il?2nntry resist:!.l?ce ,h?d not yet been ",'-.rzic.~ll;:.rstrong, r2p:d r'ors.~z..ri?,movement I-JT.~ greztly hansc-red by the efl"?cti?.-cl1.e~~of ., + & :.. ' en9ri:s de.nlolition:3 z~rfninefidl'ds wliich mtde the ,,,-:ck: zone 2.n engi.neers3 night~l?re. Me?.nt-?hi'i12, on both flnr:cs, zljc.cent 2-i-ri.sior-slrere echeloned to the resr, experiencing similzr ob2 skzcles 2nd responsible for a wider front, 'A 7 -' Except for the occupztion of OTZT:$II;LEI? by 3 Co, 357th Inf ada, 5C0 ynrd advnnce of donina ting g;-av,nd 1:):; I< Clo, 359th Inf, the Division made no appreciable prcgress during the day, The great- est emphcsis was placed on the improvement of rou-te cz~~fiunicationa behind the lezding elements to allovt forvcarcl stzging of tanks and tank destroyers prelininclry to tE;s fin21 ass:?ult to the river. At the. same time petrols operated continuously in both reg'tl zones to fix the enemy dispositions. .--.353.I-,:~-..-. ----.-Enf closed '~CISIITG l3U?RACI(S at 1515, 357th and 359th lnfs continued pr'epc?rz~tionfor the ~ttacktc~ the rive? scheduled for 290600, At 1500 a conbat patrol from the 1st. Bz1 357th Inf entered and cleared the toVm of 3~IEWTDOF.F. Shortly 2.fter dark the engineers, corered by a combat outpost, noved - fornard frox OZ?!iLESCI-I a began bridging operations on the huge antitznk ditch halfway GEFGFAETGElT ; the bridge was completed z,t 2330. In the past tv~odays the Division had consolidated its gains, firmed its comi?nunications through patrols, obtained an ~c- curzte picture of the eneny resistance W of the SL4R R, With the 95th Div coning up rzpidly on Lhe riglit re::r, it wcs prepzred for zn unchecked assault to the SPAR 29 Fov. ------357th Inf: At 0600 3rd En att?.c!ced due E from F'irIT2EILEl?and by noon had Be- cured v~ithoutcpprezizble rssista.nce, the 'left half of the Regtl Obj, the high ground overlooking the SAAR, K & L Cos occupied the objective, pntrolling toward the R, while I Co tvzs positioned in GBFJ;FAIJGEN, 1st Bn by 0800 had cleared the noo3ed expanse on the high ground 3 of .mIm.ERSD32F, Proceeding into the tovm of I-IETdDL.1El?SDOPLF33A Co encountered considerzble res5stancs cnd it was not until 1700 that the co-ordinaced action of A Ccr from the la, a TLc plc:.t from the N and G Co 379th Inf (95th ~iv)from t'ne 5'7 had cleared the town. Yith this action conpleted the reminder of the 1st En a~secbledin SCH17%i!G?F prepratcry to comitnent 5 of the NIZD -;he following day. -8- 2nd En, swinging into the gcp deve?.oped by the divergent cttz.cks of the 1st snd 3~-dBns, reached ths I:j.g'h ground ~?:Ys~T-of ..SI1-'L~LSLC~RI~~ " v~ithoutresf st:::nce. .Eand G Cos co:isolid~.tefi,the posi.tioi1 and cont:.cted L 2nd A Cos respectiveiy on the left arid rignt flcrilzs. F Co remcined in FTJ2rr~,T21LXI?, 35Cth Inf: -. - - 1st 3n pssed through 2nd En r;t 0600 and 'oy-p2ssing GX2L3'A.ITGXIT to tlie ',.r seccred thz high gr~!:.nd Ti of FZ~J~T~B~OP&'agcinst scat- tered ~esistc~lice.I~medic teiy tliarezf ter .A Co, theSn Regg CR- '.,eyed and rlo~;;:ed!up the L~ov:n of cG3.1-&FAXGZlT, 3~dBn? att.?..c1:-.2iig ab2ea.st of rind on the left of the 1st En, pushed I cnc! L- Cos east- :vad to secu1.e the high ground SIT of 1IOBT?CI'iF; Cos reported t'fle~~i- ze'17:es on objective by 1100. 19enrrv~hile2ild Bn, less G Co, 2s- ~e:~F,leCic.t OZTT?ES2H, ~i\rhileG Co Tzas left to ~rotec-tthe Regtl lelt from positions overlcoking SILYiII<\C;EB, Du.ring the 12te cfternoon 2nd evening pstrols froc the froct line Rns:hit the river c2.t severcl places earning for t;ie I~lvisiondis- tinction of being tlie first element of XX Cor2s to rezch the Sm. As the 3iv ccnsolidsted ui3on its Etssigiled objectives RegtZ areas \:?ere subjected to an unusually heavy. alzd continuous 2-rtillerjr 3ombcrdment presc,ging the enemyf s re7.c tion to further encrc~climent upon his SLLk:SRdef~ =naeS,-** The rem33ining untaken objectives were ??U%B, SIERSDGiU? and FCE- L I 2J~filTyTf-'T loccted 3 of the ETEB in the SE. corner of the Div zrez. Since the c?.pproc:ch from the 236 Enf%Fren wns exposed to- the fcll view of the enerny, the logic:^,!- soluticrln 1~2sto cross ,the NIFD at re:.rl~.ra.rd ~oints2.n~- cLttc.ck E %stride the xI3S)AL'i;DQPI.J' - Bg?ZL< rozd. - - 1st Bn 3.ssembl-ed at BI3DAI,II)O22? at 0600, 2nd crossed to the. 'S berik of tlie >TIED in zss3ult bocts. Its org::nic t.rcns.portation and sl;lpporting tanks 2nd t2rk destroyers wers routed via. the BOTSZO1:- VI:C,IiZ bridge. E Co, the lecdirig asscult unit, passe2 thro.u.gh G Co 379th Inf S of FLZ?!Ti~iUTXSDO33; and contir~uedeastwc,rd u~ls~~osed un-ti-1 the BOIS DE E2RPFJCR wcss reached, E;roa this point oil the sdvznce to SLTXl? v~~.~mhrked by henvy energy r.rtlllzry' and Ueb-31- ~virerfer fire 2nd. grzidunlly insressing Iilf resistcnce. Ey Sr=lrk 7" 9-7..~fer, ?- E So had fought its wsy well into 3Ul-G.X. The b-ttle ~cgedthraughsu.t the night with undiminished fury. A & C Cos Trere stzged fonirtlrd but held in coiumn to protect the 33s' ex- tended right flank. -9- . . End 8: 3rd Ens rn::l:?t:>ined their posj.tior.s prtr.3lling to ttle r.i.ver in tke left of tl2.5 zone s.nd to SIE283.:123 :;fie. :-LYSS;2RZ3e,F on -tl.le B Co, supported k,y'TDsp occu~is6the river tovn of FTadiE?.5DCRP ~~jithoutresistnnse, v~hileA Co, c'chelon.3d fornr:rci fros G.Z.'?j3'BUGBN to occup:~ its rr..cn.ted pssition, S3t'n:ricn .Tr relievzd K 2nd G Cos ,of thcir bloclc ~~issionso-r, the 3egti. left fiznli, C v -..:.2?-f;!l -. ..-- -....-.--l17.f coz-ti_r.aed its r-ehc,bilit?f,ionprjgrzrn :;t 'CZCE.'.IiI??TG FAR.- Z.?.C:KZ, ~LI%KT,~ alerted for evontucll cmplaysent Oil the Di-~isionfs rigEr.L ?;?her?tb.5 9O.th's crossing y;r:s ordered, 1x1 bcth 2eg-tl zonsa, reconnaisur?ric~rzpzce for fire yoeiti~mfor tznks t:?YLk destroyers cnti'tank gu;:~, 401zr~2.il-l . guns a12d 50 caliber nzichine gum to the end t'r.1r.t a conce~ted-3rogrnn of c7irect fires night be r?.pi Its rznks thinned by l2ck of reinf~~cemcntsto repl~cethose . ccsunltizs suff~redin the K08XLL;E crossing and subsequegt hard fighting, the Division gr.thercd its limited strengt'h in prepnr- atlon for the gruelling t?ak to cone, Iljra1157 key officers 2nd. men hcd been lost9 %but in the eyes of those re~!siningthera VJC'~S .-,naughtbut deterrninztj-on :is thay survcyed the SJAR n.nd the pill- 'boxes beyond, Thi~fighting tc2m h.d met ~.r,cl eongucrc.d obstt:cle ~f tkr obstzcle in its c3~ivefron UTAII BSACEI. ITon i;.~rnzliyit- sel? .wss entered, Burther psnetsation could not - would not - ,.be denied, ~~UARTE*% THIm UWITED STATES Am Office Of The Commanding General @O 403 SUBJECT: Commendation. TO : Commn~dingGei?e&al Goth Division, U. S. Army. THRU : Commanding Generel ?M Corps, U. S. Army 1, The capture and development of your bridgehead over the Moselle River in the vicinity of KOENIGSI,fACI(ER itrill ever rank as one of the epic river crossings of history. 2, Please accept for yourself and pass on to the officers and men of your valorous division my high commendation for the superior manner in which you and they performed tws truly .. magnif icient feat of arms, /s/ Go S. ratton, Jr. /t/ G, 3. PATTO??, JR., Lieut. General, U. S. Army Commanding. ls't Ind. HEXDqUARTERS XX COPZS, APO 340, U. S. Army, 28 November 1944. TO: Commanding General, 90th Infantry Division, APO 90, U. S, Amy. 1. I desire to add my personal commendation and thanks for the aggressive and skillful performance of duty that made the above commendation possible, Such devotion to duty and will to close with the enemy can only bring success on the battlefield. 1 am proud to have the 90th Infantry Division in the XX Corps. /s/ 7lalton. H. ;It/ ~:U.LTONH. . YJALXER I~tajorGeneral, U. S. Amy, Commanding. HEPRODUCED: Hy 90TH IBF DIV G-3 Section. HlUDQ,UARr;;ERS YUY COWS APO 340 200.6 23 January 1945. SUBJXCT: Reconnlendation for A1vj~crd of Unit Citntion. TO : Conmanding' C-ener~I-~European Theater of Operations, AFO 887 ;U. 'S . Army. TBRU : Commanding General, Third United States Army, APO 403, U. S. Army. 1. Under the provisions of Section LV, Viar De~ertmentCir- cular 110. 333, 22 3ecember 1943, .it is recommended that the ??th Infantry Diyision be cited in t5e nsme' of the President ef ihe United States for distinguished and conspicuous; sarvice LYI action duri~gthe period 9-1C Sovember ,1944. It is further rdcoixmended that tlie citation include the follo~?ingnormal attachnents of this division:. 712th Tank. Battalion 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (SF) 537th hti-aircraft Artillery Sattalion (AT.7) 2. In the eleven days enconpassed, the 90th Infantry Div- ision, serving under my comn;and, achieve3 what the Army Commander, . i.n his letter of corr!mendi?tio:r; to the Ijivisio~?,described a.s "cne of the epic river crossings of his-i.oryei; Assaulting across tile ltosslle River and driT~ings0i:t-h through heevy Gerllolsn defenses, bolstered by the formidable i_\G'l.GifTOT fortif icatiogs, the Division accomplished all assigned missions ahead of expectations and in s3 doing speeded the fall of the :EITZ bastj.on, tlie Corps objec- ttre. Hampered I-y river coliditions of un-precec!efi.ted difficmlty, sr?:a~'iledagain and again 'oy fierce counterattacks, the Oivisian ~vcceededonly throug-11 the g.reet courage alid illdomit.8ble spirit sf all ra.~l:s, All units alizreci the dhngers, all units met their respon?ibilities 'i:vith resolution and an overlsotvering will to win. ,---. .: r, ~i.asperfectly coordinated tenrnp1a.y ,among the se.5-e~&lconsonents whl.,ir:'r! insured ultimntz victory. Of al.1 this I ha~~epe~sol:al know- lsd,:~ s~nbstsntiated by the Division7s off icinl Report of Operations .? 5-cn.clied heremi th as Inclosure Yo, 1. 3. The proposed citation reads a.s foilo'nrs: -The GOtl? Infantry D,ivisi.cn with tile attached 712th Tank 7>? .:..4-*, 1 : i-.A,.u;tAAgn, 775rd Tank Destroyer Eattzliol: (SF) 2nd 53'i ';;I Anti-. ,;: <.::,-,:raft Artillery En ttalion (1~::) are cited for au tEt.zz6ing Der- :?~manze in action against the enemy '!jetween 9 .?i:n_d 19 Ncvenber 2.944 du~ingthe NOSTLIE-SAAR operation, At 0330, 9 November the rai~isjona.ssaulted across the IlI/T0SELLX RInR directly into the -trl~7.GLUOT r j, LIFE a,nd FORT KO3WIGSJ\L\CE~3Pfrom its concealed areas northeast of 2XIOLJVILLE. Achieving surxrise, the initial mnves of four assault bntt~lionsstormed forward Geman defenses in bloody close fighting c?nd drove relentlessly onvr~rdthrcugh n maze of mines, wire t=nd en.treilchmkn-l;eI. Es3:incl tliem, -the ::crxinder of the two leodicg regixents, ui12~r;-;ithering sr.i.i:ilery a:?<-nnllortar fire and fighting the rii;ing current, c.cj;itirn:ed the c:rc;esing, Tlie MOSBLLE ~vliichti;!!snty-four .I'I~~~Y:TSs~~.:TJseqile;:~tly W%S to rea!:YL a flood stage unprecedented in its I;i;;.toj:y a;id inundate zn area one znd one half miles in width, cap3ized and s~veptaway hoat after boat infinitely increasi~gthe prob1err.s of control and far bzr-LC reorgan- ization. :gut tlie c,ssz.ult t~cs'pressed ?lome and by d.ct~n,the Division successfully combining n night-opsrs+;',o-r,, c rivs? crossi.ng ~mclzn assoult on c?, fortified are,?, hcd penetrn.ted- to the fc;cthills 2nd tms bzttling the eiiemy for the obsex-vat ion P~II/LC~co-,nsc;..-.:?G -the entire zsszult arez. From the lor!yi:lc~t thus se.c.ljre3, the .att~;ck with eight hattn!-lcl?s in an actfcn ~o.~;t:.li-~uedWitbi!i;t pause against s tead-lly mounting res istz,zce. T?iJch iqdomitz.ble cours.ge snc! resolu- tion.and ignoring flznks a~dcontact, the b3ttalions by-~azsad s 'crongpoints and drove to tlie'i~br:icl,geheizd o>j ec tives . Tht? heroic work of the engineers th~id~rtedby the combination of zrtiliery fire' and river conditions, the Division sustained itself for four d2.y~ and four ni@htts, in th.e mud and rc~in,without ?:bridge, without zrmored supprt, on reduced rations and with barely sufficient ammunition. Struggling against the un5-armssed river, great numbers of men, recruit&. frcm all brz.nchss, piied a daring sm?$l bozt ferry service unmindful of hidden ob~t:~ciesin the inundated fields, :the treacherous current nnd t,he ccnstant artiilery fire; or reinforc,ed the toiling c2"rrying p,z,rti.es 02 the far bank, During this period, the once impregliable FORT ICOCNiC;BXAC:YER n.nd its 500 mcn garrison, the key to ,the German defense, bls.s'ied by a numerically, inferior but extrzordinarily gallant forcs, mns redzced; 1ikei::ise great stretches of stoutly manned PbiAGI?TOT fortifications were overrun ~ildblown ~?.pa.rtby the cool courage of assault detachtxents,. Xlse- ~vlxrsthe attack uvs s driven f orxTard with u_rabrted fury, hal,tir_g only to repulse the frequent co~nter~ttacksor to probe th.e most ex.Lensive minef ields uncovered in France, On 13 ITovember, the successful completion of a briege imparted new vigor to th.e attack ZI?~?.the Division, its men, cold, wet-and fatigued in body by the preceding dnys of incessznt comba.t, but reta,ining st111 their great will to win, lashed out in new gzins, Absorbing 2nd -throl;ring bzck uTij-h.L5ri:.-? .' LI 12 : losses two vicious coua-keszttacks of regimentzl etrsngth agcinst the flanks? the adv:,:lce groceesea with accelerated nl=lrcczltu!n. On 19 Uovember , the Divisinn joined harids with friendly 2~~ceseast of MET2 to complete encirclemefit of th.a.5 Pcrtress city. In eleven liays of constcnt fightlng, the 90-i,!1. Infantry Division 39-crossed a rmjor and strongly dafanded river, had carried by n.,.,,2c .-.-p.31~ ....- .t the cl?i~stmTX type fort; h.~dadvansed thlx.-i;y-one bitterly r .s:! t z~-tedkilome tera down the l!ZZCIl:T~T LIl33; h.ac? tc:!ten f eiitsench- s;e.i0-ts, concrete ernplacements and foytified. tnusea, 3. total c?f 2100 i?rlscnz?s; hc.d crushed with cn~~ihilating effect three rna,jor counter- blovvs alld innumerable lesser ones; and, finally, had. accomplished on sehedule its every assigned mission, The brilliant victory thus achieved by the Division mas made possible only by the perfect teamplay of the various components and by the individual resoluteness, courage, indomitable spirit and unhesita tins devo- tion to duty of its officers and msn, This ~ngnifizentfeat of arms of the 90th Infmtry Civisicn r2flests -!-ha highest traditions of the Army of the United LJLC ~2~3, /s/ Walton H. TJnlkerj /t/ i'?kiLTO>? H. 'JlILICEX, Najor General, United States Army, Comogding. 90TH IMP DIV DOMC OU'IT 011210,: XOV 44 FIELD MESShGX BO. 17 TO: CG, Div Arty, CO 358th Inf, CO 315th Engr En. 1. 1 RCT of this Division ill remain on 3 hour alert ststus as Corps Reserve during occupancy of training area. 2. The folloning units nil1 comprise a Provisional RCT until 022400: 358th Infzntry 343d FA Bn 1 Flzt, Co A, 315 Engr Sn. 3. CO 358th Inf will send reyresentative to XX Corps Ilq ( Ji2llTY) immediately zfter reginemt closes concentration area. He will nssume command of RCT inmediately upon notification of alert. 4. Transportaticn sufficie~tto rootorize RCT will be furnished by G-4, XX Corfis, VAN ITLEST c GTiEGG Copy ?.?:TO* - DIViS SUBJXCT: plan "Ait 3 Nov 1544 TO .s See Distribution, 1. T"le 0~erationa.1plan proposed herewith for the renewal of the a-Ltack of the 3CLh ~nfDFv as art of the XX Corps effort will be referred to as Plan liA:', It is isstied. for the purpose of study aad planning by Unit Commanders and Di.bVisicnStaff. 2. a. 'XX Cor-s, as part of a larger force, 17il1, beginxirig D-Da.y:-- (1) Atta,ck E from present bridgehead across NOSELLTI R in conjunction with the XI1 corps. (2) Cross IdGSELLZ R in vl~inity!EiIOIXILLE with 1 infantry and 1 armored ciivision s:nd 1 cavalry group (reinf), ~ttackSE to juncture with the XI1 Corps, encircling kDTZ. (3) Destroy all enemy in kETZ area. and be prepared for further advance on G3Hi\!Oil?Y, '0. 5th Ixf Div vill attack on D - Dzy out of the bridgehead area E of the bIOSELLX R. 95th Inf Div mill contain the enemy salient !'I of the LTOSELIJ7Z, prepared on order to reduce the city of &I3 TZ . c. The Corys offensive nil1 be preceded by intecse air 50m- Isardrcent; subsecluent to D - Bay the attack mill ke surported by strcng air formations. - a Mission- - of--.----- the 90th Div; a, During the night of D - D J 1, cross MOSELLE R in vicinity cf T5103TVILL3 (Opns 0ver~a.y)~co-crdi~ating with 95th Inf DivPs e.emonstration, vicinity UCIiAITGE, 6 hou~sprior to 90th Inf Divts crgssing. b. Seize high ground (apns Overlsy, making main effort on ;eft (E) flank. c. 'Jithin Z block all routes of mithdrat~alfrom &ETZ, and in conjunction ttrith lCth Armd Div, preve:lt enemy reinf orcement of the 1\iETZ garrison. d. Tsteblis5 and mr;i~itaincoztact b~it'l5th Iilf ?~TT, 30th Arnd . .. Div, 3rd Cav Gr, (reinf 1, and elms of XI1 Corps, cornp.:c;;i:lg e~cir- clement' of l~I'2. e, On Cor;?s 0, pass lCth Armd Div, 83rd Div (- and 3rd Cav Gp (reinf) th-roxg'n 'crictge:iead over LTOSELLZ R, a,. Thasg 1 (Istablishment of Dri2gehea.d). (1; Force crossing of the LTOSCLLY R within Z indicated on overlay an3 seize initial obj. II - Hogr -- 3 hours p~iorto daylight. Tomation - 2 regiments (each with two battalions) abreast. (2) Covr, rr:it::l minimum ;?ractical force, the' passage of the 10th Aix:cl ni~,83rc Inf Dlv (- RCT) ~nd' the 3rd Cav Gy (reinf) acrcss the ?!!GSZLLXRe (I) Continue the a.ttack to seize tlie Division obj. ,-* . (2). ,,,,lthminimurn essentia.1 fcrce, destroy eEmy forces in TdIO;:TVILLE poclcet and cap4;ure that portion of E-iJ.Oi;lVLL:L3 El of tlie Z~ORX~,T;E-~Hto fiicilitate initla.tion of heavy bridging oper- a.tions. (3) Establish contact wit!? tl;e 5th I:?f Div and/or ele~ents of the XI1 Carps. (4) 3lr;ck all, exits f;.om the ivIETS are5 (5) Ee prepared ", at'iacl.r 1;-l (3 j A. -:;?l?::~n?-z?-yAmy burdary will be established to in- :~:I?FY t,~:??:i7-c:. Ar-xy 130t o'nly sufficient roorr! Seklnd the pro- 13~)y peL =TO",,.-,.s?g <+ -' s i?;e to p--?mi t -she de~ioja'ientof A?ty a~dthe es-ta-cj-.i.slw nt of essential dumys, bu'i also an additional si;retch cf tne I!TQS"&LE R 17 to SCfEXIfGZB. (2) 3rd Cav GJ vt1.1 a? x.kj.~l--~~'is covsr th.e line of the lJOSTLLJ3 R from TFXOiTILLE to EA.S73 KGNTZ bcJ;h ilzcl 1:sive until H - IIour , mainta iizing a tight couii'ter--rsconnaisssi?ce screen. (3) That prior to the target date of the operpt:'.cn the 3rd 9a.v Gp, or some unit other than the 90th Ir,f 3iv, will secure the hSg3 ground TI of the D!iOSEU;F: (continquous to EE4SS3 KOTTTL) and t'fiz tonn of BERG. (4) Trior ?;o the operation, a-ir will destroy the active forts dominating tha-t port icn of the M0SLLI;i" R nitliin crossing Z, These targets to have priority. (5) Oxe crossing operations are initiate6 no element of the 90th 3iv will be ea~loyedto cover tke flanks of the brhd of the IvIOSZLLX R. Attachu~nts: 712th Tk Bn Supgorting Troops: '77Srd TD En (SP) 113Ct'n 3ngr Gp 537-81 4-4.4 (A,i,'i'j Bn lOth Arxd Div Arty 2Clst TA 3n (105 Flow) 5,th Arrfld FA Gp Cos A & B, 81s-t c~lsn 4Gth YA ~p I-c3rd PA Gp 195th I?! Gp 774th TD Bn a* -----358th Inf: Atchd: Co B 315th Engr ?3n (less 1 ~lat). Co 81.st Cml Bn Co A 712th Tk En (effective upon crossing). Co E 315th Ned En (1) Cross KOSBLLE R vrithin Z indicated at Ei-%our D 1. ( 2) Initially bypass FORT I~OZ?TIGS&XCEZR, if cagture in- practical. (3; Co~tizuethe at'x to secure tMt portion of initi2.1 oFj ~ithZ by dark D $ 1. (4) Gain and ma.intain or, ntact ~iith35Xh Inf on tlie left. (5) Frotect right flank of the Division. (6) ?e pre~aredto continue the atk to the Division obj on D / 2. Atchd: Co C; 315th Erzr Sn ( - 1 ~lat) CO B, 815.t Cml Bi? Co 3, 71.Zth T'k Bn (Gffective upon crossicg), Co C, 515th l.$.iled Bn (1) Cross T$5;S2LLE R within Z indicated at R-iiour ~f 1. (2) ~nitiallyseize the high ground S and E of EJLTTING .and HILL 2'15. (3) Continue atk to secure that portion of initial obj within Z by dsrk D J 1, (4). Gain a.nd maintain co ntact vi th 358th Inf on the ri ght . (5) Protect left flank of the Division. . -- (GI Re prepred to continue the atk to Division obj on D 1/ 2' c* -----357th Inf: Atchd: Co A, 315th 1;ed P,n To bc- atchd on Div order: Co C, 712th Tk Bn Co -4, '773rd TD En (ST) Co B, 81st Cmi Bn Co A, ZIFJt'h Sngr En (1) Initially in assenlbly area B .~fthe EIOSELLZ R a.s Division reserve. (2) Cr?ss 1,fOSXLLE K on Division order (about H 2). 3 AJc.Li: wi4ih not to exceed 2 Bns t.o :,ecu:e Yp.2" p2rt;ion of in!.-ti?:. c.5J c>hnv~non overlay; rema iniag 3:.1 assembles vicin- ity ?J~~,j.,~>L~" (4) le r.roce!red- - to m ntinue the atk to Division obj on D J 2, (1) Organization for com3a.t f':... 344th 3n v~ith3421-rd FL1. En atchd di~~zt upp port 3 58 tl?. I.nf . 915th 3'1- Bn with 241st 3';: Bn atchd direct supyort 359th Inf. 345th F.P. Rn in g~ne~alsupport. (2) Support advance of the 3ivision. Details - see Annex i12 ':Arty Plan1'. (3) Yo -,7repara'tion will be fired. e. 90th SCETr: (1) Cross NOSIXLX R on order. (2) rass througl? right of t5e 358th Inf and reconnoiter ST.:$ t 0 the 1 i lie G-mxTAGE - vIlfSr~R(f. f . Engineers:----- (a) CO 73 less 1 FB t atchd 358th In3 for operations on far shore. (b) Co C less 1 f'la t atchd 359th Inf for o?erations on f&rs:iore. (c) En (-1 constructs 1 foot bridge rnd constructs and operztes- t:~,;oferries in Z of each assa~ri?:.:regiaent. Cross on order to arovSde general support wi t3in brhd. - (2) ------205th Engr En: (a) Frovide ecjuipmenf 2nd crew for assault crossing of 35Cth Inf. (b) @1/1 Division order construct 1 inf~ntrysupport bridge and subsequently 1 stsel tread~~~aybridge vlcinity lLAI,L IKG (2) Frovlde ecrvi~ment2nd crevl fclr assauit crcs sing of 358th Inf, (b) On Division order construct 1 infantry supl3ort bridge and subsequently 1 steel treadvmy bridge vicinity CAT E1?01~4. (4) For details see Engr Tlan --~xnexff3. -5- g* --712th Tk En: (1).En (less 3 ESedium COS) ,initially in asse~qblyarea W of the Ib!IOSELLE R;'Med.iuin Cos under Div Arty contr.01 for direct and indirect fire mis3ions.. . . (2) Cross IL~OSELLBR on Division order and assemble (less Cos A 8; B), vicinity KOEl7IGSFUtCGR as Division reserve, A G: B Cos atchd 358th and 359th Infs respectively, effective upon crossiilg x. (1) Air Support Plc? n -- See A~nex$4, (2) Briefing of officers z.nd enlisted men, other thzn those included on the distribution list, v;ill be held at the essgntial minimum. It rill be strictly limited to rosters of personnel approved by this biedyu~!rters, (3) General plans of units and detailed Staff plans re- - uuired v:ill..be submitted to this headquarters by 051600, 6. Adm Plan I1Ai1 -- issuzd separately. 7. a. Signs11Plan -- see Annex # 5. be Ax Sig Corn: See Opns Overlay. Ey command of Brigadier General VAB FLEET: /,i' J@~?J C C. TC 13i.B , "' Colonel, G .S .2., 1 IncS: Opns Overlay. Chief of Staff. Annexes: (TO be issued separately) Pg. 1 - IntclTigence Plan To. 4 - Air Support Plan 7;rL,o . 2 - Artill.~ryFlan 170, 5 - Signal plan $To. 3 - E~~:ir;e~z-Flan DISTRT3J'T1:C:?J: Ccny yo, --- ,.-.------.-. *... --- -.---Copy ?To, Cop~60. Ir -. '3,-,,- . . ! : :I. 2 2 CO , 358th Inf 8 . G-2,30.. Inf ~iv14- . GIG, 9G I:?.; :is;- 3 CO, 35Sth Inf 9 G-3 " " 15,1s917 C. 10 Arrnd :Qiv 4 CO, ..215'ch Engr 10 G-4 II 18 CG, 95 Inf Div 4 CO, 7i2 'I% BE 11 DSO it 19 Ce, 90 Div Arty 6 Cq, ' 3rd Cav Gp 12 AG , II 20 CO, 357th Inf 7 C/Sp9@Inf Div 13 Extra 21 thru 25. Copy 170.- SIBJECT: . Plans for Employment of Di.v (-1 RCT) e+s Couilt-eratt~:ck 90rce wit hi^ Corps -Zone. . - ... TO : see nist,sib.utiori; .. -...... ! . I. '9~th. . 1nf ~iv (less RST 'in'.corps aee);' filrill, .~?hileiq tl-a ili- . . ing area, be prepared for emrf7.op-1ent to cotinterattack grieri~.~en- etration in Corps Z on six (6) nour alert. ., ...... '...... rlans ho~rebeen' yrepered to coi:nter enemy attick in seven . 2. a-. . . a.rea.s as follows.:, : ... i. . - (1) Flan ?,3: En cro'ssing of l!lOSEJJLE 3 2T of "T:IIO%FJII;LE . . to Corps .W bdry. , . ,. .: ...... (2) Plan :7HITZ: Xn crossing of i\iiOSELI,Z' R fr TIIIOXVILLE S to TALAZTGZ i nc 1. ;. . (3) Zlan ELUii:: I;? T, (a) ~lenet,rrtion fr el? b~lld, of juf0$~~~on ~Sis-sL'..... COURT - ROfiDAS .... (b) pentration fr en brlid? of hIO33LLC 9 on axis S T TRIVPLT + 5'31EY . ....,. ... ,; yenetration fr en br'iid '7 of %TOS~LLS'Ran.axis (c) ...... GRITd2TLOT'TT, - C Oi 'PLiIIS . . . (4) p.lan 3RO':P:T: En penetration vic of isdry:betneen 5th_. .& 95th 'Inf Div. , . . , . I . . . t ' ..... -- . ( 5) . plan C-RE71; En penetration of bkh&:$ o'f '~;osEZU. , .' ... b, The-. .- above plans.wil1 hereTnsf ter be ?,esigna ted by code- ,. . . .- na.me . . . , , . . . , c For routes, detruckir-g a.ree.s, objectives - see overls:y, . , ...... 3. a. Upon receipt of alert; fyoh Co.rps,, s warning order xi11 issue this heidquarters to j-nclude: si tuation as k~ioin,plan'i-n effect ,. truck release points, .arid .covkme'nt dzta (2-ssigi~mentof' routes, tentcxtive times and mcrch order). .. -_ , . .- - ." ...... - . 1 , .-...... ' . . I . , : . Ej.,x,g' ,E T ...... I. ' I: ...... xE5<- ., fkrfrb,: , ;:; ij..,, ': . . . . ,:, ; , >* b. This her.dc:usrters will in~:edi.?tcly estzbil sh conmand 2nd stsff lic ison with zonz conlmcr!der coxlcerned to effect necessary co-ordinc tion. c. All comb:!. t eltments ~i~il.1be >rep::rcd for movenent and com- i-nanders thereof. vri.11 report for orders. d, CG, Div Arty ;Till co-ordin:.te additionzl artillery cnd/or TD support directly ;..;it11 CG, XX Cory?s A~ty. e. 90th Rcn Tr will proceed to t'hrectei~ed:-lrez, contact enemy ?nd/or screen detrucking crt:as. . f. RCT in %rps :3es remains pr~sentloc~:tion, 4. a. 2-4 v:jl.l be rcsFon~ib'l.~:for :3.?. c'-cJtr:i s?once~ningz..ssign- ment of organic, ?.r,d c;ttcc;.~edtrsnspox.t~tZon clad riovertient of saxe to designn ted truck relszise points. b. Tralfic control by :LY Cor17s; priority on ~~11ro,zds to 90tb Div. 5. Div Axes of Signal Comunic~~tion- see overlay. VAN IZLEXT nu oL...Ld7"i-l- C- OFFICIAL: 3 Incls - Opns 0verl:;y . i Opns 0verla:r ?:'o.. 2 O~nsOv?rlay 1-0. 3 DIST9IDUTIOI?:------Copy Yo* ----copy Uo. CG ILK Corrs 1-5 CO, 3iv :;rty 14 CG 90 1nd-Div 6 c@; 357t:i ~r?f 15 ACG 90 Inf Div 7 CC, 353th Il?f 16 Chief of Stciff 8 CC, S59t11 Inf 17 G-2 0 C0 9 515$1i Engr Rn 18 G- 3 10 CO,. 315th FEed En 9 G-1, G-4 co, 712th 2 39 . 20 GSC Ca, 733rd TD 2~ 21 F'' I AG Pile 22 Xxtrz to (3-3. 23 thru 27. g0T.H INF DIV ?Irn(NES 06 22636 Nov. 44 Maps: East ern Frsnce, GSGS 4471, 1/50,000; Sheet s : 33/11, 33/12, 33/13, 34/11, 34/12, 34/13 Eastern France, GSGS 4411, 1/25,000; TYIONVILL3 XXIV - 11 hlE, fiW, SE, 1. a. See Annex i.$l- Intelli~erice b. (1) Corns a.tlra on D Day t.o encircle a.nd dset,roy t.he garrison of POR5'FGSS IJETZ, l?repe.red for cont.imuat.ion 3f t.!?e atk t.o t.he NE. (2) 5t.k Inf Div, on Cor-9s riybt , z tlcs in conjunct ion trith XI1 Cor-gs, on D Da.y, to block withd.r~i.qa.1routes. froz ;ETZ fro12 SSE. (3) 35t.h Ilif Div oil our R makes strong demonst.ratioii rivcr ... crosein~vic UCK4?JGZ be,yinnins 1500 R Day 2.nd continuix throu-gh dayliyht D f 1. Tbereaftcr i~~~.intainspreesure on enemy ~alientW of MOSZLLZ, ,preg,qred on Corge 0 t.o 2t.k 2nd seize NETZ. (4) ' 10t.k Armd Dfv, on Corps 0, passee t!?rv. nel.:r Corps brhd and at.t,~cl:son Cor-3s left to seize hFch :?round N of EOiJLAY; rscon- ' noit,ers in force to' SAkR R. (5) 83rd Inf Div (-1 FiCT 1/3rd CPV Gp a.tcbd, follov/s 10th Armd Div tbru brhd 2.11d ~tks"IT tow2rd SAAR R. (6): XIX TAC sup :ort.s the 3.t.k; 13riorit.y t.o 9Ot.h Inf Div ~fl. (7) Su.:?(?ortin3 troops: 1;33r.:1 7nr:r Gp - (reinf) 10t.h Armd Div Arty 5t 5. .!!rmd FA Gp 155th F,!! Gp ~$,cll~;z-;:.~.:, ;[.'!A 5% (1~5EO-:, 1 557t.h A-14 (A'?) Bn 71 ;j.;-: '2 y!.~: CQ~.,&& 3, 81s-b Cml '& 773rd T3 Bn (51') Flat, 502th Znsr L Pon Co P~.zsest,bmt. Task Force Fol!; and forces cros~i?isof MOSELLE R vic KO3NIGS-:L4FICxT3 ~riorto d,?yli;ht D f 1; r~;?idlysecures illitial Obj and continues atk t.o seize hi+;h I.RT of 3ov.lay (Opns Overlay ) . D DP.~rnd 3 Hour: To be a-~noi:ncec?. Format,ion: For aesz.wlt croesimg: 358t'h Inf (R), 359th Inf (L). For at.k to iiiit obj : Re~tsa9?reast, 357th Inf ceilt*er. Crossin? ",qnee, 3ound~ries,S~!?ci~e of il~neu-var,Obje - See Opns Over1a.y~. 3. a. 358th Inf: At,chd: Co n, 81st Gal Sn Co A, 712th TB Bn Co E, 315th Yn-r Rn ( -1 Plat) Co B, 315tjh Ned Bn (1) '.?it.h 2 Snz in the ~'ssc?l.llt,force crossins of i:i3SILLE R within Z indic~ted2.t. 3 Hour, D f 1. (179th 3n.yr (c) Sn supports , a-seault cross in^), (2) !.',Ti t!3 ni:nirnurn force, cgut.ain KO7ITIGS;iACHER froin W, (see "MO Maneuver ~ine'''); aseault tnvn only if it conti7mes to be a barrier to Re~t~ladvance; tro:3!n vill ---not 'i>e entelqecl grior to day1i ~lit.. (3) llakiiv main effort on left (T), atlr t,o seize that porkion of Flii.tia1 obj within Z by dsrlr D f 1, (4) Seize FOXT KO :~~IGSli;~CET?.with inini~umforce; operation not to delay win effort, (5) ~ain2nd maintain cont At,c?~d: Co 5. Glet Cnl Sn Co C; 315th 3.2~Ba ( -1 ?lat) Co C, 315th Med Sn (1) '.!it.h 2 Sne in tire assault, force crossing of ;biOSzLLE R wit.?~inZ indicated at. H Hour, D f 1. (206th Zngr (c) Sn sugports .sec7.1~1t.cr3ssing) . (2) Ra.~idlgeeize iIETRICH and block roede to S and W with ininimum force. (3) 2slpj;in~ i:l3.in effort. on rirc:?t, a.tk to seize tS'nat port,ion of init.ia.1 05 j l:~it,hinZ by d-rk D &'-"l. (5) P~otectleft (3) 3117k of t'?e Div. (6) 3e 7rers;ared t.o cover t1:e de:~,ouc~.e~:~entof the 10th Armd Div end c?nt.inu-e the at.1~t.o tl?e S on D # 2, 357t.h Inf : Atchd: Co A, 315t.b 1Tcd Sn Co C, 712th T?.: Bn At.c?,d on order: Co -4; 315th X-n~rRn ( -1 ?lat,) Co A, 773rd TD-3n Co 9, Clst Cnl 9n (1) Croes i4GSZLLE R, on Div sr:ler, :x-ior to d~ylitjht, behind eith.:r ~..ns~%i~ltRest. (by aeszult bo~.t,foot,bridge or ferries) , 3rep.gred. for i-~-!edirte co-il~it::~entSE of ~l~~i~~~~SI-iA~H,'Lq.'-,?'?iTTp (3) At.k 7:lit.h not to exceed 2 Bns to s~izeby derk D f 1, th-t ;>ortion of i12iti~lobj ~~!it,hinZ. (4) 1 Bn ~..e-em??lesvie 2:ITTRICX cG';lOU?; not to be coi-~7:aitted :.!ithout authori t.y t,hi~be~dcuarters. (5) Gpin 2nd rneiat,-in contact 71ith 358t.b Inf on ri-,ht ~nd 359th Inf on left, (6) BE 3'epwed- t.o cont.inue the 2.t.k to Div Obj on D f 2. Atchd: 241st FA Bn (105 HOW) 537 t-'h AAA (ATV) Bn 773rd TD Bn (SP) (1) Sup13ort t.he ztk of t,be Div. 3,431-d, FA 3n: a;chd- 915b1? F.3 3n, ~1.ntilcorqni-bent. 357th lnf: 'ii.e;-e~.fter d.irect sv.:?.port. tf\?et Re@. 344-t.l?.7:; 3.n: Direct. ES~lo;-t 358t,':1 Inf, c15t,b FA 3n: Dii-eqk. su-t?,?ort 359t3 Iuf. 241 st. F.? En : cl?d. 94-4.tl1 F!L 5-fi, 345tlr -1En: ,fl:ci~erpl.~~-~.7~~t,, yeiqf fire2 of 744th F.? B:? (a) ~.-::g?i-a?:.~o;?- n'3-fic3, (b) Close s;~.;?t?o~t.:~i?l.~.-mec! cio:nccnt:-t.t.it-il?e on c:-11 of *Trf BE Cn;;ld.rs. ( c) Caunterbr:t.t.cry' on cncmy hatt erice firillz. ~ffect.,ive count e~-prep,q.r,?. tion, I.-- 3 t.0 3 f 120 ) Fii2ee ;j~i.ley, on cell, p.7. [:.7-,TT 7 / rlF ,.)-p? . L . . 3 t~:H f 40 ) 52: :i-yl;:..~ca 13 tc Y f 90 ) -- Initiated e,?.rlier, -d2\-,. 3,7~c- r:- ;SJ~ H t.o E f 40 ) LiPtcd eerli~r. HF~G,T 7 y4:i I! T-71 to i: f 60 ) Con::. hued . (c) O%!-er r,r>nccjl.tyetlone on ~~11. FTloiq!-t.i~~:-t;ri<:l.ree (until !:.~lici:ed 73;: Corgr) , Artillery. (7) 3c gl-cprred to si.~-?;?l.z:-:~ent.ii4~:r nic ~.nt,i-r;ecz d.sfensc 3 of i.!!@S7LL5. A CD, 773rd TD 33, atcbd 357th Inf effective upon croeai?~. (6) Upon cn.:2tu?.-eof 99-7 Obj, cover by fire 'c.he ?cad. hub at V3RIZ3 (4050703). e. 90th 3cn Tr: (1) Cross I.i.2S2LL.Z R on orc':er. (2) P9.a~t!2rou~h rip-bt resr of 358th Inf and reconnoitrr to the line R3SS3 YUTZ - KUKTZIG. (3) Be :?repared to c3ntinu.e advance to t.he SE and S, ecreen- Ing t,be risht flmk of the Div, (1) Coordinate with 1139t.k 3n:;r Gp for nrovision of means for t.be ra:?id cro~eingof Div. (2) Co B ( -1 Plat) r,t.c'l!.d 358t,h Inf for operat.ioiis on far 3 'Go ': ( -1 T1n.t) ?tch& 359th In2 for operatiol?~on far 2hore. (3.) Const.nlct 1 f~ot'2rid.,~;.?in s~chaseav.lt Regt.1 Z Gqiunins ~..t~'H f 30. (b) Construct. siid ope--rte 2 - 3 bo3.t rnft ferries in each ~.esnultRcp;t,l Z, on orFer, beginnins about H j 2, (c) Cr~ssoil order t3 :>rovide g-ner2.l sul?port wit.bin Div Z; Co 1": ( -1 "at) .j?rey,.;red for ?t.cl?;?t to ?-57t.h Inf' eff ect,ive Psgt ' s crossing. (1) CO !i ~t~bd.35S.t.h IE~. Co 3 2.t~hd 359t h Inf , Co C ntchd 357th Inf. Cross Z..fOS (2) 3n (-) cross on order 2i1d c?~~e:;~bleV~C ICO3NI'liSilriCr?ER 'S Div Res. (3) 3s pi:'c:?sred for ogcrr.tion on 'ir:!?t. fl;nk in conjunction it.h 90th Rcn TT, x. (1) D-.?ringperiod. D-iv rmrine ?see--7bly ?re?, ~11neceseqry ne;lsu.res will bc t.a?:en t,o dc~ijrto cacri~y, inf onapt io:[i of locz tions, h 0 Fc rlk - 0 rl c .A p 4-1 t3 r.. a G T; a +JX .ri r-( -.r-? 0 rn(9 ir7 .rl tR a u.1 0 0 +J r! 0 C -4 0 --r: .A a 0 4 ,CJ C W + ', > rd &J :? 4J T$ 7. C.' G C? C.. C. rl !.7 k c. r:: r:: 42 .rl C? O 0 >.., !: 1 n r '. 61 ! ir: U1 .A 0 HI -I '.? c. n C. ?1: u\ CC. V T3 U 4' c; c; .ri P G-3 . . Incls : Opna Overl3,gs- A & B, Annex #1 - ~nt.clli=cncc-, Lnncx $2 - iiir S~1??0ri A;m,y #3 - Zi?,.~incer.. . Anne:;. #4 - Chccic Point Sgetcm. '. . --- - DIST313UTION: "I!' 7~1~s5 - ~~2;Corps- 1 - 83rd Inf Div 1 - 5th Inf Div 1 - Tczk Forcc Polk 1 - S5th Inf Div 1 - 10th Jr!nd Di,v Copy No. -- L~IT'II~Xf2 to FO :;!35 2, --.------Figl'ter aircraft vill fly cover, night end d.r;..y, tilrougilout the ~per?-tion. 3. -..----Fighter bo~:lbersv~ill fly direct c.ir su-mart nissious for att~ckinctroops a. Beginning D f 1 ~ndcontinuing until coi'maitment of 10th Armd Div, yriority of su~~~ortto the 90th Inf Div. (1) 1 Gy ,-.ve.ilc.ble $0 Div throurho:?.t ?.c.yligbt hou~sfor: Corl'oing ?.ild s-Lrt f i!?~l~~iseioss on 770i?_Jc trr{:.etS. :.me? reconnnissrnce on ro: d :let, etc . b, Rip_"?nerf'ornv.nce E ii'cr; f't f'or rrtiller~r ~c' iv-st-lent vfiil- r51e on ref l.le~t. . Preqlc.nced-- --..---.-- I.:issions.. --... (For tcrpets to be eny::~ed the follovr- ing: d.cy)T (1) Prom Ce~t,=to (2-3 Lir b:r 1700 nrecedinp d.9.y. ( 3 ) kircrr ft ~ssignee.rn-nroved r~issionsi;~ y inclv.de l:lediu bombar dne nt . (2) >Jissio:is relayed direct to Air Suppor-t Cc'im-ilmd or to .z:.ircra.ft 0verhee.d by llir Sv-pgor-L .O ' s r~dio. 5. Identificr,tiI~ri -. -- a, Div Arty vrep~re2to smoke %::.~pets01; cc-11, b Red fluoreecent ~anels;7roaiiiently disnl~:~edan vel-!isles a-t all tiaes'; b?r Fzont line infrn-lry on cs.11. Copy KO. -,-- a. To provide assalllt bon.ts and Engr crt3vJs for the essault crossing of tn;o Inf 3egts abreast within' the Div Z. b, To cross ivitll the ass,?ulting Inf Re~ts2nd to provide Engr support in zlcarll~s2nd secllrir_g bridgzhead, c. To ini-Linlly prori.de nenr,s for the crossing of r? iilf orcing Inf troops., llg17t vahicles 2nd anti-tmk wagons f ollo?!dsd by con- structioii of .brld;ges capable of csrryihg all Div lo?d.s. 2 . EepGe-r.aJ-t122;-qfAe rati on s- : a. 315th Engr Bn supports operations on the far shore, 'on- struct and m?int~insfoct brid.g? ic- each Hc?gtl Z, and constT!.~cts and operztes two inf sapport r.?fts in ench Rzgtl Z, b. 179th Engr En with Prov Plat 5Q9th Lt Pon Co, 1st Pl,?t, 996th Tdwy Bridgz Co, 2nd on? ssction 16J. C!nl Co -qtt?.cl?cd sllpports 358th Ilif R~gtby prcvid.i.ng ,?ss?lnlt bon+,s with Engr crcvis for the assault cr~ssins,and by c:)i~.strllctin~and naintaining 211 If sup- port bridge and n stael ~G"JJ:T b~idgein the Ragtl Z. c. 206th Engr Bn with Lt Equip P17t of 509th Engr Lt Pon Co, 2nd P1-t 99lst Engr Tdwy Bridge Co, 1 section 161st Cml Co atchd, supports 373t,h Inf Regt by yroviding assault bo-lts wit!? En~rcrews for th2 nss%~uitcros.sing and by constsllctin; n niaintainin= rn Inf support bridga 2i7d ste~lt,bvvy bridge in thd Regtl Z. ----.-.----Detailed - --- Plm; a let P1.2'5, ntchd Co B, will coilstrq?ct 2nd maintqin f'oc~~;brl2..~ein 35Fl;h fnf Rcgtl Z on Regtl order. Reverts to Bn cor_tr.~lu.poli coaplction of foot taF!? foot brj-6~~In 359th Inf Regtl Z on Hsgtl oi-527, Reverts to 3n cantrol unon comnlction of foot bridge. (c) 3rd Plat will yenair. in Bn reserve prepnred to repl?,ce or support 3x5- unit. of the ELi. (d) Be prepared to zssemble and cross river with the 3 57th Inf on ordar>. (2) (a) Co B (- 3rd Fl~t)atclid to 358th Inf to provide Engr sup-gort on tha fpr shore. (b) 3rd plat- to constrlnct and operate two Inf support rcfts in 35Pth Inf Z, Plst will follow the 1st Plzt, Co A, 2nd initiate construction sirnultmzous- ly with the coiistrllction of thi? foo-t'bridge. (3) (a) CO C (-3rd Plat) qtcld. to 359th Inf, to provide Ensr sungort on ths f zr shora . :-a (b) ~~a plat'. to constr;~ctand operate two Inf support r;af,ks ill 359th Inf Z. Platwill follow the 2nd Plat, Co A, and initiatc construction simul-talieous ly with the construction of th2 footbridge. Atchd: Provisional Plat 509tli Engr Lt Poll Co. , 1st Flat 996th. Engr Tdwy Br Co, 1 Scction 161st Cml Co. (1) Provide -and man 80 qss.2lllt borlts; 40 for each Bn of 358th Inf crossin.? in the a-ss2ult 1~2~3s. (2) Construct and mnilit?in .m Inf supyort Bridge in the 35eth Rcgtl Z. (3) '~onstructand hnintnin a ~t~altdwy bridg~ in the 35eth Inf Z. Atclid : Lt Equip Plrlt, 509th Enzr Pon Co. 2nd Pl?t, 99lst Enzr Tdny Br Co. 1 Section l6lst Cml Co. (1) ProvTd~and man 80 ?ssault bolts; 40 for each Bn of the 359th Inf crossi~ein thz asscult v~~vzs. (2) Construct 2nd' maintain 2n 1n.f Support Bridga in the 359th Rcgtl 2. (3) Construct and maint.?ir, a steel tdwy bridge in the 359th Inf Regtl Z. \. , ,I . *.. **:$>:***$<**+*+**$:*& * SECRET ;-- ;rS 90TH INF DIV u903932 092100A NOV 44 */l;,ps: Eastern France, GSGS 4471, 1/50,000; Sheets: 33/11, 33/12, 33/13, 34/11, 34/12, 34/13* Eastern France, GSGS 4411, 1/25,000; T'IIOWILLE LUIV - 11/T\lE, T\TDi, SE, SIJ. I- . a. Enemy on our front continues to resist in small groups. :here arc reliable indications of a gznzr-11 vvitkldra~valto the %. b. X;< Corps continucs the 3tk to assigned Objs 1.0 Nov 44. -0th Armd Div tentatively schzduled to initiate crossings of thc ' IOSELLE R at 101200A and ntk to thz S through thz xst2rri portio~ ,f pre Seat brhd l .?3TH - .-, IITF DIV (Reinf_2:- Continues the attack to Div Obj 10 Nov, Time of attack: 0700, LD: Present line of contact. Bdrys, Objs: ,n/c, . a. 35Fth Inf-: Atchmts: n/c. (1) I3cgroups during night of 9-10 Nov. (2) . ~tks0700 to seize initial Obj. (3) Continues right flank !rotection of Div. b. 357th Inf: . Atc'l~nts: Co A, 315th Engr Bn (-1 plat) Co C, 712th Tk Bn' (1) Investigate and mop up ICOZNIGS~flAi(E.Rvillage during the night 9-10 Mov. (2) Atk at 0700, makin2 main effort on right to seize initial Obj; one Bn asscmbla vic I14ETRICH GROUP, not to bs coLmitted without authority this Hq. (1) Atk a"L7OO to complete seizure of initial Obj. (2) Contii~!leleft flank ?rotection of Div. (3) Be przpared to clear ~11-roads at 101200 for the passage of tha 10th Armd Div. (1) Support tha .ztk of thz Div; l~!!issions - n/c. (2) 34-3rd FA Bn rzleased .?tcl?int ?l5th FA Bn; to dirzct support 357th Inf. (1) Co A 315th Engr Bn (-1 Plat) atchd 357th Inf ~ff~ctivc? 100600~. (2) Contiiiue ferrying op3ratioas in support of Inf Regt s. (3) Other nissions - n/c. (1) Be pr:=pzred to cross Bridge "A" on order. (2) Be prepared to assj st in th? mop up of KOEfiTIGS?AACKER villaga ~ndissegble that locnti~nas Div Res. .. . x. (1) Durinz ths nipht 9-10 Nov, cvary effort will ba -made to adequrltely resupgly .infantry elzmsnts by 311 crossin; rnzans available. (2) Effectivz upon completion Trdy Bridges, traffic vill be pushed at m~ximumdensity ~lndertha direct supervision of Ragtl Comdrs. Prioritiss. Tactical Trsns. 35Fth Inf Tactical Trans. 359th Inf 11 I I 357th Inf l!Izdiurn T,?nks Cos 90tn Rcn Tr T3 Gun Cos 712th Tk Bn (-1 (Tactic31 Trans. 357th Inf) -- - (3) Othar details - n/c. 4. a. All bridzo trzffic one wny S until further notice. b. See Adm 0 # 44. Ax Sig Corn: n/c. 90t.h Inf Div I(3:C; IGs;,~. '- C izz 142200A Nov 44 1. a. The eil ho.2 be~nfi~ht.iii3 a stubborn del~..yingc?ct,ion .?.nd there ?.re ~t~ron~;:ind.ic~.t.ione t.k?t hc !.ill_ m:-lca ~~~1~37eff'oTt tqo kee.3 his "Eeca:~c. Sn131f. to the 3 of .ixTZ open by cont.;.inj.nz u S Force a s t!-.ci;from the N ?.nd. S. Th.c en t..yn!?,a nild k8.lf-t.r~ckcdd ve biclc s ?!hie5 -:rerc t.?l:cn ~lnder fir^ 13 Mov in frcrnt of t.12~358th U 3 Rc~t!:yr ol-!lr +';rt.y ?.re baliev~d t,o 1.2~ fro.?;^ t'r?.~erae u.:ni t !-!hj.r,'n ?.t.kd -tbc S5t.h Li S Inf' Div vie ST3TRILN,GE (~$780)ni7,lc;t. 13 - 14 Ilov, TLc?s:: iz.q.Jr b;) q~i-tof t,hs 107th Pz Zrir-?d.e or 'c.l?z 25th Pz ~SrcnDiv ,~l?_dC-n :3c e::pcct.cd t.0 rc-n-ppcnr in tl?.c 90th U S Inf Div zone. Rcan;..ni~ of thc 59th, 74t.hy 712th ,?,rcl, 713+.11 1:il.f Xc.-;t.e, olnd t.hc 35th PZ 3r~n?c?t ?!:?.ic'n !dcre m-.ulcd ?2y t1.12 5Ot.h U S Inf Diri ~i-~icc>hv, cP3 <~.leobc e:rpect.cd t.3 t.h.1-3:.:11 j-3 t,hc line ?.yin. Third. IJ S LI-~LI~:_?::?o'?t th-'s tb7.r~-I-,- 600 cn ~.il-Tjlp.n~g,200 of !!hick 7.17~nFr;ht bo:nbc:ra, in tkc Third. U S ;,rag sect..;rr Thcee -gl?nce hnvc 13ccn :;i-ounr?cc? by ~.!c,?t,h-:rfor tkc p-st 3 d~ys,but somc i?~~.ybc c.-:-,xctad to he i-~~.,cdin th.:: S)Otln U S In:? Div Z ~.t."ch? firet f;.voi-rl?l:. o~:,o~~,.~ilit.y. (2) 95t.h. Inf Div continu~crcn in i'gi-ce ;~r;~in.st.cn srli,cnt4 Tf of IdC)S'ZI_oLzi:!bilc innin sf forat. S r strld-c tbc ;.iiaSIL,L.z from .~' (3) 10th llr;lld Div, cy~e.si:?;-,tbc XCS-LL.Z ?.t '?3IOT<-JILLE' init,ig.lly ?nfl bc-;;ilininr:.- ni,;ht .lLf--.15 Xq?r ~t...;--LLIiY:G, pee;;ce t-hn left of brhd -~d~.tks SZ to eccurc bish ~roundM of 3OULiX (099657) CC B rcns to~:r~.rS-sthc Si R 2. (4) 3rd C,-TJ Gp (rcinf) c~oecin:; :ICS;L,L; nt ,--' -rn7i--I,l\lOi;:i . -. Lniti?lly n.nd I>cr;;innin~ 15 Kov "i. ;'L.LLING (follo!!inG 10th ii:lmd Div) IJlt.k~ t.0 sccurc ;..;?d. hold Syidy:cs ov,?r Si'J..'JR E vie S;L..Z~UFB. C?a+.ii.-rd..ce t;?c c tk to Div Obj 15033021. (1) -',t!r r.t. 150930 :.ritl?.ii?. Z 9.nd cr?-gt~!rzobje is?rlic.?.ted on ovc~1z.y. (2) I:I,-.int.nin con'i..-.ct ::!it.b. 357th Inf on left.. -T . (2) p.-1?.t-,in csnJc.-ct on t.bc lcft. ~!iththc 359'C.l? Inf' initially 2s~dcv.'7s.~qucnt,iy with 10th. ^.,r-zd Div nl"t.c-r t'r?r?t unit 9F.sscs t.h-m. brhd. (1) U:?on ;37es,?:-e of lath .rad 9iv '-rv. j?reecnt front -"fi 037-:'T'-r:%7:,yrvt (lcSeyi7;ll.t &) l.!ill li'clcs on z.::is EERLii4, - .I\.. LA- + .- .* ., -- b~zind.is~?l,ncc:;:ct?t "c.3 nsec:a:.>ly nrc? indic.-.tcd on ov.zrl7.y se Div fir2-&. c. F!l.,~ht. bn rcz??.ine 111 :)@sitionuntil ful*t.'ilcr OYT?Z~Et.l?is Hq, (2) 34L!.tlfl F-.,Bi? - fl-iycct. e:-l:3.?oyt 358t.i; Illf 343rd 72 Bn - d.ircct. _cu.?.port_ 357th inf 91-5t.h 311 - dircct e~.~~-gor~i,359th I:cf (initi~.lly) thci-cnf?:.:r ~~inffirae 343rd F,, En (2) i:,~int..i~?cgnt,-ct i.jith 35th Inf Div on ri.~,bt.qnd 358th Inf on Icft. (2) Ialt.intc :~rcprir>:..t.iona?' .1?1,1;?:( 7.nd c~t.1np.t~~for demolit ion of: Port iflco ti~ne vi it.hin Div Z. . (1) +'AII~12~ l.qi_sizs 7x3 aiy- ~;~-rni~;,gc~:r~"C::ls will br cont.in- ~*ou. inF.nl~d J~.I?. ?.jc~:jp.t,~y,:?i~ froa fir~i lir:ht to drrl.;. Ypna (will JSC d.1.r~ in. (2) pc yiill be c~i.:t.i3ii~Cr.of the ;?rcv.?.lrnce of ni-L~cei_n Di-v ~.>-z;?. Inf'orq?.t.io:~?of mi;?ed. eyc?e ?fill b~ proiilpt- ly ;?cporLcd. t.o l?i-.;'ncr Hq. (5) F.c,;i-..i.-:1Cc?..3. 2L-'EdT;? ((C):,ils Ovai~lp.~)'defines rc~~0~aibilii.y for cf>.nt.rolo:? Si?;ili~n~. 4. n, iCiz ?:illbe 3ynuy;ht fop!?r;lyiJ to ;-jrovi<-:.clil::!i.t h, Rc-eu~j)l:r 7i1d diet.ri'oution of' di-y eoclrs. .*!illbc z::i?cdi tcd. (1) -',].1 trr ff'ic coilfig,l,.cd to C.ATT.ZETOi,IBr ' nq t. icc . (c) Oar ,.~r.~..y id 141900-142400 (d) Control Posts: cx 928905 23 933889 b, (1) CPe 1 ) Opns Ovsrl@y (2) L2: Sis Corn ) a-g 90Tli 119 DIV ~~04NIGSiL4CY~3 152200 ITOV 44 1. ----.--90T21 I'y DIV: Continues the e.tk to tlle Div Obj 1.6 Bov 44. 2. ----55Cth Inf z At chnt s : 1T o chniige a. Cclqlcte the illop-ug of IL'!C;L,LTGE be@in?ling at first light. b. Con-tinue the atk at, 0930 tc acsigned objectives. 357tl1 Inf :: ?* --- At chnt s : ?To change. Continue the ztlc to a.sslgnec' ob'jectives, :;ial:ing na,iq effort on the right. a,. Com~letee.ssembly of Eegt pi16 ~tchxtsby 1203 hours. lo. I!ovel-;?ent of foot ~~rsonnela,nd traisportrtion mill be co- grdinpted fiirectly vith 10th Ard Div. e. In conjunction 7,vith the sup2orting Engr En, initiate destruc- Lion of arznorec? tur~ets and ca.sein-.ted Arty in the 1,faginot fox-ti- f'ice.tions. , b. Push mine clearance within Div Z. 6, -----90th Rcn Tr: Atchd: 1 Pizt Co Dp 712th Tk 3n Continue essigned. l~~ission,maintaining close coi?tp.ct ~.:.ritliTask Yorce i3acon. Report own progress ~il~lth3t of Tcsk Force Bacon hourly. G- 5 -----3;71STRTBUTIaYn "I" 9onr INF DIV VIC ELZAIGE .171830A. NOV.. 44 I:fa.psi GSGS 4411, France, 1/25,000; sheets: TIIIOf~IL1,EXYIV-12, SX & %Ti. .-'U'~I 1. a. The enemy is delsying by falling back to successive prepared Fasitions M and S of his "escape gap" running E from IiETZ. Resistance within his..brhd I;r of the %TOSZIJU3 R has atiffelzed. Opposition to the adv of the 10th Armd Div to the E has been rnoder- ate but an increase of .enemy AT defenses and tanks and/or SF guns is reported. The enemy Inf, which- has been oyposing the 90th U S Inf Div, been badly cut up and demoralized, but may be expected to . provide the same type of oprosit'ion until the enemy has srithdrawn vhat troops, materiel and equipment he is able to salvase from the JiETZ pocket. .There are no rerorts of further reinforcerne'nts being brought into the 90th U---S Inf Div sector, but the remnants of Ens of the 19th Inf Div, 416th Inf Div, 35th.P~Gren qegt, .and 25th Assault Gun T3n, as well as tvo uncommitted Bns of the 119th Fz .. Gren 9egt, can be counted on to furnis!? further resistance. Enemy Arty has suffered compa-ratively few casualties in Inen and materiel and prob~.blywill continue .to' lay down the game amount cf fire.' Rumors of withdrawal have not been subst'antia.ted. b. XX Corps continues atk to encircle IETZ.' 5th Inf Div on S flank of Corps ia advancing N on a broad front and.has reached outskirts. of I:ETZ. 95th Inf Div ma.king main effort S astrid-e the XOSELLE extend3 f.rom LORX (823615) to AECKY (929665). 10th Armd Div o~ Zorps L has columns at B431TSI:IBC_F-I (0581), BIBICHZ (0882), CX 0885, ~ndPZIELING- (095905) and LAUI\JSTROFF (1094). 90EI 11.3 DIV continues .the atk 38C80011 Nov to Div Obj. Irdys-, Objs, Scheme of Maneuver. . - see overlay.. .. a* 358 th Inf: Atchmts: TTo change, (1) ' Continue the atk at 180800A to seize and consolidate on previously assigned Obj. (2) EIop u:, within 7, to Div Sdy. (3) Thereafter assemble vic LUT'TL:~''GZ as 3iv Res. (4) Co A, Rlst Cml 3n, released from atchrnt and re-atchd to 359th Inf 181100A. b. 359th -Inf: -4tchd. Co 3, 712th Tk En Co A; 315t?l lied Bn Co A, 81st Cml BE, effective 181100A (1) .Atk c7it"lin Z at 1808C.3.4 to seize Objs (overlay). (2) Itfaintsin contact ;.ith 357th Inf on the left. c. 357th Infr nchmts: PO:. change. (1) continu6 tlie atk at 18C)8C08 to seize Objs (overlay). (2) 1:Taintain contact ~:itli10th Arnd Div. d. Div Art : PA 3n m?rd: I direct su~aort557th Inf. 344th T!-il. Bn direct suiport 358th Inf. 915th TR Sn direc't sup'port 359th Ifif.' 345th ,':FA Sn general sk$?ort, rei'nforce fires 915th' TA. f. 90th ~cnTr (.~eia:-- (1) Nave by 'most ex~editiousroutes to Z indicated on overlav.--. (2) -4dv within Z and protect the rigl?t flank of the Div. (3) IdTaintain contact nith 359th Inf on the E, 358th ,Inf on the'!?, and 95th Inf Div on the W. g. 315th 3ngr- 3n: Continue assigned missions. ha ----775rd T3 Bn: Continue aasigned missions v:ith priori'ty of su~portto 359th Inf, 4. a. Priority on the road XIJZAITGT 'to' KEDD4T.TGY to 359 th Inf effective 180500A. ,b. Other detail& - see Adm 0 # 46. .. .. 5. a. SOL Index - 01-26. b. (1) CYS ) Opns overlay. (2) Ax Sig Corn ) Luth: CG 90 Div : 1821001L iTOTT 44 Init: ---Ft8 5 Date: 18 iVov 44 FIELD IK%3SXGX NO, 19 Continues the atk 130730k Nov to Final Obj (overlzy) . 2- ----359th Inf: Atchmts : Bo change. a, ktk within Z at 190730 and capture Obj (overlay) . b. Be prepred to pztrol to contsct 1.7ith 5th Inf Div. 3 ------357th Inf: Btch~ts: No change, n. Atk within Z it 190730 and sitcurd Initial 0bj to include bridges over the BIED R. . b, Be prepared to continue the atk to capture and conso- lidats Binel Obj. c. Protect SE flank of Div and naintcin contact ~~ith10th Anid 3iv. 4, ------358th Inf: htchmts: Bo change, a. Contlnue reorganize tion and rehabilitation. b. Be prepzred for 'motorizct.ion (necessary trznsportz-tion to be furnished by G-4), - Support the Adv of the Div. 6. -----90th Rcn Tu~einf)--- : a . Continue ~~signedmission. b. Be prepared to cross Dlv bdry to contact 5th Inf Div on order. Closely support leading Inf elezents with particular attention to ro2d repair, 8. 773rd TD B3: Closely support lending Inf elenents with priority to the left (3)flank of the Div, 9. Atchd. armr nil1 be.kept well fortrc~rdwith leading elemects. 1 Incl: Opns Overlay, DISTRIBUTION: "I 90T'II 122 DIV i,.33;iC OUFeT 2012OCJL ITOV 44 20 Pov 44 / FIELD IvE S'Si-GE 5TC . 20 1 -----.----90m INF 3IV (a: Extends its fron-t ta tlze IT", cn Corps 0 relieving CCR, 10th Xrmd Div, c.lo~gthe UIZD R, 359th laf: htchmts: 170 change. 2 ,---- a, Initiclte rcn immedintaly within net,; Z (overlay) b. On Div 0, ro?'dju.s*u to hold line of DIED R nithin Z with light outnosts holdi~gbulk of each 5n in renr positions. c . Continue re?ic:bil5tc; tion. 3. ---357th Inf: Atcb.mts: Bo change. a. Initiate rcn immedi~t~?ly;~ithin ndt Z (overlay), b. On Div 0, recdjust to hold line cf YIED R v:ithin Z with light outposts holding bull< of e~.chEn in rear ~osi.tions, c . Continue retmbilitnt ion. 4. --773rd TD Rn:-- a. Su~port357th and 359th Inf with 1 Co each. b. BE (- 2 COS) (designcted r.s TF spies). (1) On Div 0, occupy and outpost Z indicated. (2) Maintain contact CCB on left. Bn 5. ---712th Tlc (less----.------atchlcts) : c. Assemble LS - vic DL'LSTLIIT DiT Res. 6. ----90th Rcn Tr: a. Continue mopping up ~resentZ. b, Thereafter nssemble vic LUTTBMGZ on Div 0. VAN EZEET COIrnG --DI S TRI BUT1 ON It I I' SES 'FR&y--1; 90TH 13' DIV M~ps: GSG'S 4471, 1/50,000. 1. Omitted. 2 ---..--90T3 IXF DIV (-RCT 358): Atchd: 712th Tk Bn Continues regrouping 24 Ucv in prepar2tion for resumption of sdv to the E. E'dys, Rout~sof Movenlent, Assembly Arezs, Phc?se Lines - See ovarlcy, ,3* ------357th Inf: At,shd: C Co 712th Tk Bn i: i: Co 315th Mcd 2n (1) Movz by marching a~idmctor bzginning 241300 to assembly zren indicatzd oi? overlay. (2) Outpost scram i;:ill remain in plcce within present Z until relief is sffactdd by elms 377th Inf, (3) lle~;?Z twill be aut~osted='long 'the general line indiczt~don overlay 2nd rcn initiated tovard ph2s.e line Iih,l8 to contact elms SCE 10th lLmd Div. b* -.-.-359th Tnf: litchd: E Co 712th Tk En C Co 315th hded En (1) Ibvs by marching and motor bzginning 240300 to assembly area indiccted on ov?rlay. (2) Outpost screen vill remain in place srithin present Z until relief is effec-tsd by elms 377th Inf. (3) Ben Z 1-iill be outpostid 3.long the general line indicated on overley and rcn iriitirlced tonzTd Thase Line "A" to contact elms CCB 10th kmd D~B, c. Task Force--- S~ies: (1) Continues present mission. d. Ijivision--- Artillery: Atchd: 537th A,RL:"~Bn (- I3 ~try) (1) Continue support within existing Z until com- pletion of relief. -1- (2) Thereafter displace to 3osition areas previou,sly designed within new 2. . : e. ----90th Rcn Tr: (1) On Div order relensed atchrnt Tcsk Farce Spies ., and screen right flank of the Div along XIED R raainta,ir,ing contact with 95th Inf Div. f, 315th Errgr Bn: (1) Push Engr rcn tvi t'rri- n nev? 2,. f om-ccrd to linc: of . . contact. x. (1) Inf movements T::ill b3 mtz to mzximum extent possible, (2) Outpost within existing Z Vill be minimum essentic7.1 with proper security. (3) Psssage of comm2nd of present Z tc 377th Inf will be at such tlmc as nut~llyagreactble t3 the corcdrs concerned. 4. a. G-4 will furnish necessary trucks for the shuttle move- ment of Irf Rzgts. b, kdrn 0 Bo. 45. 5. CPs 1 See over1c.y. Ax Sig.Corn ) "" DISTRImTIO~~"I" 90TH IITF DIV VIC VECKFING 241500A YOV 4A . . Maps: France GSGS 4411, lf25,000 ';jALD7ISSE XZV-11 - . Sheets 1 & 2, 5 & 6. -- . .- Germany GSGS 4414, 1/25,000, Sheets 650-6'8.2 -6606. 1. a. See Anlqex $ 1 - Intelligence. b. XX Cor.ps atks 25 Uov to force brhds over the SAA3 R. 95th Inf 3iv on rl, making Corps msin effort, establishes brhd between SA.APL4UTEX\T and 2A12YT11T. 10th Artrd Div W/RCT 358 atchd on Corps L seizes crossings SUP33-flLG a nd ? GRZI G , 5th Inf 3iv completes mop up of iBTZ area, prepdred fox further action to C on Corps R. 2, 90TH IUF DIV (--- RCT 358): Atchd: 712th Tk 4n 773rd TD m (SF) 53'7th AAA Sn (AW) (- I3 %try) a. Atks vithin Z at 250730-4 lTov to destory en Ti of SAAR R. b. Assists by fire the crossin€ opns of the 95th Inf Diva c. On 3orps 0, bridges SAAR 8 lrit'lin Z in brhd established by 95th Inf Div, dm Objs, Adys - Opns Overlay, Co A, 315th Xed 3n (1) Atk rithin Z at 250730A and seize initial Obj. (2) On order, continue atk to 3iv Obj. (3) Haintain contact ~;,:ith359th Inf on I,. b. 359th Inf: Zchd: Co B, 712th Tk Bn Co C, 315th Med Bn (1) Atk within Z at 250730A and seize initial Obj, 2) On order, continue atk to DiV Obj. 13) Naintain cantact vith CCB, 10th Armd Div, on 5. cr 90th 9ij Arty (- 344th YA -Zn ---Ltry, 537th-.-. &Ll ~n): . 'I . . Atchd: 537th &LA Rn (- I3 ?.try) . . (1) Organization for combat: 343rd T1I. Bn direct support 357th Inf. . b 915th ZA Bn direct support 359th Inf. 345th r;ln Dn - general suplllort, reinf fires 915th FA. (2) Support tlie adv of the Div; nriority of fires Lo Z 357th Inf. d. 90th 9cn Tr: *. n-ased a tchmt TT S.pies effective 2.4130C.A. (2) Frotect right $ear ~f Dir along the TIED R, maintain- ing contact with 95th Inf 3iv. e. 315th----- 5r:pr 9n (- R.Cc1:-- Support thz adv ~"he ,Div, . , .f. 712th Tli .%it 'm-?ostbhd. , 357th Inf. Co I3 atchfi 359th Inf. (2) Bn (-) reixsin present loc~itionas Div Res. I . .. g. 773rd TI3 9n: S~iesdi3solved effsctive 241800A. sup3ort le~dingInf elements, providing the anti-necz defense of the Div. X. Div Check Foints - Se~'.Xnne;;# 2. [ ?'on-fraternization policy and strict control of civilians to prevefit int~rferencev.:ith.o-gns.taill be rigidly enforced. - 4. Adm 0 # 46. 5. a. SGI Index 01-27. b. CTs 1 Ax Sig ) Opns Overlay. VAB TimT Comdg Annex # 1 - Intelligence (issued .separately) Annex ,:! 2 - Check Point Overlay .q*,.. . -.! ;- i@$ i@$ '!f' i- I., : L L - = ib.L LA :., OOTII 1x3 EIV 3..iJJS:TROTF 281500A L'OV 44 FO {. 41 a:Prance- GSGS 4411, 1/25,000, Xw-11 Sheets 2--&2, 5 6 6. Germany GSGS 4414, 1/25,000, Jheets 6506 8; 6606. 1,, e. See G-2 reriodic I'.egort. '2, )";I Corps, Divs abreast (in order from rlght to left; 95th, >l:r,b, 10th hrmd) contimes the attack to cle- r "1 Link of SAAR R. 5th Inf Div (- 2nd En, 16th Inf dtclld 95th Inf ~iv)remains iLiI!iETZ area cont2inir,& eneriy held forts. 3rd Cav Cp (reinf) bloc>-Y37 flznk of Xi Corps bstveen -ry~OalirLL3 nn and S.LLS Rivers. 773rd T3 En (SF) 53 7th -MA 3~ ( -'i'.-T ) Co C, 81se Cml 'qn Continues 3tl: 290500A to seiz,: Objs ~ndclar Z -.V of ShiR Rr i,T - Xxlsting line of zo~itact. Eidys, Ob2s - Overlzy. 3. a. 357th Inf: .;ltchd: Co C, 712th Tk Zn Co A, 315th Xed En (1) Ati; v.ith:lin '7, ~t 290600A and seize Gbjs 3 an3 4. (2) Continxe atlc on 3iv C to Qb,j 6. . 350th- Inf: Atchd: Co 3, 712th Tk 3,n ,-3,o S, 8lst Cml Pn Co C, 315th Xed 5n (1) Xtk within Z ~t 2906COA ~ndseize Objs I a113 2. (2) On Div 0 continue ntk to Obj 5. (5) Tqalntain contsct cith 10th Armd 3iv on 1:. ,, .------358th Inf: .Atcha: Co 3. 315th Med Bn (I) Remain present location as 3iv Zes. \ r (1) 0r;pniza tion for combnt: 343rd Ti Cn direct sup~ort557th Inf, --. ., - - 915th !?A 3n direct support 359th Inf. 34.",h FA 3n geneml support, reinf fires '915th FA 3.n. 345th 7-1 En general supoort, reinf fires 915th FA Bn, (2) Sup??ort the atk of 3iv, (3) Push rcn for firing nositions for direct fire arty. e. ggth Tr: T1) Continue contact mission with minimum essential force. ?, 3315th------.----- 3ngr 3nr T1) Co:z-tjnue assigned! rdissionu. (2) Construct bridge at I.TIZD",LTDOR:E'. g. 712 th Tk En: 11-r- B and C Tos atchd 357th <.:nd 359th Infs respectively. (2) En (-) displsces to h%UNKI2:2HEN on order. h. 773rd TI> En: T1)GtiYlue ~:ssi.:ned missions. ('2) Tush rcn for sui.tu3l.e yosition areas from ~;!iich to engage 3IECFRIE:i; LII:TT; fort;: Tickt tions bordering Sk4R R. . . x. (1) .Units will displsce to flag 1occ.tions inciicated at suitable time. Thi.8 designation constitutes c? unit rriority for billets. (2) o iviliar; traff iz yermitted on roads. ( 3) Ve1ctirrul:ir novement 1::ill 5e strictly segula.ted on rosds es~csedto enemy 05servation. ( 4) CVear .-!:cy - ef-irctive ca)~i.urenhjs :? & 4 - Ove~lay. 4, See-4cltnO~~-!7. , . . '3, :4 ., 5301 inddx 01-26, ... .,,.,_. ,... ., . , 1 Incl - Opns Overlay HZADISUUA3TERS 90TH II\TF~JTP.Y DIVEION AP0-90, c/o Postmaster % -..,c .'.! Nev Yorlc, New York . . ..% ,:, _.Q t S-Z4-R-E,-T ' ' -.b+% j :Auth: CG7~90t;Ei Inf Div t :Ini$:C."+. t !~a$t;e't.;~l Dec "lw : * jC>) : ?* I' December 1#4 SUBJEST : G-l-' After Act ion Report, Mhth .of November 1944. TO ' : Commanding General, XI( Carps, ~~0'90,U. 9. Army. I. Tfie folloving factual' data is submitted and conetitutes a summation of the operat ions of the G-1 office for the month of November 1944. a, Cumulative for Month: Dy Fr Former Batt 1% ~e~l-~eo~~Cas Status KIA COW MIA Inj; Capkred 552 987 311 40 142 j 176 lp 9 b. Prisoners captured daily: Captain, Infantry, Asst ACofS, G-1. "' 1 G er~tio;~g : upply operations continued to function i7orr~allythrougkl3ut this period . The crossing of the >ioselle ~xlverpresented a izu~bei-sf 3 iff iculties dl~.e principally to the worst .flood i.. 27 years. %owaver, the s~:ccssafulexpzn- s ion of our bridgehead permi'tted a rapid buZ:-d-u? of 51-itizal supplies. Ths Engrs ~layeda vital role i.n I"erryi.-i?.g these supplies t3 ';lie troops oil. the Tar shore. Weapons and vehicles l~stin the river crasaiiig were replaced rapidiy 2nd d id not Ende? the advance or" the Divi~ion. b. Class I : ( 1) Trucl&ead d istribution c~n5inusdthr3ugllou"vtl?e period . Ae~t1 dumps were sstahlished prior t:, the river c-"os3ii1_ aild fei-ried to advznce duzp on the f'3.r shore aa s3c1i-1 as brid~eneadsviere ea%.bliahed. S~1~3.;liaswere distri- Du.ted on the follo-,!in~ baaia : - -Item . ?f -~4.tio11s i;-ercel-~tsrs II 2lr 253405 11 11 64,500 If 1;w 132 ?977 "1c-1" , -WLJ@ TOTAL 9~~960 I'D '! (a3t inc l:~-led ii~total) 101 ,O&= (2) Thi-ee ~~2aYa.teFssu.~s of PX ra%i3,is we?% m3.de t3 '&be Div during tiis mclnth. Tliose war6 a. 2;'i.v-e ($.), a. s j.x (6) and G7,ao (2) sevai.1 (7) dsy issu55, rial-. ing a total of 25 dsys issu.3 (5> 2 ,pplerr- !1.t~:?. rat lgiis incl~~dins, coffee, nil:;, sugar, fresh mat and bread we re issued t:?ro~1g]:gu:; t:-Ls ;)ei"iod ,. (4) YJatsr WGS pl.zntifu1 :and was easily accas$a?,le t3 the troop a - - C, I.J. t Class., -,- .- - .. - I \ 1 I Largj qua-ritj.tiea of clothi-ng E;;, c quQa~il$ !.1& -?e Issued t 3 the U iv and attached unf-tu dur~i;..:i.;',]?is pt; riod . "le lJi3~tcritisa;' i-tam we re large s izs 9v.ershoes (a izc3 12 .t? 15) field jaclit-';~ (2) In an effort to hblp combst tr-ench foot over 75,OCO pairs of new YOC~wer~ issued hnd over 25,000 psix were launct,ert;d. ?1-3;1'5 lblc tra~pswere 2Sk tb change socks Gaily. The f311a~in~list includes speci.1 itern issued within the Divis ion and attached units : .. - bndersnirtsJ wool m. L r3;ae rs , ~331 Jachsa, 2 2 T T~sggi~gs ,, caxvas S.,ch, w30;. Zap, ~331hit DPBWBIY, ~201 Shii-ta , wos 1 Tr3uaers, Ei 3 T Slio~s,Service Zve ?:coats, woo 1 i,iackinaws Cvers hoes Lantern, i'e rosens ?i~~iufflsrs,. wool 333ta, conbat Can, water, 5 gal d. Class 111: ( 1) Gas 3lins c=;lsumption averaged 4.1 gals per gas-c ~nsmingvehicle per day * This average was "normal" csns iderl;~gt1;e nature of the operations r1ihe foll3wilig is a t,3tal c~f all gasoliiie, oil md lujricants cansu~edby the iiiv and attachments . --I'ce rn Want ity Gasoline, 150 Cc.to 266,530 ga.1. GFl; E~~ine,Ct;tC SAE #10 1 1955 n Oil, !I If *30 GgG " ri It 0 11. ,! 'I FEO1 ,' 20 U-9,i..r~raalGesr Lube $90 530 " Gi:c7srss, GP $51 /I/F-7" lb* $ .,$.;I Gy s,s & , Gid .I -. 150 lb. ri-,.= as 62 $5 u- Y 370 Ibo G -,-.r Gp ;-4 Lt-c ,..2, 120 lbn Oil, (lliaoel 11,190 galu e Class FJ: -(hThere ws re ai~i3~oximtc ly twenty-.two tms 3f cleaniil;; and grese rving materials issued to 'cbs 3iv during this period, incl~:ding~3.p~ toilet p%per, brush~s,br3om G tc (2) A2pr3xim~tely f3ur tons of ststimcry aild ,sfrice supllies were is- sued t3 the Div and attached units fb Pars~nalEffccts: (1) Pe.r~an:~leffects zf 163 ?f F'icers and cnlistcd -;.en were 2racessed during the period* ~ ~ -. @Iduring this psrLDd,- (2) The O?ficcrs' Sales SLcjre viaited the ijiv ~iicsduri~ig the ~211th. (3) During f;;lt.~ peri'jd. tl?e lamiaering of s3cb w9.s started in accord- ance with Arny im-t~lc%ions.Thcre wGrs 25,602 pei~sof s?cka lau~~ier~d. ho Arn~niti.2~: (1) nm3 sxi~zndzdf'2r the Fe ~-iadwas 1552 t.zi3~. The f3110wing tabula- -tis?l besfd oil ETOLE.= U/? dated 10 3sc '43, is a brsa1&3~.:rLl tb ab3ve tr~mage:. --Mo 3 3f Sr.all ~ms: --tTe Elm Carbine 5279 Ca 1.30, Ivi1903A4 =/c 1ip Gl, Czl. c30, SA3 ?/clip 24 3 Calm330, G/clip 64 16 Cai. .30, IG 157 L'al.*47, Fi9t01 1156 Ca1..45, SPiG '93 Cal ..+O 236 Gran Z'.:and 7ra,z. :Lock%, .i.T., 266" (2) ---.Critical .---- Item-- : Grenade, haad, iccondiary ill-iq; Saoke, lid.?. and smoke Hello for all. %ypss of Artillery, (3) ga-dr.a-c Kaintenar,ca ard_3~1.p:1Iy: (a) 3rd Schelon mi-fite-r?mc;e of gotor vehicles waa eextre~eiylieavy due to inferior roads, rn~edy'r;ivov.ac ax-eae and crossi::~ the rc.,~i.j2antL-oselle river, w!l.ich hed oval--f lowed its bauks ini~adating,approaches t:, Lhe bridges o (.bpt. of O?eratioas - ,F?aEo France, cant.) (b) Xine (9) vehicles Dr .~IO of t:?s ilivision T/E all~wancewere lost due t3 enem;T act i3n 0 (c) The fallowing majgr itern were critical dv.rinc:I- -the period : bbunt, tripod, cnlo,30, l.:lFl7-il; )~.C~SC".O, PY'CI hrr,d, it'13. (d) The fo1lo~~;i.n~iterm of spars and re~:iZ:,c~i-cei.~';,arts were cri- tical during the peri~d: Tires, 63CxlG; 75&2G;9CG;ri6; tubes,, CGCxlS; 75Cx20; 9OCrtl6; Anti-freeze; Eot patches; exhaust plpsa for 1/4 ton -bruc!cs; and distri.- bukr po inks (el :?rist :~atshstraps have been no-n-.axistal?+ since arriving 011 tile hilti:lent . Def a c-~Prs wriat -tre.+,cl? strag havd , i.n a airs cases, been reported is the cauas for lo~i:igaris'c wa.k,ches = -. a, During the ii~oselleCross i~g,the river at TCTLI'J yailits r3se to record heights cav.siiig the far snds of th6 3i11)- bridge t3 be urdar -t:?ter This n,zvie ~vacuz-bioiiof casv.sltiss Sg vehicle a:? im2osa ibili-ly in the early stags of the cross ing, dl1 the cesualtiea hsrl to be evzcv.n-ted by lit-tsr bearera ?.nd ncczss i..- tated extrcm~lyloilg littei- h~ulseve r hilly ts rrain ~;?df l3~ded cov~ltrjrs idcs . ii~?.vysuemy o:~posi%ii~ilmade the taalr still. acre d iff icultb In spite of these ' d ifficulties , evscun,-tl~nc?f caaualtias xss oatisfsctorjro :!zu:.?ded Disease -In ---Ex];.m~s t i3n Total divis ion Total, 1300 1263 295 lj2 2990 Evscusts d 1235 974 2-55 SG 250 ..'\&-turnedto Duty 65. 285, 27 4 4 4 23 Allies Total. 14 1 2 24 69 JE 459 E~racueted 135 137 60 1 354 k t;urn=d to duty IY 07 ? 4 log I'risone r Total 126 0 1.4 0 202 Evacuated 14 0 14 0 202 a. The Graves 2sgiatration sestisns evacuated 362 iixcrica-o dezd and 317 enemy dea.d from Aegtl arid 31 Go11 pts ',g AX Corps Ooll pts o (~'ptof Operations .- i\T?E. France, cont .) (1) Over skcty tons sf sslvagc: were 'curried in to ..rrny salvage point by Div GJi. (2) The amg~;~ytqf 3alvlge vlh~c)n~~r2.3 r.;cl&irxd reissuc-id to the Div was approx imate ly e ighA,o.iri tons G (31 In add i::;,nyi -F,g tb6 ~:q?-innl iJ;im3 1.2 2: t.rz?l G i;"in~ .t:la a3ntk! Ovar 12; f .*r? -.+~-it;s(FA $i ', -J~tjr.~CC,;~JT~ rtlsd to t:le PGW ~YGOg";iw?Ztor r 4 yllc piv -~.r->.~:-tGan a-~3 rehabi;.i.tztlcn p?.ana hca-;ed iil :Ore% 06 ,.. 1 h2 Cii i' :?i7,7~*'. , H~ .'-- 1 I . . l:OC'\): 900 ~c~~lisof Arty a~rfioof ail c.:lli'-crs :1-,72 ~5:~;sand 2 l;.L~..;.- .:,;.n,,r;r GI' 3zrj.a; b3~11;~Yeri; lon,at,;d in the d ispe rsal area arourld t.his pla;7.2-. !.'hi; a-m, wca baii~~rzpacked for u3a in Artillcry pieces I-d f?iAdemolitj.21: plIrp3s zs i.. 5 1 ii' nmb-r. of German armored vehicl.es were dsstroyed or captured during this ps riod inclu? Lng tt:slcl.ty..s ic Mark TV tor.1: 363 tr3yers u V - TAnFFII: : i 5, !lain roads Ln i;n: l)i-r area yr:rE =0l';~5e:-;',ly cover~dwitli mud wkicl: inads t!iea slippery, :6c2..is nn: ?)r.l$gjs ai-sz rsq:~i;'.;d c3nJ~inco-~amsinten- zncz a-nd. -re pair di-?-5 -~5narrow xL?2 u;;l.;urf'act;d r013 TI: d :imlFshed brid g~s. a. Service tr30p3 and trains werc handicappsd dr.ri-ic this period .due tc s lippcrjr roads . Bivouac ditss we re no'i, s~1.i-i;ebledue i;o '~hz lack of sccommoda- tions and 1m.g llauls t3 tlie front lines.