(excerpts from ..." The history of B Co, 324th Med Bn, during the Battle of the Bulge")
Battle of the Bulge - men belonging to the 26th Inf Regt / 1st Inf Div
move up to meet the German thrusts threatening Büllingen, December 17, 1944
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December 16, 1944 – At 0540 on that fateful morning we were awakened by a salutation from big German guns, pouring shells into the village in an attempt to sever vital radio communications and harass troops in the area. We were startled by this introduction to the "Screaming Meemies" (aka Nebelwerfers) and for two hours the barrage kept us on edge, wondering where the next was to land. One exploded in our latrine, tearing the canvas screen to shreds, another fell by the C.P., throwing a large piece of shrapnel through the back of the First Sergeant's bed; and many others sprayed the buildings with dirt and hot, jagged metal. Thru the grace of God, not a single man was injured. Around 0800, when the casualties began streaming in from all directions, we were aware that the shelling was not confined to our area, but hitting all units of the 99th Infantry Division. |  1st Sgt. James R. VAN ALLEN, B Co, |
 German Nebelwerfer 41, 150mm 6-barreled Rocket Launcher (captured by US Forces, on display) Click image to enlarge |
Throughout the day, the terrifying barrages shook the village of Mürringen, but we could not seek the safety of cellars or foxholes, for there were too many lives to save. With each Ambulance returning from the Aid Stations, came more wounded and fresh reports of the vicious attacks being launched at our lines. Soon we reached the conclusion that this was no mere small-scale action; this was of greater importance. Something was amiss. Even then we did not know this was the beginning of the German Counter-Offensive (aka "Wacht am Rhein") in the Ardennes, known perhaps later, better as the "Battle of the Bulge" (16 Dec 44 > 25 Jan 45) |
Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt, nominally in command of Western Front forces did not agree with Adolf Hitler's plan, and found it not only overambitious but also dangerous. The chosen sector for the enemy Offensive however was brilliant, The Ardennes sector being a 'calm' zone where lots of American battered units were at rest to refit ...and frontlines were stretched pretty thin. Intelligence told the German Command that the 99th Infantry Division and the equally untried 106th Infantry Division stood side by side, and the plan was to slip between these neophytes, engage and hold them with infantry, while his tanks drove West. The expected reinforcements would be polished off by the armor, and to double insure success, parachute troops would drop behind the lines and along the roads and cut communications with the Aachen-Düren line. That this clever plan failed can be attributed primarily to the raw courage and perseverance of outfits like the 99th "Checkerboard". At the time however, when these men marched into the Ardennes, they were not aware that the biggest chapter in their lives was about to be written! When launching their Counter-offensive against this thinly-held line, the Germans had again overlooked American guts.
 Officers & NCOs of the 393d Inf Regt, |
Out of the foggy darkness on that Saturday morning came the Panzers and fanatic Waffen SS troops, throwing all they had at the startled doughs. Spread over a 20-mile front and whitout reserves, the 'green' troops under command of Major General Walter E. LAUER would battle up to 6 enemy Divisions...
Outposts were quickly trampled under. Stunned by the tremendous artillery barrage, GIs relinquished some ground, then, dug in and fought like men possessed. German forces rolled forward on the heels of a pulverizing artillery barrage. Then the Volksgrenadiers attacked the untried Division with their overpowering force, only to be met by the same stubborn resistance, and their dead blackened the snow. When the German ring of steel tightened around the encircled troops, a makeshift relief force of cooks, clerks, K.P.s grabbed rifles, grenades, bazookas and joined in the heroic stand. Everybody fought but the medics, and we had our hands more than full. All day of the 16th we toiled ceaselessly over the mounting toll off wounded resulting from the powerful German attacks. Hands caked with blood, bodies aching from the constant tension of our efforts to save lives, we worked late into the night, until we were groggy. The human mind can never completely insure itself to seeing body after body, soaked in scarlet blood, and writhing in unbearable agony.
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In the early hours of the attack, an infantry company succeeded in trapping a small enemy force in boxcars in an abandoned railyard. With anti-tank gun fire covering the doughboys, the Krauts were routed, but a seriously wounded dough lay near the cars. In the Litter Squad that answered the calls for medics, was John Mahoney, sent from our company (B Co/324th Med Bn) to supplement the under-manned Battalion Aid Section. Crawling carefully in the icy ditch that paralleled the railroad, the squad neared the injured man. Telling Mahoney to keep down, the Squad leader jumped up and raced toward the boxcars, to disappear from view. A rifle cracked sharply, then it was quiet. Attempting to move forward, John was pinned down for an interminable period by a German burp-gunner. Realizing that, alone, he was helpless, he crawled back through the freezing water, expecting death at any moment. On reaching the Aid Station, he was breathless and somewhat shaken. Puzzled by the stares of the others, he removed his helmet, looked at it, and nearly collapsed. One of the bullets had pierced its left side, nicked his wool cap, and left a ragged, gaping tear where there was once the red band of a Geneva Cross. |  Medical Jeep evacuating wounded, |
Later in the day, frontal infantry assaults unsuccessful, the Germans sent tanks around the flanks, to encircle most of the infantry battalions. Supporting these units were some of our Ambulance drivers and Litter Bearers, who had been rushed forward to cope with the emergency. They too shared the harrowing experiences of trapped men. Drivers and orderlies were forced to abandon their vehicles, and the ever courageous Litter Bearers carried and gave aid to the numerous casualties, while the infantry fought out of the trap over the bodies of their comrades.
 Bullet-riddled Army Ambulance (Dodge WC54), |
Before daylight on December 17, we were again awakened by the shrill scream of incoming shells. Flat explosions rocked the village, concussion shattering the windows in every building. They were coming too close to be casually ignored. We began to tremble. Shrapnel sprayed the buildings, stripped the bark from trees, and left one of the Ambulances looking like a sieve. Once again, as though guarded by an unseen power, we suffered not a single casualty, a miracle that shall never cease to amaze us. |
As on the previous day, December 18 (i.e. Monday) began with a flood of badly injured, but that morning a new, more difficult problem faced us – that of evacuation. The first Ambulance sent to the Clearing Company never returned. The driver, handsome, popular, Onward Gardner, was later reported killed in action, but the fate of his diminutive orderly, William Smith, remains a mystery to this very day. Unaware of the fate of the vehicle, another driver was dispatched with a second load of more severely wounded. White-faced M.P.s turned him back without explanation. With other patients desperately in need of further care, we decided to make another attempt to get them thru. This time , no M.P.s barred their passage, so they innocently sped on toward Büllingen. Entering town, they looked in pop-eyed astonishment at its occupants. These were Germans! Without a second glance or loss of motion, the driver floored the accelerator, and roared off past the confounded Krauts, only ten yards away. ... Büllingen in enemy hands, meant we were encircled - and the shells still kept coming. If ever soldier terminology fitted a situation, the term, "sweating it out", applied to us in its every sense. The Station and large hall were filled with moaning wounded, some of them hit by shell fragments that fell near us. As the afternoon wore on, excitement rose. Stomachs tightened, and throats parched from the oppressive air. The tension was insufferable - a man couldn't take much more.
Map showing location of Elsenborn, |  "Checkerboard" jeeps are
parked outside |
Then it came. An extensive enemy force was reported coming our way. Panzers could be seen from the lookout over the C.P. Knowing all fighting units in town to have long since withdrawn, we realized we had no alternative but to declare ourselves, submit to capture, and hope the wounded at least would be spared. Dully aware of our perilous position, we mechanically continued work. It was all so confusing. Someone gave the order to keep out of cellars and to wear Geneva Crosses in a conspicuous way, but we only half heard them.
This waiting was awful. The Germans would be here soon. A wounded driver screamed, then lapsed into jabbering insanity. He would die soon – take care of the others. Nothing matters now.
Medical Jeep, fitted with brackets |  393d Inf Regt "Dakota"
CP, Krinkelt, Dec 44 |
Why was everyone over there by the map? Now they were saying something – what was it? An officer was telling us there was a way out of the trap, it was clear now. The stupor was gone, a man could think again. In record time our trucks were ready, and we were on the road, moving with provoking slowness toward the town of Krinkelt. How narrowly we escaped capture was brought home to us when we heard the fate met by the trucks carrying the wounded from our Station, (trailing our convoy by less than half an hour, they were intercepted by the Germans, and brought to a halt. SS troopers strode down the column ordering all to dismount. Those who were able, watched in speechless horror while the Nazis turned their guns on the helpless litter wounded, systematically murdering scores of them. A few managed to escape others were taken prisoners). Mürringen had been too warm for comfort, but, within an hour after our arrival, Krinkelt fairly sizzled. The Krauts were attacking in force, tanks were in the far end of town. Ordered to move, our convoy crept out to the road, to mingle with the disorderly column of tanks, jeeps, and trucks, spilling from the town on the only remaining escape route. As our first vehicle neared the important crossroads, the traffic snarled almost hopelessly. Sensing the situation, The Germans zeroed in, and artillery showered down on us. Scrambling from our trucks, we sprawled in the icy ditches, while men from other units frantically sought cover from the flying shrapnel. The din was terrifying. As we lay there, alternately shivering and perspiring, officers ran up and down the road, ordering all armed men, except drivers, to go to the far end of town and join the infantry that had been told to "hold at any cost".
 American gunners, | Then the seething mass of vehicles smoothed out and moved again, hurriedly mounting the vehicles, we drove down the road that was still bracketed by enemy artillery. It was fast growing dark, lending an orange cast to the exploding shells, reflecting brightly from the snow-covered countryside. Unfamiliar with the route, we drove recklessly along, at times with the vehicles ahead, more often completely alone. Guides stood at crossroads, but American or German, we couldn't tell in the inky darkness. When at last we came to the safety of the Clearing Company at Nidrum, we halted for the night, only to find several vehicles and a number of men missing. We were concerned for their safety, however, the next morning they joined us, whole and safe, but hollow-eyed and shaken. Hour after hour the men huddled in the dark, chilly cellar, expecting at any moment to see a grenade tumbling down the steps, or the face of a Kraut framed in the doorway. How helpless one feels to sit unarmed while savage fighting flares all around. |
Nerves were taut. A gaunt looking M.P., jealously guarded his three SS prisoners, heaping vulgar invective on their slumped shoulders. Silent prayers formed on dry lips, but no one spoke. Then came dawn, cold and gray, but it was light – that meant life. With the town still under shellfire, they crawled gratefully from the gloomy cellar. The burning Krinkelt they left behind fell before sundown.
The vicious fighting continued for three more days, and sixty German tanks lay on all sides. An estimated four thousand men,
their bodies sprawled grotesquely in the snow, were killed by the "green" 99th Inf Div. The
"Checkerboard" Division had met the full impact of the Counter Offensive courageously and without panic;
yielding yes, but at a dreadful cost to the enemy.
By this magnificent stand they blunted the Panzer spearheads, to defeat the initial purpose of the drive – opening a route to Liège and
Antwerp. Few new American Divisions have ever extricated themselves from encirclement and remained unbroken. It was the
99th that captured von Rundstedt's Order of the Day, proclaiming this to be Germany's final all-out
effort (doct captured by personnel of the 394th Inf Regt ). Major
General Walter E. Lauer's "Battle Babies" are rather proud of their feats.
(James R. VAN ALLEN, 1st Sgt, B Co, 324th Med Bn, 99th Inf Div, USA, 6862725, recollections)
Notes:
324th MEDICAL BATTALION
1 Nov 44 – 30 Nov 44 organic part of the 99th Infantry Division .
1944 Preparation for Overseas Movement – located in Dorset, England as from 1 Nov 44 .
1 > 3 Nov 44 arrival at Camp C-1, Southampton – departure for France on board LSTs & Troop Ships, bound for
Le Havre (where arrived 3 – 4 – and 8 November) .
4 > 9 Nov 44 arrival at St. Lucien, France .
9 > 12 Nov 44 arrival at Aubel, Belgium – Main Concentration Area, and subsequently moved to the Division
Defense Sector, formerly occupied by the 9th Infantry Division, extending approximately from Monschau to Losheim, as part of V Corps,
First US Army, 12th Army Group; with VII Corps to the north, and VIII Corps to the south; and with the 102d Cavalry Group on the Division’
s northern flank; and the 2d Infantry Division on the Division’s southern flank . The Collecting Companies had meanwhile evacuated to
First Army Medical units, at Malmédy, Belgium (they only reverted to Battalion control 27 Nov 44) .
November 44 – composition of 324th Medical Battalion CO >
Lt. Col. Philip R. BECKJORD
Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment + Collecting Companies (Co A – Co B – Co C) + Clearing Company (Co D) .
December 44 > January 45
Main EVACUATION by Collecting Company Ambulances from Battalion Aid Station to Collecting Companies, and to Clearing Station . Evacuation
from the Clearing Station was performed by the 3d Platoon, 575th Ambulance Company, 134th Medical Group (which
attached 1 Off, 23 EM, and 10 Ambulances on 14 Nov 44) Supporting First US Army Units were; 44th Evacuation Hospital
+ 67th Evacuation Hospital at Malmédy, Belgium, 47th Field Hospital at Waimes, Belgium (non-transportable
surgical cases), 4th Convalescent Hospital at Spa, Belgium, 91st Medical Gas Treatment
Battalion, at Eupen (communicable diseases), and 618th Clearing Company, at Malmédy, Belgium (exhaustion
center) . The 684th Clearing Company and 53d Medical Battalion received any overflow from the Clearing
Company. During the German Counter Offensive, normal evacuation routes were blocked, and casualties could no longer be transported to
the Evacuation Hospitals in Malmédy ! Some Clearing Platoons and a provisional Collecting Point were established at Sourbrodt and at
Elsenborn respectively, while other units were moved to Jalhay and Ovifat in reserve . Finally evacuation was now taking place from the
Clearing Station, with help from the 452d Collecting Company (134th Med Gp) to the 128th
Evacuatioin Hospital located at Verviers . Because of poor weather conditions (heavy snow drifts), evacuation to Verviers was
discontinued, and casualties were now taken to the 2d Evacuation Hospital at Eupen . Collecting Companies were
now digging in, completing 4 log-covered dugouts for enhanced protection … Because of the severe winter conditions, Battalion Aid
Stations later supported the attack from Elsenborn (30 Jan 45) and used ‘Weasels’, homemade sleds, litter jeeps, and litter bearers to
evacuate casualties from the line .
SCREAMING MEEMIES
The above refers to a certain kind of German rocket shells which made a screaming sound when fired in salvos, something more or less like
‘meem’ or ‘meemies . It is also sometimes referred to as ‘moaning minnies’ . The weapon itself is a German Rocket Launcher or
Nebelwerfer i.e. a 6-barreled Rocket Launcher, mounted on a mobile carriage adapted from an existing 37-mm antitank gun .The 6
rockets are fired electrically over a period of only 10 seconds and the weapon is used to saturate a target . The rockets include a wide range
of shells (mainly smoke and/or HE) from 150-mm to 320-mm .
"MEDICS IN RETREAT"
The German Counter-offensive in the Bulge for the most part missed the heaviest concentration of First United States
Army medical units and overran few even of those in its direct path . Most of the large, relatively immobile facilities, such as
the Convalescent Hospitals and the Base Supply Depots, were located well to the north of the enemy breakthrough, positioned to support a
renewed advance toward the Roer River . The hitherto quiet Ardennes sector held only the installations required for immediate support of V
and VIII Corps . Those installations had a very light patient load when the German assault began, a circumstance that facilitated their
withdrawal and evacuation . Some medical units, nevertheless, suffered severely during the first few days of the Counter-offensive, notably
those of the Infantry Divisions that absorbed the initial shock . On the northern shoulder of the Bulge, the 99th
Infantry Division (+ elements of the 2d Inf Div) fought a bitter three-day battle in woods and villages,
losing men and ground, but still denying the Sixth German Panzer Army a clean and easy breakthrough ! Infantry Regiments, their thin lines
repeatedly infiltrated by enemy troops and tanks, their Battalions at times totally surrounded, fell back in often chaotic combat . Their
Surgeons and Aidmen, those of the 99th Inf Div experiencing their first major action, had to cope with a
number of serious difficulties . The cold caused even slightly injured men to go into shock so that Litter Squads had to carry extra blankets
and Aid Stations had to administer larger than usual amounts of plasma ! Battalion Aid Stations, sheltered in the crossroads villages that
were a principal enemy objective, came under intense artillery and mortar fire . At times, Medics worked on the wounded while tank and
infantry firefights raged in the streets and houses around them . The Germans, who included quite a number of Waffen-SS troops, displayed
less regard than hitherto for the niceties of civilized warfare – according to the 99th Infantry Division
Surgeon; medical soldiers were deliberately killed in spite of Red Cross brassards on both arms and Geneva Convention insignia on the helmets
…it is further known that vehicles, such as Ambulances transporting wounded and plainly marked with Geneva Red Cross flags and markings were
deliberately riddled by enemy small arms fire, and in one instance, an enemy tank at close range fired an AP shell thru an Ambulance …
The Infantry Battalions struggled to evacuate their wounded even as they fell back from position to position . As waves of attacking Germans
inundated the foxhole lines, Aidmen and Litter Bearers constantly risked their lives to rescue every injured GI they could reach . Inevitably,
wounded men were overrun or had to be abandoned, and in some instances, Medics voluntarily stayed behind to care for them . Most withdrawing
Battalions managed to bring their Aid Stations and their accumulating patients back with them, Medical Officers had first call on available
vehicles, they loaded casualties on everything that would roll and sent them out near the front of the retreating columns that groped their
way, usually in darkness, along firebreaks and winding roads . Surgeons and First-Aidmen then brought up the rear, to collect casualties of
the troops covering the withdrawal . Losses of Medics, patients, and Station equipment did occur, and sometimes equipment was abandoned in
favor of filling trucks with patients . A 99th Division Infantry Battalion, withdrawing from a nearly
surrounded position on December 17, discovered it had a dozen or so more casualties than its vehicles could carry, the Battalion Surgeon,
Captain Frederick J. McIntyre, and his entire detachment remained in place with the wounded, and when last seen,
the Aid Station was being overrun by the enemy, while still operating under a Geneva Convention flag and a white flag …
Although forced to retreat, the 99th "Checkerboard" held together a solid enough line to permit their Medical
Battalion (324th Med Bn) to maintain more or less a continuous evacuation of their Battalion and Regimental Aid
Stations . The first days of battle were hectic, and at times desperate, Companies sandbagged their Aid Stations against German fire, prepared
to hold wounded for extended periods if evacuation were blocked, hauled casualties over endangered routes, and made precipitate retreats, with
losses in both men and material ! One Collecting Company of the 324th Med Bn had to abandon its entire Station equipment and reported 18 men
wounded or missing in the process . As Division frontages contracted, the 324th Med Bn consolidated elements of
its battered Collecting Companies into a single provisional Collecting unit, which evacuated patients from all
three Infantry Regiments (393d - 394th - 395th Inf) . The Clearing Stations pulled back in leapfrogging sections,
sometimes leaving behind a significant amount of equipment …(1st and 3d Platoons, 47th Field Hospital,
respectively located at Waimes and Dom Bütgenbach, received many wounded from the 2d Infantry and 99th Infantry Divisions, during those dark days of December 1944) …
TESTIMONY (Battle of the Bulge – BELGIUM – January 1945)
Battle of the Bulge - New Year's Day, snow & frost-covered Browning .30 caliber LMG,
in position near Sourbrodt, Belgium, Jan 1, 1944
… one often reminisces about the activities of the 99th “Checkerboard”
Infantry Division and their involvement in The Battle of the Bulge …
The truth of the matter lies in the fact that if they were not able to hold on to their positions in their sector for the
very first 48 hours of the German attack, THERE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN A BATTLE OF THE BULGE AT ALL ! The enemy would
have broken thru at that point, and would have maybe been in Antwerp, Belgium within a week, the focal point of their objective, being the
splitting of the Allied Armies ! The quick reinforcement of that critical sector by the 2d Infantry, 9th Infantry,
82d Airborne, and 9th Armored Divisions formed a solid defensive position as the
German counteroffensive went on, to be known as “The Northern Shoulder” of the Bulge . Other United States units to be added to the sector
were the 75th, 30th, and the 112th Inf Regt
 Tec 4, Edwin L. DICKEY, H & S Co, |  2 1/2 Ton Cargo Truck (6 x 6), |  M8 Armored Car (6 x 6), |
Now, you guys are wondering what I was doing when the German counteroffensive began, i.e. on December 16, 1944 ? I was stationed with a Headquarters Detachment of the Army Service Forces (ASF) out on the Brittany Peninsula, at Rennes (France), just about as far away as you can be, when all the action started . I was a Tec 4 (Technician 4th Grade, with rating equal to that of a “buck” Sergeant) with the Corps of Engineers, my age, already 21, since I had served overseas in England and France, for over a year . During that particular period of time, those of us out on the Peninsula only heard unconfirmed rumors that a major battle was developing somewhere to the east of us . The newly arrived 99th Infantry Division in Europe (landed at Le Havre 3 Nov 44) was non-existant to us at the time, as it was on the secret list ! Orders were soon cut (first of so many to follow), from the unit in grade for reassignment on December 21, 1944 . Our C.O. at that time knowing what lay in store for us, let us wisely remain with the unit until after Christmas, when we actually shipped out .
 Engineer Construction Group personnel |  Wirtzfeld, Dec 17, 1944, |
I was transferred to the 19th Replacement Depot (located just outside Paris), and then to the 3rd, which I believe was at Verviers, Belgium . We traveled by means of the famous “40 & 8” riding in a fully ‘air conditioned’ caboose ! Upon arriving in the latter area, I was handed a weapon, an M1 Carbine, merely fired a few shots into a target on the side of a hill, and moved on for assignment . The extent of my refresher course in weapons handling !!!
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Around 7 or 8 January, 1945, I had arrived for assignment to the 99th Infantry Division,
at Sourbrodt, Belgium, along with approximately 20 other soldiers (Infantry replacements for the most part) in a Roman Catholic Church at
night . They varied in ages, from teenagers on up, some if not all, arriving directly from the States . Since I was wearing some ‘stripes’,
one fella directly behind me was looking for advice, for it was bitter cold outside, pitchdark, with snow two or three feet deep … Since,
I myself had just come out of a HQ office, I had very little advice to give him ! All replacements at that time were rather lightly outfitted,
and certainly not prepared for winter warfare, we had no overcoats, overshoes, I don't very well remember, and for outer wear just an M43 field jacket
over a sweater to keep warm ! Only layers could do the job ! The next morning, we were finally assigned to our various units in the
99th . I, as a member of the Corps of Engineers got assigned to Headquarters
of the 324th Engineer Combat Battalion . The other men, I suspect, to the various
infantry units .
|  North West Europe Map, 1:250,000, |
 A Weasel pulls out of from the "Dakota Aid Station" (i.e. 393d Inf Regt) heading into the center of Elsenborn, vehicle often used by First-Aidmen for transporting supplies and wounded, Belgium, Dec 44 Click image to enlarge | Upon my destination, I was pared off with another new guy and ordered to dig our own foxhole
nearby one of the Headquarters dugouts . By the time of our arrival, it was simply impossible to break ground, even with explosives, for the
ground was frozen solid . We were fortunately able to move into the dugout (active as it was, you can bet) for a place to sleep !
(it’s amazing, that after more than 58 years, certain things in one’s mind remain so clear) ! |  St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church (today) at Sourbrodt, where Ed DICKEY and other replacements spent the night ... Click image to enlarge |
The Infantry replacement, at that time, if he had managed to remain alive on the frontline for an initial 48 hours of combat duty, would possibly make it as a ‘seasoned’ soldier, and just perhaps make it thru the war without any further mishap !
When we were assigned to our various units at Sourbrodt, Belgium, it was by the Grace of God that I went in one direction,
and the others in another . I really am thankful to this day for the opportunity to live out my life, for I am now 79 years old and still
quite active .
(Edwin L. DICKEY, Tec 4, H & S Co, 324th Engr Cbt Bn, 99th Inf Div, USA, 32774875, recollections)
Notes :
2d INFANTRY DIVISION "INDIANHEAD"
Stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas as the 2d Division and sent to Maneuvers at Christine, Texas January 3 >
27, 1940, Horton, Texas April 26 > May 28, 1940, and Cravens, Louisiana August 16 > 23, 1940 . Participated in the VIII Corps Brownwood Texas Maneuvers June 1 > 14, 1941,
at Comanche, Texas, and was sent to Mansfield, Louisiana August 11 > October 2, 1941 for the Louisiana Maneuvers of August and September 1941 .
The Division transferred from Ft. Sam Houston to the VIII Corps Louisiana Maneuvers July 27, 1942, where it was redesignated 2d Infantry Division August 1, 1942 . It returned to Ft. Sam Houston, Texas September 22, 1942, and arrived at Cp. McCoy,
Wisconsin November 27, 1942 . The 2d Inf Div staged at Cp. Shanks, New York October 3, 1943 until it departed New York P/E October 8, 1943 .
It arrived in England October 18, 1943 and finally landed in France June 7, 1944 . "Indianhead" elements
crossed into Belgium September 29, 1944, Germany October 3, 1944, and entered Czechoslovakia May 4, 1945 . The 2d Inf Div returned to New York
P/E July 20, 1945, first moved to Cp. Swift, Texas July 22, 1945 and then to Cp. Stoneman, California March 26, 1946 . It finally arrived at
Ft. Lewis, Washington April 15, 1946 where it stayed active thru 1946 . Commanders : MG John C.H. Lee (Nov 41) and MG Walter M.
Robertson (May 42 – Jun 45) . Organization : 9th Inf Regt, 23d Inf Regt, 38th Inf Regt, 12th Fld Arty Bn, 15th Fld Arty Bn, 37th Fld
Arty Bn, 38th Fld Arty Bn, 2d Rcn Tp, Mecz, 2d Engr Cbt Bn, 2d Med Bn, 2d CIC Det, MP Pltn, 702d Ord Lt Maint Co, 2d Sig Co, 2d QM Co +
attached units . Campaigns : Normandy – Northern France – Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
9th INFANTRY DIVISION "VARSITY"
Activated at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina August 1, 1940 as the 9th Division and sent to participate in both
October and November 1941 Carolina Maneuvers, and later Amphibious Training under the Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Corps . Redesignated 9th Infantry Division August 1, 1942 and left Ft. Bragg to arrive at Ft. Dix, New Jersey November 25, 1942 . The
9th Inf Div departed New York P/E December 11, 1942 and landed in North Africa December 25, 1942, less elements which assaulted November 8,
1942 ! It arrived at Palermo, Sicily July 31, 1943 and was later sent to England where it arrived November 25, 1943 . The 9th landed in France
June 10, 1944 and crossed into Belgium September 2, 1944 . It finally entered Germany September 14, 1944, where it remained active thru 1946 .
Commanders : Col Charles B. Elliot (Aug 40), BG Francis W. Honycutt (Sep 40), MG Jacob L. Devers (Oct 40), MG Rene E. De Hoyle (Aug 41),
MG Manton S. Eddy (Aug 42), MG Louis A. Craig (Aug 44) and MG Jesse A. Ladd (May 45) . Organization : 39th Inf Regt, 47th Inf Regt,
60th Inf Regt, 26th Fld Arty Bn, 34th Fld Arty Bn, 60th Fld Arty Bn, 84th Fld Arty Bn, 9th Rcn Tp, Mecz, 15th Engr Cbt Bn, 9th Med Bn, 9th CIC
Det, MP Pltn, 709th Ord Lt Maint Co, 9th Sig Co, 9th QM Co + attached units . Campaigns : Algeria-French Morocco – Tunisia – Sicily –
Normandy – Northern France – Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
28th INFANTRY DIVISION "KEYSTONE" (Pennsylvania National Guard unit)
Inducted into Federal Service at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 17, 1941 as the 28th Division and moved
to Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, February 21, 1941 . The Division went to A.P. Hill Military Reservation, Virginia August 26, 1941 and
returned to Indiantown Gap September 14, 1941 . It then moved to Ft. Jackson-Ft. Bragg area September 29 for the October + November 1941
Carolina Maneuvers, and only returned to Indiantown Gap December 9, 1941 . It moved to Cp. Livingston, Louisiana January 19, 1942, where it was redesignated 28th
Infantry Division February 17, 1942 . New Maneuvers were expected and the Division moved to the Louisiana Maneuver Area on
September 18, 1942 to participate in the IV Corps Louisiana Maneuvers . It only returned to Cp. Livingston, Louisiana November 10, 1942 . The
28th Inf Div was then transferred to Cp. Gordon Johnston, Florida January 27, 1943, arrived at Cp. Pickett, Virginia June 6, 1943 and
participated in the XIII Corps W. Virginia-Norfolk Maneuvers from August 30 till September 30, 1943 . The "Keystone"
Division departed Boston P/E October 8, 1943 and arrived in England October 18, 1943 . It landed in France July 22, 1944, crossed
into Belgium September 7, 1944, then into Luxembourg September 8, 1944, and first entered Germany September 11, 1944 . It returned to
Luxembourg December 18, 1944, went back to France January 2, 1945, moved once more into Belgium February 19, 1945 and re-entered Germany
February 21, 1945 . The 28th Inf Div returned to the US via Boston P/E August 2, 1945 and moved to Cp. Shelby, Mississippi August 7, 1945
where it was inactivated December 13, 1945 . Commanders : MG Edward Martin (Feb 41), MG J. Garesche Ord (Jan 42), MG Omar N. Bradley
(Jun 42), MG Lloyd D. Brown (Jan 43), BG James E. Wharton (Aug 44) and MG Norman D. Cota (Aug 44) . Organization : 109th Inf Regt,
110th Inf Regt, 112th Inf Regt, 107th Fld Arty Bn, 108th Fld Arty Bn, 109th Fld Arty Bn, 229th Fld Arty Bn, 28th Rcn Tp, Mecz, 103d Engr Cbt
Bn, 103d Med Bn, 28th CIC Det, MP Pltn, 728th Ord Lt Maint Co, 28th Sig Co, 28th QM Co + attached units . Campaigns : Normandy –
Northern France – Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
30th INFANTRY DIVISION "OLD HICKORY" (N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee National Guard units)
Inducted into Federal Service at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina September 16, 1940 as the 30th Division and moved
to Cp. Forrest, Tennessee May 27, 1941 for the VII Corps Tennessee Maneuvers; returned to Ft. Jackson July 1, 1941 . Further moved to Chester,
South Carolina September 27, 1941 for the October and November1941 Carolina Maneuvers . The Division returned to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina November 29, 1941 where it was redesignated
30th Infantry Division February 16, 1942 . The Division then arrived at Cp. Blanding, Florida October 6, 1942
and Cp. Forrest, Tennessee May 30, 1943 . It relocated to Murfreesboro, Tennessee September 3, 1943 and participated in the Second Army N°3
Tennessee Maneuvers . "Old Hickory" finally arrived at Cp. Atterbury, Indiana November 10, 1943 and staged at
Cp. Myles Standish, Massachusetts January 31, 1944 until it departed Boston P/E February 11, 1944 bound for overseas . It arrived in England
February 23, 1944, landed in France June 10, 1944 and crossed into Belgium September 2, 1944 and then into Holland September 13, 1944 . The
30th Inf Div entered Germany September 17, 1944, returned to Belgium December 17, 1944, and after the Battle of the Bulge, re-entered Germany
February 3, 1945 . It then subsequently went back to Holland March 6, 1945 and returned to Germany March 19, 1945 . The 30th arrived in New
York P/E August 21, 1945 and moved to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina August 24, 1945, where it was inactivated November 25, 1945 . Commanders
: MG Henry D. Russell (Sep 40), MG William H. Simpson (May 42), MG Leland S. Hobbs (Sep 42) . Organization : 117th Inf Regt, 119th
Inf Regt, 120th Inf Regt, 113th Fld Arty Bn, 118th Fld Arty Bn, 197th Fld Arty Bn, 230th Fld Arty Bn, 30th Rcn Tp, Mecz, 105th Engr Cbt Bn,
105th Med Bn, 30th CIC Det, MP Pltn, 730th Ord Lt Maint Co, 30th Sig Co, 30th QM Co + attached units . Campaigns : Normandy – Northern
France – Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
75th INFANTRY DIVISION
Activated at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri April 15, 1943 and moved to the Louisiana Maneuver Area January 24, 1944 where it participated in
the Fourth Army N°6 Louisiana Maneuvers . The Division was then transferred to Cp. Breckinridge, Kentucky April 7, 1944 and subsequently
staged at Cp. Shanks, New York November 7, 1944 . It departed New York P/E for Europe November 14, 1944 and arrived in England November 22,
1944 . The 75th Inf Div landed in France December 13, 1944, crossed into Belgium December 19, 1944 . It returned to France January 27, 1945
and again to Belgium February 17, 1945, recrossed into Holland February 18, and entered Germany March 10, 1945 ! The 75th arrived at Hampton
Roads P/E November 14, 1945 and was inactivated at Cp. Patrick Henry, Virginia the same date . Commanders : MG Willard S. Paul (Apr 43)
, MG Fay B. Prickett (Aug 43), MG Ray E. Porter (Jan 45) . Organization : 289th Inf Regt, 290th Inf Regt, 291st Inf Regt, 730th Fld
Arty Bn, 897th Fld Arty Bn, 898th Fld Arty BN, 899th Fld Arty Bn, 75th Rcn Tp, Mecz, 275th Engr Cbt Bn, 375th Med Bn, 75th CIC Det, MP Pltn,
775th Ord Lt Maint Co, 575th Sig Co, 75th QM Co + attached units . Campaigns : Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
106th INFANTRY DIVISION "GOLDEN LION"
Activated at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina March 15, 1943 and moved to Second Army N°5 Tennessee Maneuvers January 14, 1944 . The Division was
then transferred to Cp. Atterbury, Indiana March 28, 1944 and staged at Cp. Myles Standish, Massachusetts October 10, 1944 . The 106th Inf
Div departed Boston P/E for overseas November 10, 1944 and reached England November 17 . It landed in France December 6, 1944, crossed into
Belgium December 10, 1944 and returned to France March 16, 1945, entering Germany only on April 25, 1945 ! The "Golden
Lions" arrived at New York P/E October 1, 1945 and were inactivated at Cp. Shanks, New York, October 2, 1945 . Commanders :
MG Alan W. Jones (Mar 43), BG Herbert T. Perrin (Dec 44), MG Donald A. Stroh (Feb 45) . Organization : 422d Inf Regt, 423d Inf Regt,
424th Inf Regt, 589th Fld Arty Bn, 590th Fld Arty Bn, 592d Fld Arty Bn, 106th Rcn Tp, Mecz, 81st Engr Cbt Bn, 331st Med Bn, 106th CIC Det, MP
Pltn, 806th Ord Lt Maint Co, 106th Sig Co, 106th QM Co + attached units (note : since both 422d & 423d Inf
Regts were almost effectively destroyed and/or taken prisoner Dec 18/19, 44, during the Battle of the Bulge, 3d Inf Regt + 159th Inf Regt were
consequently attached to the Division from Mar 16 to May 9, 45 to replace lost elements) . Campaigns : Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace -
Central Europe .
9th ARMORED DIVISION "PHANTOM"
Activated at Ft. Riley, Kansas July 15, 1942 and moved to Goff, California June 10, 1943 and Cp. Ibis, California August 1, 1943, during the
Desert Training Center N°3 California Maneuvers . The Division then moved to Cp. Polk, Louisiana October 25, 1943 for the Third Army N°5
Louisiana Maneuvers . It staged at Cp. Kilmer, New Jersey August 14, 1944 until it departed New York P/E August 18, 1944 for overseas ! The
9th Armd Div reached England September 1, 1944 and landed in France October 3, 1944 . It subsequently patrolled the Luxembourg-German border .
It went into Belgium December 17, 1944 and finally returned to France December 30, 1944, it then attacked across the Roer February 28, 1945
and subsequently entered Germany March 2, 1945 . It returned stateside via Hampton Roads P/E October 13, 1945 and was inactivated at Cp.
Patrick Henry, Virginia, the same day . Commanders : MG Geoffrey Keyes (Jul 42), MG John W. Leonard (Oct 42) . Organization :
2d Tk Bn, 14th Tk Bn, 19th Tk Bn, 27th Armd Inf Bn, 52d Armd Inf Bn, 60th Armd Inf Bn, 3d Armd Fld Arty Bn, 16th Armd Fld Arty Bn, 73d Armd
Fld Arty Bn, 89th Cav Rcn Sqdn, Mecz, CCA, CCB, CCR, 9th Armd Engr Bn, 2d Armd Med Bn, 509th CIC Det, MP Pltn, 131st Armd Ord Maint Bn,
149th Armd Sig Co + attached units . Campaigns : Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
82d AIRBORNE DIVISION "ALL AMERICAN"
Activated at Cp. Claiborne, Louisiana March 25, 1942 as the 82d Division and subsequently redesignated there as
82d Infantry Division May 24, 1942 . Now newly-designated 82d Airborne Division
August 15, 1942 the paratroops moved to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina October 3, 1942 . Staged at Cp. Edwards, Massachusetts April 18,
1943 until departed New York P/E April 28, 1943 . The 82d Abn Div arrived in North Africa May 10, 1943 and air assaulted Sicily July 9, 1943,
and returned to North Africa August 19, 1943 . It moved back to Sicily September 4, 1943 and landed in Italy September 13, 1943 which it left
again November 19, 1943 . It briefly returned to North Africa from November 22 to 30, 1943 . The "All American"
arrived in Northern Ireland December 9, 1943, crossed over into England February 14, 1944 and finally air assaulted Normandy, France
on D-Day June 6, 1944 . It returned to England July 13, 1944 . Then it further air assaulted Holland September 17, 1944, and moved back to
France November 14, 1944 . Alerted because of the German counteroffensive, it crossed into Belgium December 18, 1944 and finally entered
Germany January 30, 1945 . Returned to France February 19, 1945, re-entered Germany April 2, 1945, participated in the occupation of Berlin,
and finally returned to the States via New York P/E January 3, 1945 . It was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina January 16, 1946 where it
remained active throughout 1946 … Commanders : MG Omar N. Bradley (Mar 42), MG Matthew B. Ridgway (Jun 42), MG James M. Gavin (Aug 44) .
Organization : 325th Gli Inf Regt, 504th Prcht Inf Regt, 505th Prcht Inf Regt, 319th Gli Fld Arty Bn, 320th Gli Fld Arty Bn, 376th
Prcht Fld Arty Bn, 456th Prcht Fld Arty Bn, 80th Abn AA Bn, Rcn Pltn, 307th Abn Engr Bn, 307th Abn Med Co, 82d CIC Det, MP Pltn, 782d Abn Ord
Maint Co, 82d Abn Sig Co, 407th Abn QM Co, 82d Prcht Maint Co + attached units . Campaigns : Sicily – Naples-Foggia – Normandy –
Rhineland – Ardennes-Alsace – Central Europe .
112th Infantry Regiment
Inducted into Federal Service at Kane, Pa. February 17, 1941 and assigned to the 28th Division . Moved to
Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pa. February 27, 1941 . The Regiment was then transferred to Cp. Livingston, La. January 11, and to Cp.
Gordon Johnston, Fla. January 17, 1942, where it was later designated 112th Infantry Regiment. It arrived at
Cp. Pickett, Va. June 2, 1943 and staged at Cp. Myles Standish, Mass. September 28, 1943, until it departed from Boston P/E October 8, 1943 .
The 112th Inf Regt arrived in England October 18, 1943 and subsequently landed in France July 22, 1944 . It crossed into Belgium September 7,
1944, into Holland September 8, 1944 and entered Germany September 11, 1944 where it got attached to the 5th Armd Div
as well as later to the 8th Inf Div . The Regiment returned to Belgium December 18, 1944, attached
to both the 106th Inf Div and later the 30th Inf Div, and again entered
Germany February 21, 1945 where it became temporarily attached to the 78th Inf Div . It finally returned home
via Boston P/E August 3, 1945 and moved to Cp. Shelby, Miss. August 6, 1945, where it was inactivated December 6, 1945 .
422d + 423d Infantry Regiments
Activated at Ft. Jackson, S.C. March 15, 1943 and both assigned
to the 106th Infantry Division . The Regiments then moved to the
Tennessee Maneuver Area January 24, 1944 . While the 422d traveled to Cp.
Atterbury, Ind. March 30, 1944 , the 423d Inf reached the same Camp March 29,
1944 . The 422d Inf Regt staged at Cp. Myles Standish, Mass. October 14, 1944
until it departed Boston P/E October 19, 1944 with destination Europe; while its
sister Regiment already staged at Cp. Myles Standish, Mass. October 10, 1944 and
was further transferred to New Jersey October 16 where it stayed until departing
New York P/E October 17, 1944 . The 422d arrived in England October 28, 1944 and
subsequently landed in France December 5, 1944 . The 423d already reached
England October 22, 1944 and landed in France the same day, i.e. also December 5
! Both Regiments crossed into Belgium December 10, 1944 and were almost
effectively destroyed in the Schnee Eifel salient December 18, 1944 during the
crucial Battle of the Bulge ! The 422d & 423d Inf Regts were rebuilt in
France March 16, 1945 and attached to the 66th Inf Div , they both
entered Germany April 25, 1945 . They returned to the ZI via New York P/E
October 1, 1945 and were inactivated at Cp. Shanks, N.Y. October 2, 1945 .
CAMPAIGN KEY
The official Ardennes-Alsace Campaign credit covered the
combat period between 16 December 1944 and 25 January 1945
Ardennes-Alsace (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945)
... when the military balance in late 44 looked darkest on the Western Front, a new enemy offensive to redress the battlefield balance,
and thereby cripple, delay, and split the Allied advance - should have come as no surprise ! Hitler's last gamble started December 16, when
initial enemy assault forces of armor, artillery and infantry, gradually staged forward to attack Allied positions along the Belgian-German-Luxembourg
borders, a so-called "quiet" sector . On the Allied side of the front, the threatened US sector appeared quiet, while daily
situation reports (dated 15 Dec 44) noted there was NOTHING to report ! This illusion would soon be completely shattered ...
TESTIMONY
(European Theater of Operations – Losheimergraben – Battle of
the Bulge – BELGIUM – December 1944)
81mm Mortar crew hurling its rounds at German attackers, picture taken during the Battle of the Bulge – winter 1944-1945
"...odd firing of the 81mm Mortar..."
My Regiment (394th Infantry Regiment, CO > Col Don Riley) had been tasked to actively defend and hold a
position (in fact, a 6500 yard front) generally along the north-south road between Neuhof and Losheimergraben, Belgium, with two Battalions
on line, and one in reserve . During the period December 10-16, 1944, the Regiment maintained contact with the 393d Inf
Regt on its left, and Task Force “X” (element of the 14th Cav Gp) on its right, actively patrolling
to the front, and continually improving defensive positions by constructing foxholes, erecting wire and minefields . The defense was generally
stabilized during the first twelve days of December, with very little enemy opposition, other than probing patrols and intermittent mortar
and artillery fire . Between December 13-15, the Regiment demonstrated offensively, by organizing raiding parties and firing all types of
weapons and supporting artillery . The Regimental CP was located at Mürringen (K-982030) .
On December 16, 1944, the enemy launched a coordinated and massive attack along our entire front . The German
assault was preceded by a 90 minute concentrated artillery preparation, armor and infantry then attacked in large numbers . In general the
Regiment held firm throughout the first attacks, except for a small penetration in the sector held by B Company . Nevertheless,
First Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division (CO > Lt Col John M. Hightower) was attached to our Regiment at
2000, December 16, re-occupying previously dug positions in the vicinity of Hünningen . Lt Col Robert H. DOUGLAS (CO >
First Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment), had just resumed inspection of the Battalion’s position, after the early morning
barrage . Three 57mm antitank guns (Capt Harold Z. Moore, CO > Antitank Company) protected the road into
Losheimergraben, .30 cal heavy machine guns were in position supporting A (CO > Lt Willard S. Clark) and B (CO > Capt Sidney A. Gooch)
Companies, while our 81-mm Mortar Platoon was dug in approximately 200 yds southeast of the Losheimergraben crossroads . We used wooden huts
for shelter, while our very position was located in a clearing, surrounded by fir trees . When the Germans penetrated the 394th Inf Regt’s
area, they were at first, succesfully repulsed, but then the enemy drove into our mortar position . The Germans attacked, and our CO decided
to request artillery support (924th Fld Arty Bn), however, the section leaders, including myself, urged to
use our 81-mm pocket artillery instead ! I yelled at the men to turn the mortar tubes around . We had the tubes propped up on the edge of our
position, and fired them at 89 degrees (the enemy was near, a bare 25 ft away), after removing some of the powder increments, in order to
have the rounds detonate as close as possible to the advancing enemy …the Germans withdrew, being hit by several tree bursts, leaving numerous
dead behind … we even took 2 prisoners for interrogation …
(Delbert J. STUMPFF, S/Sgt, D Co, 81mm Mortar Pltn, 394th Inf Regt, 99th Inf Div, USA, 37012232 recollections)
 Picture taken in 1944  Picture taken in 1999  sketch drawn by ‘Robbie’ – |
TESTIMONY
(European Theater of Operations – Buchholz Station – Battle of
the Bulge – BELGIUM – December 1944)
16 December 1944 – German Infantry and Armored attacks (December 16-19) RED lines indicate enemy advances –
wide RED continuous lines indicate Westwall / Siegfried Line defenses
"...close call ! "
… It was already after dark (early, this time of the year) when the three of us pulled into Buchholz Station
by jeep. As members of the Survey & Observation Section, C Btry, 371st Fld Arty Bn, we were to monitor the moves
of the advancing enemy forces in the neighborhood . We slept in an old barn, stood guard outside, and couldn’t help but hear the engine noise
made by the German tanks in the distance, not much to be reassured about . Third Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment
(CO > Maj Norman A. Moore) held positions around Buchholz as part of the 99th Inf Div reserve .
In the early pre-dawn hours of December 17, Peiper’s forces rolled into Buchholz Station . Sgt Curtis Fletcher
and myself were still sound asleep, when we were suddenly grabbed in our sleeping bags while a whispered voice told us, to get up …… there
were German tanks outside ! We rushed out of the basement, and followed Lieutenant Harold R. MAYER into the
dark courtyard … I barely had time to put on my overshoes, buckle up my gear, and then headed for the jeep, with the intention to retrieve
the radio in order to call friendly fire down upon the German vehicles . Three Germans were already coming up the driveway, so we dropped the
idea to get the radio, and dashed thru the barn’s rear door, into the dark tree line, getting away from the road … what a confusion ! Trying
to reach the roadside, we lost Fletcher (he was probably taken prisoner), and the Lieutenant and I crossed the road, and started hiking,
following the railroad, leading in the direction of Hünningen . I think we were damn lucky to get away … and reach friendly lines held by
elements of the 23d Infantry Regiment (2d Inf Div), blocking Rollbahn C …
(Richard H. BYERS, Sgt, C Btry, 371st Fld Arty Bn, 99th Inf Div, USA, 35523280, recollections)
 Picture taken in 1945  Picture taken in 1994  Lt. Harold R. MAYER |
I met Dick BYERS during the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge . This was going
to be the only time, since he wasn’t with the group of “Checkerboard” Veterans who visited their old battlefields in 1999
(we had the privilege to meet them in October, of that same year) . Like many Veterans, Dick Byers was a rather quiet man, he didn’t want to interfere
with anything, and preferred remaining in the background, at least he gave me that impression, when I interviewed him . It is important to note, that
Second Lieutenant Lt.Richard H. Byers was one of the original “MIA Project” (99th Inf Div Search Team)
members, which he helped set up . Having extensively travelled to Belgium and Germany, where he visited the battlegrounds he had fought in
during WWII, he became actively involved in the "MIA Project", trying to account for some of his Division buddies listed
as Missing in Action . It was he, together with some other outstanding men (such as Pvt Vern Swanson), who provided maps, stories, after action reports,
and personal reminiscences that helped the Belgian ‘Diggers’ in their search to locate remains of American soldiers killed during the Battle of the Bulge .
Lt. Richard H. Byers died on March 6, 2001 – We will never forget
these heroes …
TESTIMONY
(European Theater of Operations – Twin Villages (Krinkelt -
Rocherath) – Battle of the Bulge – BELGIUM – December 1944)
M29 Weasel attached to the Medical Detachment, 393d Inf Regt, having pulled out of the “DAKOTA” Aid Station,
at Elsenborn, Belgium, moves down the road leading to Wirzfeld …
"...breakthrough and...withdrawal..."
As soon as the initial assault had started, the Germans concentrated their main attacks against the 393d Infantry
Regiment (CO > Lt Col Jean D. Scott) . All attacks in our sector were aimed at breaching the frontline defenses, thus allowing
enemy armor (such as the 1st SS Panzer Division – Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler) to exploit the different
Rollbahns and dash for the Meuse River …
… Because of the unexpected enemy attack, which followed after a terrible artillery shelling, we didn’t have enough time to position our
antitank guns (we had 9 57mm guns) . The Germans drove thru, overwhelming C Company elements, and launching strong attacks against B Company
which partly had to fall back . Major Matthew L. LEGLER (CO > First Battalion, 393d Infantry Regiment),
asked the Regiment for immediate help . Surprised by the magnitude of the German attack, there was a lot of confusion,
Captain George K. MAERTENS (CO > Antitank Company), decided to call upon his only uncommitted reserve, the Antitank Mine Platoon !
My boss, Lieutenant Harry C. PARKER, was to try and establish contact with C Company . The group was a kind of
‘relief team’, not only consisting of regular infantry, but including kitchen personnel, mess sergeants, antitank and mine crews . The aim
was to try and join C Company, break thru the surrounded unit, and consolidate a defense perimeter . Our counter attack progressed toward the
enemy lines, but when approaching C Company Headquarters, we received a lot of incoming German artillery fire . That’s when the Lieutenant
ordered us to fix bayonets and charge the enemy machine gun positions … I don’t know how we did it … but we certainly advanced continually
yelling like mad and making a hell of a noise, pretending to be a much larger body of troops, than we actually were . We only killed a few
Germans, and the remainder took off . We then teamed up with C Company survivors and set up a new perimeter, where we spent a cold night !
area of Krinkelt-Rocherath, destroyed Panzer IV
(probably knocked out by 644th TD Bn)
The harsh fighting cost us dearly, our Battalion had lost over half its effective strength, while the 3d Battalion had likewise suffered
enormously – hence our position was hopeless ! Temporary help was however on its way, 3d Bn, 23d Inf Regt, 2d Inf Div which moved forward
to an assembly point near the villages of Krinkelt-Rocherath . At that particular period of time, there were no more reserves available, and
being dispersed and shaken, withdrawal was the only option to our men … which started, I believe, during morning of December 17 . The 2d Inf
Div troops would hold the ‘Twin Villages’ until all American stragglers had passed thru . Withdrawal toward Elsenborn Ridge was the next
immediate move ! (the 26th Inf Regt, 1st Inf Div was transferred from VII to V corps and moved south to Camp Elsenborn, in order to boost
both defenses and morale) .
By war’s end, I couldn’t reach the minimum points, so I got re-assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, life
was boring, except for minor and odd activities, there was not much to do, except follow the “Nuremburg Trial”
. In the end I managed to scrounge enough points, and with a reasonable ASR, I finally got sent home course of April 1946 …
(Ted SHILLIDAY, Pvt, AT Co, AT Mine Pltn, 393d Inf Regt, 99th Inf Div, USA, 35926892, recollections)
 postwar picture of  Lt. Harry C. PARKER |
