Up to date, December 19 the S.P. gun had knocked out 10 pillboxes and damaged four others.
On the 19th, twenty-three men were transferred to the infantry. We were informed also that on the night
of the 21st and 22nd that the infantry would be withdrawn. It looked as if we were needed elsewhere,
especially the "Bulge". During the next evening and morning the infantry was brought back in boats, for
no bridge had ever been put in, everything had been ferried back and forth. Behind them the
"Doughboys" had left the town that had been completely devastated. A town that was never again to be
retaken by the Germans. It was a big dent in the highly vaunted Siegfried line, regardless of the cost to
our men.
At 0600 on the morning of the 23rd we moved out of Gissingen and after passing through several
small rather beaten up towns we went in to position around Gongalfangen. The reason for this move
instead of the “Bulge” was to take up a defensive position, with a series of positions that we could fall
back to in case Von Runstedt tried to break through in our sector. Bridge approaches were mined and
trees were prepared for hasty roadblocks. During this time Fire Direction was preparing all kinds of
defensive fires, with the usual, “on the ball” work of the survey section. While this work was going on
we were intently awaiting news of the happenings up in the Ardennes but as yet nothing could be
determined, other than a bunch of personal opinions. That night Cpl. Bruss, computer from B Battery,
played midwife to a cow, she was having trouble dropping her calf. As Christmas approached our
thoughts, taking up a lot of our thoughts of home, were still on the outcome in the Ardennes, wondering
if any good news would come out, so as to make everyone a little more at ease. Christmas Eve came
and went, turkeys and champagne having been distributed to all the batteries. Sent 524 rounds over
towards Jerry just to let them know that there was a lot of Hell in store for him if he dared to venture our
way, and to remind him that "Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Man" was a good thing to strive for.
Christmas day came upon us with all its meaning shrouded by the dark cloak of Mars, but the Lord knew
that we wished to celebrate his nativity in a bright and cheerful manner, and we found that he heard
General Patton's prayer, for the sun came out in all its splendor and at least made the day as cheerful as
possible. Later that morning the Red Cross doughnut wagon pulled in and made the day more pleasant.
The chaplains also did right by us all, for their services were inspiring to the most downhearted. As far
as action was concerned the day remained quiet, but that night we sent a very new and deadly shell
screaming into the enemy lines. The German offensive and magnificent defense of Bastogne were the
main topics of discussion. Though the weather had cleared, it had turned extremely cold. The firing
batteries were in pyramidal tents and hot stoves, headquarters was in houses, so everyone was not
suffering too much from cold weather. December 31st, the year came to an end, 205 rounds were fired
otherwise it was very quiet. New Year's Day found us still at Gongalfangen and outlaying districts, and
direct support of the 358th Infantry, with the 343rd F.A. still lending their support to us. Enemy aircraft
have become more frequent of late, one was shot down near Waldweisse. Our planes patrolled the skies
from dawn to dusk. We had several snowstorms and the roads were bad. Everyone was on edge, for
tales had been spread about the enemy as more ruthless than ever, and would hesitate at nothing to get
what and go where they wanted. They had been apprehended behind our lines, dressed in our uniform,
thus throwing all travelers, under suspicion, and causing us to stop all cars on the roads.
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