The battalion CP and supply dump were assigned to our observer since they were the largest
buildings. The other observers were assigned the remaining targets, and all went to work on them with
their respective battalions. Adjustments were made on both targets assigned to our battalion, The
ammunition dump was hit several times. It began to burn and was still burning three days later. The
German battalion CP took several direct hits from our 155 shells.
Following the concentrations on the CP, an enemy party requested permission to enter our lines
to speak to the Commander. As they approached, a cease-fire order was given. The party, consisting of
an Oberlieutnant and a Pvt., requested permission to negotiate a surrender between the two unit
commanders. A meeting was arranged and the enemy battalion surrendered 435 officers and men. The
only concession to the enemy was the fulfillment of his request of aid to their wounded. The town of
Briey was occupied that evening by our Infantry.
From the Briey vicinity the battalion maneuvered through the general vicinity of Lommerange,
Fontoy, Milvange, Velmerange, and Marspich. On the 11th of September C Battery of the 537th AAA
Battalion, Undue Charlie, was relieved of their assignment as air defense for our battalion. On 12th
September, we were attached to the 344th Battalion with the mission of direct support. On the 14th, all
batteries except C Battery were relieved of this assignment and moved to a rendezvous area in the
vicinity of Avril.
C Battery, assigned the mission of supporting the fires of the 344th FA Battalion, set up its own
fire direction. With the aid of several of the members of the battalion fire direction team, T/4 Zink, T/5
Cioffi, and Cpl. Stephens, the battery FDC successfully accomplished its mission. Charlie Battery was
located about 1000 yards behind several of the larger forts of the Maginot line. The battery was
subjected to intermittent shelling, but no damage was incurred. The remainder of the battalion had
moved to the Metz sector and was firing constantly on targets at Malmaison, Gravellotte, St. Hubert,
Moscou Farm, Armanvillers, Champenois, and Forts Jeanne D’Arc, Lorraine and Driant.
Beginning the 27th, the battalion, with two batteries, was in position near Montois. From this
position, we had the mission of general support and reinforcing the fires of the 343rd FA Battalion. C
Battery was relieved of its assignment at Marspich and returned to the battalion to occupy a position
area at Malancourt. The first platoon D Battery, 537th AAA Battalion was attached as air defense for
the 345th.
During October, the battalion remained in position in the Montois sector generally supporting the
attack for the town of Mazierres les Metz. D Battery, a battery of 10.5cm German howitzers, was used
extensively and many rounds of German ammunition were sent back to the original owners via their
own weapons. The position areas were not too good. However, after a few days work on the part of
everyone, the firing batteries had positions that were suitable for any type of action. Large gun pits were
dug and afforded plenty of protection for the howitzers and crews. Behind the pits, the crews placed
their dugouts. Electricity was available in some cases and C Battery had lights, radios, and heat in every
section and was given a special commendation from General Bixby, CG 90th Div-Arty. The fight for
Mazieres was long, tough and bitter. This industrial city had many factories and masonry buildings
which provided excellent sites for defense; so it became a vital hinge in the defense of Metz. The enemy
elected to defend Mazieres to the last man.
The fight progressed: the Infantrymen had to move from house-to-house, fighting every step of
the way. Many times there were Americans in one room of a building and Germans in another. The
Germans had also installed many fortifications throughout the town, so 8 inch howitzers and self-
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