prior to daylight. This was to be done by sending one platoon to the south end of town, via the enemy
side of the river, and set up a blocking screen. One platoon was to make a sweep down the main street
of town from the north, to kill or capture all Germans possible and drive the remainder out of the south
end of town, where the platoon there would take care of them. Company B upon crossing was to join
Company A on the railroad tracks, here organize and prepare to assault the fort at the break of day.
38
This plan was disseminated to the various commanders for their study and orientation.
The battalion moved, by shuttle from its rear assembly at Morfontaine, beginning in the mid-
afternoon of 7 November, to Hayange. At this town a meal was served for supper. This was about 1900
in the evening. After this brief halt an nourishment the battalion moved on by shuttle to the rear, west of
Cattenom Forest, where the battalion detrucked to moved by foot to previously reconnoitered assembly
areas within the forest. This was completed by about 2100. The troops bedded down for the remainder
of the night. This was to be the last restful sleep for about the next two weeks.
39
Throughout the next day, 8 November, a more thorough reconnaissance was made by company
commanders. The battalion commander and staff completed the last minute preparations. The boat
loads were rechecked, equipment rechecked and all the last-minute personal details taken care of.
40
Arrangements and coordination had been made with the 179th Engineer Battalion, supporting
this operation. They were to drop the assault boats at the little village of HUZANGE. There the
infantry and engineers would meet and begin the hand carry of the boats to the river, about 1500 yards
distance. This was later proven to be a mistake, because of the long haul.
41
All unit commanders were taken to a vantage point in the edge of the Cattenom Forest, which
overlooked the entire field of operations. From here could be seen the point at which the boats would be
picked up, the area to be traversed en route to the river, the crossing area, the assembly point along the
railroad, the town of Basse Ham and the rising hill mass to the east upon which sat Fort
Koenigsmacher.
42
At this point they were thoroughly oriented and all last-minute coordination between
the battalion and company commanders was made. The unit commanders, in turn, brought all N.C.O.’s
down to and including squad leaders, to this same vantage point. At this time the same thorough
briefing was given and all questions concerning the operation answered as far as possible. This was
truly one of the few times in which the entire battalion knew what it had to do and had seen the area over
which the operation was to take place.
43
About 1700, 8th November, the battalion commander assembled the battalion in a group, in the
Cattenom Forest. Here he went over the entire plan, as previously given, very thoroughly and laid down
a standard that he expected every individual to reach in the impending operation. He, being a very
forceful and courageous character, instilled in every man the necessity of accomplishing the mission
ahead.
44
The companies were released to return to their company areas to get as much rest as possible
prior to the departure from the assembly areas. There was not much sleeping that night for thinking of
the operation to come was of utmost priority. The departure from the assembly area was scheduled at
0100.
45
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