THE ASSAULT
The first wave was scheduled to start its crossing at 0330. To make this schedule the battalion
moved from its assembly area in the Cattenom Forest at 0100. The order of companies was the same
order as set up in the planning stages for the various waves. The first wave elements leading, second
wave and so on.
The march from the assembly area to Huzange, the boat pickup point, was about 2 ½ miles. At
this point the 179 Engineer Battalion had dropped the 40 boats to be used by the 1st Battalion. There
were three engineers with each boatload of twelve infantryman.
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Huzange was the last cover to be had. When the troops left this point it was wide open. The first
wave picked up their boats and started the 1500 yard carry to the riverbank. The move was to be secret,
yet you could hear the muffled curses of the men, as they stumbled along in the pitch blackness with
their individual loads of weapons and ammunition and rations, as well as this cumbersome assault boat.
The men had to rest at intervals en route to the riverbank. This long haul was a mistake, yet there was
no other arrangement to be made and maintain the desired secrecy.
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The first wave entered the water at 0330 and crossed without mishap except that the rising river,
caused by the excess rain, had carried them some 1000 yards further downstream than contemplated.
On previous occupation of Thionville by the 90th Division the river current had been charted but the
rising condition made a difference. This condition of the River had also inundated the prepared
positions on the enemy side of the river. They were not manned. It had also permitted the boats floating
over mine fields that would have normally been exposed. The river was a friend at this particular time.
So far, not a shot had been fired. The second wave had the same good fortune as the first wave. The
enemy had not yet discovered the crossing. Everything had gone as clockwork to now. Company A had
formed on the railroad track, Company C had also organized and was preparing for its assault on
BASSE HAM.
51 (Map E)
There was, however, a hitch with the third wave. The engineer having returned from the first
and second wave did not wait for the third wave. They, thinking their job had been done, left the boats.
It was about an hour before the third wave, manning their own boats, had succeeded in crossing. They
reached the railroad tracks and organized along with Company A. That put Companies A and B
assembled and ready to move out for the fort at daybreak. Company C was ready to assault the town.
The fourth wave, not having heard from the third wave, sent a five-man search party to see what the
cross up was. They found the remainder of the boats, not used by the third wave, unattended. Due to
the delay, the fourth wave did not complete its crossing until about 0715. The Germans had, by this
time, discovered the crossing and it begun to shell the crossing area. As a result a part of the Mortar
Platoon of Company D did not make the crossing and was forced to move back to Cattenom.
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In the meantime, A and B Companies, after assembling on the railroad track, moved out in a
column of platoons over the open area to the woods that surrounded Fort Koenigsmacher. Here
complete reorganization took place. Company A formed up in a skirmish line. Here they waited until
the previously designated time for the coordinated assault to arrive. Which was 0715.
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