Company C had reorganized and sent one platoon to the east of Basse Ham, between the town
and the river, on around to cut the road leading southwest out of town and set up a block, to catch any
Germans that might be driven out that edge of town. At a predesignated time, the remainder of
Company C made a night attack of the town, sweeping down the main street of town, clearing the
buildings on either side, as they progressed. This was a complete surprise to the Germans within the
town. Some were in the houses in bed and had to be awakened upon capture. Only those on guard put
up any resistance, which was fierce but momentary. The entire town had been cleared prior to daylight,
with the exception of a few snipers located in some outlying buildings to the east of town. These were
soon neutralized. This rapid capture of BASSE HAM afforded facilities for the setting up of the
Battalion Aid Station, which was making a crossing of the river simultaneous to the attack on the town.
There was, evidently, no communication between the forces in the fort and those in the town, for this
action had been completed without a response from the fort.
53 (Map E)
At 0715 Companies A and B, from their respective positions, started their assault with two
platoons abreast in each company. They charged up the gradual incline, which grew steeper and steeper
as they progressed. The assault passed over the barbed wire entanglements and was progressing on
toward the system of trenches that surrounded the crest of the hill. The entire action, to this point, had
been accomplished without a shot being fired at them. It was not until A Company had come within
sight of the trenches that a sentry in an armored observation post fired on Company A and gave the
alarm. Company A had reached the trenches and took cover therein. Company B had been stopped
just short of the barbed wire.
At the sound of the alarm, 50 mm mortar fire began to fall on the positions. The fire could be
brought down on the fort with no harm to the occupants, but the attackers on the outside, began to take
casualties. This fire had been, previously, zeroed in from positions within the main fort and also from
other adjoining forts. By this time, all the troops of the battalion had crossed the river that were going to
get across for the rest of the day. Heavy mortar fire, also, began to fall into the town of Basse Ham.
The troops were in the cellars and in the buildings, so the fire was ineffective, as far as casualties were
concerned. It restricted movement somewhat. It was now about 0900 and Company C had completely
cleared the town and had pushed a platoon out the highway to the southwest town, to occupy those
outlying buildings. They were to serve as a flank protection for the Battalion, as well as, for the
division. This was an open flank, all the way to Thionville, where the 95th division had elements.
54
Now, we find the battalion disposed as follows: in Basse Ham, There was Company C protecting
the town and the south flank of the division, one platoon of machine guns from Company D was
attached. The battalion aid station was in operation in a secure basement at the main intersection of the
town. Battalion Headquarters Company and the command group were in operation in the town.
Company D was intact, save one section of 81 mm mortars, that had been forced back from the crossing
site by mortar fire. The mortars that were across were set up in the town to cover the right flank of the
battalion. They could not be of value to fire on the fort, itself, in support of the infantry. Company A
with one platoon of heavy machine guns attached and Company B with attached engineers, were
disposed around the west and southwest edges of the fort.
55 (Map E)
From these dispositions, a systematic reduction of the main fort was to take place. The rifle
troops were taking a heavy pounding from the mortar fire that was falling on the fort. The observers
could observe from the armored observation post, located on top of the fort, and bring the observed fire
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