positions and fell in the area to the south of us. On Oct. 30th a Jerry flew over our positions at dawn and
hits were claimed by several sections.
During our stay at Vionville we were harried by cold and rain. There were but a few good days
in our entire stay in that area.
On November 2nd we moved North and to the rear to Boudrezy for a training program. The 1st
Platoon remained operational and set up a defense area around division installations, while the 2nd
Platoon assembled at the training area.
We went through two days of a proposed training schedule, but the program was interrupted on
Nov. 5th when we accompanied elements of the 90th Division in a blackout move to a position west of
the Moselle River near Boler, where the division was assembling in preparation for an attack to establish
a bridgehead on the east bank of the Moselle. The move was very difficult and several of our trucks
went off the road. One truck and gun tipped over, but no one was seriously hurt. We bivouacked for the
next day and moved into positions the following night under orders NOT TO DISCLOSE OUR
POSITION BY OPENING FIRE. We remained in these positions for over a week, while the assault was
made and the bridgehead established. On November 14th we crossed the Moselle over the pontoon
bridge constructed at Cattenom and went into position near Koenigsmacher. We moved the following
day to a position slightly southeast near Basse-Ham, the move was made at night and great care was
taken as there were several mine fields in the area. Lt. Snow was injured on Nov. 16th when he stepped
on a Schu mine. His condition was serious and he was evacuated. It made us more mine conscious than
ever and we all felt very badly about his wounds and subsequent evacuation.
We moved on Nov. 17th to Distroff, which the day previous had been the scene of a violent
German counter attack. We saw visible signs of its ferocity, and how very definitely it was repulsed. We
were moving often at this time, reminiscent of the drive through France, and morale was high. The
division was flanking Metz to the north, and the Germans were said to be evacuating the fortress city.
We moved three times the following day (Nov. 18th), through Metzervisse, Metzeresch, Maucy
and a night move to the vicinity of St. Hubert. During the day 2 P-5l’s strafed friendly troops and we
went into action as they were identified to have enemy markings. One was seen to crash to the west of
us.
We moved again the following day through Vry and Charleville, and set up a defense for the
final phase of the operation. Late that day we received word of a move back to Distroff, which was
accomplished, and we waited to move to a new area upon order. The men got a few days of rest at this
point, and we gassed the trucks and checked our equipment. On Nov. 21 we moved north to Montenach
where we set up a defense of the town, awaiting still further notice of a move.
November 22nd was a memorable day. The Battery entered Germany proper at 0958 and set up
in the vicinity of Perl. A reconnaissance party had entered at 1700 on Nov. 21st and this was the first
element of the 537th AAA (AW) Battalion to set up on German soil.
November 23rd was Thanksgiving and we were issued turkey. It was our 3rd Thanksgiving
dinner in the Army. The weather continued to be very damp and the ground was soft, giving us quite a
bit of trouble.
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