retrieving a half track loaded with ammunition and gasoline in face of heavy shelling, and Sgt. Oscar
Kaiser, for evacuating a wounded comrade 800 yards in front of friendly lines while under furious
enemy fire.
Just north of Falck one of the most costly single battles occurred. On November 28th the 3rd
Platoon of Company C, commanded by Lt. Leroy C. Baker, moved from a reserve position to relieve the
1st Platoon, which was supporting the 1st Battalion of the 378th Infantry in Falck. The platoon leader
was given the mission to proceed according to a time schedule up the main road from Falck to Merten
and to meet the infantry on the edge of a Merten. It was understood that the infantry was to storm the
town by flanking attacks from the north and the south prior to the platoon’s entrance into the town. The
platoon proceeded according to the time schedule towards the town through artillery fire which was
falling along the road. The leading destroyer reached the west end of Merten where it was stopped by an
anti-tank barrier. It fired several rounds into the town which was still occupied by the enemy. In an
effort to bypass the barrier, the destroyer became bogged in the mud and was fired upon and destroyed
by an enemy anti-tank gun. The second destroyer of the platoon, following the first, turned around and
made its way back to Falck after the first was hit. The third destroyer received a hit from an AT gun,
and losing a track, its swerved off the road into a ditch where it was set afire by the enemy AT gun. The
fourth destroyer had the mission of covering the advancing three. Observing the flash of the AT gun, it
attempted to return the fire but the gun failed to function. Trying to turn the destroyer around ended
with it also becoming bogged down in the mud. This destroyer was later recovered. The remnants of
the platoon assembled in the vicinity of Falck and later returned to the Company CP. Pfc. Benjamin T.
Oakley was awarded the Silver Star for voluntarily going to the vicinity of Merten, under heavy
shellfire, and assisting in the evacuation of the wounded.
During November the Battalion fired 5590 rounds indirect fire, took 206 prisoners and destroyed
the following listed enemy equipment by direct fire.
3 Anti-tank guns
6 Anti-aircraft guns
3 Machine guns
4 Pillboxes
3 Ammunition carts
2 Light vehicles
Several enemy strong points and OP’s.
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