THE DEFENSIVE
Because of the enemy’s penetration into the Ardennes, it was feared that he might launch an
attack into our weakest point, the gap between our right flank and the 103rd Division’s left flank, an area
being screened by the 106th Cavalry Group. A reconnaissance for defensive positions was initiated both
by the Division and the 607th. The 3rd Reconnaissance Platoon established OP’s and listening posts
near Werbein and maintained contact with the 106th Cavalry Squadron on the Division’s right flank.
On December 25th Company B assembled in Merten, being relieved by Company A, and on
December 26th the Battalion CP plus Reconnaissance Company minus detached platoons, moved to
Berus. The 1st Reconnaissance Platoon moved to the right flank of the Division (south of the 3rd
Platoon) and established their CP and contact with 121st Cavalry Squadron at Carlsbrun. They
reconnoitered routes and terrain in the area and located OP’s from where it was possible to observe any
enemy attack coming out of Forbach. (four miles southwest of Saarbrucken). Companies B and C
reconnoitered defensive positions in the vicinity of L’Hopital and St. Avold, respectively, to meet any
enemy threat. On December 27th these same companies placed platoons in indirect fire positions in
Merten. and Berweiler. On December 29th the Pioneer Platoon, supporting the 206th Engineer
Battalion, prepared nine roadblocks, which would be blown in case of an attack in the vicinity of St.
Avold.
During the month of December 1945 the Battalion chalked up the following score:
In direct action fired 3719 rounds of 90mm HE, 1209 rounds of APC.
In indirect action fired 1590 rounds on 86 missions.
Destroyed - 8 tanks (1 MK III, 6 MK IV, 1 MK V). [Figure 4-1]
10 75mm AT guns
9 machine guns
8 20mm AA guns
90 pillboxes
Prisoners taken – 94
During the week January 1-7 the Battalion continued to improve its defensive plans. The
companies were rotated and the reconnaissance platoons continued to maintain contact with the units on
the right flank of the Division. In Saarlautern the hammering at the Siegfried Line continued.
On January 7th, Company B, with the 1st Reconnaissance Platoon attached, was attached to the
6th Cavalry Group, which, with the 94th Infantry Division, was holding a portion of the southern
shoulder of the Ardennes bulge. This area was located just northeast of the boundary between France,
Luxembourg and Germany and at the edge of the Siegfried Line. Company B moved into an assembly
area near Halstroff. After reconnoitering for gun positions they were reattached to the 94th Division on
the 14th when they were committed, one platoon assisting in the capture of and then providing AT
defense for Tettingen. The Company CP and other platoons moved to Sehndorf. On January 18th the
enemy attacked with undetermined number of tanks and half-tracks. Company B having guns in
Tettingen, Nennig, and Besch, repulsed the attack in the Tettingen area, destroying five tanks.
Back around Saarlautern 3rd Platoon of Company C assisted in repelling a heavy enemy
counterattack, losing a destroyer to bazooka fire. On January 14th Company A had moved to St. Avold
ready to go into firing positions in case of an enemy attack and on the 18th assembled near Merten,
having been relieved by the 704th TD Battalion.
 |
 |
 |