January 1945

1 January 1945
The squad from "C" Company operated sand pit near Finsterthal. A shovel remained at work there also. All Companies were working hauling sand for controlling icy routes within Corps area as well as the secondary roads. Two trucks and a platoon from "B" Company completed a second task for the 7th Engrs. of hauling wire to town of Angelsberg. Two officers new in the Bn. were given their assignment. Lt. Baker was assigned as Asst. S-3, Lt. Huntington was placed with "C" Company.

2 January 1945
In order to test-fire the Bn. 30 and 50 caliber machine guns a range was set up one-half mile west of Rollingen. Plans were afoot to fire each company's machine gun tomorrow. One platoon from each company was in reserve. The remainder of each company was committed to hauling sand for stock piling along hazardous stretches of Corps routes, both main and secondary.

3 January 1945
The Bn's operations continued to be in general support of the XII Corps Engineer operation's efforts to control any hazardous road conditions continued. All companies hauled required sand for control of icy surfaces with one platoon from "B" Company in reserve. The sand pit was in continual operation by one squad of "C" Company. The Bn. machine guns were test fired by their ?? on 1000 inch range in the vicinity of ??. During this season a creditable series of entertainment was arranged by Lt. Hubbard, Special Service officer.

4 January 1945
No vital change took place within the Battalion operations. Hazardous road conditions prevailed throughout the assigned Corps road sector. This required constant patrolling and sanding which was done by two platoons from each company. Particular attention was paid to the routes along the higher ground where freezing conditions were more severe.

5 January 1945
Conditions remained quite static. The major task remained the same, sanding and patrolling by each company of the dangerous icy spots on the assigned routes. Lt. Vose and Lt. Brakey received battlefield commissions and were assigned to "C" Company. With this addition of officer strength Lt. Villedsen and Lt. Snow returned to HQ. as Asst. S-2 Recon. officer.

6 January 1945
A second shovel was place in pit near Finstorthal. All Bn's of Group were loading sand here. The Bn. continued working along the assigned corps MSR's and secondary roads. Two platoons from each company were committed to hauling sand and checking all icy points. Remaining platoons in reserve cleaned equipment.

7 January 1945!
Static conditions prevailed throughout all the companies. With the shovel working more efficiently through the day and night 180 loads amounting to 450 yards. were produced at the pit. Some reconnaissance was being made at bridge sites along the Sauer River especially in the vicinity of Diekirch. This reconnaissance was performed during the night also.

8 January 1945
Snow which continued to fall intermittently recovered the routes previously sanded. This required constant sanding. The routes commence on N-7 at Lintgen running North, Northeast and Northwest to the limits of the tactical situation. All companies had two platoons each controlling the hazardous road surfaces. Security was also emphasized. Several homes of known enemy sympathizers in Rollingen were visited and investigated by S-2. Lofts of housing carrier pigeons were also searched for.

9 January 1945
Each company was employed in snow removal using blade mount on 4 Ton truck. The reserve platoon in each company conducted a 3-hour refresher course in Infantry tactics. Plans for the experimental use of salt and sand mixture for ice control were affected. "A" and "B" Company's sent a platoon each to the ?? Engrs. and 166 Engrs areas respectively to familiarize themselves with the named Bn's barrier plan.

10 January 1945
No improvement in road conditions and the persistent accompanying hazards was noted. Therefore each company continued minus one platoon in the routine work of constantly sanding the assigned routes.

11 January 1945
Infantry tactics were being reviewed further in each company. A bill of materials for the eventual barge and boom construction was being drawn up by Lt. Baker according to specified instructions. A visit was paid by Lt. Lyon, former Bn. Adjutant now with Group, to S-2 and 3.

12 January 1945
Routine operations remained unchanged throughout the Bn. Our assignment of maintaining routes, both main and secondary in a sector of Corps area, was fulfilled by two platoons from each Company. These platoons hauled sand and patrolled icy hazardous points. The three remaining platoons of each company cleaned and did maintenance work on their equipment. An experiment of spreading a mixture of 10% salt with sand was conducted on icy roads. This percentage of salt was found to be too great and was reduced. This proved satisfactory for dissolving and ice conditions creating a road hazard.

13 January 1945
No change in duties were received. However, a new area divided into 3 zones was assigned to Bn. south and west of city of Luxembourg. Two reconnaissance parties were despatched to find requirements and possibilities for creating a barrier here. The Bn. procured a dozer. This was mounted on a Sherman 27-Ton medium tank. One enlisted man from each company was selected for driving and maintenance instructions on this piece of equipment.

14 January 1945
With the tank-dozer now within the Bn., high interest was shown in its operative features. Its blade operated hydraulically. Capacity production was being maintained at the sand pit operated by a squad from "C" Company. The usual quote of two platoons continued work along all routes of hazard.

15 January 1945
A trial inflation was made by one platoon from "A" Company of Pneumatic boats and loading on vehicles with the saddles was conducted at 509th LP Co. Control of road hazards due to frozen snow and ice continued to be SOP. Awards within the Bns. were presented at ceremonies held in Mersch theater. One of the more notable features was the unexpected yet deserved award of the D.S.C. to Lt. Col. Reagan. All awards including Bronze and Silver Stars were personally presented by XII Corps Commander, Major General Eddy.

16 January 1945
The sand pit produced 149 loads totaling 285 yards. One squad from "C" Company was operating the pit. One platoon from "A" and "B" Company were each occupied cleaning and maintaining their equipment.. The balance of all companies were active in the routine operations of ice control.

17 January 1945
Operations were developing and of a more interesting nature in the Bn. area. One platoon from "A" Company prepared and assembled equipment to construct Treadway Bridge in the vicinity of Gilsdorf. This was also true of "B" Company whose materials were being assembled for construction of Treadway in the vicinity of Diekirch. "C" Company completed Bailey Bridge, 80' D/S at Ettelbruck. Control of all hazardous road areas caused by snow or ice was still continued as an important Bn. mission.

18 January 1945
All companies were at work on bridges with varying success. "C" Company completed a second 80' D/S Bailey Bridge North of Ettelbruck uninterrupted despite sporadic artillery fire in the vicinity. "A" Company worked at Gilsdorf with progress more slow. After evaluating the situation a decision to commence work was made at 1200 hours. However, nothing could be accomplished until 1400 hours and then was terminated by an immediate mortar barrage. Resumption started at 1840 hours. The Treadway Bridge over the river near Diekirch could not be placed. Mines and booby traps plus the tactical situation made work impractical. Plans to commence as soon as feasible. With these missions done, injuries were counted up. It was found that Lt. Gray was lightly hurt. Also four from "A" Company.

19 January 1945
"A" Company, having finished their floating Treadway at Giladorf, placed an anti-mine beam 300 yards west of the bridge. One platoon worked on the approaches and maintained same while another provided security here. While standing by to build a Class 40 Heavy Pontoon Bridge at Diekirch "B" Company cleared mines and obstacles on roadway leading to bridge site. "C" Company placed Treads on both Bailey Bridges at Ettelbruck. Two squads provided security for these bridges. A road to bridge located Northeast of Ettelbruck was also constructed. Promptness in Treading Baileys was very necessary now due to the substantial peril the chess created by tanks now using snow and grousers on there treads.

20 January 1945
"A" and "C" Companies worked on placing two Bailey Bridges Northeast of Ettelbruck. The first named Bridges finished 120' D/D over RR with a continuing Ramp to "C" Company T/S Bailey Bridge of 90' over the Sauer River. Treading was placed by midnight. The task of "B" Company at Diekrich was completed at 1050 hours. This 160' Heavy Pontoon erection had been substantially delayed due to enemy placed mines. Also the time was consumed awaiting an additional heavy Pontoon required beyond previous position caused this addition. Final Treading was put on by 1430 hours.

21 January 1945
"A" Company was well occupied disposing of minefield in the vicinity of their bridge site. Total destroyed was 642 Schu mines. 18 Tellermines (No. ?) and 9 U.S. anti-tank mines. One squad from "B" Company was placed to operate sand pit west of Mersch. "C" Company maintained three Bailey Bridges with one platoon which were previously constructed by the company. One squad also worked removing minefields near Ettelbruck.

22 January 1945
"B" Company oriented two platoons in the rear barrier zone of 5th Division. A minefield was cleared by one platoon from "C" Company at bridges where a second platoon did maintenance work in the vicinity of Ettalbruck. "A" Company was mainly occupied sanding hills and curves along MSR's. Two platoons where used.

23 January 1945
"A" Company had three platoons occupied all the day. Two were working on a 120' D/D Bailey Bridge, South of Lipperscheid. It was now not the site but the steep hair-pin turn road leading to it which presented problems for vehicles bearing construction material. This delayed a rapid conclusion of the task. The barrier zone in 5th Division rear area, manned by two platoons from "B" Company. "C" Company besides its maintenance work on bridges North of Ettelbruck a platoon on more sanded roads.

24 January 1945
"A" Company retained one squad to maintain the D/D 120' Bailey Bridge which was finished just south of Lipperscheid at noon. "B" company in addition to squat operating sand pit, placed 2 platoons on a 4-hr alert to non Barrier zone. The adjoining Bailey Bridge in Ettelbruck were under constant maintenance by a "C" Company squad. All companies had men removing snow and sanding roads. The routes followed the Rippweiler Northeast thru Boevange and Bissen to Colmar and Ettelbruck. Also main route from Luxembourg North to Mersch with secondary roads containing hazards which are located between these main supply routes.

25 January 1945
A squad from "A" Company cleared debris from road at bridge site South of Lipperscheid. A second squad maintained bridge at first named site. "B" Company continued operation of the Sand Pit and had two platoons on four hour alert to man 5th Division rear area barrier zone. The bridges were still on "C" Companies work assignment for maintenance North of Ettelbruck. Roads requiring sanding, plowing, or any other work to hazards were attended to by each company in its sector.

26 January 1945
Reconnaissance has been quite extensive in an effort to find a suitable grade and location of a sand or gravel pit. A 140' T/S Bailey Bridge was placed over the RR and Sauer River about one mile north of Bourscheid. Construction started at 1415 hours and at 2030 hours it was completed. This mission was a "C" Company accomplishment with 2 platoons. Besides a fairly complete coverage of all more traveled routes which were being plowed of snow and sanded by all companies. "A" Company kept its Bailey Bridge South of Lipperscheid in working order. "B" Company with one squad supplied sand from pit west of Mersch and was ready to man barrier zone on a 4-hour notice. "C" Company maintained their bridges at Ettelbruck.

27 January 1945
Plans for a coordinated move of HQ in an exchange of location with 133rd Engr. was arranged to take place in the morning. A 110' T/S Bailey Bridge was 15% complete at 1800 hours with plans to resume work on it tomorrow. Two platoons were on this task. The road from Bourscheid to a point 5 miles north was being swept and cleared of mines by a "C" company platoon. Also an airstrip at Ettelbruck was cleared of snow by &laqo; squad from the same company. At 2050 hours a 140' T/S Bailey Bridge was completed by two platoons from "C" Company located at ?? South of Schlindermanderscheid. The routine but vital tasks of keeping roads cleared from snow and ice continues with all companies.

28 January 1945
Bn.. HQ. with H&S Company established new operational quarters in the morning at Colmar. "C" Company also found quarters with its CP here. "A" Company relocated in Berg. With one air strip cleared of snow by "C" Company yesterday the D-7 was dispatched from "A" Company to remove snow from a second strip between Bissen and Colmar. Two platoons were also occupied placing a Bailey Bridge of 110' Length T/S on Sauer River slightly North of previous "C" Company Bailey Bridge. Besides working Sand Pit and remaining as yet on 4 hour alert to man barrier zone "B" Company as did all the other companies patrolled, sanded, and plowed all their vital routes. Slippery conditions were common requiring constant vigilance.

29 January 1945
"C" Company disposed its entire company sanding roads. A defined area of responsibility had been received from Group for Bn.. Coverage. "B" Company also minus one squad which operated the Sand Pit worked its road assignment. "A" Company completed a 110' T/S Bailey Bridge in the vicinity of Schlindermanderscheid, with one platoon in reserve. A third platoon was on a working road patrol.

30 January 1945
Two companies were given assignments of building a Bailey each. These bridges were of quite long length. "A" Company operated at Gilsdorf site clearing it of debris and mines preparatory to building their 240' D/S Bailey Bridge. "B" Company was preparing the second site at Bettendorf was a continuous Bailey and was to be 290' long and located at Bettendorf. "C" Company employed all platoons sanding roads and plowing. "A" and "B" Companies also had one platoon each on road hazard control. Experience in manipulation of the M-29 cargo carrier was being received by officers and men in headquarters. The vehicle is assigned to Gp. for appropriate uses. An accident investigation was in progress as to the disabling of a dozen or more men, one fatally, in a 6x6, 2 Ton vehicle returning from an entertainment in Mersch. Battalion headquarters entertained Col. Keller accompanied by Capt. Martin both of the 1135 Engr. (C.) Gp.

31 January 1945
The Bailey Bridge projects were continuing. "A" Company was at Giladorf with two platoons on the 240' D/S Bailey Bridge. The site posed some difficulties. One prior was not very satisfactory and a sudden thaw created a flood stage with a swift current hampered efforts to reinforce it. This in addition to lack of a readily available supply of lumber for cribbing. "B" Company's 290' D/S Bailey Bridge was progressing a bit more rapidly and was 25% complete at 1800 hours. The bridge at Gilsdorf was expected to be completed Feb. 4 and "B" Company's at Bettendorf 3 Feb. Operation of Sand Pit was taken over by one squad from "C" Company. The balance of the company was disposed on a road control. One platoon each from "A" Company and "B" Company also worked in there respective areas.