November 1944

2 November 1944
The rotation of companies at rock crusher was discontinued. Each company having had a day for care and cleaning of equipment, now reverted to placing two platoons on duty, having one as reserve. A wood-burning stove was installed in the operations tent. Tire patches being scarce there is a possibility of deadlined equipment due to tire failures.

3 November 1944
A 2 ton dump truck of Company "C" was made unserviceable due to a tank hitting it. Headquarters continued placing steel netting in the muddy areas of bivouac to make walking more convenient to frequented points. The maintenance of main supply routes and secondary roads of the Bn. area remained our prime duty.

4 November 1944
Lt. Edmonston was directed to serve as Liaison Officer with 4th Armored Division Headquarters. An officers call was held at which time impending new operations were discussed and newly assigned officers to the Bn. were introduced. Among the latter was Lt. Oldre, the first battlefield commission made within our Bn. The Red Cross Clubmobile again was welcomed to the Bn. with its coffee and doughnuts.

5 November 1944
Evidences in the battalion showed new impending operations were due. Preparations were on to put all things in a very mobile condition. Map segregation and proper distribution kept S-2 well occupied. A report came that Lt. Edmonston was a victim of an accident and Lt. Villadsen was sent to replace him.

6 November 1944
The battalion was relieved of its current areas of road responsibilities with Engineers of 1157th Group assuming the task. The new priority roads for maintenance included main routes bounded roughly West by Sorneville - Pettoncourt road, East by line drawn according to tactical situation, North by Pettoncourt - Chambrey road and South by Sorneville-Bezange road. Group moved to Moncel today with Lt. Grey maintaining Liaison.

7 November 1944
Priority on production at "B" Company's quarry at Remereville was given solely to 24th Armored Engrs. All flame-throwers were ordered returned to Third Army. The operations dug-out finally required evacuation. Weather deteriorated so that drainage was overtaxed by day and night rains despite use of a booster pump.

8 November 1944
Activities increased with "A" Company preparing approaches and commencing Bailey bridge construction at Chambrey. Flood control along dikes from Bioncourt to Brin was "C" companies main effort plus road maintenance and operation of Remereville rock quarry. "B" company remained on the alert to move.

9 November 1944
The 110' Bailey bridge was completed at Chambrey. A change of area and quarters proved an advantage. The Burthelcourt Chateau also billeted Headquarters Operations. "B" Company was ready to move to 24th Engrs. area. "C" Company continued its prior assignment. The reconnaissance section was of paramount importance and ably constructed during these particular days.

10 November 1944
A full schedule found "C" Company completing its 50' Bailey at Sallonnes. Bridge was started at 1400 hours, material arrived at 1600 hours. The bridge erection was complete at 2000 hours. It was a very good and rapid piece of work. "C" Company besides mine sweeping and road repair also erected a Treadway bridge in Sallonnes. "A" Company removed a 1500' abatis and farm machinery road block in Chateau-Salins. Also putting tread on Chambrey Bailey. "B" company is as yet detached to work and travel with CCB.

11 November 1944
No moment lacked activity. Numerous reports of enemy minefields on through Chateau-Salins North to Lubecourt kept "A" & "C" Companies well occupied clearing roads of mines and posting signs. "B" Company was on the march with CCB. Chateau-Salins in a second visit by the battalion was overhauled for enemy obstacles while plans were afoot to move further East. The Recon section bolstered the whole units morale when Lt. Christiansen with T/S Szychulski, T/4 Castle, T/5 Pitts, and Benoit found themselves in a bee-hive of sudden retreat as a part of enemy troops in Vaxy. Finding cover in a corner building they eliminated the enemy troops in Vaxy. Finding cover in a corner building they eliminated the enemy troops plus destroying a staff car and a halftrack. A complete and calmly executed ambush.

12 November 1944
No longer was it a muddy area but proper housing which interested us in claiming quarters for billet and operations. Even the dead had to be removed to furnish proper areas to function. "B" Company reported their 4 ton prime mover damaged with trailer and the 1st platoon had received eleven casualties, one fatal due to harassing artillery fire. Mines, road and bridge maintenance in area from Sallonnes North and West to Fresnes and Northeast to Morhange and Conthil. New quarters were established at Gerbecourt 2 miles North of Chateau-Salins at 1000 hours.

13 November 1944
"A" Company was now located in new quarters in Lupecourt. "C" Company was well occupied sweeping for mines North of Chateau-Salins and building a Treadway bridge in the vicinity of Brehain. Also repaired tank trap near Vaxy. All roads were being thoroughly traveled by much and heavy traffic. First snow fall scarcely covering tilled fields. Homes now being reached were completely abandoned. Enemy it seemed were crowding all civilians ahead of them as they withdrew.

14 November 1944
Two of the more noteworthy happenings were the surrender to the reconnaissance, several of the enemy troops, one a casualty and the explosion of a mine by an R-4 dozer on job with Lt. Sultrom in the vicinity of Brehain. Operator though blasted clear, was unhurt. A third incident would be the bogging down of D-7 requiring a ten ton wrecker to free it. Besides filling a good-sized crater "C" Company constructed two bridges, 48' & 56' long, North and South of Brehain. A 50 ft. D/S Bailey bridge completed "A" Company prepared approaches for a second Bailey bridge North of Hampont plus usual road maintenance and mine sweeping routing - an important detail though not unusual. 250 new sleeping bags were issued to the letter companies by S-4. Other men received one added blanket each.

15 November 1944
A good portion of engineer effort on the battalion work sheet included Bailey and Treadway bridges, abatis, road blocks and several large craters. Major Knight visited "B" Company in the vicinity of Sotzeling. Capt. Monsione related how the Company had furnished security for artillery units, cleared mines and road blocks in support of CCA. Morale was high and company was happy to receive rations and new bed rolls. Battalion D-7 was again in operation. Corps received a squad with mine detectors from "A" Company to clear its headquarters area beyond doubt in Chateau-Salins.

16 November 1944
Work was afoot all along the traveled routes. Minefields were everywhere being destroyed and all barriers and blocks leveled. Lt. King found some previously undiscovered S-mines in the vicinity of Aichen. Two fatalities were removed by Lt. King and remaining mines were marked and eliminated. Lt. Martin working with a squad in and about Corps HQ. discovered a formidable arsenal. It added up to over 500 mines, bazooka shells and varied firing devices. "B" Company was contacted regularly as it worked along with CCA. One day of sunshine was a most bracing element and every bit welcomed.

17 November 1944
Operations continued with units practically exchanging quarters. A 4th Armored Medical unit took up the battalion's quarters at Gerbecourt as Niverlach - two miles South of Morhange - was established as Battalion CP at 1600 hours. With "B" Company released from its assignment with CCA and located at Haboudang. "C" Company in turn was attached to the 2nd Cavalry. Its CP was located in Rechicourt. A new and quite extensive area for operations was given the battalion. It stretched West to Bausemont and Bathelemont, Chateau-Salins North and East as far as was tactically possible. Our southern boundary again paralleled the canal at Parroy.

18 November 1944
Up until now the battalion had been at work straddled on the limits of the 35th and 26th Inf. Divisions. Now it is in general support of 26th Division along with "C" Company detached. "A" Company completed a single double 40' Bailey South of Puttigny as well as placing tread on ramps on Hampont Bailey and removing road block between Haraucourt and Mulcey. Efforts to find new locations were less difficult due to the enemy evacuating all civilians. However the numerous friendly troops in turn caused congestion.

19 November 1944
Varied offensive operations were impending. Armor awaited dawn to thrust out which required construction of two Bailey Bridges S/S (20' and 30') along route from Haraucourt to Mulcey. "A" Company was called and had bridges ready at 0300 hours, "B" Company maintained roads in sector drawn from Chateau-Salins to Burlioncourt to Hampont and Norville. "C" Company operated with 2nd Cavalry Group clearing mines and laying Treadway bridging. During the day Major Reagan relinquished his atipathy to hospital confinement and went for a rest to overcome persistent cough and feverishness.

20 November 1944
Night operations were more prevalent. "C" Company still attached to the Cavalry place two Treadway bridges completing the dual operation by 0500. The first was over the Marne Canal and the second on the Mulcey - Dieuze road. They were 18 and 31 feet respectively. Mine sweeping and road maintenance was a cardinal point. "A" and "B" Company filled their day on this Bn. work. Preparatory investigations were on to find quarters to take up operations nearer responsibilities assigned Bn.

21 November 1944
New quarters were now placed in Dieuze. Established at 1500 hours. Armor had found the enemy in speedy withdrawal. This caused a bit of a problem to furnish "C" Company, racing on with the calvary its proper rations. "B" Company maintained its road net with "A" Company placing a 48' Treadway and 80' Bailey in Dieuze. The bridges were commenced at 2100 hours Nov. 20 and completed 1115 hours today. "C" Company with all platoons and squads partialed out to the various. 2nd Cavalry troops pulled mines both Riegel and S mines in the vicinity of Lagarde. Reconnaissance was in operation to maintain intelligent information regarding possible coming areas for work and its requirements. "B" Company constructed one 10' D/S and one 40' D/S vicinity of Dieuze.

22 November 1944
"A" Company completed a 60' D/S Bailey between Lostroff and Guinzeling. In addition mines and road blocks and bridge maintenance kept the whole company busy. "B" Company was also maintaining its section of road area. "C" Company was traveling fast with the Cavalry tearing out abatis, placing Treadway Bridges and a timber bridge. The command echelon made plans to move on to Domnom.

23 November 1944
The usual bridge and road efforts were conducted by "A" and "B" Companies. The command echelon moved on to Domnom and quartered itself and the CP there at 1500 hours. Communications were well exercised in stringing wire to properly receive information. Distances were sometimes quite lengthy to complicate matters.

24 November 1944
Perhaps one of the more troublesome sites at which a Bailey was constructed was the 100 ft. T/S at Fenstrange. The job required 24 hours constantly interspersed with mortar and artillery fire. "A" Company worked hard to complete the bridge. Many large and far-stretching defensive features were now being encountered with "B" Company at work filling in one of them - an anti-tank ditch. This was placed just West of Mittersheim. Also repaired ramps over canal just before entering the same city. "C" Company was taken up with activities in conjunction with 2nd Cavalry. "C" Company commander paid regular daily visits to HQ.

25 November 1944
After blasting a house in part to get fill "A" Company continued improving the bridge approach which task required a 50' radius of roadway. In the process two men received shrapnel wounds and two became fatalities. The 4-Ton prime mover was also destroyed in Fenstrange by heavy artillery fire. "B" Company maintained Treadway bridge at Mittersheim and widened and completed filling in anti-tank ditch further West on same road.

26 November 1944
"B" Company was placing a fixed Timber Bridge in Mittersheim and maintaining filled crossing of anti-tank ditch. A culvert was constructed in Fenstrange also. "C" Company was still detached. "A" Company put finishing touches on their Bailey Bridge approach and its maintenance. New sites for billeting the Bn. were in process of investigation near Fenstrange. Shells from artillery were yet too much in evidence.

27 November 1944
Quarters for operations and all of H/S were set up at Pontency farm just East of Fenstrange. "A" Company arranged their place in Fenstrange proper. "C" Company was in a major portion being occupied by a minefield in area of defensive entrenchments and of Mittersheim which procedure was at the expense of platoon Sergeant Kazner's death. "C" Company stationed at Berthelming returned to Bn. duty from 2nd Cavalry Group. It was noticeable how territory with its elements were growing increasingly indifferent, even non-sympathetic.

28 November 1944
Verbal commendations proffered by Gen. Patton at Fenstrange Bailey Bridge site was of a distinctive nature for the men on the job. This 100 ft. T/S Bailey was the first to span the Sarre River and was constructed by "A" Company covering a 24 hour period. A Stars and Stripes reporter paid a visit to the officers and EM of this Company also. "B" Company cleared over 270 Riegal mines today in a field of 1000 or more. "C" Company finished a 100' Bailey Bridge a bit further North on the Sarre at Diederdorf. Besides the vital Bailey construction all companies were employed sweeping road and shoulders on all MSR and alternate routes of our area.

29 November 1944
Mines have been "B" Company's nemesis the last days. They continued work on the large field of Riegal mines near Mittersheim. "A" Company was at work sweeping, posting and draining roads North and East of Fenstrange. "C" Company maintained the MSR from Corps rear boundary to Fenstrange.

30 November 1944
The care and cleaning of equipment was on the agenda during the lull prior to impending offensives. "B" Company completed its task of clearing the extensive field of Riegels in the vicinity of Mittersheim. "A" Company & "C" Company were engaged in road and bridge maintenance. Awards were being received within the Bn. in plentiful number. Quarters were becoming more scant as the actual German border was being neared. The many troops made constant and prompt moving essential. The maintenance section did good work in acquiring a 2 ton shop truck with appurtenances. Also they arranged so that each Company was now equipped with their 4 ton prime movers again.