Timeframe: 12/6/1944 - 12/15/1944

The Bergstein Campaign

At 0018, 8 December, Company E reported attempted enemy infiltration and continued artillery fire. The strength report received from the force on the hill at 0130 was:

Company D : One officer and 15 men

Company F : One officer and 14 men

At 0225, Company E reported with three officers and 57 men. The enemy continued to shell the area throughout the night.

Company C/121st Infantry, three officers and 104 men, arrived as reinforcements at 0333 and was sent to take up positions on the right flank of Company E. One HMG section of this force was sent to reinforce Company E at the Forward CP. The elements of CCR/5th Armd Division in Bergstein were relieved this night; the first unit moving out at 0300 and the final element departing at 0540. Company C/121st Infantry reported that all troops were in position as ordered at 0540. Upon the departure of the Command Group of Company A, 10th Tank Battalion, the CP was completely cleared out, the trash removed; and just as the renovation was completed, the enemy began his preparatory fires for the 4th counterattack. It was during this attack that the Command Group set up several LMG's, preparing for a, last-ditch stand.

By far the heaviest concentration of the entire period in this area commenced to fall on Bergstein and Hill 400 at 0730. The artillery fire on Bergstein was so heavy that it seemed to have a "drumming" sound while that which fell on the Hill was of such intensity that one explosion would cover the sound of the next approaching shell.

Corps artillery was alerted and when Company E reported that the attack was coming from the North at 0758, the appropriate concentrations were immediately fired with excellent results. Those of the_enemy who survived the barrage were repulsed by the force on the hill and, at 0850, the attack was over. Company D then reported:

"Only ten men left"

As part of this enemy attack, a diversionary force had struck Companies B/C at 0810 under covering fire of three towed AT guns. One SP-gun also attempted to penetrate the position but it was blocked from entrance to Bergstein by a wrecked vehicle road block which it then attempted to blast off the road without success. The fire of the supporting TD's and mortars forced the withdrawal of these enemy guns and this attack was stopped at 0837. Another attack from the South at 1036 was stopped in its' tracks by prepared artillery concentrations.

All companies remained in position, throughout this day, under varying enemy mortar and artillery. Observers located on the Hill directed fire on located enemy installations to the East with excellent results. The CO/I/13th Infantry, the relieving unit, arrived at the Battalion CP at 1330. Plans for the change-over were agreed upon and, at 1545, all Companies were alerted for relief. The Battalion Medical Officer, Captain Walter K. Block, was instantly KIA just outside of the CP when he was departing to supervise evacuation. This officer had remarked that morning that he had a premonition he would not live out this day.

Panoramic view from the look-out tower on top of Hill 400

The fifth and final attack began when large caliber guns to the East of the Roer River concentrated on the area at 1630. The enemy came from the South-east and, at 1702, engaged Company D in a fire-fight. At 1713, Company E reported another enemy force at 079335, almost into Bergstein. This force was also engaged by Companies B/C. Lt. Kettlehut, the FO/5th Armd Division, called down all the artillery available in the Corps, eighteen battalions in all; the resulting overwhelming fire forced the enemy to withdraw at 1715. The force attacking Bergstein retreated into a previously zeroed-in draw at 085333 and at 1721, Companies B/C reported:

"Things were pretty hot for a while but are OK now"

The enemy force attacking the Hill came within thirty yards of the bunker before being stopped by s/a fire. This force, when our artillery was laid down, must have thought that he was under his own artillery fire for a white flare was fired and the shells which had been landing on the hill top lifted 100 years to the West. The enemy, attempting to retreat, was blocked by this curtain of fire and, in their demoralized state, proved easy targets for the embittered men on the Hill. This attack ended at 1735 and the only enemy action prior to the relief was the normal harassing fire and one mortar barrage on Bergstein.

At 1845, two officers and seven men were taken to the Battalion Rear as the first lap of the journey back to the States. Guides were also dispatched at this time to contact the relieving unit at Brandenberg. Through the additional aid of vehicles of the X/13th Infantry Medical Detachment all casualties were evacuated from Bergstein by 090100. The relief process commenced at 2140 and was completed without incident at 090240. The troops, Company E in the rear, departed on foot for the entrucking point near Kleinhau. The Battalion was entirely closed into the original assembly area at 0516, 9 December, and was re-attached to the 28th Infantry Regiment / 8th Division.

The period 10-15 December was denoted primarily to reorganization, rehabilitation, and recreation. A liberal pass policy issued by F Corps permitted the majority of the Battalion personnel two day passes to the Corps Rest Center in Eupen. The troops were processed thru QM Showers and the duffle bags were brought up.

At 0900, 11 December, the Battalion Commander and S-2 departed to interview prospective reinforcements at the 11th Replacement Depot. On this day, the Battalion was detached from the 28th Infantry Regiment ar:d was attached to the 8th Division. The Battalion mission (FO No. 22, Hq-8th Division) was to act as counter attack reserve for the Division sector.

At 0700, 15 December, three officers and sixty men departed on a two-day Paris pass and, at 0700, 16 December what was destined to be the final group departed for the Eupen Rest Center.

Note: In reference to the Bergstein - Hill 400 action, an 8th Division_G-2 Summary received shortly after this action took place contained the following information:

"General Model, Chief of the German General Staff, had offered seven-day furloughs and the Iron Cross to each member of the unit which was successful in the re-taking of Hill 400".

Among the units which tried, and failed, was one battalion of paratroopers stated at that time in the Obermaubach area, to the North of Bergstein.

Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model

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