13TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (8TH DIV.)
DECEMBER 1944
HEADQUARTERS, THIRTEENTH INFANTRY
APO #8 U.S. Army
10 December 1944.
Thirteenth Infantry had mission of securing and organizing ground it hold and defending Bergstein. There was very little Infantry activity during the day - mostly combat patrols and minor change of position. However, considerable artillery in the area and the town of Brandenberg was strafed once and bombed once by our planes. By nightfall, area was completely organized for defense with all attachments in. Strength see Appendix B.
11 December 1944.
General Situation: 13th Infantry with 2nd and 3rd Battalions on line, 3rd Battalion 28th Infantry (attached) in reserve continued to defend Bergstein and prepare for attack southeast. 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry remained in rest area vicinity of Zweifall. In the morning (0330) "I" Company, moving forward to straighten the 3rd Battalion line received heavy enemy opposition. Shifting positions, "I" attacked from the South at 0730, cleared the position and captured about 200 Germans. There was considerable artillery falling throughout the Regimental Area. 1st battalion sent officers forward to make plans for movement of Battalion to Regimental Area. "I" Company repulsed a light counter attack (1800). (Strength see Appendix B).
12 December 1944.
General situation for 13th Infantry same as previous day. 13th Infantry with 2 Battalion on line continued to improve its positions and prepare for attack on "D" Day. The day was comparatively quiet with the usual heavy artillery fire that caused little damage and no casualties. At 1300 the Rear CP moved from Hurtgen to Brandenberg. 3rd Battalion continued operations to clear enemy out of area between it and 2nd Battalion. "I" Company fought off 2 counter-attacks. (Strength see Appendix B).
13 December 1944.
General Situation for 13th Infantry same as previous day. Improved positions and completed plans for attack on "D" day. 1st Battalion made reconnaissance and plans to move up to Regimental area after darkness. 2nd and 3rd Battalions maintained contact patrols. During the day, considerable moving of troops was observed in enemy's rear by our OP's. "I" Company again beat off several counter-attacks. At dark, the 1st Battalion arrived in the Regimental area and moved into its new location in Regimental reserve, closing in about 2330. 3rd Battalion 28th Infantry was relieved from attachment to 13th Infantry. There was the usual amount of artillery falling in the area.
14 December 1944.
Situation and mission of 13th Infantry unchanged. 1st Battalion now in Regimental reserve (see overlay). Regiment conducted patrols, improved positions and continued to polish plans for "D" day attack. The plan originally perfected was changed by Commanding General, 8th Infantry Division, who attached 2 Battalions less one Company of 121st Infantry to 13th Infantry, for this operation. New planning was begun with this information. Objectives were also increased. There was a decrease in the mortar activity probably because of poor visibility. There were no counter-attacks. Minor readjustments took place. (Strength see Appendix B).
15 December 1944.
Situation and mission of 13th Infantry unchanged. At 0900 Commanding Officer, 13th Infantry met with Commanding General 8th Infantry Division at Hurtgen to decide plans and discuss changes. Remainder of day was spent in planning and pushing reconnaissance. Patrol activity was maintained. There was little shelling in area and no aerial activity because of weather. No enemy Infantry was observed. At 2230 "E" Company, 121st Infantry began relief of "C" Company, 13th Infantry. Relief completed at 0030 December 1944. (Strength see Appendix B).
16 December 1944.
Situation and mission unchanged. "D" Day tentatively set for December 18. Thirteenth Infantry continued to make plans for attack. At 0730 Company L repulsed a small counterattack, killed five (5) Germans. The morning was devoted to ironing out supply problems for coming attack. Plans for tactical use of units were perfected in the afternoon. Very much overhead artillery action in area. At dark, a German plans dropped a total of six (6) flares, establishing a bomb line NE of Regimental C.P. Bombing did not materialize. At 0430 word was received of a general German counterattack on a 2 Corps front. Paratroopers were said to have been landed. Security precautions were taken at 2400, the Field Train area was strafed. Company F relieved Company K beginning at at 2200. (Strength see Appendix B).
17 December 1944.
The Thirteenth Infantry continued to hold its positions, defend Bergstein and complete plans for an attack at 0300, 18 December. At 0300 5th Corps reported German Paratroopers landing between Eupen and Malmedy. At dawn, the reconnaissance platoon of Company B , 644th TD Battalion, attached to the Regiment, was ordered to assemble at Rott to prepare for a search of the rear area for paratroopers. During the morning it was learned that a large German Counterattack was in progress and Commanding General, 8th Division postponed the attack scheduled for the following morning. Regiment was ordered to continue holding Bergstein and First Battalion was attached to 311th Infantry and moved to rear area, ready for any eventuality in rear. Third Battalion, 28th Infantry was attached to 13th Infantry. Minor changes in positions were made through the early evening. At about 1900 a report was received of enemy paratroopers descending into its area. Report proved false. At 2022, the Third Battalion CP received a direct hit, killing the S-3, the artillery liaison officer and five (5) enlisted men. (Strength see Appendix B).
18 December 1944.
Thirteenth Infantry, less First Battalion and with Third Battalion, 28th Infantry attached, continued mission of defending Bergstein area. The day was relatively quiet, except that a considerable amount of 105 mortar and 88 fire fell in the area. At 1630 Commanding General 8th Division visited CP and discussed German counterattack in South as well as future operations. At 1700 Regiment was informed that 8th Division had passed to control of VII Corps. (Strength see Appendix B)
19 December 1944.
Mission and situation of Thirteenth Infantry less First Battalion (Third Battalion, 28th Infantry attached) unchanged. The day was uneventful with usual patrol activity. (Strength see Appendix B).
20 December 1944.
Mission and situation unchanged. Local readjustments were made in the afternoon. The CP moved from the town of Brandenberg to an area just north of town. At 1700 order was received that the Battalion detached for action in rear area would begin to revert to their respective Regiment. (Strength see Appendix B)
21 December 1944.
December 21, 1944 - 13th Infantry continued to occupy positions and defend Bergstein area, conducting vigorous patrols. At 0900, on order from the Division Commander, plans were made for 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry to relieve 3rd Battalion, 28th Infantry in place at dark; 3rd Battalion, 28th Infantry to be released from attachment to 13th Infantry upon relief. 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry to be released from attachment to 3Hth Infantry, vicinity of Zweifall and return to control of 13th Infantry and occupy reserve position in area formerly held by 2nd Battalion. Boundary between 13th and 28th Infantry to be agreed on by Commanding Officers (see overlay). At 1640, after all plans had been made for movement of 1st Battalion, the order was changed by Division Commander and 1st Battalion was ordered to occupy area held by "B" and "C" Companies, 121st Infantry and prepare to support either the 13th or the 121st Infantry on call. At about 1900, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry began relief of 3rd Battalion, 28th Infantry - relief completed about 2300. 1st Battalion cleared into new area at about 0300, December 22, 1944. (Strength see Appendix B).
