1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
FOR THE PERIOD 1 OCTOBER - 31 OCTOBER 1944
HEADQUARTERS 26TH INFANTRY
APO .NO. 1, U.S. ARMY
1 November 1944
22 October
Until the Military Government Officer took over the town officially, 3rd Battalion patrols stationed at entrances to Aachen controlled the incoming and out-going traffic. Both Battalions rested up, and the me given opportunities for getting hot food and showers.
23 October
The 1st Battalion, moved into the sector north of Aachen, the 26th Infantry companies "A" "B" and "C" relieving the 16th Infantry companies "I", "G" and "E". The movement into the new sector was taken under mortar fire, but no casualties resulted during the change.
At 2000 hours the 2nd Battalion was alerted, and it moved into its sector, fully in place at 0100 hours 24 October 1944.
24 October
The 1st and 2nd Battalions began patrol activities in the new sector.
25 October
In an early morning enemy attack, "E" Company lost an outpost, but regained it easily when the German patrol was routed. Mortar fire was directed at an enemy SP gun which was firing at the 1st Battalion.
26 October
Enemy vehicles heard moving on road about 886463, moving north, were taken under artillery fire. Another strong patrol came in at dawn, and was driven back with heavy losses in fifteen minutes of fighting. Heavy enemy mortar fire was directed on both 1st and 2nd Battalion positions during the afternoon and late evening.
27 October
Another small-arms fight flared between German patrols and "G" Company outposts guards. Patrols sent out in the early morning from "A" and "B" Companies burned down two German houses which were being used as OP ́s, and then destroyed German tank.
28 October
1st Battalion sent patrols to the woods north of its sector, and these reported little enemy activity. 3rd Battalion company commanders and platoon leaders visited the 2nd Battalion positions prior to relieving that Battalion.
"C" Company patrols attacked a German pillbox that was placing machine-gun fire on the company position. Though the pillbox was not destroyed, the fire was silenced.
Harassing fire laid on roads by 1st and 2nd Battalions.
29 October
The 2nd Battalion requested an air mission on the Vorweiden-Eschweiler Road, where heavy enemy traffic was reported. Beginning in the late afternoon, the 3rd Battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion, completing this by 2315 hours.
Enemy planes dropped anti-personnel bombs in the 1st Battalion area.
30 October
About 0200 hours eny planes again dropped bombs north of the 1st Battalion area, these landing on enemy positions. In an early morning attack, the 1st Battalion pushed to the woods, the 3rd Battalion pushed to straighten out the line.
31 October
About 10 rounds of 88mm fire landed in the 3rd Battalion area, then in the 1st Battalion area. Little damage was done. All was quiet during the remainder of the day and evening
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September had seen the regiment sweep across the French border into Belgium, leave Belgium behind, and penetrate the outer Siegfried Line defenses; October's 31 eventful days had seen the regiment reduce the first German city and take a total of 3453 prisoners; now in its new sector, the regiment waited ready to take part In whatever drives developed in November.
POW's captured during the month: 3473
Casualties for the month:
KIA - 75
MIA - 9
DOW - 8
SWA - 4
LWA- 402
