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UNIT REPORT N0. 5 From: 010001 Nov 1944. To : 302400 Nov 1944. |
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Hq., 28th Inf. Div., |
5 November 1944
109th Infantry continued to exert pressure in the vicinity of HURTGEN on the Division left flank. 110th Infantry captured three forts and continued to advance slowly against determined resistance. 112th Infantry: 1st and 3d Battalions reorganized at KOMMERSCHEIDT. By this time nine (9) medium tanks and nine (9) self-propelled Tank Destroyer guns had moved up. Wheeled vehicles and towed loads could not be taken to these units. Repulsed several attempted counterattacks. 2d Battalion in position East of VOSSENACK repulsed two counterattacks by artillery and small arms fire. Orders issued forming Task Force "Ripple", composed of 3d Battalion, 110th Infantry; Cos A and D, 707th Tank Battalion; and a detachment, 893d Tank Destroyer Battalion, including its Reconnaissance Company, with the mission of passing through 112th Infantry to capture SCHMIDT and block all approaches thereto. Subsequent orders were issued attaching Task Force "Ripple" to 112th Infantry upon the arrival of the Task Force at KOMMERSCHEIDT.
6 November 1944
109th Infantry exerted pressure against the enemy, improved its position. 110th Infantry {- 3d Battalion) consolidated positions, cleaning out small pockets of resistance. 112th Infantry held positions against intense artillery and constant pressure from the enemy. The attached Engineers assisted throughout this action. 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, attached, prepared to relieve 109th Infantry in its sector. Task Force "Ripple" moved the foot elements of 3d Battalion, 110th Infantry to KOMMERSCHEIDT to assist 112th Infantry. German control of the road, through intense antitank fire prevented the passage of any vehicles of this force.
6 November
7 November 1944
109th Infantry relieved by 12th Infantry which continued to protect the Division left (North) flank, 2d Battalion, 109th Infantry relieved 2d Battalion, 112th Infantry in VOSSENACK and undertook to hold that ridge at any cost. 110th Infantry (- 3d Battalion) advanced slowly to the southwest cleaning out pockets of resistance. 3d Battalion, attached to 112th Infantry, held the KALL River crossing. 2d Battalion, 112th Infantry was relieved by 109th Infantry at VOSSENACK, after being depleted by casualties and forced back into the village, and moved to an assembly area just West of GERMETER. Orders were issued forming Task Force "Davis" composed of 112th Inf (-2d Battalion); 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry; 3d Battalion, 110th Infantry; Company C, 103d Engineer Combat Battalion; Company C, 103d Medical Battalion; Companies A and C, 707th Tank Battalion; Companies B and C, 895d Tank Destroyer Battalion; Company D, 86th Chemical Battalion with the mission of capturing SCHMIDT, defending that position, blocking all roads from Southwest - Southeast Northeast. This order incorporated Task Force "Ripple* into the new force. However, before Task Force "Davis" could be organized the 112th Infantry received a heavy counterattack supported by thirty tanks and intense artillery fires forcing it with attachments to retire North from position in vicinity of KOMMERSCHEIDT to high ground 400 yards north of KOMMERSCHEIDT. 1171st Engineer Combat Group was charged with holding open the line of communications from VOSSENACK. They found it necessary to commit part of their personnel to combat duty in carrying out this task.
7 November
8 November 1944
109th Infantry maintained positions in and South of VOSSENACK. 110th Infantry slowly continued advance to Southwest against determined resistance. The 112th Infantry and Task Force "Ripple" were ordered to withdraw from KALL River Valley to assembly positions West of GERMETER. The enemy now controlled the KALL River Valley in vicinity of bridge North of KOMMERSCHEIDT. When the decision was made to withdraw, Brigadier General George Davis was directed to disregard his previous Task Force instructions and to clear the KALL River Valley in vicinity of the bridge North of KOMMERSCHEIDT and cover the withdrawal of the 112th Infantry and Task Force "Ripple". To accomplish this mission Brigadier General Davis used the 3d Battalion 109th Infantry (For route of advance and instructions - see map). By 1730A the Kall River Valley (including the bridge) north of KOMMERSCHEIDT had been cleared of the enemy and the withdrawal of the 112th Infantry and Task Force "Ripple" was accomplished without incident. 12th Infantry attacked toward the Northeast against strong enemy resistance. Protected the Division left (North) flank.
