78th INFANTRY DIVISION
FOR THE PERIOD 1 FEBRUARY 1945 - 28 FEBRUARY 1945
2. Narrative of Operations and Enemy Action ctnd.
9 February 1945
The regiment less the 3d Battalion remained attached to the 9th Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion carried out a mission of protecting the right flank of the 60th Infantry Regiment. During the initial phase of this mission, the battalion met heavy enemy resistance but as it completed its mission this resistance was eliminated. The number of PW's was small although hundreds were "flushed" out and retreated into waiting hands of adjacent units. The plans were for the 1st Battalion to secure the bend in the road north of the Schwammenauel Dam, northwest of Hasenfeld and then push on and secure the high ground overlooking the dam. By 1815A, the battalion had accomplished its missions and consolidated its positions. At 1835A, the 2nd Battalion moved out from an assembly area along the approximate route of the 1st Battalion but 1000 meters behind it. At 0915A the 9th Division ordered the battalion alerted for a possible mission of protecting the right flank of the division. The battalion remained in support for the rest of the day. Visibility was fair but light showers during the day hindered the activity. The 3d Battalion which was still attached to the 310th Infantry, participated mainly in active patrolling.
10 February 1945
The 1st Battalion received heavy concentration of artillery and mortar fire as this day was clear and observation was good. The 2nd Battalion advanced down to peninsula to the Roer River neutralizing enemy activity. At 0600A, the 3d Battalion reverted to regimental control and at 1145A the 311th Infantry Regiment reverted to the control of the 78th Infantry Division. The Antitank company one platoon in Schmidt in defensive positions while the rest of the company remained in mobile reserve at Simmerath. A corrected total of prisoners brought the regimental total to 867. Combat efficiency continued to be very satisfactory.
11 - 26 February 1945
The action of the 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division in the interval between 11 February - 27 February involved the consolidation and improvement of positions; and the rehabilitation and rest of its troops. Orientation and briefing lectures were held in the regiment explaining the past eleven days operations, giving details of the immediate surroundings and an overall picture of the front lines. Active patrolling continued during this time including several 2nd Battalion patrols across the Rur-Stau See, to gain information of enemy activities. Other units policed rear areas. Care and cleaning of arms end equipment as well as personal health measures were stressed during the period. Training schedules were planned by the battalion S-3's which included the firing of automatic weapons, zeroing of rifles, familiarized on the new carbine sight, and village fighting and tactics. Between 11 February to 16 February, Company C, 303d Engineer Battalion (C) demonstrated assault boat training which each of the Battalions participated. A new American light tank was demonstrated to the troops between 16 February and 18 February, so it would be distinguished from a German light tank of a similar design. Squad tactics and familiarization with AP mines and booby traps was emphasized throughout the entire period. Near the end of the period, the Commanding Officer of the 311th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Chester M. Willingham, presented awards and decorations to the Officers and Enlisted Men of the regiment who had demonstrated exemplary conduct and heroism in action against the enemy on the battle field. The Combat Efficiency for the regiment remained very satisfactory during this time.
The enemy front lines and units did not change during this period. There were only small incidents of enemy action which included some small arms and machine gun activity, prompted primarily by the 2nd Battalion patrols across the Roer River. There was occasional artillery and mortar action from across the Roer and Schwammenauel Dam. The static condition of the enemy lines gave our troops a good indication that the enemy was not going to make a counterattack over the ground it had lost during the first of the month. Every night enemy reconnaissance planes came over regimental territory and occasionally a flare was dropped; but enemy vigilance was not as intense as it had been the previous month.
The weather changed from a severe winter into indications of Spring. The days were bright and clear and the sun thawed the ground and melted the snow. Mud became an obstacle for vehicles but the continuation of good weather made work on the roads possible. Four PW's were taken on this day making a total of 871 for the regiment.
