78th INFANTRY DIVISION
FOR THE PERIOD 1 FEBRUARY 1945 - 28 FEBRUARY 1945
2. Narrative of Operations and Enemy Action ctnd.
27 February 1945
On 27 February 1945 at 2130A, the regiment was notified to move to an assembly area in the vicinity of Bruck - Hetzinger, and prepare to spearhead an attack of the 78th Infantry Division across the Roer River. D-Day and H-Hour was to be 280800A February 1945 and the initial phase of the attack was to begin by crossing bridges located at Nideggen and Zerkall in the 9th Division sector. The plan of the attack was for the 311th Infantry Regiment, to cross the river and drive southeast, securing and clearing enemy installations on the east bank of the river. With this operation successfully completed, the rest of the 78th Infantry Division would be able to cross the river without being under enemy observation.
28 February 1945
By 0700A, the 311th Infantry Combat Team was well underway with its mission of spearheading the 78th Division's crossing of the Roer River. The Combat Team was composed of its regular components: Company C, 303rd Engineer (C) Battalion, and Company C, 303rd Medical Battalion, with Company C, 774 Tank Battalion, and Company C, 893d Tank Destroyer Battalion attached.Foot elements of the regiment covered a route of march of 15 miles over hilly, rugged terrain and by 0700A, elements of the 1st Battalion began crossing the bridge at Zerkall. This bridge was hastily constructed and was capable of supporting foot troops and 1/2 ton ton vehicles only. It was necessary for heavier trucks to cross at Nideggen. The 1st Battalion completed the bridge crossing at 0900A and moved southeast on Nideggen. Debris and rubble in the streets of Nideggen impeded the movement of tanks and tank destroyers initially, but by 1400A the battalion was on its way south of Nideggen with Company A on the right and Company C on the left. The attack and infantry contact with the enemy ground elements began at 1552A with fast and aggressive action by the 1st Battalion, despite terrain that was rugged and densely wooded. After five minutes, after heated contact with the enemy, the first prisoners were taken. At the end of the period the 1st Battalion moved to an assembly area north of Blens and preparations were made for the continuation of the attack.
The 2nd Battalion completed its river crossing at 1250A and moved to an assembly area northeast of Nideggen when the Battalion became regimental reserve. At 1050A, the 3d Battalion was across the river also and proceeded to carry out a mission of flank protection on the left of the 1st Battalion. Initially, this battalion received heavy enemy resistance in the form of mortar and artillery, as well as small arms fire, but as the drive continued, the resistance lessened. By the end of the period, the battalion occupied positions on the left flank of the 1st Battalion in the vicinity of Heimbach as planned, and preparations for the continuation of the attack were made.
The engineers carried out the principle engineer mission by opening and maintaining the Nideggen - Abenden - Hausen road, and the road south to Berg.
3. Personnel:
- Commanding and Staff Officers - See Par.2 Annex #1.
- Organic strength - See Par. 1 Annex #1.
- Reinforcements during the period - See Par 4 Annex #1.
- Prisoners of War (total to end of this period) 871.
- Battle casualties during the period - See Par. 3 Annex #1.
- Awards and Decorations - See Par. 7 Annex #1.
- Battlefield promotions - See Par. 5 Annex #1.
- Grave Registration - Following is a list of dead evacuated by regimental graves registration personnel:
112 311th Infantry 88 Units other than the 311th Infantry 129 enemy dead 329 Total
