78th INFANTRY DIVISION
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 1945 - 31 JANUARY 1945
5 January 1945
Company B, 1st Battalion, 311th lnfantry, assaulted two pillboxes at 1030A and was around its first objective and placing charges at 1044A. These charges blew holes in both boxes but heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, as well as small arms fire, forced the troops to withdraw. One platoon of tanks of the 709th Tank Battalion was employed. One tank with flame thrower fired into the open door of one pillbox resulting in two prisoners being taken.. In this assault one tank was lost due to the intense enemy defensive fires and upon firing into, and filling the doorway to the pillbox with dirt, the tankdozer became stuck in the doorway and had to be abandoned. Upon withdrawing Company B consolidated its position to repell any possible enemy counter attack. The 2nd and 3d Battalions continued the improvement of their positions and carried out extensive patrolling. Plans were commenced for the training of assault squads in rear areas. The 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry, remained in Regimental Reserve, with the exception of Company K, which was further attached to the 1st Battalion, 311th Infantry. Troop A, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron was attached to the 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry. The 1st Battalion planned for the relief of Company B with Company A the morning of 6 January. Visibility for this morning was poor, clearing in the afternoon. Three prisoners were added to the list, bringing the total captured to date to fifty seven. One hundred and fifty eight rounds of enemy artillery and two hundred sixty-five rounds of mortar fell in the Regimental sector. The Combat Efficiency Rating of excellent was maintained.
6 January 1945
At 0825A Company A relieved Company B in the 1st Battalion. Company A laid wire and trip flares in front of its new positions and pulled the main force back to previously prepared positions. The 2nd and 3d Battalions carried on with the assault squad training in rear areas, with emphasis on lessons learned in the previous days activity In the 1st Battalion sector. The 2nd Battalion placed out local patrols, while the 3d Battalion sent out extensive patrols. The 3d Battalion made preparations for the relief of Troop A, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. Company C, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion, sent assisted the regiment with assault squad training. Visibility was fair in the morning, while snow fell in the afternoon interfering with observation. Approximately one hundred and seventy rounds of enemy artillery and mortar fell in the Regimental sector. During this period the Combat Efficiency Rating was excellent.
7 January 1945
The 1st Battalion blew one previously captured troop shelter at 0350A. This battalion carried on with assault squad training and conducted extensive patrolling. Using captured pillboxes, combined with previous experience and actual firing, a realistic training program was now established for training assault squads in each platoon. Model pillboxes, built by Company C, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion, were effectively used also. The 2nd Battalion continue with this training and improved present positions. This Battalion sent out a raiding party at 1930A to capture prisoners and gain information that would assist future attacks. Plans for future raids were made. The 3d Battalion also conducted assault training and continued the improvement of positions. Troop A, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron was relieved and reverted to V Corps control. Two platoons of Company L, relieved this organization. Company K moved into positions previously occupied by Company L. The 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry, remained in Regimental Reserve, and Company K of that Battalion was released from attachment to the 1st Battalion and reverted to control of the 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry. There was little change in the enemy situation, with a marked decrease in the amount of artillery and mortar fire. The excellent rating in combat efficiency was maintained.
8 January 1945
All units improved their present positions. Assault squad training continued and patrols were active. Plans were made for a detailed reconnaissance for withdrawal routes to rear area defensive positions. Also plans were completed for a flame thrower school. Visibility was poor due to heavy snow and the enemy's activity consisted chiefly of light artillery action and some small arms fire. Numerous robot bombs were observed flying generally Northwest. One aggressive 311th Infantry patrol killed five of the enemy with hand grenades and captured the machine gun they had been manning. The 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry was given a complete orientation regarding the pillboxes and other enemy installations to their front. One prisoner taken this day brought the total to fifty eight.
9 January 1945
The 1st Battalion maintained the OPL and continued to improve the present positions. All three battalions carried on with the assault squad training. The 2nd Battalion prepared plans for another raiding party, while the 3d Battalion continued with local patrolling. The Regimental Reserve battalion continued to be the 3d Battalion, 309 Infantry. Company A, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion assisted the Regiment with assault squad training and made plans for the flame thrower school. The Regimental S-3 made a detailed reconnaissance for possible routes of withdrawal to rear defensive positions in event such should become necessary. Visibility at this time was only fair with snow falling and the weather cold. The enemy front line and units in contact did not change during this period. There were only small Incidents of enemy action, which included some small arms and machine gun activity. The enemy placed a public address system in use with ineffective propaganda in the Company I sector. The Regiment upheld its combat efficiency rating of excellent.
10 January 1945
The activities for this date were similar to those of the preceding day. The intensified training continued along with normal patrolling. The visibility cleared some and the weather continued very cold. The enemy launched what appeared to be a fifteen man raiding party in the vicinity of Company E. This advance was stopped with well placed mortar and artillery fire. The enemy placed one hundred and eighty-five rounds of both artillery and mortar fire in the regimental sector this day.
11 January 1945
The static condition of the front lines continued. The battalions continued with the training of assault squads In rear areas and Company C, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion prepared road blocks in the Regimental zone. Visibility was clear in the morning with snow falling in the afternoon. The enemy action was limited to ninety six rounds of artillery and mortar fire, along with sporadic small arms and machine gun fire. The enemy fired propaganda leaflets into Company F, 2nd Battalion sector at 1510A. Patrol activities resulted in two prisoners, bringing the total for the 311th Infantry to sixty.
12 January 1945
The regiment continued to improve all positions and continued the assault squad trainings along with normal patrolling. The 2d Battalion conducted a raid in force with Company F in Kesternich. The visibility continued to be poor with considerable snow. Plans were arranged for instruction in 4.2 mortar. The enemy front lines and units in contact remained unchanged. He placed 377 rounds of artillery and mortar fire in the regimental sector. There was light enemy air activity, in that numerous small groups of enemy aircraft passed over the area during the day. Enemy patrol activity was observed and his use of flares at night increased. The combat efficiency rating of excellent continued to be upheld.
