78th INFANTRY DIVISION
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 1945 - 31 JANUARY 1945
21 January 1945
The 1st Battalion, with Company E attached, the 3d Battalion and the 3d Battalion, 309th lnfantry, continued to improve the positions and conducted active patrolling. The 2nd Battalion, (Company E) in regimental reserve, was active with the assault squad and tank-killer team training. Anti-tank company maintained and improved the defensive antitank positions. Company C, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion, maintained the road blocks and assisted in staking out gun positions and marking fields of fire in rear area positions in accordance with 78th Division directives. Visibility for the day was again good and the enemy's activity was still at a minimum.
22 January 1945
Every subordinate unit continued to improve its positions.Patrols were very active. The 3d Battalion conducted training in assault squads, in addition to its normal patrolling and improvement of positions. The 2nd Battalion in rear area, continued assault and tank-killer team training. Company C, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion, installed AP mines and assisted Corps Engineers in digging gun positions and marking fields of fire in rear defensive positions. Visibility was good and the enemy action was limited to a slight increase, in artillery and mortar fire received in the regimental area.
23 January 1945
Operations for this day were identical to the previous day, the 3d Battalion again extending its patrols into the vicinity of Konzen and the 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry, planning to establish new observation posts. The enemy limited his activities to small harassing fires, artillery amounting to one hundred sixty rounds in the regimental sector.
24 January 1945
The 1st Battalion with Company E still attached, made plans for a platoon raid for 250649A. In all battalions patrols were active and positions were improved. Plans were made to replace company E with company F in the 1st Battalion sector. Company C, 303d Engineer (C) Battalion, continued the maintenance of road blocks. Two men of the 3d Battalion were attached to a 60th Infantry patrol which went into Konzen and encountered enemy action. They were held up and could return to our lines only under cover of darkness. One hundred and two rounds of enemy artillery and mortar hit the regimental area during this period.
25 January 1945
Company F replaced Company E as attachment of 1st Battalion effective at 2230A. The 1st Battalion conducted a previously planned raid which resulted in two prisoners of war. The 2nd Battalion continued with the extensive training in assault squads and tank-killer teams. Company E reverted to 2nd Battalion control upon being relieved by Company F. Company E cleared into the new area by 2235A. The 3d Battalion improved its positions, trained assault squads in a rear area, and conducted patrolling toward Konzen. The 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry, maintained observation posts, continued the constant improvement of positions and directed active patrolling. Company C, 303d Engineers maintained and guarded the road blocks and assisted the Corps Engineers in preparation of positions in rear areas. Visibility was good. The enemy continued to hold his defensive positions and there was some intermittent small arms and machine gun fire, with artillery being light. The two PW's brought the total of prisoners captured to sixty-three.
26 January 1945
In preparation for a large scale attack, Regimental units began reorganizing and shifting positions and Company F reverted back to 2nd Battalion control, being replaced by Company K in position. This move was effected by 2245A. The 2nd Battalion, with Company K, 309th Infantry, attached, relieved the 3d Battalion, 309th Infantry ( - Co K) at 2245, while the 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry prepared to be relieved by the 3d Battalion, 310th Infantry. This move started at 1830A and was in progress at 2400A. Despite these, movements, improvement of positions was possible as well as training during the day in assault squads and tank-killer tactics. As for enemy activity, the area was generally quiet, with only sporadic small arms and artillery fire. The visibility remained good and the combat efficiency rating of excellent was maintained.
27 January 1945
The 1st Battalion, with Company K attached, continued to improve its present positions. The 2nd Battalion continued to occupy and improve positions. Company K, 309th Infantry, reverted to control of the 309th Infantry at 2145A. The 3d Battalion, less Company K, was relieved in position by the 3d Battalion of the 310th Infantry. This move was completed at 0140A. The 3d Battalion, 310th lnfantry, was attached throughout this move and reverted to 310th regimental control at 1830. Extensive plans were begun for a large scale attack. Enemy activity for the day was light. One prisoner taken this date was an Alsacian and reported in some length on enemy activities as concerned his company. He deserted along with a companion who was killed. He reported some ten other Alsacians in his company who were eager to desert and would do so at the first opportunity. Morale was low in his organization he reported. The total number of prisoners to date was sixty four. Combat efficiency excellent.
28 January 1945
Plans and preparations continued for the attack scheduled for the morning of 30 January. Company K remained attached to the 1st Battalion in its present positions. The three Battalions continued to improve their positions and maintained defenses. There was no change in the enemy's activitie; his artillery and mortar activity was very light.
