AFTER ACTION REPORT
330TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (83RD DIV.)
1 - 31 DECEMBER 1944

PATCH 83RD INFANTRY DIVISION
HEADQUARTERS 330th INFANTRY
APO 83
UNITED STATES ARMY.

24 December 1944.

Co A with a platoon of tanks advanced from southern end of WINDEN (111378) and by 1100 had reached the church at (113386). Resistance was light. Co A, after encountering heavy mortar, bazooka and small arms fire in N edge of town (113389) during night, were able to move forward with one platoon of tanks and by 1100 had penetrated town to a point at (113388). Co B was unable to advance, and was pulled back into Bn reserve in its original position. The resistance of the enemy in the vicinity of the church (113386) was very determined, and was supported by two SP guns.

At 1300, Co B was ordered to infiltrate into town from the S and assist Co A in clearing the town. Co I continued to push toward the bridge at (112373). Enemy small arms and artillery fire covered the approaches to the bridge from the center and left and made it impossible to reach bridge from the left. At 1500, Co I began a new attack from positions vic of (105377) and advanced to within 150 yards of bridge where they came under small arms fire from enemy located in factory at (107372) .

One platoon of Co I attacked factory to clear enemy positions after an artillery preparation of light and heavy howitzers was placed on factory district. By 2300, the platoon of Co I had taken factory positions and captured 26 PWs.

25 December 1944.

Co F attached to 1st Bn to assist in clearing town of WINDEN. The 1st Bn with Co A leading followed by Co B attacked at 0730 with objective the factory at N end of town (11283890). At 1055, Co A was two houses short of objective. Co B, which initially followed Co A, turned right to secure road junction at (11503885). Initially, small arms fire from automatic weapons was main resistance, artillery and mortar fire being sporadic. Co A was held up in present position by bazooka fire. Co F in Bn reserve, followed attacking companies and cleared houses on their right flank. Co C occupied positions on N edge of town (11253917).

At 1200, Co A and B received heavy concentrations of' mortar fire which was silenced by artillery counter-fire. At 1720, 1st Bn reported the town of WINDEN cleared. Lt. Manheim, Co B, 308th Engr Bn, made reconnaissance to bridge and placed charges, and at 260300 the bridge was blown.

A patrol of Co K and Engrs from Co B, 308th Engr Bn, attempted to reach bridge (112373) by going around hill 253 (10753820) through WINDEN, accompanied by two medium tanks, but ran into small arms automatic fire and were forced to abandon attempt. The platoon of Co I continued to search out small enemy pockets in factory throughout daylight. Both attempts 3rd Bn to blow bridge at (112373) were not making satisfactory progress therefore, Co G was attached to 3rd Bn, and Co G and one platoon of Co K plus three tanks were given the mission of securing road junction (11153750) and escorting engineer party through WINDEN at (112380), clearing enemy to bridge, and covering Engrs while charges were placed. By 2040, Co G had cleared road junction and had gotten engineer party to bridge approach. At 2100, while Engr officer was making his reconnaissance to place charges, the bridge was blown at E end by the enemy.

1st Bn 331st Inf was relieved by elements of 113 Cav Gp at 2000 and moved immediately to rejoin 331st Inf. Co C, 774th Tk Bn, relieved from attachement.

26 December 1944.

The 113th Cav Group began relief of 1st Bn at 251930, and at 260330 the 1st Bn had been completely relieved. 1st Bn moved out immediately for new assembly area vic of AACHEN, and closed in that area at 0830.

Co F rejoined 2nd Bn at 0330 and Co G rejoined at 0600; at 0800, 2nd Bn moved from STRASS to assembly area vic of AACHEN and closed in that area at 1115. The 3rd Bn finished mopping up factory area at 2300, but the relief by the Engrs of the 113th Cav Group was not completed until 0600. The 3rd Bn assembled vic of STRASS, and at 1200, due to artillery fire being placed on road between STRASS and GROSSHAU by the enemy, the Bn marched to GROSSHAU by foot. The 3rd Bn moved by motor at 1400 for assembly area at AACHEN, and closed in that area at 1630. The Regtl CP located at (834403) was the center of the regimental assembly area.

At 1730, the Regimental Combat Team with 323rd FA Bn, Co B, 308th Engr Bn, Co B, 308th Med Bn, and Co B, 772nd TD Bn (T), attached for movement, moved by motor to assembly area vicinity of SOMME LEUZE, BELGIUM (3195).

27 December 1944.

Regimental CP opened at (316958) at 0230, and by 0530 all units had closed into assembly area. 330th Infantry (-1st Bn) was attached upon arrival to VII Corps, and placed in Corps reserve. The 1st Bn was attached upon arrival to the 84th Inf Div, and went into assembly position in 84th Inf Div sector. Co B, 772nd TD Bn (T), Co C, 774th Tk Bn, and one platoon Co B, 308th Engr Bn attached to 330th Infantry. Co C, 774th Tk Bn closed in regimental assembly area vic (316958) at 2000.

All units of regiment engaged in resting and rehabilitation.

28 December to 31 December 1944.

No change in tactical situation during remainder of period. Regiment engaged in reorganizing, training of replacements, critique of earlier operations and reconnaissance of routes to units of VII Corps for counterattack plans.

HORIZONTAL FLOURISH LINE



Source: National Archives and Records Administration

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