4 December 1944

On 4 December, the division continued to maintain its positions and mop up pockets of enemy resistance between the infantry regiments. The 22d Infantry, having been relieved on the previous day, moved from the present division sector to new assembly areas in the vicinity of the City of Luxembourg.

The 8th Infantry, with previously attached units, attacked to the south at 1030 with elements of the 1st and 2d Battalions to clear enemy pockets of resistance between their present positions and the regimental right (south) boundary. Contact was made with the enemy in the vicinity of ( F-054420) at 1130, and a small arms fire fight ensued. The attack progressed to the objective in the vicinity of the boundary and the enemy pocket was successfully liquidated, yielding a few prisoners and some enemy equipment. The attacking units returned to positions formerly held and the newly cleared area was outposted by elements of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron prior to the close of the period. The remainder of the regimental front had remained static throughout the day.

The 12th Infantry, with the same attached units, launched an attack with its 3d Battalion to the northeast to clear enemy pockets of resistance between positions then held, and the regimental left (north) boundary. The attack progressed against small arms resistance throughout the period and by mid-afternoon the objectives had been reached. Company L remained in the position they had secured while the remainder of the battalion was withdrawn to an assembly area in the rear of the 1st Battalion to constitute a small reserve. The terrain covered during the fight was outposted by elements of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.

In the interim, the 1st and 2d Battalions endeavored to adjust their positions on the main line of resistance, and between 1600 and 1800 Company B was subjected to extremely intense artillery barrages which caused heavy casualties. This company was withdrawn about 200 yards for reorganisation and the necessary adjustment in the line was made by elements of Companies A and C. At the close of the period, Company D of the 87th Chemical Battalion was detached and reverted to battalion control.

The 22d Infantry, with Company C, 4th Medical Battalion, and one platoon of Company C, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion, accompanied by the 44th Field Artillery Battalion, initiated the movement previously mentioned beginning at 0945 at which time it passed the IP at Zweifall, Germany, enroute to new assembly areas in the vicinity of Luxembourg. The 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalions closed at 2200, the composite battalion companies by 2300, and the remainder of the Combat Team was still enroute at the close of the day. Attachment of the entire regimental Combat Team to the 83d Infantry Division was to become effective when the final elements had closed.

CT 330 remained attached to the 4th Infantry Division during the period and improved and readjusted the former front line positions of the 22d Infantry. Sporadic artillery fire was received by front line elements but no encounter with the enemy was reported and no substantial changes in dispositions resulted.

The 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron continued on its mission of screening rear areas and maintaining contact between all front line elements of the division.

5 December 1944

During this period, as preparations and planning continued for relief of the division in its Hurtgen Forest sector, present front linos were maintained and small groups of enemy infantry were cleared from rear areas. One enemy counterattack was repulsed by the 330th Infantry Regiment shortly after first light.

The, 8th Infantry, with Company A, 4th Medical Battalion; one platoon of Company A, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion; one platoon of Company D and Company A, 70th Tank Battalion, and Company A, less one platoon, 803d Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP) attached, consolidated its front line positions throughout the period and maintained contact with the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron on the regimental left (north) flank and with elements of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron on the right. Sporadic artillery fire was received by front line elements throughout the entire period, but troop dispositions remained unchanged.

The 12th Infantry, with Company B, 4th Medical Battalion; one platoon of Company B, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion; Company B and Company D, less one platoon, 70th Tank Battalion, and Company B, 803d Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP) attached, adjusted front line positions on the regimental main, line of resistance and continued preparations for relief of the regiment by elements of the 83d Infantry Division.

Company I advanced to the northeast during the period to clear enemy pockets of resistance from the vicinity of (F-060414), and upon completion, rejoined the 3d Battalion (less Company L) in the battalion assembly area in the vicinity of (F-032411). Artillery fire continued heavy in this sector throughout the period.

The 22d Infantry, with the 4th Field Artillery Battalion, Company C, 4th Medical Battalion, and one platoon of Company C, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion, completed its movement to the new division zone of action in the vicinity of Luxembourg at which time the entire combat team passed to the control of the 83d Infantry Division.

The 330th Combat Team maintained and improved its front line positions throughout the day. A counterattack by an estimated 47 enemy infantry was launched shortly after first light after a heavy mortar and artillery preparation had been laid down. The assault was repulsed by Company B after inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and a total of 20 prisoners of war were taken. One other enemy action occurred during the period at 1545 when a patrol of approximately 15 men attempted to turn the left (north) flank of Company B, but was repulsed and obliged to dig in in the vicinity of (F-070393). All Combat Team dispositions remained unchanged despite the enemy's attempts to penetrate our positions.

6 December 1944

During the period, the 4th Infantry Division continued to defend its main line of resistance with three (3) regiments abreast. Intensive patrolling was conducted between units and to the front of the main line of resistance. Plans were continued for the relief of the remainder of the division by the 83d Infantry Division.

The 8th Infantry with Company A, 4th Medical Battalion; one platoon of Company A, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion; one platoon of Company D and Company A, 70th Tank Battalion; and Company A, less one platoon, 803d Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP) attached, continued to defend its main line of resistance with the 1st and 3d Battalions on line and the 2d Battalion in Regimental Reserve. Patrols were sent out from the 1st Battalion to establish contact with the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in the vicinity of (F-056421). One patrol from the 1st Battalion was sent out to determine enemy defenses and ran into occupied bunkers in the vicinity of (F-059426). Through constant patrolling, the 1st and 3d Battalions maintained contact, with the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron on the regimental and the division left (north) flank and with elements of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron on the right. The principal enemy action occurred when a ten man patrol advanced against the position held by the 3d Battalion at 1400 but it was driven off and no further activity was noted.

The 12th Infantry with Company B, 4th Medical Battalion; one platoon of Company B, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion; Company B and Company D, less one platoon, 70th Tank Battalion, and Company B, 803d Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP) attached, continued to hold its positions on the main line of resistance and carried on preparations for the relief of the regiment by elements of the 83d Infantry Division. Light artillery fire was received throughout the day. Company B, 70th Tank Battalion was relieved in position by tanks from the supporting battalion of the 83d Infantry Division.

Combat Team 330 of the 83d Infantry Division maintained its position on the main line of resistance and made minor adjustments on the front. Moderate amounts of artillery fire was received throughout the day and one officer-led patrol of twenty (20) men was sent at 2330 to the vicinity of (F-072377) and (F-077373). This patrol was enroute at the close of the period.

In the interim, the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron continued to screen areas between all the divisional units and the 22d Infantry remained attached to the 83d Infantry Division in the vicinity of the City of Luxembourg.

7 December 1944

During this period, the 4th Infantry Division continued its defense along the division's main line of resistance with three (3) Regimental Combat Teams abreast. The relief of the 12th Infantry Regiment by the 331st Infantry Regiment of the 83d Infantry Division was completed at 1600, at which time the responsibility for this zone of action was assumed by the Commanding General of the 83d Infantry Division and effective at the same time, the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division assumed responsibility for the new 4th Infantry Division zone of action fronting on the Sauer and Moselle Rivers in the vicinity of the City of Luxembourg.

The 8th Infantry Regiment with the attachments as previously mentioned continued to defend its main line of resistance with the 1st and the 3d Battalions on line and with the 2d Battalion in Regimental reserve. The 1st Battalion sent patrols at 0900 to the vicinity of (F-063426) and the 3d Battalion dispatched one at 0930 to the vicinity of (F-059437) to determine the locations of all enemy defenses. The 2d Battalion, sent a reconnaissance patrol at 0900 to the vicinity of (F-064424) on a similar mission but no enemy whatsoever was observed. Continuous contact was maintained with the cavalry units on the Combat Team's right and left flank and intermittent artillery fire fell throughout the sector during the period. At 1600, the entire Combat Team passed to the control of the 83d Infantry Division in position.

The entire 12th Combat Team, composed of regimental and attached units as previously mentioned, was relieved by the 331st Infantry Regiment of the 83d Infantry Division beginning at 0800. The 3d Battalion completed its relief and closed in a temporary assembly area at 1000, the 2d Battalion at 1230, and the 1st Battalion at 1415. By 1600 the entire relief was completed, the regiment assembled, and prepared to move the following day to new regimental area in the vicinity of the City of Luxembourg.

The 22d Regimental Combat Team and all elements of the 83d Infantry Division which were still in positions along the Sauer and Moselle Rivers passed to the control of the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division effective at 1600 and continued to defend in that sector.

Combat Team 330 of the 83d Infantry Division maintained its defensive positions throughout the day. The officer-led patrol previously mentioned reached the vicinity of (F-065382), at which time twelve (12) rounds of artillery fire fell about one hundred (100) yards to their right rear causing the patrol to seek cover. Heavy mortar concentrations began to fall in the immediate vicinity thus, being unable to accomplish their mission, the patrol returned at 0445.

The 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, less one (1) troop, and with the 4th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) attached, continued to screen, the areas between the 4th Cavalry reconnaissance Squadron, the 8th, 12th, and 330th Infantry Regiments. At 1600, the 4th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) was detached and the squadron reverted to the control of the 83d Infantry Division in position. Other elements of the division, including the 4th Engineer Combat Battalion, less Combat Team attachments; the 70th Tank Battalion, less Combat Team attachments; the 803d Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP), less Combat Team attachments, and the 377th Antiaircraft Artillery (AW) Battalion, less supporting units, initiated movement during the day to the vicinity of the City of Luxembourg and closed in their new assembly areas.

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