9th Infantry Division
For the period of 1 Oct - 27 Oct 1944
The activity on the 13th October 1944 was an attack by the 2nd Battalion starting at 0930 hours with the support of successive arty concentrations. The advance was slow at first then moved more rapidly to the south to establish a defensive line along the road at (000313). The 3rd Battalion positions were altered somewhat to stop a threatened attack from the east. The 1st Battalion was engaged in heavy fighting throughout the day, but with no appreciable change in position.
On the 14th October 1944, the 2nd Battalion attacked southeast toward the road running east-west in vicinity of (997313). The first attack was delayed by an enemy attack and finally reorganized and started at 1030 hours. The 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, attached to the Regiment, attacked to the south between the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, and made rapid progress to the road, having a stiff fire fight but reaching its final objective and repulsed a counterattack at 1700 hours.
The operations on the 15th October 1944, consisted of an attack southeast by the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, to seize the high ground. Their attack started at 0730 hours and final positions were reached at approximately 1400 hours, at this time fire from a pill box halted the advance. The 2nd Battalion conducted the mopping up and destroying of pill boxes as the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, vacated the area. The 1st Battalion constantly received small arms and mortar fire but positions were unchanged during the day. The 3rd Battalion reached a position 200 yards east of the main north-south road after Company "L" had cleaned up a pill box and then with Company "K" moved east to the final positions.
On the following day, the 16th of October.1944, the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, continued to attack with the mission of cleaning out the area on the Regiment right flank. Progress was slow due to heavy wooded area but resistance was comparatively light and this Battalion continued its advance southeast to its objective arriving there by 1830 hours. The 2nd Battalion organized defensive positions vacated by the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, with outposts and defensive fires established. The 1st Battalion was withdrawn to an assembly area and designated as Regimental Reserve. The 3rd Battalion in positions remained unchanged.
The Regiment in the period from 18th October 1944 to the 20th October 1944 continued to set up defensive measures by the placing of tactical wire with booby traps in front of the forward positions. Road blocks and mine fields were established on roads in vicinity of GERMETER. Extensive patrolling was conducted to determine positions and strength of the enemy to the southeast. These patrols were used for local security. On the 21st October 1944, the 2nd Battalion extended the lines formerly held by Company "C". Company "C" moved to an assembly area with the mission of countering enemy attacks from the South and West. The 1st Battalion was placed in Division Reserve in the vicinity of ZWEIFALL, and by 1800 hours, the advance elements of the 1st Battalion had arrived in this area. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions remained in defensive positions and the normal security patrolling continued.
The 1st Battalion, less Company "C", on the 22nd October 1944, had completed moving into the assembly area in the vicinity of ZWEIFALL as a Division Reserve. Company "C", with a platoon of tanks attached, moved to the position vacated by the 1st Battalion and was designated Regimental Reserve.
The 23rd and 24 October 1944, the Regiment remained in defensive positions and plans were made for relief by the 110th Infantry. Patrolling was continued for security and to determine the location and strength of the enemy.
On the 25th October 1944, commencing in the morning, the relief of the Regiment was started, and Company "C", on its relief rejoined the 1st Battalion Division Reserve. There was no change in positions or situation of the front line units.
The Regiment less 2nd Battalion Combat Team, was complete in its relief on the 26th October 1944, the 3rd Battalion, 110th Infantry relieving the 3rd Battalion in place, and the 1st Battalion was released from Division Reserve. The 2nd Battalion Combat Team during these period was attached to the 110th Infantry. The Regiment, less 2nd Battalion Combat Team, was complete in an intermediate assembly area at EUPEN by 1945 hours. The following day the Second Battalion Combat Team was released and moved directly to CAMP ELSENBORN.
The Regiment, on the 27th of October 1944, moved into billets at CAMP ELSENBORN to reorganize and conduct an extensive training program for coming operations. The Regiment remained in this area at the closing of the period.
During this period of operations the Regiment took Seven hundred (700) prisoners and suffered the following casualties: KIA 6 officers 183 enlisted men, MIA 2 officers 126 enlisted men, WIA 40 officers 962 enlisted men.
