By Sidney A Salomon (1913 - 2004)
2 Silver Stars; Purple Heart w/Oak Leaf Cluster

B (Baker) Company

14 Nov. ---- Germeter area

21 Nov. ---- Hurtgen Forest

6 Dec. ---- Bergstein

The 2nd Ranger Battalion had been positioned in Esch Luxembourg from 21 October to 2 November. On 3 November, based on orders from the 1st Army, the battalion moved by truck from Esch to Neudorf Belgium in the vicinity of Raeren, also in Belgium, at which time the battalion came under V Corps control. On the day of the truck ride from Esch to Neudorf to Raeren, it was a crisp, cold and clear day. At some place en route, most of the men observed their initial sighting of a German V-2 drone. At that time, no one knew what it was termed. It must have been launched from a not too distant place, as it was still on the ascent. It just zoomed over the truck convoy, on a continuous rise, making a throaty and steady noise, headed in the direction of England. Now, as we look back, it resembled one of those rather expensive radio controlled toy planes.

From 4 November to 13 November, the battalion, in a reserve position, was situated in and around Raeren, Belgium. At this time, the Ranger Battalion was attached to CCA of the 5th Armored Division, and was alerted to be prepared for a major attack. This mission entailed the Rangers riding the tanks and armored vehicles of the armored division in an attempt to link up with the 28th Division in the Schmidt, Germany area. Because of the difficulties the 28th Division were experiencing in the Vossenack-Schmidt area, mainly due to the tenacious defenders, coupled with the snow, rain and frigid weather, the actual armored/Ranger attack was delayed and placed on a day to day basis.

Then, on 14 November, the 2nd Ranger Battalion was relieved from attachment to the 5th Armored Division, and ordered to the Germeter-Vossenack area. There, the battalion would be attached to the 28th Infantry Division, and to relieve the 112th Infantry Regiment. Beginning on that day, Baker Company of the Rangers would be subjected to intermittent artillery and mortar fire as the company maneuvered into their defensive position to protect the northern part of the town of Germeter.

The overall Ranger mission was to hold and retain possession of this ground. In addition, Baker Company had the further responsibility of maintaining contact with K Company of the 12th Regiment, 4th Division, located on the left flank of Baker Company. Elements of this division had taken over some of the area which the 28th Division had vacated. Part of this 4th Division was spread out in the hilly, heavily wooded terrain known as the Hurtgen Forest, located just north of Germeter in the vicinity of the town of Wittscheidt. Eventually, this regiment, in turn, would be relieved by the 8th Division who would resume the attack toward Hurtgen.

During all of the time Baker Company held the village of Germeter, heavy enemy shelling continued. The Germans had control of the town of Schmidt, and with that dominant position, had perfect observation of all movements in the Germeter and Vossenack area. During daylight hours, it was risky for the Rangers to be seen or move about. Consequently, as much as possible, they utilized the buildings of the town for protection from the enemy shelling.

Moving from Raeren to Germeter, the Rangers of Baker Company were amazed to see the Gl equipment, clothing, and even weapons that had been discarded by the divisional troops who had previously held this area. As Baker Company moved into Germeter, they had been unaware of the disorganized and hasty withdrawals of the 28th Division, All in the company were intent on getting proper positions to retain control of Germeter, fulfill the patrolling requirements, and in simple, words, to be and act like Rangers.

Contact with K Company was maintained by patrol usually of squad strength every six hours. The distance was approximately 500 yards, and most of that distance was completely exposed to observation by the Germans from their dominant position on the high ground of Schmidt. The patrol contact was made at the K Company CP, just within the Hurtgen Forest. Their CP was a German house where the company commander and his staff were headquartered in the basement. At various times, the CP was apparently used as a temporary indoor relief station, enabling a rotation of the men on the line, and to get them out of the wintry elements for a brief period. It was also used to temporarily help the casualties until they could be evacuated to the rear. The K Company infantrymen seemed mighty pleased to see the Rangers whenever contact was made. Apparently, it gave them a feeling of not being abandoned. For five days, the Baker Company Rangers maintained their patrol contact with the adjoining infantry company. Even though under heavy enemy shelling from artillery, mortar, and self-propelled guns directed on the Ranger positions, Baker Company suffered only a handful of casualties, while they successfully continued their assigned mission. During this time, a combat patrol from the first platoon was able to capture a half dozen prisoners which were sent back to the battalion intelligence section.

Finally, on 20 November, orders were received from Corps Headquarters for the Ranger Battalion, less Baker Company, to pull back into a reserve position. The orders for Baker Company were to advance into the Hurtgen Forest from their present position, hold the ground at all cost, and in the meantime, offer protection to elements of the 12th Regiment.

On the night of 21 November, under cover of darkness, Baker Company moved out of their positions around the town of Germeter, proceeding into the rugged, heavily wooded section of Hurtgen Forest. The night was dark, wintry clouds obscured the moon, and the weather cold as the second platoon led the way, moving cautiously through the heavily wooded forest, followed by the first platoon. There was a stillness in the air, the enemy shelling had subsided with the fall of night, Conversation among the Rangers was limited and then only in hushed or subdued whispers. The Rangers peered ahead into the dark gloom as they advanced in a single column, barely able to see the man ahead.

Occasionally, someone tripped over a branch, or a twig snapped as the foot of a Ranger, weighed down with ammunition and combat pack, stepped on it in the darkness, and equipment jangled as it brushed against the extended branches of fallen trees, followed by an expletive of profanity, then the stern command to "watch it, keep alert." For some distance, the company advanced into the forest, and as they were later informed, it was one of the deepest penetrations into German territory, by the Allies, in that sector.

Suddenly, there was a sharp bang, then a moan, followed by still another sharp bang, and more moans, with the acrid smell of explosives . hovering in the gloomy darkness. Everyone stopped! Word was immediately passed along the column of men - "stand still, stay in your tracks, mines and trip wires ahead, aid man to the head of the column."

Without regard for their personal safety, a couple of Rangers immediately went to the help of their fallen comrades. In that inky blackness of the night, first aid and comfort were given to the casualties, as best as possible under the circumstances.

Just then, a slight break in the tree line was noted, indicating a clearing of some sort. Orders were given to the first platoon to start digging foxholes, deep enough and large enough to provide protection for the members of the second platoon as well, for some of the latter had been temporarily stunned by the mine explosions. In the darkness, there was the muffled sound of shovel against rock, root and dirt, as the first platoon needed no further urging to dig.

As dawn came, the shelling by the German artillery resumed, and now the bursting shells were exploding around the American occupied positions. Some shells burst as they hit the tops of trees,-instantly raining shrapnel in every direction and down on the hapless Gl's. The men of Baker Company huddled in their foxholes as an incessant barrage took place. The enemy gave the Ranger positions a steady pounding with artillery and mortar. With grim determination, the Rangers held their ground. During this time, as assessment of their position had been made by the company commander, and the casualties were attended to as best as possible. The medical aid man attached to the Baker Company did yeoman work, and there is no question that he was instrumental in saving the lives of wounded Rangers.

Radio contact had been maintained with battalion headquarters, informing them of the situation. The battalion commander issued orders to continue to hold that ground.
The enemy shelling on the Baker Company positions continued throughout the day, lessening as nightfall approached. Now the men were placed on an alert position in the event of a counterattack by the German infantry, which fortunately did not materialize in great strength. The Company, with much fortitude and many acts of bravery, continued to hold that line during still another night.

Came the next day - Thanksgiving - and more shelling, and more small arms fire on the Ranger positions. The concussion of incoming artillery shells was devastating. More casualties resulted but through it all, the Baker Company Rangers held their position.

Now, the company numbers were decimated, and at the end of the day, the battalion commander informed Baker Company that another Ranger Company would move into position that evening, under cover of darkness, to relieve the stalwart men of Baker Company. With that knowledge passed along, the Rangers became even more determined to withstand whatever the German artillery threw into their positions.

Before long, a patrol from Able Company arrived with a two-fold purpose: one, to reconnoiter a route through the artillery riddled but dense woodland prior to effectual relief of Baker Company, and two, to aid in the evacuation of Baker Company casualties. Unfortunately, even as the needs of some of the wounded were being attended, another mine went off, and the Able Company medic and patrol leader were both wounded from the resulting explosion.

After darkness, the German artillery lessened, and as Able Company moved into that wooded sector to assume their protective positions, the men of Baker Company picked up their dead and wounded comrades with makeshift litters. It was a difficult job in the darkness, but the tired Rangers took turns carrying the bodies of the dead and seriously wounded. Now that they had returned to the previously vacated positions around Germeter, the Rangers expected enemy artillery shelling to open up any minute, but fortunately, there was an evening lull, enabling each man to get some much needed rest.

In the early morning, a tired, dirty and bedraggled bunch of men moved out of the area around Germeter, and joined the others in the battalion reserve bivouac section. For the first time, the men of Baker Company, who had suffered through the ordeal of those forty-eight hours in the Hurtgen Forest, truly gave thanks.

On 6 December, Baker Company and the entire battalion boarded trucks and under cover of darkness, and using back roads, traveled under combat conditions to the vicinity of the town of Kleinhau. There, the company detrucked, lined up along the road and proceeded towards the town of Bergstein, a column of troops on either side of the road.

Since Baker Company was still under-strength from the casualties suffered while in the Hurtgen Forest, a battalion staff officer assigned the company to a flank defensive position to the right of the Bergstein Road. An outpost of the 5th Armored Division was down the road, and as Baker Company passed through that outpost and traveled a couple of hundred yards farther down the road as ordered for defensive positions, the armored outpost pulled back.

Now, the Baker Company Rangers veered to the right off the road and formed a line perpendicular to the road, but facing some enemy troops in the underbrush ahead. The Rangers were told to dig foxholes as quietly as possible and to have them completed before dawn appeared, and to be prepared to hold this ground.

By dawn, the assault sections of the company were dug in, the mortar sections were dug in and set up about 25 yards to the rear, adjoining a house and barn. Periodically, the mortar section would send several rounds of their 60 mm mortars to the front where it was thought that some Germans were entrenched. Immediately, return fire came from the enemy side and the mortar men would scramble for the protection of the buildings. In the daytime, it was impossible to show yourself out of the foxhole, as the Germans were directly to the front, and the Rangers were in an open field. Small arms fire made certain everyone kept his head down, and at nighttime, moderate incoming shelling took place. The mission was successful, as no enemy counterattack on Hill 400 came from this direction. Eventually, the assault on Hill 400 by D and F Companies was considered a success, and Baker Company, on 8 December, at 2240, using the darkness as a cover, pulled out of their positions in the Bergstein area upon orders from battalion and returned to the old battalion reserve area.

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