307th Dec 17 To 31 1944
307th Dec 17 To 31 1944
307th Dec 17 To 31 1944
HEADQUARrERS
307TH AIRBCRNE ENGINEER BATTALlbN
APO 469, U. S. ARMY
Cl~
('X'"'i
14 January 1945.
r,j .
SUBJECT: Report of Action Against the Enemy.
1. Submitted herewith are six copIes of this unit I s history for the
period December 17 - 31, 1944.
Historical Narrative
Operations Sketches
Unit Journal
Periodic Reports
Casualty Reports
r,
3. Copies five and six do not cont ain Periodic Report.~s,.
En. ,
•• .,.
HEADQUARTERS
307TH AIRBOmE ENGmEER BATTALION
APe 469, u. S. ARMY
1 January 1945
HISTCRICAL NARRATIVE
The Battalion was alerted 2105 Decemberl?, 1944 in its SISSONNE, FRANCE·
garrison. The night was spent in hurried preparations, drawing and· issuing
anmnnjtion, rati"On.t!I, loading equipment on transportation, drawing and issuing
. maps to division units.
The following morning the Battalion deParted after attaching the four
lettered companies to regimental combat teams. All arrived ~~ WmEoMOOT, BEL
Gn& some 25 miles South of LIEGE the night and morning of Dec IS - 19. Elements
of the Batta.lionmade reconnaissance, placed minefields, repaired a bridge at .
FORGES, buUt a Bailey bridge at HABI~T, cleared wreckage from roads, opened
a water point, drew and broke down maps, and established bivouac.
The nigpt of Dec 20 - 21, Bn CP, Medical Detachment, H&S Co, and Co "A",
which had reverted to battalion control, moved fran 'WERBOl&l:NT to LIERNEUX sane·
15 miles to the Southeast. The t'Wo companies were placed to the South and to
the West in defenSe of Division Headq:uarters. Pa~rols were sent out to REGJE on
the South, to the 325th In! on the East· and to FRAITURE on the West, the enemy
being contacted.
On tl}e morning of Dec 22, BnCP, Med Det, H&S Co, and Co "A" moved. to BRA
where defenses for the Division CP were again set up to the South and West.. Com
pany "C" prepared bridges for demolitions along"Lf -AMBIEVE river East of STAU'dlIT.
CanJ&ny "B" prepared bridges for deolitiorls along the SAUl: river South of TROIS
J'CNTS. _Bridges at TROIS PQITS and ROCHELJ:'NVAL were blown. . .
At this ti.methe clivillion had fanned out to LI A14BIEVE and the SAlA! rivers
and THIER DU MCNT to contact the enelQ' 8n.d U;·· S.troops. that had been in the 51
VIT~ area. The se troops were coming througll our area. Meanwhile tne enemy was
building up forces against our much too long front over which Unit.s were stretched
until t h i n . - - - -- -~
During the night of Dec. 22 - 23 a demolition party was dispat ched to' PETITE
LANGi..IR where a bridge was blown over the .RONCEstream. ·A hundred eneiny vehiCles
bad crossed ~his·bridge during the dar
going North.
en Dec 23rd, Co flD" blew a stone culvert 1-1/2 miles South of .SAlllCHATEAU
after the last vehicle of the 7thAnnoredDivision had paSsed. CompariY liB" blew
the bridge at GRAND HALlJ!DX. We ·thus began placing' obstacles .in front of the
enemy both to slow his progresllf and to make ~. more cautious and timid.
Historical Narrative, 3Cf7 AlB Engr Bn for month of Dec 1944 (Cont fd) ~ Page 2.
ceeded with their blowing of brid&es, culverts, cutting abatis, laying anti
~i tank: and anti-persamel minefields. This was coordina.ted with the orderly
withdrawal of the infantry. Some mines exploded 1IIhile being carried. An
entire squad of Co ItC" Were casualties; three were. killed including Ii. Ullrich.
Fran Dec 26 to Dec 31 the defense line was improved. Mine., concertina
entangl8ment.s, sandbags and entrenching tools were procuNd.. Fortifications
material was issued to the division units. Additional..llinetie1d8 were laic!
until more than a hundred fields were in place. The rOacl net w&snone too good.
Trails through the woods 'Were developed as supply roads. Fortunately the ground
was frozen and the earth roads could take any load. The 238th E'41gr an (Combat)
was., placed in close support of the d1 vision. These· engineers 1nmediatelystart
edthe improvement of roads in the division rear area. On Dec 27th Lt Prusi and ..
detachment trom 602nd Engr En (Camouflage) were placed with the division to as
'- sist in any camouflagt!matters. On Dec, 29th Bn Hq moved two miles E~,_o~ HABI
EMCET to avoid the muzzle blast of heavy artillery which had knocked out all
Now Year' 8 Eve found the Battalion somewhat recovered from the first round,
a second breath had come and the canmand was ready tor· new effort••
---0
.. 2
... .. •
:..L\
\ /'\00
I
r::. f
()
1 .!
.10
1 I
-+-~Cl
I !
~ !,
-;.;
Ii
i,
l'
t
~t-
J,!~'l
\
'"
, 5S
,I
1-
/
(5":: ..-.. ) ,~.,
(::-5)
( -=1:it1lC
I ~ l""H,,:•. lI'!1-
1
L- ~ _
.'j - ...
'.,j.; 11' M ;; fl,":;.-.. .... ,I. ~ ~ }.,,~ <:' '";",'1Ii ~ rcr.~ ". <I'" ,< •
\..., l'\ it'""
/
( 10
-.'
\
1. DiEc.1,';; ::: ~ \
'J1pKo.~tr;C, Mrt)i.r'.:"'Ci~. \:
OUIL'OI'V:"~' H~tL:"A:~-j-:~.c.,.
S""'PP~'j~' ~iit.",'01.
~':~, E; ~ ..... -: .. G.
'\{'!.i ],...
'J
ll~Al':~
M I f\l (; ~ A . F'. ~ .; :T.
;)l!PP\.)' i(OS 1:.1.:1 iT
I,.
l" r ~" ' ..... '"
~l.~:l\l,:h l..; ~:'r
l~ I' l\~~'~,,·J'"
r, Ii '-' '\ >
II} (p 01'1 W In~{ QrJAI'.J,"i
'~.
•• •
1fE,ADQiJfL'1.TERS
307~::1: I~I?l3C,~'(J"~-- ~1~GI1_r;~SIl BA1~T_~\.LIOI\
APO 469, u. S. AR1D~
S - 1 JOUR1;AL
17 Dece.::~:1;:,er 1941~. ~-
2100 F£ltire Bn received o:'ders c,;1.d was a1,~tt(d to m.:-' a. lIlove into }JSIGIUt: at once.
There ~as aCo Co~~rls'~'3eti~ c~:led a~~ orders given to ea6h Co.
Entire :if started v;ork::cf Fre~arinc: for • 0'.1 e.. T:lis was done throuCllout n i i::l1.t.
18 December 101 ,
-'-/~".
2L,oo A-S-C-D Cos arrived 2,t -eJ3CT3, 3EUnUp (535002) ,~J;d 81'(; :::.t i. ·;.::;hcd L t . :eir
respect-ive C.T.5. W~11l &<JHONT
All
19 Dec~~ber 1944.
0513 ;'sg tc co.=:--; \':':u:'5 t:.- see ;y0\.' :L:cT,edi,te1~.i c.t bis CPo F.l.eF,erted to CO.
lL,
"OO T.:n,'~
.,r<)
° 0 , . : J~~~~"L,-.L
J
,., yo,,"
C,",'
.",l ~ •. Q~,
'r.L
wn 'C'~l'v'ed e:t,..~a)i
." "'''1. Or.L.
rt 1;0-1'" 3?!YI~tr""''-' S·:CT '·'Ilr.,·
.'i"
"ol c-·"'t .. OF
Div C/TJ. sts.. (52LC07), Dh' Engr (535002), Div -.siD (5:39':':03). 11ei~ortc:J:'o co.
1l.;2D En[r Victor 'ilater point at (522007) open "t 1300 this date.
1's,2: to 3-4: Initial C-L Lc:riocic rel~ort due at r~-l, :.:.t' 200900 Dec. Dailv
1720
RE.iic 1,~3b to CO: fotil... : Baker Co rl Li,ces arrive.
1730 T /5 ihitle:i a.rriv ed ·.~ithor:1J; :r.ins8 dJ;d 65 grcL,':ldes. G0.; "\.< r (A, nct.ii'isd
'J
r~4. F.irst Arn:~j ·~:5 se~-~jin,3-! .--, s,:;;'e ;:.l2,es. j_rrj~valt ~rl-knovt~ • ',:J;_~.
n~:Lnes c;re '-l""(;il[:ib1.e.
l
1750
B &C Cosa.nd '325 notii'i tOr J"'0. CT CoD to 'oe ;';cti
fied veroal1;y.
,
- ..l...
... 1; -~
WI'
•
HC] '.J __ •
19 :-)OC (Cant) .
'''15
.La 1,;;0
':"'01""
'v si t '; tiar
}32'0 r~c' '~o:'.clr of Co II n 2Jve rei ,crt.. 011 reCOIl c ... j •
\
195C i~O leJ: ~,D to to :J:-'v ,~p f _1' crc.icrs.
f
1930 J..·S["tc ,\.11 ':05: v uu are r!~~",iL\_:ed tc. lcrfor11"l all -- r:·.-.,~.l l' . .t.'I:i~..J....ons ,'--<.
z::.-J-l)rC, l~j~ate rt:;~·Cl't.s. (j\d,_,~ tc f1Btt Cc - Sel f (;]'. ._ ~ . ~ CL rbq~ >" s+~ cd )c.
2000 'received as tc ;--":.:ports j~8edel~ ;..:"-~.lj :Jiv. re['!i~:;i~ ,;,"erort writte(,~
Co, leGe '"oe-ir;:; JL ". /\11 08-51..:',1t2.(;5 :>f'l.,;;is dLi.t tc '::j'c' I'cjcrt-:d ty L,is
'l;..nit. ~~trerl.t;t.:; .r2},ol'i b:, tcleI_,Lcr:c d,:'li::i IGC{) h<:'IJr~) 2.1~G c'2cJed.
CO retur!iS freYL ~)i'l (~r. Ii.equ8"sts te;ler1ic;L'8 Jine laid tc
Co ";," is cr::~::strucV Die ir'ber c1DSS L.l:
20)) CO left Rl CP to in Vicrk at bridLe 3i te.
2Gl~O }~s~: sUl-·r·l~J l-cints (~~.s follc',vs - l,'·,:..trs-~·;u~· }(;:316. v,:i:-lab:'3 "-. st
J~ ~ roved b~, COTtS. In t:j ... ·~r··~cLc~ d~-·~.r\~v.': 1 r:-ot :-,8eded. .,..L~ ct e:t ~
':~:-.~: '';':lu t 1 c:'.t~eL }'~7LI.36 n~;/.~ilpbJ!:: re . '\.1 E; st ~) r l,ro -'v r::; d L,llit 3~:.~ r:~T off.
S 2., J de:;C'l::'t ~on ,;;:u r li85~SF 1:25 ;: C,~ ; ·~cr-. '-'.
.--~ r; t::
~t ~2crl, -=c:; ",'.1', re;'crt~cj iI',
I
.;....:.,L-t.J
.. t.
2350 Dt .~i, ~e,j .~-] J.' 1:. Fc'r~l'·r."~.:;j, n:,', , c'
-l- _
"
___ ~'--~"~_"':" ....., :.. ',C• • ' . _ _ "'_"'~,'c.,_.' .'_:~
"
•... ~.
Co IIDII at to
-'
Advance :part ',/ arrived established
OP .. '
t.7P'Q
~~'';;':'.;) roo
J 1"~ce'Q"'rt'u'''rQ'5':''''Pr'
..l..-'~ ·C) 0. at.. ..... ~,
. L tICI,>. <.:~1
.l 0"'0' r'1"'c6{·1·o:ut·~'pko""'·"':+':""~'c"";~,,y·-i"·":·r
. ~ti "'-":'; .....~u-- o't'
-\:,Vj,J--::-J;:-~~---:Y-""""'-:"~l-",-""k- =.-. Pn.
u,;-, '..co
"'-A.;:--i-f-"'-:t".-- J
ADE arrives at BnCP and gives location to CO. ,Alfio'states to 'CO where'
') '. ". . : ' , . ' ".' -
defense
_ . ' " ," ,"
Do_sitionssnould b e . , ~ . .
ciri:efof local poJ::l.cecontact.ed CO ~l1d offer:ed C1s_>?ist}-rce in' an:,,/ 9.ay between .
FEjor te.eleft BnCP v;it h chief ,of loca:l 1)01{'6e to point out road
- 1a ~
'or Lee retlu'rled. .\it'Lth
".
. ~:. j:H~f1t . v::£t h .C:~C C)~ ficer.
. ny..."o· ~'''''+''''''I'-eQ"
.....'-v~u ..l.·;, :t~,,·"·C··P·"_:""'<
:.·,..~7._, .J';;
,-,n'(·o,'ti""l·F'
f:tL::-~ .~,"".;:'I·'" v .. ..-,,~ ... ~rrp ·o'·'l"t"e-·
. ~.".~. I~' L ,~ . . ~l ...
f"s'e'
'''Y'U'' :.~ ';'rJI"c'r;;d'
..L'_, .\,,~ .~~ ,"'l~~:'
ll"", ~., l"ll'",
i~;~~~?:;~~o.~~))f:j,d~%"\IB;I::i~epOi'~$rsr~U~:~G:i?;l) '~llilJa:rl~r-~tTGn~t}l',
. ~' Cc.~"H__ lt1.~s. "~I ,.0 1,';;:& 10o'7:""1:",4,:tTIvl,ln·re,,,r, area •
':IT r,;:1:~,lS
~s:;'i~r.;.c7
'. f 'f'
..~l.~"le.~
.,' .... d
--·'r:~r~l:. ,rJ_~\, ge
. (5'r'C;I'C'I't:) , rrh'" .', 11 'f"' . r' 'l~
and cr:eIii:J' )esH"mated a:t L~ enemy HG 8,lld4 friehdl;v Cal 30 CD,lEP EG. HeY;.or't-:
ed- --ic.o<- C~2. " . . " i
at
" .
,
Bn?~l' Journal dtcl 21 Dea' 4[..
'
30'rrH
22
S ..;. 1 JOUI:n'~AL'
22. December 44
0105 Col Shute called cl.,ridstated that S-4shollld get, additional explosive and
pay partict.:.,lar attention to South of our. sector- veryirnportaJ.1.t. F,;ither'
prepare for seethat'bridgesat VELSAUr P...:$r:ThCWHATEAU are 'in'epa.redfor dem...
... :,:.~.~ __~,-.Qliliot"4~~~u5t.get~pernfrss:i;0n·to· 'hfow'-same-f-ronrl:m±t"'oIT;cur~l'e'ft-;-'ftep6t'teQ'--
i taCO. and 8-3.' j' ' , ; ' , ", . ,. ' " ,
.1315 ,OOlMt BnCP with lit CherlirlsldJ.Co,'lIDI}, f~c: ,,;,to.ke recan of oll·bridges.
1355' ADl~ reports to BnCP , givessit.uflti yJ:1';to }ZxecOff." Also brlnes Jl!C.
1405 Ysg taCO: Att~iched,.:are 15 eepie's of 1st barrier ovcr1J~"y. Given t.o 8-2.
14io l":sg ~o CO: 1st )\nFJ m..~dep:et nbVi l~cated atH:J1U1" (122337) ~l'; schooJJ'0use.,
Re}'Jortedto S-2 •. ,
11.15 1.:sgto 'CO:' Attacbe.dis one C{jpy 0.if2"X'V'IIICorl')s (A/B) aLd'
15 copies or
diagral}l Gfminefielci:s laidh;;' Div. Turnedover to 3":2.•
S-;, left BLCP t, oln¢l,ke re-ccID.
,hli.. rst"Co IfAU reporls,to Btl .GP
,,_"~· ..~u·. ?en 'char,ge of:'TeC1U1icaJ, Intell;tgence
'that he lsq.vailable t.o . ., ,
.. . . . , .:........:'......:~'.;'--:--_'c"';-:":.,,-";".i.~ __. . "
...1.
41.;
S - 1 JOUj]~ ilL
23 December 1944
'0840
'0345
0915
307 Bni::r-1 J 0'.11'::<::,1 23 Dec 4h (Cont I d). Pe,ge,2.
1600 co
~
reti:,rr.stc ____-'.;r
1635
. :3id'GEATi:AU ~ itUi:lt ion~
1725 t·rdel l
Brl
1800
1825
'le25
H~55
1(l0~
1905
1910
lQ'.l,;::;
- # - ... < /
~ J.-955
1955
2025
- .. ;-~."
Hq307 AlB Enp'J3n S~l JOurl141 dtd 24 Dec~44 (O~)!it:<i).
·Capt· 9-aJ.yas:!.nb,,, LfaisorYOff" .. 23T·Fngrs,.. 1~~P?rt.s·,~o:Bn·C~.foroTde:(3.•
,00 of t'liis Bh.isGolLinn.·' /l'heY';€l.re. $tobe in~losesuPFc1$, of01.lt.Bni·
·.~.sfollows (l)coinpanytoreporlto. Ge.ptConn~IlYCbB,(1)com.pa!lY·t9 .
report ..to·LtGbaplinsk;fCo· p, ·(l)·~c~omRany. tQ;repoITtto ... Capt . Ha:rr~5Go.C. ".
This'a, ssigwllentw as~ade\by Jlcaj or,I.e~.·The clqse support;"'as!rQde due-to
. a.Possiblebre<'lkthr61,1gh,which·has.ende:~lgeredthisBJ.1 fo!!2daya.·· .
Capt yalva,sinoLiaison 9ff·of 'tlle237Engr.s,left En' CP enrout.e·to·move
Bn:;i.ponsuPlX>rt. ,,~,;...,. ". - ,c, , .
CO;,})
307TJ1 AIRBotu':~
1\1'01".69,
HI~CORD CF"GTI011
lUght of ';~4
iorl :1
Bai~t
..t;. ••
j ... ',.)
HEAD::iU .
. AR'l'ERS
307'l'H AIHBORNE }:;]1GIl,i}!:gR BATTALION,
i /9
,,\no' ,,~o,
i.,,- U • u.
0 -..r'RJ'V
',;,J.
S - 1 JOUHNAL
25 December 1944
9800 Cf-l~j1t r);:~"lL r'Jpr:rts -lc:c ~rl CP &:ld -,-st~tJ~. . a; i~'.j~t:l~('oL~;ple±..e.Q':"i~l u,_~_. . .Li-_L-2L-~ ;,-~., j
'bJ,o.~;.iJ1C c::\::.::t:;.:.:.. -- ;:;i~ J.vL l'.i..O-;-.;: ~e:r['len jjefi:I~'iCl Lb pull ;;iris::; ctCl~OSB .
rOLd, - Y;:1thbiL, i;e. br9uL:hi:, or:i:::c.Go-..,aly~.<30 Div ,VIlla hai been QP'~{ \':ithtlle ,
G-Eirrncu1s: .l c~Jcr ~:Ias . oi/Jar to (i--2,. c".
LtErl arrives a.t :3n GP'and repol'ts ~coil;I?leted. ThS Lj. ton t ru,c], cDJ.lpleted
moving dozers Cinclwas truned back" to unit •
to}';.x Off fr 8-4: Have sent t!-1e' 504 4. trucks oiw;Lre to Clover bJ!PeJ.ibrne
,Wou1dlike yOll tosendguidefromH&:Sto 50L~ CP or RSO.- 110c tools Or piclcets.
available in,4 iast trucks that came in. Rat i-0n s to Clover irt jO"nlinutes.
-1 - ':;"4,'~
....... <,
\
Engr En 3:-1 Journa,l (Cant I d). Page 2. . ~'
e,rel-'~ :~1'2.ti iJ . the sou~d down. S6~ S-locurll tilen 11ot,ic,; f.J1lyo·icl'1 1 s
legs 'were bJ.own off above' Ule knee. - TV"Q lllcil,Pfc
were killed. 'l'he Sgt Dnd 3 SHJther men were wounded.
~, 1'·
uocIrrer, ' S " - 11-'1" 3'...4,
anu, . Zt'111lr.l. ,,1,-10
f'
bL. _ O\U~
d a VJlI'e '. ' .. ;, ."
VJil~LCrl_~,~:~qe
connected an AP mine. iniprovised - fro[[, 'ei t!1eI',
-gr~nadEi p1acedb~/ SOnie US :\,,.,in'jT ·outfit other
- --S~'J!-i.l~ --i-l1vest--igated p.n j be-lieved 1 de..t..Qll?tio11,
JDcrtar, :~:rheil~ " . - '" ,
. Animo unavailable, a.t Nsp 130 b;.(f,
.GIJi.:IXJJE ,(K3L:ic1200). .Hot e corrected
stLlte's ',Vlarlt:j -e.--a se~~. 'CoJ~-:
t c Di"';{ CT~~-.
Hq J07 Rngr Pn 3~1 Journal (cont' d). Ptige 2.
161j c.o~ retnrni':;;cl to ?n CP after making a reeon 'of frontlm8,s in' 505 8,
1620 G.O',-left ?n CPenpoute to Div CP.
1625 Capt Harris rer:ortstO Bn eFta' get situati,on ,:.nd sttttus of the l"L.t
baclc[lere to CF.
1630 Cline of "~ngrs a,rrived at Pn CP to Ste.t,0S'
'Cell: get one c of ri:ngrs f1' :":l1t;rs 3n i'or;:jLij.nt''''':'"''~'~'''lJ,'-c;;. of i··c/(:,(.d:s.
011cle.rs Cb.pt. Cline to setHI this f~o dow~n: to tli..Ls 8.n and
'1725' , S-,) Returns to 2n CP and gives CO his report of reCGin.
1740 Capt Ihrri,p Ie ft, ....':.::;P enrout e toGo aT'.
181f 5 D Co truckdriver l'eports to 8n CP to. pick up 500 rhines: these';;ill
b~ '3-4 Sec-ti on. .
1915 m8:1 fr P report [lnCf' to obtain 5001'os
push pull devices) these will.be isstlOd by .3...4
2000 t'sg to, 5-4, fr XVIII Corps Capt 11e1'. You .can
" £-Gllo·;-.:ir:.g,~tE/?:, S?\ndbags IDng g, inter
nails, -c.ri,ft p',irJs • . l.t ".s.6 .. }3;3.,r.ge d ,
, yeu r:,ust rei.fuisition thr'ough I,{aster all tbe rest to
R.e\ort to 3-4.
Gipson, e 1NFJ11t.5
)
('
,HEADQUARTERs
307THAIRB<JlNEE7iSGINEER BATTALION-
APo469, U. S,. AM'
. . • w
13 January 1945.
BATTI& CASUALTIES IN BELGIUlf OPmATImS
. . during monthot Decembfar 1944 .
.'!!"
Cc:mpany "A.
None
., ...
PfcByrne.,Francis B.
38358458: W 21 Dec
Pvt ,~taruk,Harry:J.,",
G138S2S2 lWA. 2S Dec
Pte DickaliZl, Joseph 3275417500 20 Dec
ComPMY ltD" (rro:"w.on&l)' ~,
Cp1 Olivero, ArmandoJ., .' ' '120l4614' .. KIA 31 DeQ
.0
o
t:'~IJ);~1itU i\..li.T .L::?,j
307T H J.iI r~3C}1.·,B ~~l- :~~ Ii. :}:Si~~(. ~:3J\rllT.t\.I.J.Cl<':
,,1'0 1;69, U. ;3. "','::.:1,1.:Y
Or: Lew Year 1 s Da-Y,J',.nu;:·.ry 1, 19h5, the Bncir:eers .-:ereFit 'Nork re",r
..-' of Co 11(~lf VJ;JS lc111ed ,vdule placing li.Pl:,;ines. 'l'r'a:L1s throuc1i the 1'0 cds j',eY-e being .
illade, 1.\sab,le for'5uppl;y; ro;,ds. Bl'idZe? culvert.. s'.lere pre:::ared.. fo::,i tion.
A 1'01' cJ leaclin.c into Bl1'.J" was' bein,'~screened ,:frJ)Dl observation w::Lth .tr2.ns-slanted SDruce
trees. A lcn<ce qu::;ntj.t'yo1' cohc;rt:i.na wire c11tahs18nwnt . - issued to
the defending ipf&.rrl;,rJ .,Jater points viera o}jeY'l),ting ano. m;?lpS wel~e procured.
and iSS1Jec1. l\it chen personnel and ecyipn:edtI1Jid2.r1'ived from' the b;:~se C2J:lP and
turkey -witJld.res sine was served.
- ----/". ' .
tJ<lnU:lr:' ~nd Vias ~, contiml2.tion Of road'ilOrk. however, csm::;;;;.r:.les
positions, mine detectors r2.dios were testt=id, i'ie.l~ order 1,0. 1 5(1/0.,_ .
and brirl,~i;;L' VI3.8 [lrr2n.:;ed 2~1 in r:reparation for the f'ol.lovlinzdo.:;rt.s att2.c~:._· ~ ?r~~~
596th Co o.tt2ched to e 517thlr:f coordj~nated engineer U'.sks. "
Durin;; the evenin:::: the discussion turned to tl~eli,se 0:' device :):~. T};e hel
met to help identify en;::ineers in the field. The mir:efielcl i:l£lT~:e::." ',12-5 eri.
",',"hen Lt i.~cLeod st~:-ted thnt trie reel before::.nd tl)e vk:it~ to bel~:~;::;~r '_cOllld represent
mi.r1e lcle",rirlg oper<!t-ions - s2.fe whe~ the erfcinaers had c:leccredthe' ','["'.:"0,11 agreed
it was 211 excellent idea ..
" t
1101t' nl-r-:;n,
ml pre'lir-· . . _f or .Lvile
{lUlarles I '
s.t 2rveu~
2,tt acl';:
1 ~ i"'r • +~:..,
".,~
..J,..
.uurlrl,e 'b'.-.~
- -
0.1. J- 21'1· ....? - 3 ,
Company l1DIl removed all anti-personnel min.efields that could qereaci}ed. Garsf~gre
ITiade irl- all D..nt--i-:.t-~ITiK:J~lnelle·.l.cisvIJ
'u I·e... .. ~t; ~-.:;1.;y _ t- ~' .3}-~ ~- '.-" ~..:... +.~, _1,
"B" removeel"'2I1 road oIod~s Hlbl-'.::J3t; DUU':::UL. CpI Qlark()r~6mpl was
an anti-personnel mine that exploded while being' I,emoved.
The Division attacy. lias ·lannched during the morni..itg of JEn 3rd. Doori"'Lt
.Jurist reported ti,at his "Atl Comr:uny~ platoon had 3 WIA and r l'IA. .1.1:. ·.w.edlr-g re
ported that one 8qUO of Company "BI! . suffered 2 l\.IA (Ca.uchy ,antJ.::liley), 2.IIA,and
1 },;IA, and in additiop 2 mine detectors knocked out. The day' s engir:eerin:::: tasles
were many ar:d an accounting is somewhat confusing. In generc:.l ali tasks were giVerl
as platoon jobs, the platoon being the basic work unit. The follo'i,int: repol'S gives
the day's event s ...
Sl~,~ry of Action
307t-h Airborne En£!,r. _Bn.
Jan 3 - .4, 1945.
£. The 1st Platoon under If; Bild, 576th Engr CoY~asto clear rhines,
on roads and trails NE of bridge (B) and guide the Infmtry thrOugh the
gaps. The 576thmen rom itrtosmall' arnis fire just ~ast of bridge (B) and
fOW1d the5l'(th Inf9;-'1try had not jumped' off .the MLR, as scheduled.
. ,
3. 'Co nG", 238th Engrs (Corps) brougnt trucks loaded with trea.dway bridg
ing - these arrived later than had been planned. But after ~rival, th~se
were held about a mile ff'il of BASb"E 30DEUX on .order of CO, 517 Inf who did
not w&ilt' vehicles in BAS~'E BulJE.UX drawing enemy artille,ry :fi reo .
4. TanJ.{s were now crossing the stream a.t bri~e (.,1..) on a. log corduroy ford
placed unde'r direction of Co "BillS It Lieding after he blew abutments With
bangalores. .
5. At liOO Col Bedell found bridge train parkeq.. on road. HW of' BAsSE BO.rMn::.
He. ordered the bridges to be put inJ.mmedlat ely.
6.. ~. By 1300 It Cl~usen aIld Co. IIAt' Dlatoon was TIK)v1.ng oiL ong\'llth the
325th Inf. It Finlavson <mdOo !'Elt pJ..atoon moved South fran REHAPJ:ONT with
the 505th Inf checki~g ro~ds fer ia.n~5. The 596tI1 Erlgr Co had cleared
mines on .r.oads and tiJiIs NE of' s.;..sSE. 30DEUX~i.ndturned South toward HEI;HI
MOULIN witb cthe 5l7th Inf. An artille~' position. ;o,reaalong road l~or-th of
p ~
-c.
ped ;'loY'king parties at l3C\r. Co uC" had been.in aD assembly area since
the morninE's jump.,-off.
~. Lt lrcDerrnott and CoilA" platoon started on (PARK)avel:lUe :it bridge
(A) at ~OO us:Lng R-4 tractor and ha.dcleared South to (SUTTOII.) street by
]~CD--;- '._- _. .--
.7. At 1500 Col Bedell called a meet,lrJE of Com:-,urlY C0mIrwnders at the Div
FOI'\lrard CPt Co Comdrs were told to put ail'~fforts ·inp18.cir.gm.il::lefields
. for ..the night's. defense.
a ;"f
c ' , ''I , COITl:\c\r}jes.
",Jere placed en 325 L-cf;;;t r~'frcnt bec::JUse t\",ey feu ,ht &11
.,;-:2- t,~:!;J:il~;:::;. halt.
--~~ ---'.--- It i-~)si c.::. c)()2,:c1 (=:o.mouflilce) VJas. wci'kirw with D1vi.sion asCamon
fl<:.Ee Officer. 'T"'iJO to:'f.ree r:und.red snow cepes v-/(~re rtocured dGily. These ca:nes r;ere
iss1Jed to. illli"L S of t ,-''
do 0 or" 1<::1] co-s :- ~:r.l - I,..) l_-r;~~ :.;:' . ~L.....)'if c_~):L t: OOD J ~q-tc:s •.
the front. BI;r-cad on supply l'oads to give footinr' totr 1e often ditched'
vehicles.
~'; ~
'we 11ad blDvinni· had been repc!.i:redb;rU'e enem;y.· Road repair ana :rclain
ten"mce cai1tir111ed. IJein::-; pkced in s\ock :roiles a'longsuF-'pl;r 1'o<:.:.ds on .J&t1
9th.-· f,ddi£ior::;;l ~sbeing spread Dverthe· snowcCiveretl roans. 1.:i.ne fi elds 'wer.e
. On 10th Lines were removed and all int&ct bddges over the SAIll
RIVE::-t.in our sector were. r.:r~f;E-~red fc.r Snow was shovelled off roads it1
preparation DiviSion.
,... 3
•
Begiiming on the afternoon of' JEn loth ,the Battalion moved to a rear reserve
--
area. This area was in the vicinity of LoU\fEIGI:E filo~e than ill miles South of liEGE.
B::' the night of' t-TDh 11th Bn Hq Vias located on the S01.1th edge of r.OUV1UC:0J.LP1"Ht:S Go
was located in AOOEUI, Go IIA"W~S located in1R.CUGS Tf:lER, lIB", tfC",and IIDn CoL.paDies
"1:?ere in IJElct:Ea - <
For the remainder of the week, through J"m Jl,th, the pel~sQnnel Here set~lin::: In
c.heir billets, cleanint'; their equipment, getting new clothing, and resting.
, On Jan 17th Co IID" r'loved South some fiverdles to CEBSSIOE in asser.;bly arec: with
l,ne 508th Inf.
During tLe day J;m 21st Go IIDII l710ved with the 508th ry into ctLeline three
miles North of ST. VITlf. The night 21 - 22 Jan details from this COIilfRny 'llere . sent
:out to place road blocks on· the ST. VITH - P.MBIEVE highw~y. The first and secorid
platoons swept roads for .mines Harth of rom;. The third platoon cleared supply ro ads
with bulldozers.
After placing mines in the vipinityof BURJ!, BELGIUL on Jan 23rd, Company "nlt "was
relieved from attachment to the 50Sth Inf and returned to the battaUon res.t area.
Snow was still on the ground Jan 27th when the Battalion moved to NIEDER ElilllEISER
. HIEDE', 3EIBTU'x.i. The snow had not melted since it arrived mor~ than thr~e weeks pre
via-usly. Daily more snow falling made deeper drifts and made rbads [:lore difficult to
use. Temperatures of minus 3 degrees F • had, been taken at Batta'lion Headquarters.,
Company tl Aflwas c>.ttached to the 3;?5t~:f-,-at----30Rl;. CornpanJr "Gil W ~;.~ 4- t-, r
The Division attacked to the Northeast from ST. VITH, Jan 28th. Engineers, sup
rXirti l1g the infantry <tdvance, started their nightmarish job of cle2.rin::;, opening, d.nd
rairitOairri t1g roads. During this time, for a week, there was' a battle each j.n dividna 1,
was ,waging agf'Linst the extreme cold. CoupledViith this ,'laS. tLe battle against snow,
drifted in spots to six feet aricl. higher. The Infantry, in. their rn..3 .rvelous adv<iirice,
left miles of supply r.oads to be opened. There vias the usual case 0'1' not having as
,:cueD equipmer:t as could be used on the t2.sk.But ~uch equiplnent as vtas available a.Ild
;.;.5 conIc be devised was put to work, 2L} hours fJ. day •. In addition to t:l(;_~c~er= tra.c
tors oi' the Batt,,,-Jicn ahosuPi:,orting er.f:Lneers ,tl:":,iCEs y,ere .rltt.eCi-witil bladestoploi"
snow aside.,
'During this week of opening snow-bound roa.cts Capt Con-n~:lly. c:f COLltHJT({ HEft ..{as
kill ed by she 11fi1'e Jail ~~9th. Cil]Jt,iiggins was placed in~c OfllTcana. of Cor:ll~,an;}r 11 Btl. . The
3at;t2.lion OF H:oved twice - on Jan)oth to :DE:R ;'l.n-a on }"\eb 21:.d to tl1"e l'loodsOI-le :::lle
Southeai:i;~ of ~-:Ol:SF}jID..
Februar;;,' 2nd the m ow began to meli:,. The melting. snoW creat::;d uore a pl~0-
O.Lem l..h2n the frozen snow. The trails turned into bottomless quagmires. 'l'here Viere
r
r"G !'Ooids thaI:. could b~ properl~T C'~:Lled oythat narne in thy Division sec'Gor. Ccrduro;y
and 3o!1lrz:er:i'eld fii0-tting wer~ used to keep the Th,i..nirm:ull SUPIJljroaCis ,open. Also by Feb
2nd tbe Siegfried Line had been reached. thr,til"cry engineer reGoDDaissance was
/+ -. '
• ' .•cJ'
made of the fcrtificat"ions near l:EUIIOF, ~j;Y. ..u'e ent2ngl,eml;:nts, I-beam t,etra
hedrans, dragons teeth, pill boxes, anti-ta~lk;;.nd <,nti-l)~rsonnel
• . .
Jiunefeilds
!
were
0 fOWld.
On .Feb 3rd, en,:::ineerdeL,olit:"on pa:rties \,;ere b:1the lni'antry 2.Chin::~ the
Siegfried Line near UDBl:B3ETIl, Gl:2.JJJ.~. Y. r:le'connai55<;,.r: ce-b':t. . .f6rts,ocorrt inuea::
.' ,"-~"" ~
Pill boxes ano. emlJIEcelierjts were re;'.dereci uss .by de:i.:.C!litio.ns aft.er cf'!lture.
Some 30 vierc de s·'c, rayed' Feb 4th.
Pr2.ctice \'}:L
the rive.r.
-'[,0 ere sst !~e l~C~Il. j.~ L~l
v{c,ter: Jill C'F ne=~rby gave boui'ly re2.(lir~cs.
FLeConn2.iss'::nce oncf
Q.S It bOets c m.£!de - all'
VJithout sticce ss. ·,;-{~cbnn:J.issr--;rl ce Di""'risicn
derlse
'.:
.," ~ .
o .".
,.' &
•
~L
Here '.' qet-ail led
'"\1 "ir~
n G~::..
G.' 1 -"-J .;•.
c Set, 'Je\vell.
;-;on:b(~ r 3
fc.r~:,' ~ Q,:,;" •
.... .
ret~t" •
V~{}, T!'
r'ested/
On nst tilEr
two CO.llVO:/'S. e tr-uck
The t redn convoy ~.rrived at
co]"v arrived cit C,":
2.',.!. do.
b. 307 ,AlB En,gr Bn will clear all roads and construct such additional roads as
:3 • a. '. A Compan'y.
(1) 3rd Plat at end: 32.5 GliInf per Div F016. ~
(2) Assists forward movement of 325' Glider Infantry,' J?et10rming'-engineer
work in regimental sector.
,(,3) . SUpervises> con~ruetlon of Claas40 trdw br at A by personnel of 238
Engr (cl I3n., reportingoI;lening time. Corrdinates doubling of bridge
". at.)csite f9r 2-waytraffi6. ~ .' . ~
:£.' BCompani. .
(I) 2nd, Plat atchd 505 ParaInf,· per Div~16.-
(2) PerfoI'II'lsengineer work in regimental 'sector, assisting forwardadvanc~.·
(3)~opens RUBBER by supervising construction of trdy br at B by 238 Engr
(COBn •.
(4) Operis WALL ST to I'ARK AVENUE, and 42ND S'l' from PARK to ViALL. (Eymines
rptd vic OR PARK. and 42ND). .'
(5) Assemble.s· vic CR PARK and WAIL for further order~,.
c'Z~~~~b~SviC6~7900'ato30800A on call.
(2) . Prepares to. assist Div advance by opening 42ND ST from WALL to YADISON, '.
. and BROAIJtlAY. from MADISON to P A R K . · .
(3) InBn reseI"'i8. .
•
1 In night' 02-03 .January, . remov.es all AP m.i.ries on 508 Para In! front,
and all ATIllines that may hazard. moyement on RUBBER and PARK.
(2) Assem}:)les.vi~·609975 in Bn reservi.
!. 6 Para En r Co~
1 Atchd 517Pal'a.RCT.
..!. Current sOl inettect. S-. qverlq torbftdge anctp1ace code le'tt-er.sand
nUmbers. _" .' '. - . '
~. Axis 'of' 'COmmun1~Ort8'-no change.
BEDELL,
OFFlDIAL: 0.0.
IEE,
5-3.
Inels:
Annex,- OVerlays.
o
Dist': '
r:-Engr XVIII A/B Corps
1 - G-3" 82 A/B Div.
I ... C~ A,
1- CoB
1- Co 0
1 ~ Co D
I-H&SCo
'1 - 596ParaFiig~Co'
1 - 238 ·Engr((C) ,an
I-FU. '
- 2,"!",
1.•- -
HEADQUARl'ERS ,"
I 301l'H AIRBOONEENGDlEER BATl'ALIOO
, APO ~69, U•. 5. ARYY