With the beginning of February 1945, consolidated reports from the units showed that the Regiment was under strength with 15 officers and 834 enlisted personnel required to bring the organization back to full strength.

At Montbronn, France, location of the Regimental CP and the 1st Bn, a reconnaissance was made for the defense of that town, counterattack plans were completed showing defensive positions in and around the Maginot Line should the enemy make a remote, however, since no activity was reported in the sector and shelling was confined to limited objectives.

The following week the Regiment continued in reserve, attached to 100th Division, with work continuing on defensive positions. The sector was relatively quiet except for intermittent enemy artillery fire. Taking advantage of this respite, unit commanders reorganized and re-equipped their personnel and assignment of reinforcements was effected where needed. Training in several subjects was initiated with emphasis given to the War Department's strengthened policy regarding "Your Job in Germany". Conversation among the troops mainly centered about the rapid Russian advances in the east and it's effect on the "big picture"- plus the local mud and its particular "richness of quality".

On the 8th of February, the Regiment received instructions from XV Corps, 100th Division. and 70th Division pertaining to its relief and return to the parent organization. For six weeks the troops had looked forward to this date, for they felt, as did the remainder of the command, that the organization could function more efficiently as part of the team with which it had trained in the United States. Preparation was made for the relief by the 254th Infantry with reconnaissance and guide groups alerted. Elements of the 275th Infantry and 276th Infantry were relieved on schedule and late in the afternoon of 9 February the new CP was opened in the former Parish House at Faerbersviller.

Establishment of defensive positions and the continuance of training occupied troops of all units during the next few days. Records received with new reinforcements indicated that some had less Infantry training than the average in our organization and schedules were set up to allow maximum time for combat firing and familiarization. Tank-Infantry coordination problems during this period were filmed, both in motion and still pictures, by Army Pictorial Service photographers from Headquarters Seventh Army and superb execution of the various phases made a proud, permanent record for the 274th Infantry.

Aggressive patrolling was carried on during this period with numerous minefields, road blocks and machine gun positions observed. Numerous flares were reported over the entire ***¹ period

Several prisoners taken in the Kerbach sector indicated that some of our units were facing elements of the 119th Fusilier Company. Additional information disclosed that the enemy could attack from the South West with a strength of 2 to 3 companies in the vicinity of Kerbach or infiltrate in small patrols to the rear areas, disrupting communications and sabotage installations.

Unusual among those apprehended was a Russian escapee from a German prison camp who was picked up by our men in the vicinity of Behren. Questioned, it was learned that he had been taken by the Germans in the Ukraine in 1941, sent to several prison camps and work farms, finally affecting his escape three years later. From that time, until apprehended by us, he had lived in cellars of bombed out houses, barns and other shelter. Informed of the recent Russian progress he was anxious to speed his repatriation in order to serve actively against the foe once more.

Warning orders for an attack were received on the 15th of February. The Regimental CP was moved forward to Bousbach, France, on the 16th of February. Orders for the forth-coming drive were issued following extensive plans and preparation by all units.

At 0560, on the 17th of February, both 2d and 3d Battalions crossed the line of departure and advanced toward their objective. Several hours later our troops had captured 27 prisoners including a German Battalion Commanding Officer. From early identifications and Prisoner of War reports it was estimated that the opposing troops was the 2d Battalion of 880th Regiment which vas supported by at least 8 tanks. Before the day's operations were complete in the Kerbach and Etzlingen sectors, the Regiment had accounted for a total of 101 prisoners including almost one company intact, the Company Commanding Officer and Battalion Commanding Officer.

Following through on initial successes the 2d Battalion attacked again at 0800, on the morning of the 18th of February, followed a few minutes later by the 3d Battalion. Units of the 1st Battalion, in regimental reserve, moved forward behind the attaching forces and occupied positions to protect the flanks and add depth to the sector. The 749th Tank Destroyer Battalion was attached later in the day.

Both 2d and 3d Battalions were under heavy pressure by the enemy who repeatedly counter-attacked with Infantry and tanks. Because the geographical location was highly important to the enemy it was dotted with a defense belt of bunkers. Investigation showed that the construction was solid concrete up to eight feet thick, covered with earth for additional protection, excellently concealed and located. A good system of connecting trenches lead from these bunkers and could be used effectively against us.

New prisoner identifications provided information regarding a Bicycle Platoon of the 861st Volk Grenadier Regiment; Battle Training Platoon of the 861st Regiment and Assault Battalion (ACKI), attached to the 719th Artillery Regiment. It was believed that the enemy was drawing his reserves from considerable distances, lacking ample strength in the immediate vicinity.

Continuing the attack, two companies jumped off at 0800 on the morning of the 18th of February, and achieved their objective shortly after noon. A strafing mission was requested against vehicular traffic between Forbach and Spichern which was reported highly successful. Late in the afternoon the enemy was observed retreating to Spichern where they could organize for a possible counterattack. The 1st Battalion to be in Regimental reserve, while the 3d Battalion with Company F, 275th Infantry, attached, consolidated positions taken previously. The 3d Battalion of the 275th Infantry was attached to the 274th Infantry.

Prisoner of war information reported the addition of the 347th Alarm Company, 497th Replacement Battalion and 486th Tank Destroyer Battalion, as an effective force against out troops.

Two counterattacks were attempted by the enemy shortly after dawn on the 20th of February, but proved unsuccessful. Generally their activity remained defensive, although 300 rounds of both 88mm and 105mm artillery fell in our sector during the day. The 3d Battalion, 275th Infantry, was detached from the Regiment.

Committed for an attack an Spichern Heights, the 1st Battalion moved from reserve positions to jump off at 0930, on the morning of the 21st of February. By mid-day the town of Spichern was taken and the high ground to the immediate North occupied. Meanwhile the 2d Battalion moved forward from their positions and succeeded in cutting the Forbach-Saarbrucken Highway in two places. Harassing enemy fire fell in the sector during the day and one company was held up for some time by machine gun and automatic fire.

During the night the enemy was reinforced and counterattacked Companies A and F at dawn on the 22d of February. Shortly afterward that counterattack was repulsed. Company L was attached later in the day and one platoon outposted the town of Spichern while the other remained in Battalion reserve. Companies B and G coordinated their attack with supporting tanks and succeeded in gaining their objectives on high ground late in the afternoon.

Two new enemy units were identified by Prisoner of War sources on February 23, they included two squadrons of the 67th Reconnaissance Battalion of the 2d Mountain Division and the 2d Battalion of 1127 Volk Grenadier Regiment of 595 Volk Grenadier Division.

Mopping up operations continued by the 2d Battalion with the Forbach-Saarbrucken Road outposted. Evacuated bunkers were demolished by Engineers in order to prevent reoccupancy by the enemy in the event of penetration. Perhaps no better portrayal of the effectiveness of their strongly built fortifications could be demonstrated than the fact that almost 3/4 of a ton of TNT vas required to destroy each bunker.

During the early morning hours on the 26th of February, the enemy attacked our positions in the woods south of Stiring-Wendel, with an estimated force of 145 men. They had succeeded in infiltrating into our lines without detection during the night and took up positions behind Company E. Another force, aided by excellent mortar and artillery support, made a strong thrust to the left front of our troops and joined forces to cut off the entire company. The battle see-sawed for the entire day with the enemy finally occupying his original positions.

Glory came well-earned to the 1st Battalion in its final days of the month. The advance which brought the 274th Infantry to the doorsteps of Nazi Germany took with it historic and hallowed ground which the enemy defended fanatically. Their bitter resistance was two-fold, for the sector, known as Spichern Heights, controls the strategic, industrial Saar Valley and has also been proclaimed as a symbol of German military might. Atop Spichern Heights is a military cemetery, comparable in some respects to our own Arlington Cemetery. Since 1870 it has been identified with invincibility and, until elements of our 1st Battalion stormed and gained this ground, it served as a symbol of German militarism.

During this action, Lt Col James T. Willis, 1st Battalion Commanding Officer, was wounded while leading his troops into position. For his valor and courage in this operation, an immediate recommendation for the Distinguished Service Cross was instituted. When awarded it will mark the first of such signal honors to be earned by either an officer or enlisted man of this Regiment.