(Period from 1 Jan 1945 to 31 Jan 1945)

Activity increased in the Regimental sector on New Year' s Day, 1945, particularly in the Co. F area. From enemy pillboxes and fortified positions east of the Rhine more machine gun and automatic fire was heard than heretofore. Many of our OPs drew enemy fire and German observation of our positions seemed particularly good. Some units ceasing fire to change position were pinned down before moving out. Several trucks inadvertently ran into an enemy village north of Neiderbrum but were able to pull out without loss of personnel or damage to vehicles.

Tactically the enemy was in a favorable position to cross the Rhine and penetrate our defenses the Rhine and penetrate our defenses. It was estimated that an armored force, approaching from the northwest in the direction of' Neiderbrum, could cut off our unit from the remainder of the Army.

Sabotage and harassing missions were possible from the enemy's airborne troops which could easily be landed to the rear.

Continuing our defense of the west bank of the Rhine, several units shifted position and the 753rd Tank Bn was deployed to counter a mechanized threat. The 1st Bn of the Regiment was attached to the 275th Infantry at 0400 on this date.

From a new CP location at Weiterswieller, France, increased enemy activity was again observed on the 2nd of January. Because of the movement of German troops and vehicles it was impossible to determine their actual strength.

Elements of the 2nd Bn on VOCG engaged in clearing out the woods west of Wingen where troops of the 275th Infantry were attacking. Two companies, E and G, left Puberg at 1510 and completed their mission by 1700. Reorganizing with unusual speed these units moved into defensive positions north and northwest of Wingen. The 3rd Bn, Cn Co, and At Co were in defensive positions in the vicinity of the Schneitzwald forest.

In contact with enemy troops, the first prisoners taken were credited to Co L which sent patrols forward in the vicinity north of Rothbach. Of the eleven prisoners taken one was wounded and all were evacuated through the 313th Infantry at Rothbach.

The 3rd Bn occupied and prepared for defense in Rothbach. At noon one platoon of Co I, with a section of light machine guns, was alerted and dispatched to assist the I and R platoon of the 45th Division against their attack on thirty Germans in the sector. The Germans were dispersed with eleven prisoners and two machine guns captured. Meanwhile, the 2nd Bn maintained defensive Positions along the Volksberg-Rosteig line. Co G, how- ever, came into contact with the enemy immediately west of Wingen; the new German strong point.

Consolidation of reports in the new Regimental OP location at Ingwiller indicated that the units in contact with our Bns included the German 12th SS Mountain Division, 361st Volks Grenadier Division, 952nd VG Regiment, (5th and 14th Companies) ; 257th Volks Grenadier Division, 477 Vg Regiment (1st and 5th Companies).

An estimate of the situation pointed out that, because of the terrain, the enemy was capable of withdrawing or remaining to the last man. Either capability could be affected, immediately. The situation called for decisive action and Lt. Colonel Wallace R. Cheves, 2nd Bn CO, was placed in command of all troops in the battle area by Brig. General Herren, CG of' Task Force Herren.

In the village of Wingen on the 6th of January the 2nd Bn was in contact with the enemy during the entire day. After mak ing an unsuccessful counterattack the enemy was forced back and withdrew deeply and left their snipers and machine gunners to cover this withdrawal. Adding to the success of the mission for our troops was the release of 15o American troops taken prisorer by the Germans.

Consolidating positions and reorganizing quickly, the 2nd Bn assembled in mobile reserve and the 3rd Bn maintained defensive positions in their sector.

With the current phase of the operations nearing the end, the Regimental CP was set up in Neiderbronn, France. The building occupied was the former Kur Hotel, pride of Alsatian tourists in the years preceding the war.

Observation and patrolling uncovered extensive enemy patrolling in all areas although activity was light. German artillery units dropped approximately 60 rounds into Ingviller and 20 into Neiderbronn but no serious loss or damage was noted.

Interrogation of prisoners taken out of the 456th VG Bn indicated that enemy morale was low. Continuation of their fight was mainly due to German officers forcing their troops to go into battle at the point of a gun. Supply of food and ammunition was critical and transportation increasingly difficult for the enemy because of icy roads and poor communications.

Enemy in the sector consisted of the 118th Grenadier Regiment, 36th Inf Division, composed of remnants of three Bns of Volks Grenadiers. Several of the POWs captured were in possession of their Soldbuk (Soldier's Book) with a new page pasted in defining their rights under the Geneva Conference if captured. Perhaps the latter was indicative of current German military thought and effort.

Relief of the 1st Bn from their positions east of Philipsbourg was accomplished by the 3d Bn, 275th Inf while our own 3d Bn moved into the right portion of the Regimental defensive sector vacated by the 1st Bn, 275th Inf.

Enemy activity was limited to light patrolling on the 10th of January, sniping and artillery fire. The enemy's capabilities were such that his positions could be held with the intention of a series of counterattacks and withdrawal to the Siegfried Line.

The Regimental Reserve, our 2d Bn, began relief of the 1st Bn, 157th Inf, while remaining units maintained their defensive positions. The enemy was successful in locating some positions in the vicinity of Philipsbourg and harassirig fire by their artillery and mortars was felt in these locations.

Sharp patrol clashes on the right flank of the Regimental sector indicated that the enemy was determined to offer strong resistance in the entire area. Co. B was engaged in a strong attack from the north and reported that they were surrounded and required assistance. At the same time, Co. A reported two attacks, both of which were successfully repulsed.

The position of Co. B was under heavy attack during the night of 13 Jan and resulted in the loss of 100 yds. An estimated force of 75 to 100 enemy in exceptionally well-dug positions were estimated to be able to overrun Co. B and Co. B and Co C and cut off' the balance of the def'enses to the city of Neiderbronn. Co L was deployed to drive the enemy from the right of B and C positions.

Under heavy pressure from the enemy who had the advantage of commanding terrain, both B and C Cos maintained their defensive positions. Supported by a rolling barrage of artillery on 14 Jan Co. A captured a hill north of Philipsbourg controlling observation of a big road net. At the same time Co. F attacked on the left flank to clear the enemy from an important position. An enemy courterattack was quickly repulsed.

Some of the processing of Prisoners taken during this action disclosed that they were older men, transferred from the Luftwaffe whose morale was considerably lower than the average.

Early in the morning of the 16th, a superior force of German troops attacked the right flank of Co. C and forced the withdrawal from ground won the previous 24 hours. That attack was beaten off with many casualties inflicted on the enemy. Co. B and Co. C maintained defensive positions in spite of the active pressure.

Little activity, other than patrol clashes, was noted during the day of 17 Jan. Some fire was exchanged in the Co. I area and artillery landed, in the 1st and 3d Bn sectors and in the city of Neiderbronn. It was estimated that the enemy could attack Cos A and B during the night or at daybreak with a possible breakthrough.

The next day all units continued maintaining defensive positions with some exchange of small arms fire. Preparations were made for the relief of Cos B and C with two rifle platoons of Co. E. Except for the occasional small arms and mortar fire and intermittent artillery the sector was quiet.

To insure the best possible delaying action, one company per Bn was given the mission of remaining as a covering force followed by Combat Engineers ordered to blow bridges and block roads. The movement was carried out with exceptional speed and without the loss of weapons or other equipment.

Now in Division Reserve, the movement to Obersoultzbach was carried out under the most adverse weather conditions. Late arrivals of promised vehicles were responsible for the issuance of orders to have foot troops march to their new locations and the 20th of January will long remain as a date to be remembered by the combat weary and frozen doughboys.

Higher headqaarters advised the Regiment that it was to assist in the preparation of the new MLR and that the 2d Bn would be detached until further notice.

On the 22d of January the Regiment was alerted regarding its attachment to the 45th Division and relief from their attachment to the 103d Division. All Bns and Special Units were immediately notified and reconnaissance groups left immediately for the 179th Inf area in the vicinity of Wingen. The relief was carried out on time and without contact with the enemy.

The new CP was opened in the town which only several weeks before was the scene of bitter but successful fighting by the 2d Bn. This time, however, there was no contact with the enemy although several mine fields and booby traps, previously overlooked, were sighted. Aggressive patrolling by units of the Regiment continued.

During the afternoon of the 24th, orders were received that the 274th Inf was to be relieved by the 320th Inf. The relief was accomplished during the night with our troops moving into an assembly area preparatory to occupying defensive positions in the vicinity of Wimmenau.

Coordination and completion of the movement proved satisf'actory in most respects.

All positions were improved while the 1st Bn, in Regimental reserve, perfected a series of counterattacks plans. It was believed that the enemy could attack in small numbers or infiltrate to the rear areas and disrupt communications.

Incidental to the regrouping of all units of the 7th Axmy was the order on this date that the 274th Inf was to be shifted to the sector occupied by the veteran 35th Division.

Elements of the 180th Inf and 36th Combat Engineers were ordered to take over our Positions and relieve the Regiment in this vicinity. The operation was extremely difficult because of heavy snowfall hampering the visibility and restricting the road traffic generally.

Attachment to the 35th Division was short-lived since it was but a few hours after the issuance of the initial orders making this change that new orders were received attaching the Regiment to the 100th Division.

Reconnaissance of the new area disclosed that conditions in Montbron were overcrowded and that the Regiment was not able to move until adjustments were made.

Enemy activity in the entire sector was reported light.

The end of the first month in. a combat zone found this organization still maintaining the high standards established in garrison. Morale of the troops was excellent and constant checking of conditions effecting health prevented large numbers of non-battle casualties.

During January several "firsts" for the Regimert were established. For the action at Wingen and Philipsbourg, Major Bullord E. Boyd, Exec. Off 2d Bn, and Captain Edwin B. Keith, C.O. Co. I, were awarded the Silver Star. For the action at Philipsbourg, Lt. Col. James T. Willis, was awarded the Silver Star while Col Samuel G. Conley, CO 274th Inf, was awarded the bronze star for leading the initial attack in both cases.

Most of the day was spent in setting up the new CP and making plans for positions to be occupied on bridges and road blocks.