The first of February, found the 275th Infantry firmly entrenched in defensive positions. Constant effort was put forth to improve these positions and decided improvement was noted in the combat efficiency of the unit.

Command Post of the Regiment was established at Guebenhouse, the Command Post of the 1st Battalion in Nouseweiler, the 2nd Battalion in Hundling, and the 3rd Battalion in Deibling. The Regimental Supply Point was in Diffebach les Puttelange with a Class II Supply Point in Puttelange.

With the coming of warmer weather salvage detachments were established in each company, to police their areas and recover Government Property which became exposed with the melting of the snow.

Our knowledge of the enemy was being constantly improved by aggressive patrol action which focused in the areas surrounding the towns of Lixingen and Grossbleiterstroff. Contact with the enemy was negligible and for the most part he was content to harass our positions with sporadic artillery and mortar fire. The strength of the enemy to our immediate front was quite depleted, and large reserves were reported. The estimated strength was two replacement battalions, one artillery battery, one anti-tank company, and one alarm company. The 59th Infantry Regiment of the 19th Volks Grenadier Division had recently been added. Reserves included a Panzer Division and an understrength division of approximately 2000 men with tanks and artillery. The enemy's good network of roads into the sector, was in constant use, and observation showed the highway between Forbach and Saarbrueken was heavily traveled. It was evident that our forces were in constant danger of any type of attack.

After careful planning, division G-3 was notified that on 4 February Lixingen and Grossbleiterstroff would be the objectives of a daylight raid scheduled for the morning of the 6th. This proposed action accelerated the efforts of all commanders, to bring the combat efficiency of the units to a new high.

At 0315 [unreadable] notified Regiment they had [unreadable]. Four raiding parties [unreadable] and capture the town of Lixingen [unreadable] Woods, with a mission of capturing the high ground in that vicinity. Company G was to clean out all enemy resistance in the town of Grossbleiterstroff, and one platoon of Company A was to raid the high ground on the outskirts of Lixingen. Confronted with stiff enemy resistance, Company I took the first few houses in the town of Lixingen, but were unable to take the rest of the town. At 0755, Company A had completed their mission and held the high ground of the Brandenbusch Woods. Company G reached the southern part of Grossbleiterstroff meeting determined resistance from the enemy which prevented the accomplishment of their mission. With the added support of elements of Company B, which reduced enemy resistance, Company A accomplished its mission. All positions held by the raiding parties were considered vulnerable to counter attack and it was decided to withdraw all of the raiding parties after dark. At 2130 the 3rd Battalion reestablished their Command Post in Deibling. In this operation several of the enemy were killed and wounded, and nine prisoners were taken. Our losses were light showing only one killed.

This type of operation definitely enhanced the efficiency of the unit, and experience gained was considered to have a tremendous effect on the men, giving confidence in their ability to ferret out the enemy and force his withdrawal. All Battalions held critiques prior to the Regimental Critique which was held the night of 7 February.

The enemy controlled advantageous terrain for defense and observation,and it was believed the morale of his troops was normal. Their lack of aggressiveness in patrolling indicated a continuation of the defensive, though it appeared that he could carry out an attack form the vicinity of Grossbleiterstroff or Lixingen with a battalion which had been reinforced by reserves of unknown strength.

The 1st Battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion and established their Command Post in Hundling at 1300 9 February. The 2nd Battalion opened a new Command Post in Ipling, while the 3rd Battalion Command Post was moved to Ruhling. As a result of these moves our sector was narrowed down, and elements of the 274th Infantry occupied areas which formerly were occupied by the 1st and 3rd Battalions.

In addition to digging in defensive positions, our men also started to revet dugouts and foxholes. We continued active patrolling as our defensive positions were being constantly improved. Reconnaissance Patrols sent out nightly encountered little enemy opposition, and were able to locate minefields and enemy strong points. Rehearsal of an attack on a village with a platoon of tanks from the 714th Tank Battalion of the 12th Armored Division, by elements of Company G and Company B, gave the men a keener understanding of the close co-ordination needed between the infantry and tanks in this type of operation. While the sector remained quiet it was known the bigger things were to come, and that the information we were gathering, plus additional training, would prove valuable to us in the future.

The Assistant Division Commander arrived at the Command Post at 0940, the 14th of February and issued a warning order for attack. The 63rd Division to our right was to attack in conjunction with the 70th, and the 101st Cavalry was to support the 70th. Preparations were made by all companies for future action.

The 16th of February the Regiment established a new Command Post at ?oussweiler. The 3rd Bn closed in to Ruhling to establish a Command Post, the 1st Battalion forward Command Post was moved to Ladenbronn(?), while the 2nd Battalion established a forward Command Post at Ipling.

17 Feb - Company A moved from their forward assembly area at 0600, attacked Lixingen and forced the enemy to withdraw to the Hardwald Woods. Some of the enemy were observed going in the direction of Zinzingen. At 1300 they had secured their objective.

Company B moved from forward assembly area at 0825, passed through Company A, and reached objective at 1300.

Company C left at 1135 passed around East of Lixingen, and secured the objective at about 1600. The 1st Battalion Command Post was moved to Ruhlingen at 2200, meanwhile a forward Command Post had been established at Lixingen.

Company E gained positions in the vicinity of the southwest corner of the Brandenbusch Woods at 0405 and by 1435 they had gained their objective.

Company F sent out a reinforced platoon at 0520 to attack Oberst-Ohligruhl(?) And reached their objective at 0633. The remainder of the company remained in the former position.

Company G assemble in Ruhlingen and by 1130 began their advance from the northern edge of Grossbleiderstroff Woods, north, to the south-east corner of the Brandenbusch Woods. They reached their objective at 1545.

Companies I, K, and L of the 3rd Battalion moved into the assembly area at 2200 the 16th. Company L crossed the LD at 0125, with I and K Companies moving out later. Reorganization was completed and the attack to clear the Brandenbusch Woods jumped off at 0900. They completely cleared the woods of all enemy resistance, and successfully established a perimeter of defense on the position.

Late in the afternoon the towns of Lixingen and Ruhling were heavily shelled and evening found all companies consolidating their positions for the night. The road from Lixingen to Grossbleiderstroff was cleared of mines during the night, in preparation for an attack on the latter town. There was intensive patrol action by our forces during the night.

18 Feb - Elements of the 1st Battalion resumed the attack in the morning. Enemy resistance was strongest on the high ground in the vicinity of the Hardwald Woods, and in the towns of Lixingen. The enemy employed tanks in a counter attack on their left flank, but was repulsed. The first Battalion Command Post was established in Lixingen. The Hardwald Woods was cleared of the enemy, and the clearing of mines and booby traps continued throughout the day.

The 2nd Battalion continued in the attack and Company G proceeded from the edge of Grossbleiderstroff, on their mission of eliminating all enemy strong points in the town. At 1025, the 2nd Battalion had two thirds of the town and Company G continued to ferret out the enemy. A Command Post was established in Ruhling at 1120, and at 1450 they had a forward Command Post in the town of Grossbleiderstroff. The town was cleared of the enemy with the exception of one strong point in the north part of the town, and elements of the Battalion proceeded to take care of the situation.

The 3rd Battalion advanced from defensive positions they had occupied during the night. They cleared the enemy from ?erich Woods and proceeded on to the town of Etzling. At 1240 they requested that artillery fire be lifted off the town, and at 1247 they had several patrols in the town. At 1430 they attacked the town with two companies. Progress was slow and required house to house fighting, but by 1530 the town was in their hands.

Preparations were made to consolidate our positions and to arrange for food to be brought up to the men. The Regimental Supply Point was established in Guebenhouse. Our casualties were light, and reports showed 64 prisoners captured during the day.

19 Feb - The enemy showed little aggressive spirit as the third day of the advance came upon him. His activity was limited to small patrols and a defense of the positions he occupied.

The 1st Battalion completed the consolidation of it's positions and made reconnaissance in preparation of new positions.

Similar activity took place in the 2nd Battalion's area. E and F Companies were in position on the northern edge of the Brandenbusch Woods and G Company occupied the town of Grossbliederstroff. They moved their Command Post to the town of Lixingen, and gave their men the needed rest before renewing the attack.

The 3rd Battalion's daylight patrols found the high ground north of Etzling occupied by the enemy, he was well dug in and his strength undetermined. At 1350 the 3rd Battalion was attached to the 274th Infantry. At 1500 they launched an attack to capture the high ground north of Etzling, successfully occupied it by night fall and established defensive positions.

Evening found the enemy lobbing artillery into the town of Grossbleiderstroff, at the rate of one round every 2 or 3 minutes. Our casualties remained light and a total of 78 prisoners were captured during the day. The enemy had been able to get in a few reinforcements, but our observation showed the only sizable group, which was supported by armor of unknown strength, to be in the rear of the town of Spicheren.

20 Feb - During the night the 1st Battalion had moved from Lixingen and the Hardwald Woods to positions in the northwest part of the Bradenbusch Woods. At 0853 Company B took off into the town of Alstingen and in a shor time they were in the town. Company A moved into the woods north of Alstingen and to the northwest. 17 prisoners were captured in this operation and only 10 of our men were wounded.

The 2nd Battalion continued it's attack with E Company, supported by tanks, jumping off at 0640 with Zinzingen and Hesling as their objective. At the same time, F Company moved up and occupied the high ground northeast of Zinzingen, encountering only small arms fire. At 0807 E Company was half way through the town of Zinzingen and F Company had reached their objective. A counter attack by the enemy was repulsed by F Company at 1250, and the remainder of the afternoon was spent cleaning out all elements of the enemy from the town. At 2200 the new Command Post of the 2nd Battalion was opened in Zinzingen. Company G, which was holding the town of Grossbleirstroff, was relieved by the 70th Recon Troops, and G and E Companies were moved up to continue the attack to the north and northeast.

The 3rd Battalion remained attached to the 274th Infantry, and was committed to attack at 0630. The objective of the Battalion was Gifert Wald and Spicheren. They were supported by a platoon of tanks. In their advance they were counter attacked by the enemy coming from the direction of Spicheren at 0725. The counter attack was repulsed and no ground was lost. At 2030, a message was received from G-3 that K and L Companies would revert to Regimental control immediately, the rest of the Battalion remained under the control of the 274th. It was decided however that when the town of Spicheren was taken, the remainder of the battalion would revert to our control.

Our casualty list showed 9 killed, 1 missing, 28 injured. We captured 26 of the enemy.

The Regimental Class II supply ppoint was moved to Hundling. A new Regimental Command Post was established in Ruhling at 1415.

Our I and R reports indicated no change in the strength of the enemy.

21 Feb - As we were drawing nearer to Saarbrueken, it was evident that the enemy would be capable of drawing reserves from that city. Morning found several Alarm Companies attached to the 374th Division and the 719th Division, which were the units we were in contact with.

The 1st Battalion continued the attack and at 0825 A Company reported they were on the objective in the northwest part of the Stiftswald Woods. A bit later they were hit 2 tanks supported by infantry. One tank hit them from the front and one from the rear, and the company was considerably disorganized. The Battalion Commander moved C Company into the vicinity to support A Company, and help them organize defensive positions. They made contact with the 3rd Battalion at 1405 and the Commanding Officer of the Battalion called for a reconnaissance by the Commanding Officer of B Company so that they could take over A Company's positions.

A Continued push by the 2nd Battalion brought all their elements near the objectives. Evening found G Company to the right rear of A and C Companies' positions, with F and E Companies, a bit south and east of G Company.

K and L Companies of the 3rd Battalion arrived at Alstingen at 0640 and cleared the town by 0750. They moved north towards their objective. Some of Company A's men joined up with K and L Companies. At 1010 they met small arms fire, and observed 2 tanks and some half track vehicles in their vicinity. At 1235, they were hit hard by 4 or 5 tanks. L Company was hit the hardest, so K Company tied in with them to frustrate the enemy attack. AT 1355 the town of Spicheren was taken. I Company remained on the high ground north of Etzling and was under direct supervision of the Commanding General of the Division.

Coordination was effected with the 63rd Division to our right, across the Saar River, by establishment of combat outposts on their respective sides of the river.

Our casualties for the day amounted to 6 killed, 10 missing, and 38 wounded. We captured 123 prisoners, including 2 officers. A Regimental Class V supply point was established forward in Ruhling. Evening found the companies in position and consolidating them for the night.

22 Feb - In the early morning hours patrols of the 1st Battalion observed little enemy activity in their sector. Occasional artillery and mortar fire was reported. A and C Companies jumped off to the attack in the southern edge of the St Arnuel Woods. At 0810 B Company passed through A Company's positions, as both proceeded through the wodded area and C Company moved westward to replace A Company. At 1845 all three companies were on their objective and set about consolidating their positions. A power saw was called for to aid in the preparation of overhead cover. They held the high ground of the Woods, their supply situation was good and they experienced no difficulty with evacuation. The enemy atacked them on all four sides at 2055, they apparently made the most progress through A Company's sector and were supported by tanks. Our artillery was called to support the defense and did a good job of slowing the attack. By 2130 the situation was under control and Tank Destoyers went in to search out the enemy tanks. The three tanks attached to the Battalion proved useless in that two were bogged down by the mud and the third did not get intothe fight. One enemy tank had been knocked out by foot troops. Reorganization proceeded and every precaution was taken to be on the alert for another attack. A new Command Post was established at Alstingen.

Units of the 2nd Battalion which had been instructed to make visual Contact elements of the 63rd Division, to our right and across the Saar River, turned in a negative report as of 0935. At 1000, Company E had reached their objective. No casualties were reported and 3 prisoners were captured. Plans were made to establish contact with the 253rd Infantry Regiment across the Saar by use of signals. In the afternoon contact was established and evening found all elements of the Battalion on their objective and consolidating their position.

A heavy counter attack was repulsed by the 3rd Battalion at 0645 in the morning. 0800 found the Battalion jumping off to the attack to the west. Steady progress was made into the Gifertswald Woods though for some time the advance was held up by pillboxes on the wooded slopes. Artillery fire from Bubingen to the east of Saarbrueken was dropped on them as they fought their way through the woods. At 1750 K and L Companies were on the north slope of the woods, and at1900 stopped and dug in for the night, setting up a perimeter defense of the area. They sent out patrols to contact the 1st Battalion to the right and the 274th Infantry Regiment on the left. Several shells landed in the vicinity of the Battalion Command Post from 2300 on through the night.

There were no reported change in strength of the enemy and other than the two counter attacks he showed little inclination to stand and fight. During the period Company I again reverted to Regimental control and was brought into position to follow K and L Companies in the attack. Casualties were a bit larger showing 10 killed, 62 wounded and 27 missing. As of 1600 we had captured 142 prisoners. Our artillery proved very effective in slowing down the enemy attacks.

23 Feb - On the 23rd a new unit of the enemy was identified as the 7th Company, 1127 VGR, 559 Division. The enemy reserve status remained the same. During the night the enmy had been active with sporadic small arms, mortar and artillery fire. A prisoner interrogated by the 1st Battalion revealed that the enemy would attempt to attack sometime in the morning. Necessary precautions were taken to meet it. Some enemy tanks hit C Company at 0825. Due to thick woods it was impossible to estimate the exact number but there were at least two. By 1400 the sector was apparently quiet and elements were moving into the location designated by the Commanding Officer of the Regiment. At 1535 they had reached their objectives and were digging in.

Since 0200, contact with the 253rd was not reported by the 2nd Battalion. At 1025 they were consolidating their positions and preparing to send out patrols to contact C Company. G Company got off to the attack at 1400 and after a fire fight, they gained their objective. At 1630 they reported they were on the objective.  Shortly before midnight contact was again made with the 253rd by flashlight.

Moving into the attack 0740, the 3rd Battalion cleaned out the pocket of resistance to their right by 0825, and had started back to the right to make sure that nothing was there. Company I moved around to the right, with 2 tanks, to fill the gap between them and the 1st Battalion. They requested that armor be sent up as the enemy was forming for a counter attack north of Gifertwald. A Tank Destroyer reconnaissance showed that the Gifertwald Woods were under constant mortar fire and their Executive Officer stated he could not take them up that far. The forward Command Post at Alsting was closed at 1900 and a new one opened at 1900 in Spicheren. Company A of the 274th Infantry was in position in the sector of the 3rd Battalion and the Commanding General decided that they should remain in that position till pulled out by Division.

A new Regimental Command Post was opened in Lixingen and the old one closed at 1910. Enemy artillery and mortar fire was heavy throughout the day, and all enemy resistance was overcome. Heavy artillery proved successful in breaking any attempt of the enemy to form a strong counter attack. It was indicated that the enemy was throwing in many General Headquarters Troops for counter attacks and that he was endeavoring to maintain his strength by reforming several disorganized units. Our bag of enemy prisoners for the day totaled 94. Our casualties were, 3 killed, 7 missing, and 88 wounded.

24 Feb - A German counter attack at 0845 on the right flank of A Company, and the left flank of C Company occasioned a hurry call for tanks. At 0915 the tanks were on their way up. One of the 4 enemy tanks in the counter attack broke through. The number of enemy troops involved in the attack was not determined. Another tank broke through C Company's lines. By 1251 the enemy tanks were cleared out of the right sector, and our tanks were sent up the center sector. The enemy had forced C Company back 250 yards. The ground was later regained, and the lines were consolidated.

Patrols of the 2nd Battalion made several contacts with the 253rd Infantry to their right across the Saar River, during the night. At 0700 E Company reported receiving heavy artillery fire for the past hour. G Company reported mortar fire in the area of their Command Post during the day. E and G Companies began shifting positions to conform with new boundries and upon completion, consolidated their position.

No great amount of activity was evident in the 3rd Battalion sector and good use was made of the lull to improve defensive positions.

Enemy documents, some of them in code, captured by our forces were forwarded to Division for decoding. Tanks that were bogged down in the 1st Battalion sector could not be moved out. They had been stripped by the enemy and all gasoline and oil had been drained from them. At 2225, word was received that General Barnett, commanding the 70th Infantry Division, directed the Engineers to aid the tank outfit in recovering the abandoned tank in the Pfaffenwald Woods. The Regimental Commander directed that our men give the engineers and the tank people all the assistance possible.

25 Feb - At 0132 the 1st Battalion reported a combat patrol in their rear area, and investigation showed that the driver of a jeep on the way to the front lines was killed and the radio he was carrying was missing. Engineers were working on the roads in the 1st Battalion area and an additional platoon of engineers was requested to work in their area in the evening. During the later part of the afternoon a limited attack was conducted by the 1st and 2nd Battalions. They pushed out about 300 yards taking the key terrain in the northeeast part of the Stiftdwald Woods, giving us control of a tank approach, and preventing the enemy from harrassing our troops. Night found the enemy reluctant to create any action.

Having made contact with the 1st Battalion, the 2nd Battalion set about improving their positions. Several contacts were made during the day with the 253rd Infantry Regiment to the right and across the Saar. While reconnoitering for an OP, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion observed a bunker south of St Arnuel, occupied by the enemy. He directed the cleaning out of the bunker and entered the bunker to mop up. 8 of the enemy were killed in the operation, which was conducted under heavy MG fire. In the afternoon, the 2nd Battalion joined the 1st in a limited attack, and after gaining their objective, they settled down for the night. Enemy action during the night was negligible.

The 3rd Battalion reported that a15 man enemy patrol filtered in to the I Company area. Five of the enemy were killed. The remaining ten escaped. Due precautions were taken when it was reported that the enemy brought in a newly identified Regiment, and he planned to attack E and C Companies of the 274th Infantry east of Stiring-Wendel. The threat of his making a breal-through to the 3rd Battalion area was not overlooked.

Their was intermittent artillery fire during the early morning hours, but in all other respects the sector was quiet. The Commanding Officer of the Regiment requested that the city of St Arnual be bombed. The mission was flown in the afternoon and completed at 1405, with very gratifying results. To our immediate front there was no indication of a change in the strength of the enemy.

26 Feb - From 0700 to 1000 the 1st Battalion received considerable mortar fire on their first front line positions. One enemy patrol was driven off by fire. Approaches to the area were mined and concertina wire was strung. The salvage of American and enemy equipment and ammunition was continued in the area. They continued to improve their positions and their fields of fire, and established physical contact with G and I Companies.

The enemy showed no signs of action in the 2nd Battalion area during the morning hours. In the early afternoon the enemy lobbed in several projectiles that appeared to be duds. Investigation by an artillery officer revealed that they were delayed action shells and set for from one to two hours.

In the early morning hours the 3rd Battalion reported enemy artillery  landing in the town of Spicheren and in their area. A patrol sent out to locate a place to cross an anti-tank ditch could find none, but they located three caves, one of which contained enemy weapons. A dead German was found in front of one of the caves. Enemy artillery landed in the vicinity of the Command Post at 1130. Aggressive patrol action was again ordered for the night, and up to midnight, activity in the sector was negligible.

27 Feb - Little activity by the enemy was evidenced during the early morning hours. There was no indication that the enemy to our immedaite front was being reinforced, but to our left in the vicinity of Stiring-Wendel he brought up two additional Battalions to assist in attacks from that sector. Towards evening there was indication of heavy vehicular traffic in Saarbrueken. An enemy patrol attempted to work into the lines of the 1st Battalion and a 1st Battalion patrol drew enemy mortar in the attempt to reach their objective. Other areas in our sector remained quiet and every advantage was taken to strengthen our positions on the high ground south of Saarbrueken.

General Orders - 275th Honor Roll