Shortly after the New Year, I believe it was about January 2,1944 we were dug-in (foxholes) in a wooded area in the vicinity Wingen. We had been told that a battalion of SS troops was expected to attack Wingen. About midnight we pulled out of our defensive positions and issued extra ammunition and hand grenades and then we were marched to another area in a light snow fall. After an hour or so we reached our destination and ordered to spread-out; however, we were not given any other specifics or told to dig-in. About an hour later I was standing up and trying to somehow keep warm when I heard a rattling noise and as I peered through the trees I saw a a moving column of shadows. As I tried to determine the identity of this column all hell broke loose. There was much gun fire all around. It appeared that these were elements of the battalion from the SS 6th Mountain Division. They seemed to be firing automatic weapons (burp guns). I was behind a tree and bullets were flying all around me. I had six hand grenades and I think I used them all. There was a lot of shouting screams as people died all around. I could hear the Germans calling out, "company A is moving out". As groups from company B dispersed through out the woods they ambushed. When dawn arrived dead Germans and Americans were all around the area. We of the 3rd squad, 2nd platoon were the only ones that appeared to have held our ground and survived the battle. The platoon sergeant had been wounded in the feet and legs and could not walk. He pleaded with us to leave him there and try to find our way through the woods. Instead we fashioned a stretcher using an overcoat and two small tree limbs and we took turns carrying him through the deep snow. Later that afternoon we made contact with a patrol from the 45th Infantry Division. Our squad stayed with elements of the 45th Division until we were reunited with what remained of company B, 276th. In this our first battle in the Vosges, Company B, 276th suffered very heavy losses. I don't know the exact losses but at least over 50%-60%.

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