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The 3d Battalion reported that all communications were out. Company I was thought to be moving
through Marienau. Company K, although being supported by artillery was unable to advance. Therefore,
Companies K and A pulled back to the f the railroad in order that a concentration of 240's be fired on the
enemy strong point.
Companies A and K launched a coordinated attack from the railroad tracks where they had withdrawn
during the 240 artillery concentration. Company C on the right of Company A continued heir advance.
The attack continued and Company K reached Phase Line II at the edge of the cemetery.
Company F reported a small enemy counterattack. Company G, after being relieved by elements of the
12th Armored, moved up n the right flank of Company F and aided in stopping the counterattack.
The Engineers began to clear the road to the 2d Battalion area of mines so the tank destroyers and antitank
guns could move forward. The railroad underpass was reported cleared of mines.
The French Forces were given the mission to patrol, hold, and occupy the area between the 1t and 2d
Battalions. Later n the afternoon, all the French Forces, less the Belgians, were attached to the 3d
Battalion to occupy and hold the area cleared by Companies I and L in Marienau.
Companies A and C, together with elements from Company B, continued the attack until they reached the
University area. Here they were ordered to cease operations for the night and resume the attack at 0700
on the morning of the 5th of March. All three rifle companies of the lst Battalion were abreast, ready to
attack the University.
The 2d Battalion on the Regimental right flank held their positions for the night and prepared to continue
the attack the following morning.
In the 3d Battalion, Companies I and L, because relief was not available, held their positions in Marienau,
while Company K held up at the cemetery for the night.
The weather continued murky, and rain kept the roads muddy.
At 0700, 5 March 1945, the 1st Battalion launched an attack on the University area and met little
resistance. Company C in clearing out the right side of the University area found several hundred civilians
in bunkers to the north of the University where they had presumably taken shelter from the artillery and
bombing. A group of the Belgians helped to evacuate them, and they were turned over to the Civil Affairs
Officer.
At 0942 on the morning of .5 March 1945, the 1st Battalion completed the clearing of the University area.
Forbach was taken.
Company G on the Regimental right flank drew enemy fire from the Simon Mine. Companies E and F
continued to progress slowly.
The 1st Battalion, with Company A on the left, Company C on the right, and Company B following
Company A, continued into the woods beyond the University area. Company B was relieved from 1st
Battalion Reserve and sent into a gap between Company E and Company F to maintain contact-between
the units, and was to revert to lst Battalion control as soon as the 2d Battalion had consolidated positions
on the following morning.
Company K of the 3d Battalion completed the clearing of Im Bruch and was on the left of the Battalion
Sector with Company I in the center and Company I on the right.
Rain fell at intervals throughout the day. Road conditions were muddy.