The Fighting 69th Infantry Division Association, Inc. Vol. 57 No. 3 ...

Trespass Against Them
History of the 271st Infantry
Submitted By: Lawrence Verheye
Company F, 271st Infantry
1251 Pierce Road
Wakarusa, Indiana 46573-9616
Written By: Lt. John F. Higgins, 2nd Battalion
Entering Germany
The 10th of February was the day we entered
Germany. That morning, we moved out, combatloaded,
and took up the positions occupied by the
395th Infantry of the 99th Division in the vicinity of
Hollerath, just inside the first belt of pillboxes of the
infamous Siegfried Line. By 1630, all positions had
been taken over, and the battle-green 69th was ready
to apply the principles learned in all the months of
training.
The men were far from comfortable that first night.
With only one blanket and a sleeping bag in the belowfreezing
weather, not to mention the fact that we were
subjected to harassing artillery fire, supplemented by
"screaming meemies" and considerable use of the
flares. Extensive patrol activity, aimed at feeling out
the strength and disposition of the enemy, was carried
out for the following two weeks, and it was not long
before most men had become quite used to life at the
front. As someone put it: ''You don't have to worry
about the ones you can hear!" Mter a time, you can
fairly accurately tell where they will land. Morale of
the command was excellent, especially when the
kitchens arrived in the area, and it was possible to
send up hot food to the men in the line.
During this period, all duffle bags were turned in,
so that the units could travel fast and light. Condition
of roads in the area was wretched, which seriously
accentuated the supply problem. In the 17 days before
our first attack, 30 prisoners were taken, of whom 10
were captured by our patrols. In this area too, great
emphasis was put on maintaining weapons and equipment
as well as much attention to proper sanitation.
First Attack
Mter being postponed several times, our first attack
was launched at 0600, 27 February. We arose at 0300,
had breakfast and spent the remainder of the time in
final preparations. The night was very still, and a
slight mist hung in the air, an ideal morning for our
purpose. It is not boasting to say here that anyone who
had come into our area that morning could have accurately
predicted that we would measure up to any
combat assignment given us. There was no vis able
nervousness, no confusion, no slackening of morale.
Everyone stood ready to perform his assigned tasks as
though it were maneuvers at Shelby, secure in the
knowledge that whatever exigencies arose, we were
ready. To borrow the much-used expression: "This was
it!", and every man in the 271st knew it.
-11-
The plan of attack was as follows: The 69th
Division, two regiments abreast, with the 661st Tank
Destroyer Battalion, were to seize and hold the high
ground between Honningen and Giescheld inclusive,
in order to clear the Hellenthal-Hollerath road for use
as a supply route.
The 271st Infantry, with 879th Field Artillery, 880th
Field Artillery and Company A of the 269th Engineers
in support, would seize and hold its portion of the
Division objective, after which it would be prepared to
assist by fire the 273rd in the capture of Giescheid.
The Second Battalion, with the 879th Field Artillery,
a platoon of Engineers, a platoon of Company C, 661st
Tank Destroyer in support, was on the left; the First
Battalion on the right, and the Third Battalion in
reserve. The Third was to stand ready to furnish carrying
parties to the attacking battalions during the
hours of darkness, and also to occupy Dickerscheid
with one company, upon call from Second Battalion,
when the town was captured.
Cannon Company supported the attack of the regiment,
with priority of fire to the Second Battalion.
Anti-Tank Company was to provide litter squads, and
also have its mine platoon sweep the roads to
Dickerscheid and Buschem, after clearing mines in the
vicinity of the bridge site. Company A of the 269th
Engineers was to construct a bridge in Second
Battalion sector, and also clear mines and abatis in the
First Battalion area. These were the plans, and with
them well in mind, the 271st Infantry Regiment went
into action the morning of 27 February 1945.
The First and Second Battalions crossed the line of
departure on time and advanced towards their objectives.
With a few unavoidable exceptions, the regiment
reached and held its objective according to plan.
The First Battalion, in the face of stiff resistance,
achieved its objective by 1030, with all companies committed.
The remainder ofthe day they spent digging in
and consolidating their positions.
Company G of the Second Battalion attacked
Dickerscheid and by noon had taken four houses; by
1700 had nearly completed mopping up the town.
Company F, attacking Buschem and Honningen, was
able to take half of Buschem before being pinned down
by fire from nearby Honningen, and was ordered to
hold its present position for the night. One platoon of
Company E assisted G in mopping up Dickerscheid
and clearing the woods east of the town. Company K
was then ordered to occupy Dickerscheid, which was
accomplished, releasing G Company to close the gap
between themselves and F Company.
The Third Battalion was alerted that night, but not
committed until the next day. The next morning, E
Company was committed to assist F Company, and the
two companies cleared Buschem and went on to take
Honningen. Two counterattacks were repulsed in the
area.
(Continued on Page 12)