The 373rd in Combat - The George C. Marshall Foundation

THE 373rd IN COMBAT

THE373rd IN COMBAT

Printed by Karl Scharr, Worner & Mayer, StLlttgart-Vaihingen, Germany

FOREWORD
During the more than six months the 373rd Field Artillery Battalion
was in combat, Major Edward L. Hill, its able Executive Officer,
faithfully recorded in the Official History a day-by-day account
of its more important activities. Since the Official History is closely
followed by this unofficial publication, Major Hill is due the credit
for most of the information contained herein, although indebtedness
to Lt. Herbert Church, whose entertainingly-written S-2 Bulletin has
likewise contributed much, is alsD hereby acknowledged.
Since this record is much more general than the refreshing book,
"Battery Adjust", published by the Battalion's Fire Direction Center,
and is an account of the Battalion as a unit rather than of a particular
section or selected group of individuals, the plan of the Official
History to omit the mention of individuals by name has been adopted.
A complete roster of the members of the Battalion during the combat
period is included in the back of the book to make up for this deficiency.
The scope of this account has been limited to combat except for
a very brief summary of the pre-combat days of the Battalion taken
from the Official History and placed at the very beginning of the
book. This limitation has been made in the interest of accuracy (sufficient
records are not presently available), and because it is believed

that the training period is of small interest as compared with the
days of combat. Post-combat experience has been omitted, partly
because of the great change in personnel, and partly for the reason
that the occupational duties of the Battalion have been relatively of
little interest.
Although we are not here concerned with the exploits of individuals,
it is only fitting that tribute be paid to the following leaders
who in such great measure were responsible for the success of the
Battalion in combat: Major General Withers A. Burress, the Commanding
General of the 100th Infantry Division from activation
throughout the combat period; Brigadier General Theodore E. Buechler,
Division Artillery Commander from activation until the autumn
of 1943; Brigadier General John B. Murphy, who succeeded General
Buechler and commanded the Division Artillery throughout combat;
Colonel Walter H. Delange, who commanded the Battalion from
activation until the spring of 1944; and Lt. Col. Thomas G. Keithly,
who succeeded Col. Delange and who so capably led the Battalion
through combat in France and Germany.
While there are many others, men as well as officers, who were
outstanding in their contributions to the Battalion, it was the response
of the average soldier and the teamwork of all that turned the trick,
and it is to the unit as a whole that the real credit is due.
I! is hoped that this rapid retracing of the Battalion's tread marks
and muzzleblasts on the soil of France and Germany will be of value
to its men and officers in helping them to recall their experiences in
combat ;l little better than they could without it.
Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany, September 27, 1945.
Chas. L. Cornelius, jr.

The 373rd Field Artillery Battalion was activated
15 November 1942 as the medium battalion of the 100th Infantry
Division Artillery, at Fort jackson, South Carolina. Its cadre came
from the 76th Division, while the bulk of the enlisted personnel came
from New England, New York and New jersey. The Unit Training
Program was completed on the 28th of November, 1943. Army Ground
Force Tests were taken in june, 1943 and again in March, 1944.
The Battalion participated in Tennessee Maneuvers from 17 November
1943 to 17 january 1944, and was afterwards stationed at Fort Bragg,
North Carolina, where it became tractorized and received new M-l.
155 mm Howitzers. Inspector General inspections were passed in Sep­
tember, 1944, and on the 29th of September of the same year, 'the
Battalion left Fort Bragg by train for Camp Kilmer, New jersey, where
it was staged for overseas shipment.
On the 6th of October, 1944, the Battalion sailed on the M 0 r ­
mac moo n from Staten Island, New York in an eleven-ship con­
voy which included the other units of the 100th Infantry Division
and certain additional troops. At the time of embarkation no one in
the Battalion knew its destination or what its mission was to be.
Rumors, as usual, included most of the possibilities. The Far East,
7

OCTOBER/NOV EMBER
Greece, Haly, North Africa, France, and England were all mentioned.
Some guessed that the Division would become a part of an Army of
Occupation and one skeptic even yelled "Dry Run", but at least it
was certain to most that the Battalion was "on the way".
After a 14 day voyage characterized by exceedingly rough seas,
crowded and foul-smelling quarters, many cases of seasickness, a
training schedule made practically impossible of fulfillment by the
behavior of the ship, monotonous announcements of black-out regulations
each evening, French classes, and a marked and welcome
absence of enemy submarines and aircraft, the Battalion arrived at
Marseilles, France.
On October the 20th, the day of arrival, the Battalion disembarked
and made a long uphill march under the burden of full field
equipment to Septemes, a suburb of Marseilles, where it commenced
a ,ten day bivouac in pyramidal and pup tents pitched in a large
and muddy field. During this ten day period, the Battalion completed
jts staging and on November 1st commenced its movement
north toward the front. The tractors, howitzers, and 180 men and
officers went by rail, but the majority of the unit made the march
by motor, bivouacing near Valence on the first night, at Dijon on
the second, and closing into a forward assembly area near Fremifontaine
all the evening of the 3 rd of November. Here at Fremifontaine,
for the first time, the sound of enemy guns was heard.
At the time the Battalion reached Fremifontaine, the 100th
Infantry Division flad already been assigned to the VI Corps of
the Seventh Army (Sixth Army Group), and part of the Division was
then engaged in combat alongside .elements of the veteran 45 th
Infantry Division. The 100th's first mission was to relieve the 45th.
The 373 rd's first mission was to reinforce the fires of the l89th
8

NOVEMBER
rickl Artillery Battalion, the medium battalion of the 45th Divi­
sion, and on November 4th, upon assignment of this mission, the
Battalion was placed under the tactical control of the 45th Division
Artillery.
Also, all November 4th the tractors and howitzers of the Battalion
were unloaded at the railhead at Chatel, and battery positions near
St. Benoit were reconnoitered and prepared for occupation on the
sLlcceeding clay. By 1100 on November 5th, the Battalion had closed
into its first firing position. Able, Baker, and Charlie batteries were
north of St. Benoit. Headquarters Battery and the Battalion CP
were to the west of the town in some wrecked houses and Service
Battery was at Bru, a shell-torn village about 2 kilometers to the
rear. The Battalion Personnel Section was at Rambervillers with the
Division Rear Echelon.
On the afternoon of November 5th, the Number I Howitzer of
Baker Battery fired the Battalion's first round in combat. The mis­
sion was a base point registration on a steeple in Raon L'E/ape.
During the firing of this mission a e1irect hit On the target was
obtained with the resLllt, according to reports later received from
the Division Artillery Commander, that an enemy observation post was
destroyed. It was not until the next night, however, that the Batta­
lion fired its first mission on a known enemy target. This mission
was ill the form of a Battalion Concentration, TOT, and was fired
on a German artillery position.
On the 6th of November, in accordance with orders from higher
headquarters, a reconnaissance was made of positions much farther
forward and on into the Vosges Mountains. The positions assigned
and reconnoitered were located at a farm settlement known as Neuf­
Etang. They were in a valley and in the sale clearing in a huge wooded
9

NOVEMBER
area which covered most of this mountain region, a circumstance
that made it relatively easy for the enemy to recognize the location
as a probable artillery position. At the time the reconnaissance was
made the front lines were only a few hundred yards in front of
Neuf-Etang, and it was not until the 8th that the lines had moved
far enough forward for occupation of the positions with relative
safety. In the meantime, mine removal parties and digging parties
were at work making preparations for occupation, and a single gun
was sent forward for the purpose of registering.
On the 8th when many of the enemy were commencing to with­
draw across the Meurth River, Headquarters and the firing batteries
moved to Neuf-Etang. Service Battery remained at Bru and the
Personnel Section at Rambervillers.
On November 9th control of the Battalion reverted to the
100th Division Artillery and it was given the mission of general
support of the Division (its nOrma I IIIission)) with the additional
mission of reinforcing the fires of the 375th Field Artillery Batta­
lion. Most of the time during this day, which was rainy like all of
the days since the 5th, was spent in improving the organization
of battery positions and, especially, in providing overhead cover
against possible enemy shelling.
It was on the 9th that the Battalion suffered its first two casual­
ties, both of whom were from the Battalion Medical Detachment.
The two men were on their way to the Clearing Station, and had
reached a point several hundred yards from the Battalion area when
they saw an infantryman, walking in file along the side of the paved
road, blown up by a Schu mine. They immediately went to the aid
of the injured man and, in doing so, were themselves wounded when
one of them stepped on a second mine. The area in which these men
10

NOVI:MBER
at to16 the enemy again put a concentration in the area, a total of
9 rounds of the same caliber as those received on the previous clay.
One man was killed on the first round, but no other casualties resul­
ted. More azimuths were measured and another shell "rep" was
sent to Corps who arranged for a 72-roulld TOT to be fired on
the suspected enemy battery. No further shelling was received after
this TOT \\ias fired.
Although hampered by intermittent rain, the Battalion fired a
number of missions on the 12th and 13th, many of which were
requested by forward observers of the 375th who reported the fire
in each case to be extremely effective in eliminating mortar posi­
tions and other strong points that were holding up the advance of
the infantry.
On the 14th a sniper with a machine pistol fired on a Battalion
guard post on two different occasions, but without inflicting casual­
tis. On the sallie day a reconnaissance was made of positions north
of Neuf-Etang, but riO plans for movement were formulated. There
was little firing on the 14th, but on the 15th Battalion took part in a
preparation fired in support of the renewal of the Division's attack
and, later, on that day, effective fires were placed on enemy mor­
tars, a command post, a factory strong ·point, and concentrations
of infantry. Also, on the 15th a new Battalion OP was established,
this time at St. Remy.
On the 16th the positions to the north of Neuf-Etang were further
reconnoitered following the receipt of orders to displace. At the
same time the Battalion's mission was changed to general support
with the additional mission of direct support of the 2nd Battalion
of the 398th Infantry Regiment which was holding a long line
running through the immense wooded area 011 the southwest bank
12

•
NOVEMBER
of the Meurth River, across from Raon L'Etape. The basic plan of
attack was now clear. While a relatively small force held the line
southwest of the river, the real strength of the Division was being
shifted to the north, and a flanking attack to the south and southeast
from Baccarat was being made on Raon L'Etape.
Orders were received on the 16th instructing the Battalion to
take over an observation post of the 375th, which was located in
the area held by the 2nd Battalion of the 398th. When this OP
was taken over on the 17th, it was discovered that all of the 2nd
Battalion except Company E had received orders during the night
to shift to the north. E Company had been attached to the 15th In­
fantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division, which was then on
the 100th's right flank. This meant that only Company E and a
patrol from the 100th Reconnaissance Troop were along the 6000
yard front separating the 373rd from the enemy. However, this situa­
tion was not serious since rapid progress was being made south and.
east of Baccarat on the east side of the Meurth and the 3rd Division
on the right had driven all the way to the river. Nevertheless, the
already strong local security measures were further strengthened.
In accordance with the change in the organization of the infantry
ill front, the Battalion's mission was changed to general support
with the additional mission of direct support of Company E of the
3981h, an unusual arrangement dictated by the nature of the tactical
situation.
A registering howitzer from Baker was sent to the new position
north of Neuf-Etang, and a registration waS! obtained from that
position on the 17th. Later, after the registratio'n, the remainder of
Baker Battery displaced, followed on the next morning by Able,
Ch:lrlie, Headquarters, and the attached Anti-Aircraft Section (1st
13

...
NOVI:MBER
Platoon, Battery A, 898th AA 3n, attached at Neuf-Etang). The
positions occupied were in a narrow valley about 2000 yards SOllthwest
of Raon L'Etape which afforded practically no flash defilade
and only barely provided concealment from observation on the enemyheld
hills surrounding the town. In the occupation of the positions
a 21;2 Ton truck of the 898th struck an S-Mine, but no serious
casualties resulted. After occupation of position, Baker Battery had
onc man injured by a Schu mine.
Service Battery remained at Bru and the Personnel Section at
Rambcrvillers.
The 19th was 8 day marked by the firing of a preparation for
the infantry jump-off in the morning, followed by interdiction fires,
and later by a number of observed missions. On the 20th, as the
Division pushed on, the observation post taken over from the 375th
became extremely valuable and the observers there were able to
locate and direct fire on a number of profitable targets, particularly
in and around Moyenmoutier.
By the 20th, Raon L'Etape was securely in the hands of the
Division and the enemy had begun a headlong retreat up the Rabocleat!
River valley toward Senones. The German "winter line" in
the Vosges had been succeSSfully broken and the task then was to
exploit the victory to the fullest. With the 117th Cavalry on the
left and the 3rd Division on the right, the JOOth pushed on in hot
pursuit.
On the 21st the Battalion's howitzers were approaching the limit
of their range and, hence, a reconnaissance of positions farther forward
was made. The positions reconnoitered were \in thc area
between St. Blaise and Moyenmoutier and were adjacent to positions
selected by the 938th Field Artillery Battalion, a Corps unit
14

NOVEMBER
early on the morning of the 25th, a reconnaissance party pushed
on farther to the east through a Iluge gap in the mountains and
selected positions near Diesbach in Alsace. Displacement of the
Battalion took place on the same day over the high Hantz Pass
and through the prepared, but never occupied, German defensive
positions in the mountains. The Battalion CP on this occasion was
located at Fouuay On the road that leads north and northeast to
Strassbourg.
The "ratrace" continued, and as a result the Battalion fired no
missions on the 25th. On the 26th a reconnaissance (oward Lutzel­
haus was made to bring the Battalion within range again, and displacement
was scheduled for JOJ 5. Orders were changed, however,
and the information was received that the Division would not continue
the pursuit to the north. Later, orders to move to the rear
came down, and in the afternoon the Battalion marched back to
La Petite Raon. All of the Batteries were quartered here except
Service which remained at Senones..
At Petite Raon it was learned that the Division had been pulled
out of action for transfer to the north, to another sector.
About 0230 on the 27th the Battalion received orders concerning
the Divisions's movement north to Sarrebourg and at 0630
quartering parties left for Raon L'Etape where they met a representative
oj" the Division. At 1625 the Battalion hit the lP (initial point)
and the march to the Sarrebourg area was completed without accident
or casualties, although the crowded condition of the roads,
clogged with French rej"ugees as well as with military traffic of all
types, did cause many halts and delays. Before the Battalion finally
closed into its new area, night had fallen and the long column had
to move under black-out conditions. Headquarters, Able, Baker, and
[6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Service Batteries went into Hesse, a village south of Sarrebourg,
while Charlie Battery went into nearby (mling.
Except for the 397-374 Combat Team which was almost immediately
attached to the 45th Division and committed to action, the
JDOth Division, then assigned to the 15th Corps, remained in Corps
Reserve in the Sarrebourg area until December 1st. During this
reriod the Battalion spent most of the time on maintenance, cleaning
up, and resting. On the 28th Service Battery moved to Reiding, a
village east of Sarrebourg, where an Ammunition Supply Point was
established and to which, with the aiel of 22 Quartermaster trucks,
the more than 3100 rounds of ammunition left at Senones were
Slll!ttled.
On the 1st of December, instructions were issued by Division
Artillery that the Battalion would move to a forward assembly area
on the next morning, but a shod time later such instructions were
rescinded, and the Battalion Commander was advised that the Battalion
was being attached to the 208th Field Artillery Group - for op.erations
only. The 208th Group was a medium artillery group of the
XV Corps, which had been given the mission of reinforcing the
fires of the Division Artillery, anel which had been attached to the
Division for that purpose.
On the 2nd at December, in accordance with orders received
from Group Headquarters on the previous day, a reconnaissance
was made for firing positions in the vicinity of Lohr. While the
reconnaissance was being made, the Battalion commenced its march
to the north in accordance with the Division March Schedule,
following guides_ which the Battalion Commander had left along the
route taken by the reconnaissance party. firing battery positions
WCre occupied near Lahr, and Headquarters went into Schaenburg.
17

DECEMBER
Service Battery remained at Reiding. The Personnel Section was still
at Rambervil1ers, but moved the next day to Sarrebourg.
Reconnaissance for observation failed to reveal suitable OPs, but
registrations were obtained by the use of air observers and during
the night five interdicting missions were fired. Just before midnight
on the 2nd about 15 enemy shells of light caliber landed very near
Baker and Charlie Batteries and about 40 additional rounds landed
some 400 yards to the northwest, but no casualties were sustained.
As the Division attack started - on the 3rd of December ­
few missions were fired due to Jack of observation, bad weather,
and the uncertainty of the front linc situation. A reconnaissance in
the vicinity of Puberg was made, but the only orders received concerning
displacement were countermanded almost immediately after
their receipt.
At dawll on the 4th the Battalion displaced forward, following
advance parties which had left an hour before daylight. Able Battery
had two guns stuck in the deep mud at its position and Baker
had one gUll temporarily immobilized by a broken spade-lock pin,
but the delays occasioned were slight in each case. The firing batteries
went into position south of Puberg, and Headquarters went
into La Petite Pierre. Service Battery remained at. Reiding.
Registrations were obtained after occupation of the new position
on the 4th of December, and 12 missions, mostly interdiction and
counterbattery, were fired. The next day was a day of even more
active firing and a total of 45 missions, exclusive ot registrations,
were fired. Many of these missions were adjusted by light battalion
forward observers, but the majority of them consisted of "roadrunners"
and night interdiction missions. Fire Direction Center and
the howitzer sections were busy throughout the night.
18

•
DECEMBER
The Battalion's mission on December 5th continued to be general
support, but in addition it was given the mission of reinforcing the
fires of the 925th Field Artillery Battalion and, a Hason party was
sent to the 925(h in iccordance with SOP.
On the 6th the 208th Group ordered a forward reconnaissance
for positions in the vicinity of Sarreinsberg and adequate positions
were finally located, although the large number of artillery reconnais­
sance parties working in the same area made the task of selecting
positions a relatively difficult one. During the day and night of the
6th, the Battalion fired 26 missions, most of them interdiction fires
on Group order.
On the 7th the Battalion took part in a preparation for the con­
tinuation of the Division attack toward Bitche, while advance par­
ties went forward to the new positions to prepare them for occupa­
tion. Shortly before noon, the Battalion was alerted by the 208th
Group to displace as soon as road clearance could be obtained.
Clearance was obtained within an hour and at 1300 the Battalion
displaced in the order Hq, C, A, B with Baker having considerable
difficutty in extricating several of its howitzers from the heavy mud
On the steep slope of its po.sition. After an uneventful march, the
three firing batteries went into position south of Sarreinsburg. while
Headquarters Battery established the Battalion Command Post in
nearby Althorn. Service Battery displaced from Reiding to La Petite
Pierre, occupying the CP just vacated by Headquarters.
December 8th was a day of great activity. As the Division moved
ahead to probe the outer defenses of the Maginot Une. the Batta­
lion participated in several scheduled preparations, a number of ob­
served missions by light battalion forward observers, and 30 inter­
uiction missions on the the enemy's lines of communication.
19

DECEMBER
One ot the chief problems confronting the Battalion at this time
was that of observation. The enemy in withdrawing was able to
choose his terrain and accordingly took advantage of the high ground
that offered the best observation. On the other-hand, the Battalion,
left with inferior terrain, was unable to locate suitable OPs and was
compelled to rely upon light battalion observers and, especially,
upon air observers for registratiolls. In an effort to improve the
situatioll, a short base was established which permitted registration
by high burst methods up to about 7500 yards, but bad weather
and the resulting poor visibility made registration by any method
difficult.
The night of the 8th was a night of alarms, most of them fortunately
false. A report was received at the Battalion CP (arter
having passed through several hands) that Charlie Battery was
being shelled. Immediate checks by telephone proved that only one
shell had fallen, and that one at a considerable distance from the
Battery. Able and Baker Batteries both 'reported that an enemy flare
had been set off within 150 yards of their positions, but upon investigation,
the "flare" proved to be an enemy white phosphorous shell
which landed just over the hill from !he Battery positions. Other
"flares" reported by adjacent units proved to be of a similar
character.
Almost immediately after the report of "flares", the Battalion
was notified by Division Artillery that another artillery battalion a
little larther forward than the 373rd had received $mall arms fire.
About the same time, the guard in Headquarters Battery's motor
park telephoned in a report that small arms fire from a nearby
wooded area had come into the motor park. However, since the
local security set-up in the area was !'trengthencd by the presence
20

DECEMBER
of a number of friendly tanks, little alarm was felt and the remainder
of the night was quiet except for the usual and reassuring night­
long blasts of friendly guns.
December 9th was another day of preparations, interdictions, and
observed missions. High burst registrations were obtained, but poor
visibility prevented the air observers from obtaining the long range
registrations necessary for accurate unobserved firing on the strong
fortifications of the Maginot Line. As a result of one of the observed
missions in which the Battalion took part - a TOT on the objec­
tive of an Infantry Battalion tilat was having trouble - the Infantry
Battalion Commander concerned personally 'telephoned the Division
Artillery COlllmander to thank him for the splendid support given,
stating that it had enabled his battalion simpry to walk up on its
objective.
The Division having taken its intermediate objectives on the 9th,
the infantry on the 10th was reorganizing, and consequently not
very many missions were fired On the 10th by the Battalion.
Tile Battalion's mission continuee! to be general support, but
its reinforcing mission was changed from the 925th to the 375th.
This change was occasioned by a change in the role of tile infantry
regiments of the Division. The 3981h Infantry Regiment, directly
supported by the 375th, was to bear the burden of continuing the
attack and, accordingly, was given priority on the fires of the
l3a ttal iOll.
With the continuation of the Division's attack on the 11 th, artil­
lery suprort was again greatly in demand and a number of missions
were fired. The most interesting mission of the clay was fired for
the Company Commander of Company L, 398th Infantry, who suc­
cessfully adjusted the Battalion on enemy flak gUlls and machine
21

DECEM BER
afternoon, the 208th Group ordered the Battalion to remain in the
position it then occupied in order to take part in the preparation
scheduled for the next morning's attack on the Maginot Line. The
night of the 14th was one of very active firing.
The attack on the Maginot scheduled for the 15th did not take
place, and, therefore, the planned preparation was not fired, lnstead,
the Battalion displaced to new positions south of Lemberg. Able
and Charlie Batteries were located in the open, and Baker in the
edge of some woods in an old French artillery position, The Battalion
CP was located in Lemberg, but because of the croweled condition
of the town, the remainder of Headquarters went into a nearby val­
ley. Service Battery remained in La Petite Pierre until the 16th,
when it. moved to Wingen.
While all battery positions were swept of mines, S-mines were
discovered between Baker and Charlie Batteries when three signal­
men from another unit were injured. Baker Battery removed a num­
ber of Stapf plastic mines from its position.
Again on the 16th, a scheduled attack on the Maginot Line was
callee! off. More fire plans were received, more ammunition brought
up, the Battalion OP alerted, and again the Battalion was ready,
but once more the attack was postponed.
Finally, on the 17th, after a night of extremely intense firing,
tile Division launched its attack and the Battalion had the greatest
day of firing that it had all e1uring combat. More than 500 rounds
were expended in less than three hours during the preparation pre­
ceding the infantry's jump-off. After the preparation was over, TOTs,
air and other observed missions, and counterbattery fires brought the
total number of rounds fired in the 24 hour period of this day up to
1123. Sixty-one 11l issiol1s in all were fi red.
23

DECEMBER
One of the interesting developments in connection with the firing
on the Maginot Line was the lack of effect of medium and even of
heavy artillery on the strong concrete fortifications. The 155mm pro­
jectiles of the Battalion's howitzers simply bounced off and even
8-inch howitzer shells did little damage. It was readily apparent
that the Maginot forts could not simply be blown apart by artillery.
On the 18th the Battalion continued its firing on the Maginot forts,
particularly on fort Schiesseck, and on a number of enemy batteries.
It was an active day, though the firing was not as heavy as it had
been on the previous day. The next day was very much the same,
as the infantry continued its costly way through the Line, fort by fort.
Finally, on the 20th it looked as though the Division was just about
through the main part of the line, and a coordinated attack being plan­
ned was expected to result in a break-through. The Battalion at this
time was giving its utmost in the way of support to the infantry,
firing everything from large-scale preparations to few-round harass­
ing missions, and hope was high that the Battle of the Maginot
would soon be won.
On the 20th the Division Artillery Executive visited the Batta­
lion CP and, in addition to discussing plans for the immediate
future, gave further news of the big enemy offensive in the 1st Army
Sector. On the 21st of December, shortly before 0100 the Battalion
Commander was notified to attend a Unit Commander's Call at 0600.
At this conference he was informed that the Division was to relieve
the 44th Division which was on the 100th's Jeft, as well as to hold
most of its own line, and was to take lip a strong defensive posi­
tioll. The Battalion was released from attachment to the 208th Group,
and as of 1200 on tile 21st reverted to Division Artillery control with
the mission of general support.
24

DECEMBER
In accordance with orders from Division Artillery, a reconnais­
sance was made for positions in the vicinity of Rohrbach, and a
registration was obtained by the single howitzer sent forward for that
purpose. However, as it was late and the roads were jammed with
heavy traffic, Charlie Battery displaced to the new positions, arri­
ving there after dark and being temporarily attached to the 374th Field
Artillery Battalion which was in the area. Despite the plans made
for movement and the complete change in the situation as a result
of the enemy's Ardennes offensive, the Battalion's activity 011 the 21st
followed the pattern of the preceding busy days and many success­
ful missions were fired.
At 0200 on the 22nd, Division Artillery ordered the Battalion not
to displace the other batteries to the positions near Rohrbach, but
to select other positions near IMaierJing. Accordingly reconnais­
sance parties feft at daybreak and located positions in what had
been part of the 44th Division's sector, in bare treeless country,
quite unlike the wooded terrain to which the Battalion had become
accustomed. As soon as roael clearance could be obtained, Able,
Baker, and Headquarters displaced, and when Able and Baker
were laid and ready to fire, Charlie Battery reverted to Battalion
control and was ordered to move to the new area. The Battalion CP
was located in Guisberg, and Service Battery moved from Wingen
to Butten. Personnel was still at Sarrebourg with Division Rear.
The 23rd, a day of moderate firing, was spent chiefly in organi­
zing tile new positions and in reconnoitering for OPs. That night
Division Artillery directed that a reconnaissance be made for new
howitzer positions nearer Guisberg ancl, on the next morning, new
positions were selected. However, just as the firing batteries were
about to disprace, Division Artillery ordered that the movement be
25

o [ C HI B E R
called off Jlld that positions a little farther to till' rear, IIL'ar Mont­
bronn, Iw recollllOitered. Baker and Charlie Balteries moved near
Montl)rolln upon selection of positions, but Able, due to a lack of
gl)()d positions in tile Montbronn area was located ncar Guisberg.
I ieal.iquarters planned to move to MOlltbronn, but because of the
crowded condition of tile town postponed its diplacel11ent until the
:l

DECEMBER/JANUARY
on the next day revealed Ihal Ihe planes were Al1lerica-n P-47s which
had been captured by the enemy, that some of the planes bore
American 1l1arkings and others German.
The last day of the year was quiet, but the enemy commenced
the New Year witll a strong attack, one of the attacks designed to
withdraw pressure from the Ardennes Sector where the First and
Third American Armies were gathering strength. As the infantry
wif'hdrew, a considerable amount of small arms fire could be heard
110t too far from tile Battalion position, and the ohserving party at
the OP was ordered to return. III the morning eight enemy shells lan­
ded in Baker Battery's position, and in tile afternoon both Able and
Baker were strafed by a P-47, presumably enemy-operated. During
[he strafing, the Battalion's machine gunners and the attached AA Pla­
toon opened-up on the attacking plane, but without apparent success.
Late in the afternoon, the Battalion Commander reported to Divi­
sion Artillery Headquarters. There he was told that the situation
was seriolls, that while the Division had beaten off all attacks frol11
the front, the cavalry unit protecting the Division and Corps right
flank had been severely mauled and had been pusheel back so far
that the entire flank of the Division was exposed. The Battalion was
instructed to prepare for a movement to previously reconnoi1erccl
rear-positions. Preparations for such a movement were made and
efforts to obtain 5-2 information were greatly increased.
On the 2nd, personnel from the Battalion 5-2 Section went on a
"milk-run", as their information-gathering jaunts from one installa­
tion to another were called, and found that the enemy's progress
on the rigllt was continuing. The enemy had now driven a deep
salient into the section of the line to the right of the Division, and
the Battalion was ordered to displace by battery to positions near
28

JANUARY
quently skidded and slipped allover the road. The march, which
under ordinary circumstances would have taken less than a half­
hour, took almost four hours. As a result of Able's difficulty, the
other 1iring batteries were routed over a more level, though tacti­
cally more dangerous, road.
Headquarters went into Guisberg which was also occupied by
the 399th Regimental Headquarters.
January 5th and 6th were quiet days and little firing was done.
On the 7th, however, the Battalion fired a number of missions and,
in addition, received from the enemy some 60 rounds of estimated.
I05mm shells with a center of impact within 150 yards of Baker
Battery's howitzer positions. Luckily, all personnel were well pro­
tected in their dug-outs anel no casualties resulted.
When the 36th Division came into the line, the left boundary
of the 100th was changed. This made it necessary for the Battalion's
Service Batlery to move from Weisslingen. The move was made to
Harskirchen, a village a few kilometers west of Sarre-Union and
more than an hour's drive from Ouisberg .
The 8th was relatively a quiet day, but the 9tl1 saw an appre­
ciable increase in activity, consisting for the most part of unobserved
fires. During tile early part of the night the Germans presented
A Battery with 12 unwelcome rounds of medium and heavy artillery,
later identified as 1551111ll and 170111m, fired- from two different direc­
tions. The fire was thought to be the result of sound and/or flash
ranging and was extremely accurate. Again, the Battalion was for­
tunate in having no casualties.
On the 10th shortly before the noon meal, the enemy placed 55
rounds of 170rnm within the Battalion area without inflicting casual­
ties or doing any damage other than cratering the hard-frozen ground
31

JANUARY
-----.-.._---
with shell holes averaging 12 feet across and 5 feet in depth. Reports
passed down later from Higher Headquarters indicated that the
] 70m111 guns responsible for the firing were in position about 30,000
yards away, out of range of any friendly artillery pieces Oll the Corps
hont. The plan, according to the report received, was to have the Air
Corps attack the suspected position.
At about 2100 on the 11 th of January Headquarters Battery was
the recipient of some 49.rounds oi J0511l1ll enemy shell-fire with a
center oi impact about 200 yards from the Battery and Battalion CPs.
Luckily, again, there were no casualties, although a pyramidal tent
vacated for the shelter of a fox hole by machine gun security post
personnel was cut to shreds by the fragments of iuze-quick projec­
tiles. During the night 21 more rounds came in, but still no great
damage was done.
The Battalion's firing on the 10th had been moderately heavy,
but on the 11 th it decreased considerably, and on the next few
succeeding days it was comparatively light. The Division was still
On the defensive and was digging in, and apparently the enemy WctS
doing the same. In preparing defensive positions it was necess3.ry
for all the troops in the area to use dynamite charges to blast holes
in the frozen ground, so despite the lull in firing there was still
plenty of explosive noise in the sector and, sometimes, an abundance
of debris flying through the air.
On the 14th experiment's which had been carried on ior several
days to determine the best method of camouflaging gun positions
were concluded. After tests with normal nets, white-garnished nets,
ane! a system without nets all observed irorn the air, it was decided
that the system without nets in which the pieces were covered Witll
tied-down white muslin was the best. The only suggestion made
32

"
JANUAjl.Y
W(lS that the other section installations, in addition to the howitzer
itseli, be covered with either white cloth or snow,
On the 15th ill conjunction with the 399th Infantry in Guisberg,
tile Battalion held a rehearsal of defensive measures to be put into
effect in the event of enemy infiltration. Only a few fire missions
were fired on the 14th and 15th.
On the 1(Sth the Battalion and Battery Commanders and their
parties spent most of the day on reconnaissance for positions to be
occupied in the event the Division was compelled to withdraw to
certain prepared defensive lines. Positions were selected north of Rah­
ling and Lorentzen. OP locations were also chosen.
About 2100 on the 16th Baker Battery received a concentration
of about 60 rounds of 105mm fire. Telephone lines in the Battery
position were cut in several places, but most of the personnel were
sheltered in their deep dugouts at the time and were not injured as
a result of the fire. There was no damage other than the quickly­
repaired wire lines. In accordance with established procedure in such
cases, a shell report was sent in and a short time afterwards Corps
placed a TOT on the suspected enemy l)atlcry position with the
373rd participaling.
It snowed hard all during the day on the 171h and there was
lillIe firing. However, further reconnaissance was made to the rear for
additional positions to be occupied in the event of the Division's with­
drawal, and survey operations in the selected rear-positions were
commenced.
Baker Battery on the 18th displaced to positions close to Mont­
bronn as soon as the 155th Field Artillery Battalion of the 36th Divi­
sion vacatecl them. The 36th Division, complete, was then in the
process of being transferred to the hard-pressed Haguenau sector.
33

JANUARY
After Baker had moved, additional orders were received from Divi­
sion Artillery requiring the movement of the remainder of the Batta­
lion to the Montbronn area on the next morning.
On the 19th the Battalion was settled with all of its batteries in
the general vicinity of Montbronn except Service which remained at
Harskirchen. Headquarters and the Battalion CP were set up in an
olel group of warehouses in a wooded area southwest of the town, a
position occupied for most of the next two months.
The snow already on the ground was increased in depth by addi­
tional snows On the 19th and 20th, both quirt days insofar as firing
and enemy activity were concerned. On the 20th, however quite a
bit of excitement was created by a crippled B-17 which noisely
circled the area several times before nosing into a dive and crashing
a short distance away. The incident was reported in the S-2 Bulletin,
daily prepared by the Assistant S-2, as follows:
"The fortress, flying very low, first circled over the area, leav­
ing a long string of open parachutes behind. The ninth chute in
the string opened over ,B' Battery, and the great plane, evidently
out of control, roared around in a great arc and disappeared into
the hill above ,e Battery, a tremendous cloud of smoke marking
its grave.
"The pilot landed in a tree near ,B' Battery, and was taken
to the Battery CP, where a few drinks turned him into a very
cheerful individual. On the way back to Division Headquarters,
he told the story of his flight.
"The B-17 had left England at 0930, along with many others,
and had dropped its bombs at a bridge across the Rhine. There
hard luck set in. They had to run the ack-ack three times, because,
the target was hard to see. When they left, both inboard engines
34
o

JANUAR Y
were dead. Most instruments went with them, because they were
driven by their power. Snow on the windshield made it impossible
to see. The plane lost altitude steadily. Near Petit Rederching,
the pilot ordered the crew to jump, while he circled. All jumped.
Then he went out, and the plane crashed.
"It was the pilot's first mission, His biggest surprise: that he
was so close to the front lines when he landed. His biggest worry;
that he would have to pay for the plane. Even with Air Forces
pay that would take quite some time."
The 21 st of January was another day marked by bad weather,
and most of the time during the day was spent in digging-in the
howitzers, preparing ammunition pits, and constructing dugouts
rather than in firing. Between J725 and 1820, 22 rounds of light
amI heavy caliber enemy shells fell in the vicinity of Charlie Bat­
lery, some of them within the battery position. One dud of 170 mm
caliber bounced off the parapet of the Number 2 Howitzer and kicked
up enough of the hard-frozen earth to injure a cannoneer. About
the same time another man was scratched by a fragment from a bursting
shell, but was not thereby prevented from carrying on his
duties. No additional casualties were sustained.
At about 0230 on the 22nd C Battery received more hostile
shell-fire, five rounds of 170mm, but again no damage was done.
Although the 22nd was cold, visibility was much improved and the
liason planes adjusted the Battalion effectively on several profitable
targets. Numerous infantry in the open were put out of action and
two enemy tanks were destroyed by direct hits.
Snow fell intermittently from the 23rd through the 26th and
there was lilte firing and little activity of any sort. However, on
35

•
JANU ARY /FEBRUARY
the 25th direct hits were obtained on two buildings suspected of
housing enemy CPs. and unobserved fires were placed on Bitche and
the surrounding road net. On the 26th, the Germans put 20 rOllnds
of heavy artillery in the Battalion area, but without the desired results.
The days from the 28th to the 31 st of January inclusive were
all relatively quiet. Except on the 29th almost all of the missions
were unobserved because of the poor visibility incident to the pre­
vailing bad weather. On the 29th, several missions were fired all
ellemy vehicles and troops by the air observers with good effect.
Also, a reported enemy rest area consisting of a number of houses
was fired on with white phosphorous and five of the buildings were
left burning. Shortly after noon on the 29th the area adjacent to tIle
Battalion was strafed by several ME 109s accompanied by two P-5Is.
One of the enemy planes was brought down.
Toward the end of January an unseasonable thaw took place,
and by the 1st of February Charlie Battery was forced by the mud
• and water to move from its valley position to higher ground. As the
thaw continued, the entire Montbronn area developed into what
amounted to a sea of mud. Fortunately, during this time there were
no tactical moves to be made and the muddy roads and fields were
more a matter of inconvenience than anything else.
From the I st of February through the II th of March the Batta­
lion remained in the Montbronn area, except for a week's stay at
Harskirchen with Service Battery in the case of each of the fjring
batteries. This was a period memorable chiefly for its inactivity.
During most of this time, the Battalion was limited to firing 15 rounds
per gUll per day, and sometimes not even this small allotment was
fired. The Division's front-line infantry, still chargcLl with a defen­
sive mission, made little effort to change the lines that had become
36

FEBRUARY
so well established during the first part of January, and the enemy,
likewise, was content to let things remain as they were. The chief
struggle was with the mud and the cold, with bad weather rather
than with the enemy.
Occasionally the German artillery would place a few rounds in the
area, although the average number of rounds falling in the entire Division
sector during the period was considerably less than the [ow
number of. 50 rounds per day. On the 7th of february, 36 rounds
.
were dropped into Montbronn, but no casualties resulted. Most of
the enemy fire throughout the time in question was of an harrassing
nature, as the enemy lacked the ammunition (according to the best
0-2 reports) required for tme counterbattery and destruction missions.
While rounds sometimes fell in artillery positions, including
the Battalion's, more frequently enemy fire was directed at crossroads
and at the front-line elements.
Since poor visibility as a result of bad weather was the rule,
and also because the terrain did not afford, adequate observation,
most of the missions fired were unobserved. Many missions were
fired time and time again. Bitche with its Citadel, Bismark Barracks,
and College; Camp de Bitche; Reyersviller; and Mouterhouse, to
mention a few, were targets that were fired on regularly and became
known to everyone.
From time to time, as the weather permitted, fighter-bombers
also attacked Bitche and other front-line localities. On such occasions
the Battalion, together with the other units of Division Artillery,
customarily placed fire on known enemy anti-aircraft positions,
thus making it extra-hazardous for the personnel charged with
bringing down the planes to perform tlleir mission. Tn addition, the
light battalions frequently fired red smoke shells to guide the bom-
37
•
•

•
fEBRUARY /MARCH
bers onto their targets. On onc occasion, following a careful study
of the locations of enemy flak installations, red smoke was fired into
the surrounding area as though in preparation for an air-attack, and
then, after sufficient time had passed to insure that the enemy had
come into the open to man the flak gUliS, heavy concentrations were
placed on them.
Some oi the missions fired eluring this period are worth men­
tioning. Most of them are more or less typical of the sort of firing
elone by the Battalion throughout combat. On February 10th, two
houses in ReyersviJler suspected of being enemy CPs were set ablaze
by direct hits with White Phosphorous, and on the 22ml, in the
same locality, three target hits were obtained on a house containing
enemy troops. On the 24th, an enemy-occupied pillbox was COIll­
pletely destroyed in a 12-round mission that included 6 direct hits.
On the 28th, one of the few days clear enough for the planes to fly,
a German flak gun fired On one of the artillery [jason planes, some­
thing that German AA gunners were generally wise enough not to do.
The result was that the plane adjusted the Battalion on the flak instal­
lation and effectively silenced the gun.
On March 3rd, 9 direct hits were obtained in 20 rounds fired on
an enemy CP in Schwangerbach, an outstanding example of the Bat­
t.:lIion's superior accuracy in firing.
Able Battery stayed at Harskirchen cleaning and maintaining
equipment from February 19th to the 25th, Charlie from the 26th to
March 4th, and Baker from March 5th to the II tho Able and Charlie
occupied new positions On their return, Baker went back to its old
location.
It was while the Battalion was at Montbronn that the pass system
was put into effect and the Battalion was given quotas for "rest"
38

MARCH
prior combat experience. The Battalion's Fire Direction Center, in
particular, was of valuable service to the 564th and obtained registrations
for them.
Early on the morning of the 13th, Charlie Battery displaced to
its new position near Enchenberg, followed later in the 'day by Headquarters,
Able, and Baker. Although, the short march was made
without incident, a great deal of excitement was caused shortly after
arrival when all of the anti-aircraft weapons in the area opened-up
on several P-47s that dove out of the clouds in attack formation.
On the 14th the long awaited Division 01 (Operations Instructions)
setting forth the plan for the attack to be launched on the
Maginot Forts and on Bitche was received. Here is the entry for the
14th in the Official Battalion History:
"At last today, by Division Operations orders, we received the
news for which we've been waiting so eagerly through three
wearisome defensive months - that .on 0 day the Division is to
resume its assault on Bitche, Camp de Bitche, and its surrounding
maze of Maginot fortifications. Bitche - the concrete and steel
core of the Maginot Line, which is itself modern man's strongest
and most ingenious system of fortification. How formidable they
are we well know, from our experience with them last December.
As we expect 0 day to be soon, all personnel are laboring under
pressure to complete the organization and protection of positions.
We don't want casualties from hostile counterbattery fires. Service
displaced forward and took over Headquarter's Battery CP
at Montbronn. Charlie Battery fired at a tank near Bitche, destroying
it with precision fire. The howitzer firing the mission put out
6 rounds in 58 seconds in ,fire for effect' , during which it secured
two target hits. At 2100 a message was received that D day
41

l-IARCH
and H hour were to be 0500 tomorrow. Morale of all personnel
is extremely high. Our mission is general support of the Division,"
The entry in tile Official History on the 15th, the day the attack
was started, is also interesting:
"Today we hac! a field day. Matters began when at 0100 we
fired all extensive Corps counter-battery program to break tip
hostile artillery resistance. There was no regular artillery prepa­
ration before the attack. Our infantry jumped off at 0500, and
the artillery support began at that hour. We fired every kind of
mission in the Battalion, including many observed fires on targets
of opportunity. Knocked out a tank with two target hits, plastered
enemy troops, shot up hostile mortar and rocket positions,
destroyed dugouts, marked Bitche for some bombing by fighter­
bombers of the ! 2th T.A.C., neutralized enemy batteries, harassed
enemy assembly areas and interdicted their routes of communi­
cation. The furious activity in Our Fire Direction Center made it
resemble nothing so much as a 3-ring circus conducted in a mad­
hOllse. At one time fDC was simultaneously adjusting two diffe­
rent batteries on two separate targets by observation plane, while
at the same time the third battery was firing a scheduled mission
on a third target. But this racing activity was coaly controlled
-- as was the flashing activity of the sweating gun squads ­
and our fires were speedy, heavy, accurate. By evening the Divi­
sion's attack had broken through the forts, had halhvay enveloped
the objective, and was progreSSing 1110st favorably."
The 16tIJ was another day of heavy firing. Early in the morning
an intense preparation "vas fired on Bitche and Fort Otterbiel, which
42

MARCH
later in the day fell to the advancing infantry. Withering fire was pla­
ccd on cnemy troops withdrawing from Bitche by the observation
planes which were in the air throughout the aay. Ahout noon recon­
naissance parties went forward and, after considerable searching
through heavify-Illined terrain, selected positions in the edge of the
completely ruined and uninhabited village of Schorbach. The Batta-
lion CP was located in Hottviller, another wreck of a village in the
same general area.
On the morning of the 17th the Battalion displaced and occupied
the new positions. Some difficulty was encountered in registering
hecause of the communications situation. Radio would not work be­
twecn the deep valleys and the long wire Jincs laid along the heavily­
mined roads were constantly being cut by the steady tank and vehicular
traffic moving toward the front. Finally, however, registrations were
obtained and during the day many interdiction missions on hostilp
escape routes and a number of target-marking missions for the Air
Corps were fired. Baker Battery's Number 2 Section fired the Batta­
lion's first round into G('nnany from its position at Schorbach.
Since on the 17th the Division's progress to the north was con­
tinuing almost without interruption, the Battalion was ordered j()
make a reconnaissance for positions farther forward, and on the 18th
Headquarters, Baker, and Charlie moved to Bousseviller, a small vil­
lage a few miles north of Bitche. Able Battery remained behind, tem­
porarily attached to the 375th Field Artillery Battalion which was
also located in the Schorbach area and which was in direct support
of the 398th, the regiment that had been given the mission of holding
the Division's right flank. Though not many missions were fired during
the day, those that were fired were extremely· costly to the fleeing
43

MARCH
enemy who in several instances were caught in traffic jams on the
crowded roads behind the German frontier.
Able Battery rejoined the Battalion on the J9th, but on Division
Artillery orders, went into bivouac rather than into firing position.
About noon on the 19th, word was received that the 71 st Infantry
Division was to relieve certain elements of the 100th Division, and,
soon afterward, the Battalion was instructed that in addition to its
mission of general support it would have the mission of reinforcing
the fires of the 564th Field Artillery Battalion (the medium Battalion
of the 71 st Division), which was moving into position near BOllsseviller.
Firing, however, was light all during the day and, it was anticipated
that a move would be made soon. The best guess at the time
was that the Division would follow the 6th Armored Division through
a gap that was being opened in the Siegfried by the 3rd Infantry
Division, which had passed through the 44th Division and was then
on the 100th's left.
Early on the 20th, Service Battery, in 'preparation for a possible
sudden and extensive move, displaced to a bivouac in Bousseviller.
About noon one of the observation planes spotted hostile gun flashes
from positions behind the Siegfried Line, near Pirmasens, and adjusted
the Battalion 011 several batteries with excellent results. A rocket
launcher in the same enemy sector was also a victim of the Battalion's
Mt's.
About 1630 on the 20th, as the 71 st Division's relief of the 100th
was nearing completion, the Battalion was ordered to take Baker and
Charlie Batteries out of action and prepare for movement on short
notice. The Batt.alion spent the next day, an uneventful one, in a state
of readiness and anticipation, but no orders for movement were
received.
44

MARCH
---------.-----------------------
On the morning of the 22nd in accordance with orders from Division
Artillery, an assembly area was chosen by the Battalion for the
802nd F. A_ Bn. which had just been attached to Division Artillery,
and guides were sent out to show the 802nd's advance party the spot
selected. And then, the news was received that the Division would
move through the gap in the Siegfried Line, turn east and head for the
Rhine. A reconnaissance was ordered to be made and reconnaissance
parties pushed on across the German border, through the Siegfried,
up the dusty road to Zweibrucken, and from there east to a point near
13urgalber, where positions were selected.
At 0700 the next morTling the Battalion commenced its march into
Germany, crossing the frontier at 0840. Plans at that time still called
for occupation of the positions chosen on the evening before, but
shortly thereafter, when the advance party reached Thaleischweiler
where Division Artillery was located, it was learned that there had
been a change and that the entire column was to proceed on to the
Rhine valley. A "goose-egg" near Mutterstadt was given the Battalion
Commander as the area in which to select positions. Word of the
orders to continue the march was passed on to the main body of the
Battalion lead by the Battalion Executive, and the 373rd joined the
"Race to the Rhine".
The march over the heavily-wooded Hardt Mountains to positions
near Schauernheim, which had been chosen by the reconnais-'
sallce elements that went ahead, is one of the never-to-be-forgotten
events in the Battalion's history. More than 75 miles of unknown
terrain on roads laden with displaced persons, deserting enemy troops,
and liberated prisoners, was tra.versed with scarcely a delay and
without an accident. Little information concerning the situation was
available. While it was known that the ellemy west of the Rhine had
45

MARCH
been c1ealt a crushing blow, the exact location of many desperately
resisting PQckets of enemy troops was not known. However, despite
the fact tllat (as was later learned) the Battalion by-passed a consi­
derable number uf enemy troops, no hostile action of any sort was
encountered on the long march. Both Service Battery, which made
the march, stopping at Mussbach, and Able Battery captured several
prisoners, the Battalion's first. Service turned in nine, Able four. Local
security during the first night in Germany was greatly emphasized.
Almost no firing was clone ami it appeared that the Division's mission
would be more one of mopping up than anything else.
On the 24th, with the infantry working through Ludwigshafen and
along the bank of the Rhine south from Ludwigshafen, there was
again little firing and most of this misty day was spent in digging-in
to protect against possible counterbattery fire. The flat plains of the
Rhine valley offered nothing in the way of flash defilade allCl made it
relatively easy for the enemy, in possession of much higher ground
east of the Rhine, to locate battery positions. Fortunately, however,
at this time the enemy was thoroughly disorganized aIll! short of
allllnunition, :lnd no hostile artillery fire was received in these
positions.
The 10Jlowing entry in the 0 f f i cia I His tor y reflects the
st.1te of affairs on the 25th:
"At noon toelay the Division passed under the control of the
VI Corps. Baker Battery joined Charlie, displacing to a new posi­
tion in the vicintiy of Limburgerhof, while Able, in turn, displa­
ced to an old German AA position near Mutterstadt. We fired
several missions on enemy troops and batteries across the Rhine,
and completely blew up a large ammunition or gasoline ware­
!louse. The surrounding countryside is still infested wih enemy
46

MARCH
snipers, deserters (lnl! by-passed combatants trying to regain their
own lines, C Hattery this atternoolJ received SI1l

•
MARCH
lOOth, which upon completion of the relief was to go into VI Corps
Reserve.
Although Service Battery collected another 28 prisoners, and the
Battalion fired several effective missions into Mannheim and vicinity,
the 26th was a relatively quiet day. The Personnel Section moved
with Division Rear from Sarrebourg to Hassloch. On the. 27th activity
was reduced still further, and late in the afternoon orders were
received to ta ke the howitzers out of action.
On the 28th the three firing batteries moved into Schauernhcim,
occupying dwellings that had previously been vacated by civilians
ordered out by the Battalion. Service Battery was also scheduled to
move to Schauernheim, but was forced to remain in Mussbach when
the Division called for seven of its trucks for transporting infantry­
men. Charlie Battery discovered a German Lieutenant and an enlisted
man in the cellar of one of the buildings which they had taken over,
and, later, a search of every house in the entire town netted the
Battalion two more prisoners.
For the next two days, cleaning up, maintenance, administration,
and rest took the place of normal combat

MARCH/APRIL
The crossing was successfully made, and the march to the positions
selected ncar Grenzhof was completed without incident. Later,
the Division Artillery Commander reported that the 0-3 of the
VI Corps, who watched the Division column go by, remarked that
the 373rd had the best march discipline of any unit he had ever
observed.
Shortly after early morning Easter Services held in the pretty
park-like area ;n the center of the small village of Orenzhof, orders
were received to displace to the vicinity of Oftersheim. As soon as
positions in that area had been selected, Headquarters and the firing
batteries displaced, Headquarters going into a large schoolhouse in
Oftersheim and the firing batteries into position south of the town.
Practically no firing was done on the 31st of March, Or the 1st
and 2nd of April. The Division's mission at the time was to protect
the right flank of the Corps and of the Army, and, eventually, to
maintain contact with the french First Army which had just made
a Rhine crossing near Speyer.
On the 3rd of April the Battalion moved to positions near Diihren,
but no missions were fired from such positions due to the rapid progress
of the Division to the east. Again, on the 4th the Baftalion
moved forward, this time to positions near Kirchhausen, about 10,000
yards northwest of Heilbronn. In the case of both of the moves just
mentioned the Battalion main body moved upon receipt of radio
orders from the Battalion Commander after selection of positions.
While both marches were made without unusual difficulty, the march
from Dlihren to Kirchhausen by the reconnaissance parties, in particular,
was greatly delayed by mined roads and the heavy traffic.
Service Battery moved from Edingen to Reihen.
49

APRIL
Almost immediately after the firing batteries occupied their posi­
tions, they commenced receiving missions of practically every type,
including two defensive barrages against enemy counterattacks. From
the very beginning it was apparent that the enemy intended to
defend Heilbronn with all his strength - the fanatical nature of the
resistance and the character of the terrain from a defensive stand­
point made that certain. The Neckar River was broad enough and
deep enough to constitute a most effective obstacle, and the long
high ridge rising abruptly behind the town on the east side of the
river afforded almost perfect observation. There was no doubt that
the enemy had chosen his ground and chosen it well.
The following entries in the 0 f fie i a I His tor y clearly show
what the situation was at Heilbronn:
5 April 1945
"The Division is in for a stiff fight. The enemy are defending Heil­
bronn fanatically, with plenty of troops, tanks, artillery, and excel­
lent defensive positions and observation. We've ferried troops across
the river under cover of smoke and darkness, but every time our
engineers even attempt to put pontoons down for a bridge, enemy
artillery blows them out of the water. The approaches to our selec­
ted crossing area are under accurate and steady artillery and even
t!lortar fire. Having 110 bridge, it is difficult to get heavy weapons or
tanks across to help support the infantry we were able to ferry or
swim across. However" these latter are fighting furiously, and we're
clearing out those parts of the town on this side of the river. This
Battalion has been firing in support almost constantly and effecti­
vely. Besides counterb-attery and sniping on hidden encmy self-pro-
50

APRIL
pelled guns, smoke missions, and harassing fires, we've burned out
one enemy tank, damaged and stopped another, and demolished and
set on fire numerous houses used by the enemy as strong points for
holding up our infantry. This afternoon we established a good observation
pas!."
6 April 1945
"Fierce fighting continues in Heilbronn. The enemy have counterattacked
strongly twice today, and we've fired hard in helping the in­
fantry in the bridgeless bridgehead to beat them off. Our doughs have
about cleared the part of the city that is on this side of the river.
The Battalion has fired heavily all day, at a variety of targets. We
silenced two enemy batteries that were firing on our attempts to construct
a pontoon bridge, destroyed several strong-point houses, and
in conjunction with a Battalion of 8-inch howitzers knocked (lut two
tanks and got two additional probables. We also established a new
and additional OP, from which we hope to spot targets by means
of a short-base with our original OP. Hidden enemy guns are still
destroying every effort to keep in a bridge."
7 April 1945
"We continued to have a shooting field day. Stubborn house to
house fighting continued in Heilbronn. The Battalion's efforts at support
included, among other accomplishments, the destruction of two
mare hostile tanks by direct hits, and a third probable; the destruction
of a concrete enemy observation tower with seven direct hits;
and the leveling of more enemy house strong-points. We also fired
a number of smoke missions to blind enemy observation, and harassing
fires at night. Due to the smoke from the burning town, plus the
51

APRIL
protective smoke by our would-be bridge, our short-base was unable
to pick up profitable targets. The bridge was shot out again today,
just when it was almost across."
8 April 1945
"More heavy firing. The grim step-by-step, house-by-house fighting
continues in the city, without any spectacular progress. The enemy
again shot up our bridging attempts today, so wer're still trying to
expand a bridgehead with only a dangerous ferry service. Almost
impossible to get tanks and tank destroyers over to help the infantry,
yet they need them badly. However, this Battalion again wiped out
an enemy tank today, with two direct hits; and fired numerous accurate
supporting and counterbattery missions. Targets are getting harder
to find. We're reconnoitering for another OP farther to the south.
We con.tinue to smoke the enemy's observation."
9 April 1945
"The struggle in Heilbronn goes on. It's obvious that the days of
Kraut retreating are over - this is part of a thoroughly organized,
well-planned defensive line, with plenty. of fanatical SS troops and
loads of eqUipment and ammunition to burn - not to speak of all
the advantages of position. We've tried to flank it, but haven't had
enough strength. So we're forced to slug straight ahead. The Battalion
continues its heavy firing, and has been complimented by the
Division Artillery Commander for its speed, accuracy, and effectiveness.
The enemy is losing a lot in prisoners and casualties, we
know. The Battalion has had great difficulty getting enough ammunition
to continue our heavy firing. Seventh Army is just new beginning
t.) get ammunition up to the vicinity of the fighting, and has at last
52
,-
•

APRIL
started to establish dumps on this side of the Rhine. Meanwhile, our
SCI "ice Battery has had to k'eep our ammunition train on the road
almost constantly for several days making 200 and 300 mile rounet
trips to bring us the shells and powder to keep us in action,"
While the 100th was thus engaged at Heilbronn. the 63rd Divi­
sion on the left was also meeting fanatical resistance north and north­
west of Heilbronn. The 10th Armored which had been spearheading
the VI Corps drive east of the Rhine was also having its troubles,
especially in keeping the supply routes to its Task Forces open, but
was working toward making a wide sweeping movement to the south,
some thirty to forty kilometers east of the Neckar, which would flank
the entire region in which Heilbronn is located. The French on the
right had pushed forward to the west bank of the Neckar, south of
the 100th, and considerably north of Stuttgart, but were not attemp­
ting to make any crossings, While progress was slow on every hand,
Heilbronn was the principal focal point of resistance.
The following comments in the S-2 Bulletin add to the informa­
tion already given concerning the battle for Heilbronn:
"T h c Sit u a t i 0 11 :
(Tuesday, April 10, 1945)
General Burress, in a memorandum to the men of the Divi­
sion, has this to say: ,The 100th Division is now engaged in
what is probably the severest fighting on the Western Front. A
fanatical enemy is doing everything in his means to hold the
pivotal position around Heilbronn, The fighting is some of the
toughest yet experienced by the Division, but the courageous and
intelligent manner in which the fight is being conducted, espe-
53

APRIL
dally by front-line units, makes it inevitable that the pressure
mList surely crack the enemy before long. You are doing a fine
job and a big job!'
"That's about the story. Men can work no harder than our
doughs, inching forward, block by block; than our engineers,
determined to keep a bridge across the Neckar come what may;
no harder than our artillerymen, who are pumping out the greatest
shell concentrations since Bitche. But the fact remains that Heil­
bronn is a perfect spot to defend, and that the Krauts have orders
to defend it to the end.
"Yesterday was a quiet day, if hell can be described as quiet.
The ]erries destroyed the third ponton bridge into Heilbronn,
and determined Yank engineers, under cover of a dense smoke
screen, went right back to work constructing a fourth. Inside
the towIl, the infantry enlarged their positions a bit, while American
artillery lancled on everything that moved. But still Kraut
machine gun fire clipped through the empty streets at every boy
who stuck his nose out, and still rounds from cleverly concealed
Kraut artillery screamed in. Progress is being made, but it is
painful and slow.
"We are not alone in our troubles, although Heilbronn is hitting
the headlines. Resistance is heavy all over the West. We have
drawn out Our supply Jines very far, and are no longer capable
of as powerful an attack as we might have made around Bitche,
if we had needed to ..."
(Wednesday, April 11, 1945)
"T h e Sit u a t ion:
"The battle still goes on, and the Krauts are still firmly entren­
ched in and around Heilbronn. Jerry artillery has moderated some-
54

APRIL
times, to see the color of the hair on the Krauts they're shooting
at. When they adjust us we know we've got a target that's bothering
the doughs."
Enemy resistance under the constant and heavy pressure of infantry
and artillery began to weaken slightly on the 10th, and progress
within the town became steady and rapid on the II th and 12th.
Hostile artillery fire continued almost up until the time Heilbronn
fell, but at the end it was relatively light. On the other hand; the
Division's artillery, including the Battalion's twelve howitzers, fired
al most incessantly throughout the 12th.
As the enemy withdrew, a new OP, looking to the south, was
established at Bockingen and a number of profitable targets were
fired on by the party located there. Also, a reconnaissance was made
in the vicinity of Frankenbach for firing positions a little closer to
the enemy, and plans were being made to move forward to such
positions when word was received that Heilbronn had been taken.
The Personnel Section moved from Hassloch to Schweigern on
April 11 tho
On the 13th with the enemy out of Heilbronn and driven beyond
the hills that tower above it, the Battalion was alerted for movement
across the Neckar as soon as the Engineers completed the pontoon
bridge (the fifth) on which they were then working. At 1738, eight
minutes after the smoke-concealed bridge, located between Bockingen
and Heilbronn, was opened to traffic, the Battalion reconnaissance par­
ties crossed over it into the ruins of Heilbronn. Shortly afterwards the
main body of the Battalion also made a successful crossing, and continued
on to Weinsberg, where the advance party had selected positions.
The firing batteries were located west of the town, Headquarters
in its western edge. At the time the Battalion arrived, the
56

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APRIL
heart of Weinsberg was a mass of rubble and flame, its populace
still dazed, as a result of a bombing by the Air Corps on the evening
before.
On the 14th Service Battery moved from Reihen to the eastern
outskirts of Herlbronn. With the Division turning southeast and with
tile strongest opposition on the right in the area south of Heilbronn,
an OP was established al Unter Gruppenbach, in a picturesque castle
that stands on a hill above the town. There was little firing on the
14th, and most of the day was spent in organizing positions.
The J5th was another day of inactivity, relatively speaking, but
011 the (6th with the Division pushing steadify ahead despite its
40,000 yard front, increasing resistance was met and business for
the firing batteries picked up. On the 16th, Able, Baker, and Charlie
moved southeast a few thousand yardS to positions just outside
Lehrensteinfeld, a village to which Headquarters moved on the next
day, and for two days thereafter continued their frequent firing. On
the 18th near nightfall an air observer adjusted the Battalion effectively
on a long column of retreating enemy.
Heading almost due south, the Division continued to make progress
on the 19-th. On this clay the 44th completed its relief of the
63rd Division, which had been on the 100th's left frank all during the
Heilbronn operation, and took over the sector of one infantry regiment
from the IOOtll, thus substantially reducing the Division's front.
About the same time, the 117th Reconnaissance Squadron was placed
between the 100th and the Neckar River, next to the French who were
still holding the ground on the west bank of that stream, thus relieving
the Division of still more of its frontage. Later, on April 22nd,
the 103rd Division was to come in on the left, between the 44th and
the lOath. The 10th Armored was still out in front, spearheading the
57

APRIL
attack for the Corps, and was making excellent progress to the south
toward Goppingen and Kirchheim. At the same time southern elements
of the First French Army were pushing toward the Neckar
south of Stuttgart in a move that would eventually link them up' with
forces of the Seventh Army and complete the encirclement. of the
entire Stuttgart area.
On the 20th of April, the firing batteries moved to positions near­
Jettenbach, Headquarters to nearby Billensbach, and Service from
Heilbrof1l1 to Breitenau, a small settlement south of Willsbach. Practically
no firing was done by the Battalion on the 20th.
In the darkness of early morning on the 21 st orders were received
that ,positions would be selected near Backnang, and that the Battalion
would be moved as soon as possible. At daybreak reconnaissance
parties. left and were reconnoitering south of Backnang when a change
in orders was received. The change necessitated continuing on to
Winnenden where further reconnaissance was made and near which
positions were selected. The Battalion main body which was on the
rOCld before the reconnaissance was complete, crossed the single
bridge over the Murr River at Backnang at 1300, in accordance with
the Division Schedule, and made an uneventful march to the new
area. The firing batteries went into position south of Winnenden, and
Headquqrlers went into nearby Hafen. Few missions were fired.
At 0130' on April 220rclers were received to make a reconnaissance
in the vicinity of Stettin, and again parties set out at dawn to
locate new positions. Later in the day the Battalion moved forward
again and occupied positions in the SttLmlpfelbach-Endersbach area.
Headquarters Battery went into Endcrsbach. Service Battery moved
from Breitenau to Heiningen.
58

APRIL
Meanwhile the news was received that the Stuttgart pocket had
been closed with elements of the American Seventh Army meeting
elements of the First French Army southeast of Stuttgart. Accord.:.
ingly, the 22nd was designated "Prisoner-Taking-Day" by the Division,
and all units were ordered to organize patrols and join in the
mopping up operation in which the infantry was then engaged.
While the batteries were organizing patrols and preparing to
"liberate" some of the small towns in the region, the Battalion was
ordered to make a reconnaissance in the vicinity of Bunzwangen.
The Battalion Commander and a small party went to Bunzwangen
where they promptly ran into a small group of Ger.man soldiers
whom they proceeded to caplIre. The successful surrender of thjs small
group led to the appearance of a considerable number of additional
troops with similar desires, and soon the streets were filled with candidates
for a PWE. All in all 58 war-weary Jerries joined the column
of prisoners which the Battalion Commander and his party marched
to a point at which they could be released to the l03rd Division.
On the 23rd the Battalion headed for Bunzwangen, stopping en
-route to pick up the 2nd Battalion of the 397th Infantry which it was
to transport there, and was well on its way to the new area when
orders were received to return to the former position. The advance
party was notified and all personnel returned to the Endcrsbach­
Strumpfelbach vicinity, where it was learned that the Division, having
been pinched-out of action, was being placed in Army Reserve.
011 April 24 Personnel moved to Bad Cannstatt.
With .the howitzers out of action - for good, though it wasn't
known at the time - the days of the 24th and 25th were days of
rest and recuperation. While it was known that the Division would
probahly move into the Stuttgart-Ludwigsburg area as soon as it
59

BATTALION
ROSTER

\------ -
I
Bishop, Henry C
Pvt 31200593
Grandby, Vt
Knobeloch, Frank W
S/Sgt 33066049
20 N Lucerne Ave
Baltimore, Md
Simon, Murray M
Cpl 32B50i30
1785 Bryant Ave
Bronx, NY

MAP No.3
BUSWEILER TO SCHAUERNHEIM AREA

Kill11111'1 _\

MAP No.4
MANNHEIM TO HEILBRONN AREA
..

·
MAP No.5
STUTTGART AREA