appendix awards and decorations - The George C. Marshall ...

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 169
15. REGIMENTAL COMMANDER'S RECOMMENDATION
FOR CITATION OF 3D BATTALION
HEADQUARTERS 398TH INFANTRY
APO 447 U. S. ARMY
4 January 1945
SUBJECT: CITATION OF UNIT
TO Commanding General, Seventh Army,
A. P. O. No. 758, U. S. Army. (Thru Channels)
1. Under the provisions of Circular Number 333, War Department,
1943, it is recommended that 3d Battalion, 398th Infantry be cited in
War Department General Orders for outstanding accomplishment in
combat during the period 17 to 21 December 1944, near Bitche, France.
2. a. On 17 December 1944, the 3d Battalion, 398th Infantry was
assigned the mission of breaching the Maginot Line and securing the
high ground northwest of the city of Bitche, France, to enable the
Division to reach its objective which was the high ground north and
northeast of Bitche, France.
b. The enemy had strong fortifications on the high ground northwest
of Bitche which dominated the terrain confronting the Division.
The main line of enemy defense was Fort Freudenberg and Fon Schiesseck
which had eleven adjacent units, all mutually supporting. Each
unit had a gun emplacement or series of guns ranging from 47mm to
135mm. The walls of the forts were three to ten feet in thickness, of
reinforced concrete which could not be penetrated by large-caliber
direct- fire weapons.
c. An unsuccessful attack on Fort Freudenberg and Fort Schiesseck
on 14 December 1944 by another unit was followed by two days of
precision adjustment by 105mm guns, 8" howitzers, 4.5" guns and
240mm guns. Fighter bombers strafed and bombed this area. The
only effect was a hit on Fort Freudenberg which blew open the outside
steel door.
d. At 1045 on 17 December 1944, after a 45-minute artillery preparation,
Companies I and L crossed the line of departure which had
been previously secured by Company K. They were immediately under
heavy small-arms, automatic-weapons and observed artillery fire. Company
L received direct fire from Fort No.2 which was equipped with a
135mm gun in a disappearing turret. This fort had direct observation
on the men in Company L from a distance of seven hundred yards.
Despite this fire Company L continued a steady advance toward Fort