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

178 THE 398TH INFANTRY REGIMENT
and hand carried to the front lines, always under the cover of darkness.
The battalion A&P platoon organized these carrying parties as well as
putting out trip flares and antitank mines forward of our front lines.
The battalion medical section very courageously evacuated the many
wounded over the open fire-swept terrain across the river to the battalion
station. The intrepid actions of the officers and men of this battalion
in this engagement enabled the division to push other regiments
across and intensify the attack on the enemy. Had the battalion failed
to hold the bridgehead a much more costly river crossing would have
necessarily had to be made and the offensive in this sector might have
been delayed indefinitely. On 12 April, while another unit attacked
Heilbronn, the 3d Battalion jumped off in an attack to the south, capturing
Neckarsulm and advancing unchecked until they were placed in
reserve.
3. Sketches, showing dispositions of troops cited, supporting troops,
enemy position, and general terrain features are attached as Inclosure
No.3.
4. a. Nature of terrain: Flat open ground at river rising about 1200
yards inland abruptly to high hills.
b. Enemy morale: Excellent.
c. Morale of our troops: Excellent.
d. Weather: Cold with intermittent rain.
e. Exact time and dates of action: The 3d Battalion crossed the
river at 0300 on 4 April 1945. Held the position until 1800 on 12
April 1945, when·they attacked from the position to take Neckarsulm.
5. a. Number of men assigned to 3d Battalion who took part in the
action:
45 Officers
861 Enlisted Men
b. Casualties suffered by 3d Battalion were:
MIA-3 Officers, 59 Enlisted Men
KIA-3 Officers, 19 Enlisted Men
WIA-1 Officer, 48 Enlisted Men
c. Approximate strength of supporting troops and character of support
rendered by other units was:
(l) 375 th Field Artillery Battalion
6. a. Approximate strength of enemy: One division in area near
Heilbronn and Neckarsulm.
b. Character of enemy fire and observation: During this engagement
the enemy used 105 and 155mm Artillery, 210mm rockets, heavy