2 September 1944
Moved to vicinity of Nizeville, West of Verdun, still
in support of the 5th Infantry Division. Lt. Pierce and his driver with
a platoon of "A" Company serving as security for advance Reconnaissance
party establishing forward Corps Headquarters, were missed after enemy
elements counterattacked and captured Clermont-in-argonne. Lt. Pierce's
driver's body was found, but there was no word from Lt. Pierce--presumed
captured.
3 September 1944
No change in location. Patrolled and cleared roads.
4 September 1944
"C" Company secured a Treadway bridge at Bras, North
of Verdun; "B" Company alerted to build a bridge across Meuse River at
Verdun.
5 September 1944
"A" Company rejoined the Battalion. Road maintenance
and repair; started repair on Railroad, Chalon to Verdun, repaired 2 Railroad
bridges, demolished by enemy action.
6 September 1944
"A" Company repaired bridge near St. Menehould, and a
bridge in Verdun.
7 September 1944
Moved to vicinity of Jarny near Metz. Engineer Reconnaissance
carried out and cleared roads of mines and debris.
8 September 1944 "B" and "C" Companies attached to composite
task force under Major Slear, Group S-3 with the mission of supporting
the 5th Division in a crossing of the Moselle River. "C" Company assigned
to assist in assault. "B" Company to construct pontoon bridge when bridge-head
established. "C" Company relieved Division Engineers in the vicinity of
Dornot, SW of Metz and moved assault boats to water's edge. Poor cover
on near shore and every step drew enemy F.A. and small arms fire. Operation
of ferrying troops to far shore and casualties to near shore continued
all night under intense Mortar, F.A. and small arms fire. Casualties: 3
killed, 12 wounded in action, including Co. Comdr. when Co. C.P. received
direct hit. Battalion received orders assigning to XII Corps. Departed
less B and "C" Company 2000 for XII Corps HQ. vicinity of Bar-le-Duc.
9 September 1944
Battalion less "B" and "C" Company arrived at Bonnet,
South of Bar-Le-Duc at 0500 hours. We were assigned to 1135th Group, supporting
the 35th Infantry Division. Moved to assembly area in vicinity of Blonod-Les-Toul,
South of Toul. "B" and" C" Companies relieved composite task force 1200
hours and joined Battalion during the night.
10 September 1944
Assigned mission of supporting 35th Infantry Division
on assault crossing of Moselle River. Forward C.P. plus companies moved
forward to vicinity of Benney, South of Nancy and established liaison with
assaulting infantry. Reconnaissance for crossing sites was made.
11 September 1944
"A" and "B" Companies assigned mission of ferrying Infantry
across Moselle River. Final assembly area occupied and assault operation
began just prior to dawn. A canal and mile carry of assault boats across
a swamp added to the normal difficulties of such an operation. In the "A"
Company sector a ford was found and ferrying was not necessary. Enemy discovered
crossing at dawn after approximately 4 companies had crossed and intense
artillery, mortar and small arms fire pinned down those troops on the far
shore as well as a number in the swamp between the canal and river. At
1600 the Division committed its reserve; "A" Company ferrying troops across
tho miles South of Crevechamps at Newviller-Sur-Moselle; "C" Company constructed
a 130' Treadway bridge at the same site. Two Infantry support bridges and
one Treadway bridge, all of 21' span, were constructed across the intervening
canal during the day. All construction preceded under sporadic F.A. fire.
Under cover of darkness "C" Company moved into position and started construction
of Treadway bridge at Crevechamps but intense small arms and F.A. fire
forced abandonment. "C" Company moved to a site near Newville-Sir-Moselle
where small arms fire had been reduced. During the days action at Crevechamps
our aid station received a direct hit wounding two men. The aid post changed
location three times due to intense barrages from enemy artillery; "B"
Company had five men wounded in the crossing and Headquarters suffered
one casualty (WIA).
12 September 1944
"C" Company completed 160 foot Treadway bridge under
sporadic F.A. fire at 1230 hours. This was the first bridge across the
Moselle. "B" Company constructed a 30 foot D/S Bailey across the canal
at Crevechamps replacing a Treadway and cleared mines and debris on roads.
"A" Company started construction of Treadway bridge at Crevechamps.
13 September 1944
"A" Company completed 372 foot Treadway bridge at 1200
hours. "B" Company retrieved assault bridge and equipment along Moselle
River. "C" Company secured bridge and cleared roads of mines and debris.
14 September 1944
Battalion moved across Moselle on 35th Division route
of advance to Ferreres, South East of Nancy. Engaged in clearing roads
of debris and mines. Engineer Reconnaissance being conducted in sector.
Lt. Villadsen led an Infantry squad in an effort to capture bridge intact
at Dombasle; effort unsuccessful.
15 September 1944
Battalion moved to bivouac area West of Rosieres in night
black-out move. Conducted reconnaissance for bridge site, and assembly
area preparatory to assault crossing of Meurthe River. "C" Company moved
to Nancy and made initial reconnaissance for bridge near canal.
16 September 1944
"A" Company moved into final assembly area in early hours
and at dawn ferried the 137th Infantry Regt. across the Meurthe River and
two canals parallel to it in an assault crossing. Fording was possible
at St. Nicholas but ferrying was necessary at Lanueveville and Jarville,
South East of Nancy. Infantry held on far shore and tanks enveloped by
use of bridge at Dombasle. Elements of A and B Companies cleared mines
on far shore. "B" Company cleared roads of mines and debris, and "C" Company
constructed 70 foot D/S Bailey bridge across canal in East outskirts of
Nancy; completed 1230 hours. After the 134th Infantry assaulted river at
1700 hours "C" Company commenced construction of Treadway bridge across
Meurthe in Nancy under sporadic sniper, mortar, and F.A. fire.
17 September 1944
"C" Company completed 260 foot Treadway bridge at 1800
hours. Guarded and secured two bridges, slept in German barracks overnight.
"A" Company retrieved assault boats, cleared mines and debris from roads.
"B" Company repaired roads and bridges. Battalion assigned mission of providing
close Engineer support for 4th Armored Division. Departed Rosieres (less
one Platoon "C" Company securing bridges and clearing mines in Nancy) and
joined 4th Armored Division column vicinity of Koncel at 2300 hours.
18 September 1944
"B" Company assigned and joined South Column, CCB, vicinity
Fresnes-En-Saulnois, remainder of Battalion assigned and joined North column;
CCB, two miles South of Chateau Salins. North column encountered strong
enemy opposition at Chateau Salins. "A" Company removed enemy abatis under
sporadic F.A. fire.
19 September 1944
Continued strong resistance in Chateau Salins. "A" Company
committed as Infantry protecting west flank. Direct hit on Company C.P.
resulted in injury of 1st Sgt. Swetland and 6 other men. South column withdrew
before dark and moved to position, vicinity Fresnes with North column.
"B" Company repaired timber pile bridge at Pettancourt.
20 September 1944
Entire CCB under sporadic F.A. fire all day. Sgt. Fyrbeck
of "A" Company killed by direct hit of 88 in his foxhole. "A" Company had
one other man killed and "C" Company had one man wounded in action. Capt.
Anderson (S-2) and driver S. Sgt. Snyder failed to return after trip to
Group Headquarters. Vehicle recovered next day, so they are presumed to
be captured.
21 September 1944
Under sporadic F.A. fire all day. Regrouping, care and
cleaning of equipment. "B" Company two men, "C" Company one man, H&S
Company one man wounded in action. M/Sgt. Lukens and Battalion Mail Orderly
Cpl. Sidarowics started forward in 3/4 ton truck with mail; truck and men
haven't been seen since; presumed captured. Enemy all around area.
22 September 1944
Under sporadic F.A. fire all day. Regrouping, care and
cleaning of equipment. Cpt. Prior and 3 S-4 men started to Nancy on Route
N-74, they ran into enemy road block and had to abandon 2-1/2 ton truck
under fire.
23 September 1944
Battalion moved to vicinity Gremacy. Engaged in road
maintenance and drainage. Medical Detachment tent hit by shrapnel from
German 88.
24 September 1944
Road maintenance and drainage. "B" Company established
road block west of Chambrey.
25 September 1944
Relieved from support of 4th armored Division, rejoined
1135th Group in bivouac area, 1 mile south west of Champenoux, providing
Engineer support for 35th Division and 4th Armored Division. Companies
engaged in maintenance of roads. "B" Company assigned mission of constructing
Bailey bridge at Manhoue, 3/4 miles from dug-in enemy positions.
26 September 1944
"B" Company completed 90 foot D/S Bailey at Manhoue at
0845 hours. "A" Company constructed 100 foot T/S Bailey at Pettancourt.
"C" Company removed mines and debris on road South from Chatines.
27 September 1944
Enemy overrun road-block West of Chambrey. Squad maintaining
road-block plus squad of Infantry put up fierce fight but were forced to
withdraw. Three men killed and two wounded in action from "B" Company.
Water point at Pettancourt overran and bridge almost captured. "A" Company
repaired and maintained roads in vicinity of Remereville and Serres; prepared
bridge at Nanhoue for demolition and provided security. "C" Company conducted
working reconnaissance of assigned section removing debris and mines from
road. Also constructed 45 foot Treadway bridge across La Sielle River,
South of Bey. Started preparing 400 yards approaches to same. Harassed
by enemy F.A. fire.
28 September 1944
"C" Company prepared approaches to bridge. "B" Company
maintained roads at Remereville, Serres, Encourt. "A" Company maintained
roads at Moncel, Pettancourt, Gremacy.
29 September 1944
"C" Company developed gravel pit, widened approaches
to Treadway bridge, South of Bey, removed debris from N-413, "B" Company
maintained roads South of N-74, "A" Company maintained roads North of N-74.
30 September 1944
"C" Company operated gravel pit and maintained roads,
"B" Company maintained roads South of N-74. "A" Company maintained roads
North of N-74. Replaced 12' Treadway with timber North of Mazerhilles. |