4TH INFANTRY DIVISION
FOR THE PERIOD 16 NOV. 1944 - 7 DEC. 1944
26 November 1944
The 4th Infantry Division maintained the previously secured front line positions throughout the day. Extensive patrolling was conducted during the period to mop up small enemy pockets existing in rear of front line positions, and to seek information concerning enemy lines facing the front in preparation for continuation of the attack to the east. It was necessary for CT-12 to attack with one battalion in order to straighten the main line of resistance and establish contact between all elements. The entire period was used to straighten the lines, regroup, clear the rear areas of the enemy, and secure favorable terrain in preparation for the impending attack in conjunction with the attack of the 8th Infantry Division and CC "R" of the 5th Armored Division's attack to seize the town of Kleinhau and adjacent high ground.
The 8th Infantry, with the same attachments as listed on 24. November, maintained and continued to improve its positions, and to mop up rear areas of all by-passed enemy. Patrols from the 2d and 3d Battalions made contact at (F-043415). Further contact was established by the 3d Battalion patrols contacting elements of the 4th Cavalry Group on the left flank. The 1st Battalion moved forward to relieve the 2d Battalion in position. The relief began at 1300 and was completed by 1445 without incident. The 2d Battalion moved to new assembly area in the vicinity of F-01045, closing in that area at 1500. Attached engineers continued to improve the road net within the regimental zone of action by removing enemy road blocks, mines, and booby traps.
The 12th Infantry with the same attachments as listed 25 November. The 3d Battalion attacked at 0800 to seize the important terrain at (F-040367). The battalion moved forward, encountering enemy small arms throughout the day. The terrain over which the 3d Battalion advance was made proved most difficult, the advance being made through heavy woods, up and down steep slopes, and through icy streams which were chest deep in some places. In order to evacuate wounded, hand carry was necessary for distances as great, as a mile. Due to these conditions, the supply problem was greatly hampered. In spite of these extremely adverse conditions, the 3d Battalion reached its objective by 1630 and began consolidation in preparation to assist by fire the advance of the 8th Infantry Division on their right. Due to the difficult supply problem, Company I ran out of ammunition 100 yards short of its objective. When this occurred, Company L passed through Company I and continued on to the objective. The battalion took numerous prisoners during the day. It was reported late in the period that artillery, both direct and indirect, was falling on the 3d Battalion positions, as well as some mortar fire.
Field Artillery in action in the Hürtgen Forest
November 26, 1944.
The 1st Battalion continued to mop up small groups of enemy along the roads and trails within the regimental zone of action. The battalion on completion of its mission of clearing rear areas moved to a new assembly area in the vicinity of F-027388. The 1st Battalion closed in a new assembly area at 1630 in preparation for a further attack to the east within a new zone of action.
The 2d Battalion maintained and improved its positions protecting the right flank of the division and corps. Preparations were made to move to an assembly area in the vicinity of the 1st Battalion when units of the 8th Infantry Division passed in front of them in the attack to the northeast.
The 22d Infantry, with the same attachments as listed 25 November. No major attack was made on 26 November, and again the Combat Team consolidated and improved its position. Grosshau was pounded during the day by 81mm mortar heavy high explosive shells as well as our artillery fire. Some enemy infiltration on the south flank of the 2d Battalion was cleaned out during this period, and Company G moved to the east to cover the right flank of the other two 2d Battalion rifle companies.
Company C attacked to the east to clear the woods just west of Grosshau. Stubborn resistance was encountered, including small arms fire, mortar fire, and direct artillery fire. By late afternoon, the company had reached its objective and was digging in for the night. However, as the road was not cleared, no antitank guns or armor was with the company. Just before dusk an enemy counterattack of about 75 infantrymen, supported by four tanks or self-propelled guns, hit Company C and drove them back to their positions of the night before. As a result of the day's fighting, heavy casualties were sustained by Company C. A patrol from the 3d Battalion moved out shortly after dark to investigate Grosshau. The patrol on its first attempt was hit by heavy concentrations of mortar, but on its second attempt reached the outskirts of Grosshau where they regained in observation and listening. The patrol reported hearing enemy forces digging and many tracked vehicles moving in the eastern part of the above mentioned town.
27 November 1944
The 4th Infantry Division attacked to the east with the 22d Infantry to seize the town of Grosshau (F-0538) , while other units continued to mop up enemy strong points and pockets of wandering enemy on regimental flanks and in rear areas. The town of Grosshau, as expected, proved to be heavily defended, the enemy used dug in tanks, supported by self-propelled guns, many machine guns, and small arms well dug in, as well as mines and booby traps to defend the town. Readjustments of positions and plans for the coordinated attack to the northeast were continued.
The 8th Infantry with the same attachments as previously mentioned, continued to maintain previously captured positions and patrolled aggressively to clear rear areas and flanks of all enemy, maintain contact between units, and to seek information of enemy lines and activities. A 1st Battalion patrol reached the vicinity of (F-045404) where it encountered small arms fire of medium intensity and observed well dug in enemy positions to the south of that point. A patrol from Company C encountered the enemy in the vicinity of (F-045411) where a small arms fire fight ensued. The Company C patrol captured several prisoners and killed some enemy before returning to its parent unit. Company I established an observation post at (F-048428), from which point they patrolled 400 to 600 yards to the east without making contact with the enemy, but noted abandoned enemy equipment and positions. Contact patrols of the 1st and 3d Battalions met at (F-043415).
The 12th Infantry with the same attachments as previously mentioned; units of the 8th Infantry Division passed in front of the 2d Battalion's positions protecting the right (south) flank of Division and Corps, thus freeing the battalion and allowing its movement to an assembly area in the vicinity of (F-018375). The movement was initiated at 0900 and battalion closed in new area by 1500. Company I moved out at 1500 with a mopping up mission, contacted the enemy in the vicinity of (F-041370) at which point a fire fight resulted. The company took several prisoners and killed several of the enemy at this point. The 3d Battalion continued to mop up areas, adjacent to their positions and directed fire on the town of Kleinhau and the surrounding area (F-0537). CT 12 continued plans for a coordinated attack to the east.
The 22d Infantry with the same attachments as previously mentioned experienced continuous artillery and mortar fire throughout the period. Company B attacked at 0900 to retake the ground west of Grosshau over which Company C had fought the previous day. Machine gun and self-propelled artillery fires were encountered and the enemy resisted bitterly. By late morning, the attack had come to a standstill, and Company E was ordered to aid the attack by pushing to the north. The advance was continued at 1230 and by 1440, Companies B and E were on their objective on the edge of the town. Company E was attached to the 1st Battalion at this time. The position was organized, and at 1800, led by antitank guns, supporting weapons, tanks, and tank destroyers, reached this forward area.
During this period, elements of CT 12 advanced on the south of CT 22 and contact was established with that unit at 1532. Positions of CT 22 were generally improved and adjusted.
Patrols of the 3d Battalion in attempting to work to the east at 1500 encountered a very heavy thirty minute enemy artillery barrage and were unable to move.
Smoke was observed to the front of the 2d Battalion at 1645, and tracked vehicles were heard in that direction. It was thought preparations were being made for a German attack, but none developed.
After dark, a patrol from the 1st Battalion moved into Grosshau, but encountered enemy small arms fire 200 yards east of our lines and was driven back. Plans were made during the evening for an attack coordinated with elements of CT 12, who were to move to the north of CT 22.
