AND THE 2D BN, 310TH INFANTRY (78TH INF. DIV.),
IN THE ATTACK ON KESTERNICH, GERMANY,
14 - 15 DECEMBER 1944
By Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence H. Kenman, Infantry
THE DIVISION SITUATION
This operation was to be the 78th Division's initial combat experience in World War II. This division was reactivated on 15 August 1942. In October of that year it was designated as a "replacement" division and from that time until 15 March 1943 processed and trained almost fifty thousand replacements. Following 15 March 1943 it trained as a combat division and participated in Tennessee maneuvers in early 1944. In April 1944 it lost all of its infantry and artillery privates and privates first class as overseas replacements. These losses were replaced with men from the Army Specialised Training Program and with former Air Corps cadets. 11
The 78th Infantry Division, composed of the 309th, 310th, and 311th Regimental Combat Teams, arrived on the continent of Europe on or about 22 November 1944, and at the end of the month was closed into the Tongres, Belgium area in Ninth United States Army reserve. In early December it was assigned to the V Corps, First United States Army. Pursuant to V Corps orders for the attack to seize the Roer River dams, the Division's 309th and 310th Regimental Combat Teams closed into assembly areas in the vicinity of Lammersdorf, Germany on 9 December. 12
The initial Division Field Order assigned the 310th Regimental Combat Team, less its 2d Battalion, the mission of capturing the area comprising the town of Rollesbroich and the high ground south thereof. 13
The 309th Regimental Combat Team, with the 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry attached, was to attack and seize the area comprising the towns of Bickerath, Simmerath, and Kesternich and the high ground east thereof. 14
At 130600 December the Division attacked with two regimental combat teams abreast. It's 310th Regimental Combat Team, on the left, encountering heavy mortar, artillery, and small arms fire, in addition to mines and pillboxes, reached its objective by mid-afternoon. 15
The 309th Regimental Combat Team, with the 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry attached, moved out with its 1st Battalion on the left, attacking in the direction of Witzerath and Simmerath, The 3d Battalion, on the right, attacked Bickerath, and moved toward its objective, the ridge immediately west and south of Simmerath. The 2d Battalion, 309th Infantry, followed the 1st Battalion to a forward assembly area south of Lammersdorf where it was to remain until Witzerath had been captured. Upon the capture of Witzerath, the 2d Battalion, 309th Infantry, with attached tanks, was to attack Kesternich from the north. The 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry, moved into the wooded area two thousand yards southwest of Lammersdorf where it was to remain in reserve. 16
Weather conditions at this time were unfavorable due to a cold, clinging, ground fog which greatly restricted visibility. Slushy snow and mud hampered the progress of foot troops and attached armor. Radio communication was unsatisfactory due to atmospheric and terrain conditions. 17
As the 1st and 3d Battalions, 309th Infantry, moved forward in the attack, surprise was attained. They encountered little resistance from enemy fire. The 1st Battalion ran into an antipersonnel minefield and wire entanglements about half way to its objective. Although these obstructions caused considerable casualties, the companies continued to advance, coming upon pillboxes for the first time. These were reduced and by 1130 hours A Company had troops in Witzerath. B Company, followed by C Company, was at this time entering Simmerath. The 3d Battalion was mopping up the last enemy resistance in Bickerath. 18
At approximately 1230 hours, the 2d Battalion, 309th Infantry, was ordered to move to Witzerath and attack Kesternich from the northwest. At the same time the 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry, was ordered to move via Lammersdorf to an area west of Paustenbach and await further orders. 19
The 2d Battalion, 309th Infantry, arriving at its line of departure in Witzerath, jumped off in the attack at 1400 hours to seize Kesternich. E Company, mounted on one platoon of tanks of the 709th Tank Battalion (attached), led the attack, proceeding astride the Witzerath-Kesternich road. Approximately two hundred yards beyond Witzerath the tanks bogged down in slush and mud, whereupon the infantry dismounted and moved forward under heavy artillery and mortar fire without tank support. Suffering heavy casualties, the Battalion reached a line about three hundred yards northwest of Kesternich. Reorganization during the night was hampered by radio and wire failure. Coordination for the resumption of the attack the following morning was accomplished by personal visits of the Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson L. Burley, Jr., and his staff to the various units. 20
At approximately 131300 December the 2d Battalion, 310th Infantry, now in the Paustenbach area, was ordered to move to Simmerath to assist the 1st Battalion, 309th Infantry, in mopping up the town, and to prepare to move on Kesternich from the west. The Battalion moved out with E Company in the lead, followed by G, H, and F Companies. Entering the town of Simmerath, E Company encountered and eliminated some sniper fire and moved approximately four hundred yards east of town where it ran into heavy mortar, artillery, and small arms fire. It dug in on this position for the night. G Company moved into position northeast of Simmerath, tying in with E Company. F Company was positioned in the west edge of Simmerath with the mission of protecting the rear, where, at nightfall, an active pillbox still remained. 21
