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First Battalion Journal
157th Infantry Regiment
January 1945

345-INF(157)7-0.7
NARA II
College Park, MD

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January 16, 1945

0200 A, B, and C Co’s report all quiet.
0400 Co’s report all quiet.
0600 Co’s report all quiet.
0610 B Co. reports a few rockets fell in front of them.
0645 CO calls Regt’l S-3 and asks if 2nd Bn is going to move all their
troops off of the hill, F Co will stay in position.
0800 A Co. reports 88mm firing down in front of their positions.
C Co. reports they are receiving some mortar fire on their positions.
B Reports mort. and arty down below their positions in the valley.
0815 3rd Bn. reports they had an Ey patrol in front of L Co. They fire
on patrol SIA’s and patrol dispersed.
0830 S-3 calls C Co and asks if they are ready to go. They are waiting
for wire as soon as they get there the Co will move.
0900 C Co checked out to move.
1000 Bn S-3 leaves to check on B Co.
1005 Bn Ex. and S-2 leave to check on C Co.
1015 Bn CO tells Regt’l CO that B Co is now tied in with 36 Engrs.
Also tells him that C Co is on the move.
1020 Bn CO tells A Co CO to leave his radio on and try and keep contact
with C Co.
1035 Bn CO tells Lt Briggs he is now D Co CO.
1045 Bn CO tells Col. James that if C Co gets on ridge vic 8239, he
will send B Co by the same route to mop up behind C Co.
1110 Bn CO calls A Co. to see if they can contact C Co. by radio.
They can’t.
1115 Bn CO tries to contact C Co by radio.
1120 Bn CO calls Capt. Shy to see if L Co has seen anything of C Co.
They haven’t but they heard some MG. firing to L Co’s right rear
1125 Bn CO tells Regt’l S-2 C Co. is 200 yds. short of hill 818393.
Also notifies 3rd Bn S-3.
1140 Bn CO tells 1st Bn 36 Engrs. that B Co. will soon be moving out.
Password: Palace-Farce.
1150 3rd Bn S-3 informs Bn CO that C Co. is on hill with L, and L Co.
is helping C Co get into position. Notified Regt’l S-3 and says
he will move B Co out right away. First to hill 403 (838380)
and then up with C Co. Bn CO notified 36E.
1155 Bn CO tells B Co to move back to hill 403 get rationed and then
move off.
1200 Bn CO tells Regt’l S-3 that B Co will move up behind C Co and
clean up behind C. Then they will extend C Co’s right flank.
1215 C Co CO calls and gives the info on his Co to Bn CO.


1230 E -805385 G- 809386
1240 Bn Exec. and S-2 return to CP.
1305 LO says 3rd Bn is preparing for a C/A as they are firing a lot
of arty. Line is out to 3rd Bn.
1310 S-3 returns to CP.
1315 CO tells D Co CO to plan on counter mortar measures.
1355 CO goes fwd on a recon.
1405 Maj. Kessler arrives. Says 3rd Bn received a stiff C/A (L and K Co.)
Is still going on.
1420 K Co is getting another C/A.
1430 A Co CO says there seems to be a C/A in 36E sector.
1432 Bn Exec. calls CO 1st Bn 36 Engrs. He says his raiding party
into Rehbach got into a firefight but that is all.
1444 B Co. checked out.
1505 Bn Exec. gives Regt’l S-2 latest info. Says Krauts are behind I Co.
1637 At (843391) two Ey MG’s fired on raiding party 36 Engrs. Bn Ex.
notified Regt’l S-3.
1640 B Co. line in. B CO is hit. B Co. is moving to 818388. Still
Krauts behind 3rd Bn. Bn Ex. tells CO 1st Bn Engrs. to put an
outpost out at 842391 as a warning in case any Ey try to infiltrate.
1710 Bn Ex. tells Regt’l S-3 that B Co. is moving to OBJ. Still Krauts
behind 3rd Bn. Bn Exec. says B Co. will move E from OBJ and clean

out Ey 822392. Then B Co. will extend his CO SE.
1715 Bn Exec. informs CO that this plan will be okay. 36 Engrs will
have (1) plt. to keep contact with A Co.
1720 Bn Ex. notified A Co CO.
1724 Bn S-4 says 2 supply trucks and one wire truck were ambushed.
1727 CO, 36 E. says he will dig a plt in at 838385 and keep contact with
A Co.
1800 S-2, and S-3 return. Say A-T plt 3rd Bn has made contact with B Co.
1805 CO returns , say C Co. is all together.
1810 Bn Ex. tells Regt’l S-3 the latest info. incl. B Co. being in a
fight now 818388. G Co. is tied in with K Co. rt. flank. Regt.
wants this Bn to clean up Krauts behind our position
1830 A Co. Co says a tk is firing from vic 834384 to his rt front.
1840 S-3 tells D Co. mortars to double their guard.
1915 Msgr. from B Co. They are on northern slope of hill at 823387.
1940 825389-Approx. position of B Co thru arty radio.
1945 Bn CO talks over situation of trucks with wireman. Wireman
thinks we can get to trucks. Thru his info. Bn CO figures “B”
Co. is at (817387).
1950 Bn CO sends a msg. by radio to B Co. asking if they passed the
3 Vehs. that were ambushed and gives them the pos. he thinks they
are at.

2005 Bn CO gives Reg’tl S-3 B Co. pos (817387) says he will have more
info. later.
2020 In with all Cos. by (300) Radio.
2025 B Co. sends word that their ps. is at (817385)
2030 Bn. CO says we will attack again tom. Tells S-3 B will cont. to
attack to the E., C Co move dir. E. and clear up hill, A Co will
attack at daylight. A will attack on order.
2035 Msg. came thru by radio that a patrol went tow. peeps but drew
hvy. fire.
2045 Bn S-3 tells A Co. CO to tell B Co. CO to tie in his plts. and
sit tight. A Co. CO says he got a Roger on his msg.
2045 3rd Bn. S-3 says are not in by wire to L Co. Says Lt. Tks are
within 150 yds of I Co.
2050 Plans for Tom morning:
1. B Co attack N. contact C Co. move E to secure ground between
Obj A (822392) and Q (823387) Attack at daylight
2. C Co. attack E seize obj. A (822392) maintain contact L Co.
Plaster Obj. A ½ Hr. arty. Prep.
3. A Co. move around N. Edge of hill 415 to Q use smoke on arty
prep. Use exery.
2220 Reg’t informs Bn. S-3 that F Co. will leave the first thing in the
morning to suppose and 3rd Bn.

2240 Regt. informs Bn. S-3 that F Co. will leave the first thing in the
morning to support 3rd Bn.
2240 Bn S-3 encodes a msg. and sends attack plan to C Co thru A. Also
gives A Co. CO his plans.

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January 17, 1945

0100 A Co. reports all quiet in their sector. Can hear S/A on their
left flank. Bn. S-3 not’d Regt. S-3.
0150 Info. from 2nd Bn. PW’s
From 2nd Co., 11th SS Regt, (1) PH of 2nd Co. is attached to 3rd
Co. Total strength 120 and 130 men. Mission: take hill where
K is. 1st Bn. had been Div Res. and had not been committed prev. in
this sector. Remainder of Bn. is in ass. area (815420 – 818425)
Route they moved down was main rd. (816424) down to (802403)
then W thru woods on a trail. Packed (2) mortars on horseback. (2) days
ago they heard 3rd Bn was up in 8134 grid, sq. Age is 18-24 in
this Regt.
0200 A Co. says 36 Engrs contacted them at 0130. Not’d Regt. S-2
0315 A Co reports all quiet.
0540 A Co reports all quiet. Unable to contact B or C Co. by radio.

0650 Bn. Ex. gives Regt. our plans for today.
0700 Checked out with Regt. that the CP was moving around on Rothbach Rd.
0930 CO tells Regtl. S-3 tells him B. Co has been patrolling twd. where
the vehicls are far into Krauts. B is going to clean them out
first. Have a plat 6 men in one and 16 in other.
0950 CO talks to C Co. and tells him to get all of Co. together over on
Rt. flank Extend L Co. flank to south.
0955 B Co. wants arty. Vic. (820387)
1005 CO tells Ex. that B is at (817384). Krauts trying to work around
their rt. flank.
1200 CO receives word that we will make a 3 Co. attack at 0400 will be
15 min. arty. prep. to attack hill (Q).
1210 CP talks to B Co. gives him details for attack B says they have a
number of MIA and WIA. PASSWORD FISK DEBRIS
1440 S-3 calls says A and F Co. are on the way. Ex tells him we have a
rep. that 3rd is getting a C/A
1405 Ex. talks to Regt. Tells them A and F are on the way.
Regt. S-3 rep K and G are getting an attack from vic (809399) and
(806396)
1420 G Co rep they have Ey. behind them. K co. wants range decreased
on Arty.

1425 CO tells Lt. Briggs to fire mortars on east nose of hill A vic.
(528834 erreur) cover draw there also.
1450 Ex. calls Regt. S-3 tells him B hasn’t been making any headway.
A rep. 1 gun is firing short there trying to move again, also
F Co.
1545 Ex. calls Regt. S-3 tells him F-and A are pinned down we do not
know details. Co’s are side by side on fwd slope of 415 826383
held up by ey defensive positions.
1550 Ex. talks to CP tells him Hq. Co. is going to attack up 3rd Bn
supply route. CO says F is tied in on A Co. left.
1600 B Co. CO arrives, says they can’t move forward, can’t move
back until after dark. Ex. tells him we are sending 14 men with
him. Ex says for B Co to tie in where they are. B Co CO says
Krauts keep infiltrating around Co. on rt. a few at a day under
cover of arty. B Co. CO says he needs HMG men only have 2 men on
HMG’s. Needs men for guns.
1640 S-3 calls B Co. rep they are getting an attack. A Co. calling for
fire on ey personnel coming down draw 832393
1645 Ex. tells Regt S-3 B Co is at 816383 when they tried to attack.
Ey attack have had 3 attacks since then. Ey MG’s 816387 and ey
troops at 810387 troops work around from left to rt. o B Co, Co
to B Co. 36 Engrs rep they hear armor at 832394 are firing on it.
1650 Arty firing on ey personell 832393-S-3 rep he saw at least 25 ey
coming up the draw.
1655 D Co. say they are sending up ten (10) men to man M/G at B Co.
1655 CO returns Ex. tells him about B Co situation.
1700 S-3 says A Co is pulling back to their old position also F is pulling
back.
1705 CO tells S-3 to have A Co tie in on F Co line and we will make
arrangements to help police the line. Co says pull out our board and
close out other CP.
1760 Ex calls Regt. S-3 asks if we can get some light tks to send up to
B Co. Regt. rep. they have 2 with 3rd Bn. which are cut off. The
other 2 are going up supply route with Hq Co.
1825 S-2 leaves for Regt. to give them over situation.
1900 Receive Msg. from B Co. Hq Co. stop join this Co. Notified Regt.
1915 Ex. notifies 3rd Bn of msg. from B Co.
1920 S-2 ret from Regt. says they are sending a Co of 179 up vic of our
CP tonite in case of a break thru they will follow 3rd Bn supply
route. S-2 says 180th gained about 200 yds today but were
pushed back to their original position.
F 100 80323908

Harrassing-806395 812401
809401 802403
818397 Cann. total 120 rds.
828395 821394 40 rds.
830400 808403 (position 20 rds.)
821394 805402
809400
805401
803400
802403
801401
804399
815407
813405
809401
806401
2200 S-3 2nd Bn arrives at Bn CP with Co. 179 Co being assembled vic.
833378.
2230 Regt’l. S-3 calls says that Co is attached to 1st Bn for supply
and communications. Co will move into position between B and F
Co’s vic. 823384 by 0700.
2325 Regt. CO calls the following order to S-3. A Co. seize L-415 maintain
contact 36 E. Org. prev. Bn –(Co F and Co B 177) G Co 179
Hq. and AT Co. attack 0630. Direct from present position in B Co
to N E for RJ. 833393. Seize ridge between hill 415 and 390 continue
attack and clear the nose running NE from h390 to make contact
with 36 E. on rt. Attack order command CO 1st Bn. Personally
accompany the attack and control it until positions is secured.
Co. C is attached to 3rd Bn until contact is reestablished. CO
2nd Bn and 3rd Bn will collect all personell-attack 0630 fight way
to their Bn. If necessary dig in 1000 yds of their Bn.

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January 18, 1945

0045 S-2 calls Lt Farley CO of Hq Co Cannon Co. asks him to come down
to Bn. Lt Farley rep they were in contact with B Co but lost
contact as a result of fire fight. 16 men were cut off, do not
yet know the results. Capt Cannon was killed.
0050 CO talks to 3rd Bn CO, asks if it will be possible to use the
tks tomorrow. 3rd rep. they got 1 trk and trailer thru to Co’s
with rations. 1 tk slid off the rd.
0100 Ex. calls Regt S-3 asks if we can get tks. Regt thinks we may
be able to get 2 tks.
0105 CO asks Regt S-3 if it will be possible to set the time of attack
at 0700. Regt. S-3 says arrangements have already been made
for Engrs to attack at 0630. CO says forget it.
0110 CO gives Co G 179 plans and order for tomorrow. Be ready to move
at 0600 from here.
0115 Regt. S-3 says there will be a section of lt. tks here at 0530.
0125 D Co CO arrives. CO gives him plan for tomorrow.
0128 Call signs: 179th G Co. X14
157th F Co. X15
157th Hq. Co. X16
Chmls X13
0515 Ex. orients B Co CO on plan for attack.
0524 S-2 leaves for G Co to get them started.
0555 G Co. checked out to move.
0600 2 lt. Tks arrive at Bn. Cp. CO tells them to contact a part of
Hqs. Co. and go up to B Co. B Co. CO will tell them were to
go from there.
0630 Ex. talks to Regt. says G Co is on way, everything going according
to schedule, except that Regt. Hqs won’t move. Lt Farley says
he is sending his men to contact the tanks.
0710 G Co. calls to lift arty fire to Pt 2. CO checked in on G Co
wire head.
0735 Regt. S-3 rep 180 captured a PW this morning vic 803384 from 7th
Co 11th SS. PW says they were supposed to attack this morning.
0744 2nd rep G and K are receiving C/A.
0745 Arty rep C as receiving C/A.
0749 F Co. is moving.
0750 CO rep G Co. is at about 821381. G asks to have rate of fire
on pt Q.
0805 S-3 rep. F Co. is moving. Ex. tells them G 179 is moving along
fairly well.
0815 Regtl. S-3 calls says will have a plt. of med. tks. on way up.
0838 PW rep. he was firing mortar at range 650 meters due west and they
were firing on our fwd elements. Also reported entire Bn.
(200 men) were going to attack this AM in Vic of sector he was
in yesterday.
0840 G Co hold up at (822322)erreur. F is moving. B not moving.
0905 F Co. rep they are receiving heavy arty. fire, would like some
C/battery.
0910 CO says G Co is ready to move again want Arty to resume fire
on Pt. 2.
0925 TK plat ldr. arrives at CP says 2 Tks will go to 3rd Bn.
1010 3rd Bn. reports G Co didn’t get completely overrun. Some escaped
and are now tied in with I Co.
1012 Bn. CO returns. Says we have to attack again and dig in one Co.
Cont. to be aggressive.
1015 Arty LO says Corps arty will shoot. Want to know by 1p25 if Ey.
aty has slackened.
1017 813377 Bn CO says he got a msg from B Co that Krauts were at above
Cood.
1030 Msg. from A Co and G Co. Contact patrol on way to you. Bn Ex.
notifies G Co.
1050 B Co CO says they have 20 men from AT Co.
1100 Bn. CO tells Regt. S-3 that he plans on breaking thru and on up
to C Co with 2 tks. and B and G Co. Then they can fight down from
SE and on C Co. Will have to use the bulldozer to clear trails first.
1102 S-3 picked up track movement at 825395.
1110 Maj. Snyder 179th arrives at CP says his Bn. will try to move up
and restore G Co. 157th positions.
1125 PW report: heard mortars firing from (8 0401) Mortar section.
Info from 36 E Regt. S-2 says 645th TD Recon is sending patrols
up draws from (824372) (878370) (883367)
1400 2nd Bn. Vic 814380 and ready to attack from there.
1415 Ey cutting down trees (833393) A Co FO
1420 Ey Inf. infiltrating around A Co positions.
1421 Regt. says A Co is supposed to attack down the Ridge at 1430.
1425 Bn CO tells G Co 179th he will jump off at 1500.
1440 Bn S-2 leaves to tell A Co their mission.
1445 A Co FO firing on Ey pers (825483 erreur) (826384)
1450 Bn Ex, notifies G Co to watch for any infiltration on their right flank
1455 One of our Lt. tks. and 2 ½ ton truck burning at (818373). Notd. Reg S-2.
1500 Bn CO tells Ex to fire all B Co wpns on all Ey posns.
1505 Bn. S-3 tells A Co CO that Bn S-2 is on his way up to him.
1507 A Co CO says he wants arty. directly in front to him. (826385)
Says a big hunk of wire was cut at 840380 says his Co is firing
and F Co is firing S/A at them.
1630 F Co patrol reached pt. 1 (834378)
1640 Maj Tirreta (36E) thinks some of his men are on hill N of
(H364) (835403)
1650 Tks with B Co won’t move.
1700 Bn CO tells B Co to keep up with E Co 179th their left as E
Co. is moving.
1708 Bn. S-2 returns from A Co says everything is to cleared up there.
Are tied in with 36E on the right.
1720 E 179th (815487 erreur) F 179th tied in with our E Co.
1740 Kraut MG 824380 Kraut Dugout 824382 W/Pers.
1744 A Co will move their at Plt. and their left flank will be at
827386.


HARRASSING FIRES:
(8247-3876) (8075-4026) je suppose 824387 827386
(8086-3956) ( 826- 403) je suppose 808395 826403
(8251-3824) (8192-4062) je suppose 825382
(8304-3904) (8057-4061) je suppose 830390
(8098-3996) 8020-4025 je suppose 809399
(8178-3967) (811-4030) je suppose 817396
( 825- 396) (8297-4000) je suppose 825396
(8142-4024) (8197-4015) je suppose 814402
1815 (1) Green flare went up vic (833390). Reported by A Co CO
Notified Regt.
1820 Hq Co is tied in with B Co on their left. 1 white flare went up vic
(833390) Reported by A Co. Notified Regt. S-2.

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January 19, 1945

0015 A and G Co. report all quiet.
0815 In with B Co by radio.
0820 Bn CO tells Regt S-3 that he can use about 20 men to help
A Co. protect its right flank.
0830 Two tks have reached G Co and two are on way to B Co.
0840 G Co has a patrol out to check on road blocks. Is not at (820386)
0845 CO talks to A Co. Says we have about 22 men from Hq and wants
to know if A Can use the W. CO says G and B Co’s are going to
try to get up to C and then swing down ridge twds. A Co.
0853 Ex. calls G Co tells them to call your patrol back and be ready
to go at 0930.
G Co CO says patrol ran into a mortar barrage at Pt. 4 818388
and are on way back now.
0910 Ex. calls 2nd Bn. Vic tells them we are jumping off at 0930.
He tells them G had a patrol didn’t meet anything.
G Co. will go that way then come back along the ridge.
0935 G Co checks out by phone.
1000 E and F Co 179th jumping off at 1015
1015 Co B Co. arrives Bn Cp gives CO situation says can’t get
men to move has 35 men from B Co. left also AT Co. can’t
get them to move. CO tells B Co CO that he will have to
keep them in position until situation clears up.
1045 G Co rep they have part of 2 plat and the 2 tks. 1 cut off
vic. (820383)
Balance of Co are still in old position. Are trying to get every-
thing back.
1100 A Co wants to fire Chml. at (838388)
1100 G Co rep the tks are back. Ex. tells them to tie in either
position around this tk and stay in position until Regt. of
that Co. and can get back.
1110 Ex notifies Regt that A Co firing at Krauts in front of them
vic (8333388). Krauts seem to be coming twd them. Ex. tells
regiment that Co Co is cut off with the troops party of Co
is staying in position and TK has thrown a track. Krauts are
trying to come around to the rt. of G Co.
1015 G Co line is out.
1020 Ex notifies A Co of Ey inf. (824379)
1040 CO returns from Regt.
1200 36 E. rep they are meeting fierce opposition. Have not gained
any ground.
1240 Regt’l S-2 says Corps arty will fire counter battery and will
want to know if there was any letup in ey arty in a half hour.
Password: POCO- TELEPHONE.
1305 Bn S-3 calls for G Co position of last plt a arty wants to fire
on 820386
1320 G Co. reports his Co is all back. Notified arty that 820386
is right to fire.
1345 CO calls 2nd Bn 179 tells them 3rd Bn will not clear arty mission
at 814393. But can use mortars there.
1400 G Co. rep. by phone. Co. jumped off got up about 600 yds.
draw fire from their sides, sent one plt. to get them out,
plt’s both got out. but have lost 5 men and Co CO. Tank is
about 75 yds. from their present location but is being protected.
Tk. crew is trying to put track on if they can’t they
will destroy it. Ex Notifies Regt.
1405 Arty putting a large TOT 834393 1414
1412 Regt’l CO Bn CO
1417 CO calls 3rd Bn asks if they know any route which we can get
tks up to F Co.
1418 CO calls F Co.
1430 CO calls Regt. S-3.
1520 G Co. rep an ey patrol 5 men dressed American uniforms came
around hill to their right. Patrol fired on our troops and withdrew.
1525 CO tells A Co. to start their patrol.
1615 B Co. patrol contacted G Co. Is returning now.
1730 A Co. patrol ret. patrol went down to the draw, went along draw
about 200 yds and ran into a patrol wearing parkers with the
darks sides out, both parties withdraw. Patrol believed other
patrol to be ey.
1800 G Co. rep they have a contact patrol leaving now to contact B
Co. patrol will return from B Co. about 2130. B Co. will send
a patrol about 2400 to G Co. and return 0330. Not. Regt.
1801 G Co. rep. CO and party ret. lost both radios. Ex. notifies
Regt.
1815 G Co. patrol to B Co. is on the way.

---

January 20, 1945

0600 Regt. called and said to alert all Co’s for possible ey attack.
A, F and G Co’s. Notified by metallic. Regt. also asks for reports
on all ey arty. Where, when, no. of rds. and probable
size of piece, with azmuthal reading.
0800 F Co. rep 411th has jumped off, are set to give them some overhead
fire if they need it. G co. 179th rep heavy arty fire.
0815 F Co. rep all running some M/G fire on the left.
0830 F reports that unit who went to the left ran into some fire,
the other two units haven’t received anything as yet. Ex notified
Regt. S-3.
0900 F Co. 411th at 827384. G Co. to left of F. E Co on rt. Pulling
back to F to reorganize. Notified Regt.
1027 Bn S-3 tells B Co. to fire all wpns as 411th is going to
attack again at 1030. He also notifies G Co. not to be unprepared
when B Co. opens up with all wpns.
1100 F Co. CO says his Co. moved fwd, but his pt. was pinned down
by cross-fire, so he is waiting for Co’s on his right and left
to catch up and relieve the pressure before he moves out again.
1125 At 1230 the air corps will drop rations to troops that are
cut off. Arty will mark target. Will adjust smoke at 813393.
Password: Test-Poll.
1245 Bn CO tells G Co. CO to send a patrol to try and contact A Co.
Says their left flank is in vic of 826378.
1250 Bn S-3 says arty smoked up the hill where air corps was supposed
to drop the rations but planes circled twice and never dropped any.
1310 Bn S-2 informs A Co. CO of patrol going to contact them from
G Co.
1311 Bn CO called to Regt.
1415 Bn CO. returns. Says 3rd Bn is going to try and fight their
way out. Our mortars are to fire continuous fire smoke for (1)
one hour on 818387. B Co is to fire all their wpns intermittently.
Mortars fire will begin at 0530.
1445 C Co. patrol contacted A Co.
1650 S-3 calls Regt. S-3 asks if any word on 3rd Bn. Regt. says 3rd
radioed back that they were going to surrender. 3rd CO told
them he would smoke the hill and for them to try it once more.
1700 CO leaves for Regt. to get latest info.
1745 Regt’l S-3 calls says thinks we will stay in position tonite
to see if any men from 3rd infiltrate out. Say 2 men from I Co.
ret. They rep. that about 70% of all Co’s are casualties. C
Co. has 7 men left, Co’s tried to come out but the arty was too
heavy. Co’s decided to surrender in order to get medical aid.
1820 815350-3rd CP moving to this position.
1855 CO talks to CO 2nd Bn about plan for organization position.
Plan to tie in on our left flank with 2nd Bn vic 811365 we will
have a plan on having a guide at 805366 to pick up F Co. guide
them from there. 2nd Bn CP vic. 800359.
2055 2nd Bn rt flank will tie in at 807364.
2013 2nd Bn LO calls, wants LO to turn on arty radios try to pick
up Mgs/ from K Co’s Obs.
2350 D Co. report mortars have all cleared and are on way out.

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January 21, 1945

0415 A Co. reports all quiet, G Co. 179th line is out.
0700 B Co. sends following msg. to G Co.: G on order after B Co.
reaches bridge, withdraw to bridge 823371 then SW to bldgs.
814368-temporary assembly area. Then to area vic Bn CP 800349
F-revert to Brown at R U 805366 guide there to pick up Co.
A-follow F cover rear occupy rt. half Bn sector maintain contact
36 Engs. on right. B after A has occupied position, pull
back occupy left half sector. Attachments remain the same until
further orders.
0830 Bn CP moves to vic 799349
1345 CO tells A Co. Co to leave an Off. and about ½ sqd of men in
position when we withdraw. Men will remain until about 0330 in
morning. F Co to do the same. Make arrangements to have an off.
make a recon. and arrangements to guide holding party out to the
bridge. Co will probably pull out at about 1830. CO will give
further info. at later date.
1400 Ex. ret. from Regt. with order to withdrawal of 157th to assembly
area.
1500 Bn CO tells F Co. their route of withdrawal.
1501 Bn CO goes on a recon. to the rear.
1818 A Co. checking out.
2040 Ex. notifies Regt. S-3 that all our troops have cleared except
the covering force. Ex. wants to know if it will be possible to
bring covering force out before the designated time. Regt’l
S-3 says he will let us know if it will be possible.
2400 A Co. reports by radio that Ey is occupying their left flank
position.

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January 22, 1945

0005 Ey occupying A Co. left flank, S-2 notifies Regt’l S-3.
0030 A Co. report they will not be able to use the trail they originally
intended to use.
0045 Ex. calls, tells S-2 to have holding force withdraw.
0100 A & B Co’s notified of order to withdraw.
0105 S-2 leaves to meet holding force with transportation.
0150 S-2 leaves to meet holding force, reports B Co. is out.
0220 A & F Co’s out. Notified Regt’l S-2.
0515 Troops return to their assigned area in Zittersheim.
0530 Bn S-2 returns. Notified Regt. of all troops being in Zitter-
sheim. Bn CP in town.
1330 Password: Limousine-Constantine.
1620 Regt’l S-3 informs Bn S-3 that trucks will be here at 1800 to move
Bn. vic. Petersbach (657301). Bn S-3 notifies Co CO’s to be ready
to move at 1800.
1640 Regt’l. CO says this Bn will move to Schoenburg. Will load up
at 1815. Route will be: La Petite Pierre, Petersbach, Lohr, and
Schoenburg.
1715 D Co. checked out.
1735 A Co. checked out.
2020 Troops loaded on trucks and moved. Notified Reg’tl. S-3. Checked
out this CP to move.
2130 Troops arrived in assembly area Schoenburg.

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January 23, 1945

Bn spent day resting and locating quarters for men.

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January 24, 1945

Bn taking shots and showers.

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January 25, 1945 to 31, 1945

Bn in process of re-organizing and training.
Disciplinary drills.
Squad and platoon problems.
Firing of weapons.

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For the Battalion Commander:

IGNATIUS J. CIRRONE
1st Lt., 157th Inf.,
Ass’t Personnel Adj.