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Echternach . . CP
of one of Rundstedt's crack divisions . . |
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The 417th Infantry went into division reserve and proceeded to reorganize and reequip south of the Sauer at Betzdorf. The 385th Infantry assumed the mission of expanding and consolidating the bridgehead. On the 19th a boundary change widened the 76th Division zone and the 385th accomplished relief of elements of the 5th Division's 11th Infantry on the 76th's left flank. On the 22d the 2d Cavalry Group relieved the 304th Infantry in its zone along the Sauer, while the 304th moved north to take its place in the bridgehead, relieving additional elements of the 5th Division. |
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First hot showers and first change of clothing since the division left England . . . . . |
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Between the 19th and 25th of February the 76th continued its studious reduction of enemy defenses, availing itself of the 808th TD Battalion's 90 MM guns whose shock effect on pillbox occupants was so severe that in many cases the by now familiar white flag was hoisted before the infantrymen had to close in for the assault. Surely, steadily, step by step the 76th Division advanced until it reached the banks of the Prüm River, where the digging of defensive positions and patrol activity occupied the division as it awaited orders to continue its eastward advance. The hill was quiet now. Only the broken trees and churned earth were reminders of the hell that had broken loose there. From the scattered pillboxes which a few days ago had sheltered nazi troops came the voices of tired men relaxing after their ordeal. Christmas mail and packages had just reached them and were being opened in weather that was almost like a Spring day back home. Farther away in an open field near a small Luxembourg village, several hundred grimy, mudcaked fighters had been trucked to a Quartermaster shower unit, the first hot showers since the division had left England. "I had to travel through France, Belgium and most of Luxembourg to get a chance at hot water and soap," said S/Sgt Philmon A. Erickson, "but boy, it was worth it." Back on the hill, where pussy-willows were blooming in damp thickets, sat Pvt George M. Ochoa, Pfc William V. Daly, Pfc Emerson W. Kauffman and Pvt Jesus Paulino in a pillbox they had helped capture. The tang of fresh coffee, the gay Christmas cards, the packages of peaceful things like candy bars and chewing gum didn't seem too out of place now that the shooting was over for a moment. Kauffman offered some chocolate to a medic. "I'll never forget the medics. You guys are sure okay," he said. Ochoa told about a medic who worked on fourteen wounded Yanks all by himself. "He worked all night with the wounded fellows and did everything humanly possible. Then about daylight the medic keels over and we found he had been badly wounded himself all the time. The hell of it is we don't even know the guy's name." Tec 5 Lacy B. Hannon, 301st Medical Battalion, bit off a piece of chocolate. "Well, it's like I always say," he grinned, "the only difference between us and infantrymen is that when the shells begin to fall you guys got lead to talk back with." |
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Commanding
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