was immediately brought under fire from anti-tank guns. At 0800 hours Task Force Hogan attacked and seized the town of Geich and at 1000 hours after completing mopping up operations, established road blocks and proceeded to the aid of Task Force Kane. The joint attack was resumed but the force was brought under fire of anti-tank guns and tanks. Infantry from this force proceeded about 700 yards but was brought under heavy mortar fire. The forces regrouped in Echtz prepared to attack 12 December with First Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division which was attached to the Third Armored Division at 1700 hours.
The battalion remained in position north of Hamich to give direct support to CC "R" in its attack to seize Hoven. The battalion fired 13 missions this date: 2 harassing missions, 1 normal barrage, r rolling barrage, 1 TOT, 4 on antitank guns, 2 neutralization missions, 1 smoke concentration, and 1 on vehicles. Total rounds expended this date-983. All of the anti-tank guns fired upon were reported neutralized. The smoke concentration was to mark a target for fighter bombers.
The battalion trains remained at Stolberg-Muhle supplying the forward elements from this point. Service continued maintenance on vehicles.

12 December 1944
CC "R" 3rd Armored Division continued the attack to seize Hoven. Task Force Kane attacked at o8oo hours and advanced steadily against heavy tank, anti-tank and artillery fire. Leading elements entered the town at 1040 and by 1630 hours, mopping up operations had been completed and roadblocks established.
The battalion remained in position north of Hamich to give support to the attack of CC "R". The battalion fired 17 missions this date: 2 harrassing missions, 4 TOT'S, 2 neutralization missions, 3 smoke concentrations, 1 on machine guns, 2 on infantry, z on infantry mortars, 1 on a CP, and r registration. Total rounds expended this date- 1108. The battalion laid a smoke screen just west of Hoven. The tanks were moved up under cover of this screen and then Second Lieutenant Hertz lifted this smoke screen and laid it down across the Roer River.
Second Lieutenant Herbert E. Talmadge and Second Lieutenant James A. Hertz were both missing in action-last seen in Hoven, Germany. After the battalion had been relieved and the officers were relieved from their units as forward observers, both of these officers had voluntered to look for possible OP's for the relieving force. Infantry in the town of Hoven claimed that the house which they entered was hit by artillery fire and claimed that both were killed. During the next few days activity in the town was such that an immediate investigation was impossible. Later investigation of the area and the aid stations of units in the vicinity revealed nothing in regards to these officers.

13 December 1944
At 2400 hours 12 December 1944, 1st Battalion, 6oth Infantry Regiment was relieved from CC "R" and CC "R" assumed full responsibility for the security of Hoven. At 1800 hours the 1st Battalion, 6oth Infantry Regiment which had been reorganized took over the responsibility for the security of Hoven from CC "R" and CC "R" started moving to assembly positions in the vicinity of Mausbach. The battalion displaced at 0900 hours to positions at Heistern in general support of CC "R". The battalion fired 3 missions this date: 1 harassing mission, 1 on enemy guns and 1 registration. Total rounds expended this date-183. Gun position fired upon was reported neutralized. The forward observers were recalled and at t6oo hours the observers returned to billet area at StolbergMuhle.

16 December 1944
The 3rd Armored Division remained in assembly areas and conducting maintenance and training. At t72o hours 4 enemy aircraft were reported over the division area and between 2000 and 2100 hours, 30 enemy aircraft were over the area. Flares were dropped and elements of CCA were bombed and strafcd.

17 December 1944
In order to prevent the movement and assembly of hostile parachutists which might be dropped in the division area, CCA, CCB and CCR established roadblocks and check points throughout the division area. These road blocks and check points were to check on all movements on roads during the day and night. Several enemy planes were overhead during the late afternoon and evening.
The battalion remained in billets in Stolberg-Muhle conducting rest and maintenance. The battalion was still on a 4 hour alert status. A school was started this date for FO sections, firing battery NCO's and battery and fire direction center computers.

The night was cold, not a friendly crisp cold, but a damp one. Low scudding clouds crossed over the thin moon and the guard shivered as he stamped his feet to keep warm. Three o'clock-wouldn't the two hours ever finish. Over the hill toward Mausbach, the long toms flashed and mumbled. Some stuff came in. Sounded like over Dufjenter way. Nothing to worry about though.
And suddenly, a couple of planes soared over with that uneven beat of Kraut engines. Not "Bed-Check Charlie" though. These were going somewhere, not circling around waiting for artillery to be fired to unload a basket of butterflies or anti-personnel bombs. The guard unslung the tommy gun from his shoulder. Couldn't tell when something live would float down. Extra guard for paratroops. Rumors had it that the Germans were trying to counter-attack somewhere south of Eupen. Was it Malmedy or Monschau? Was the brass getting jittery? Was this some crackpot G-2 idea? Or was it a detail to keep the men busy? The guard felt uneasy though, something wasn't just right. Shadows from the clouds across the moon flickered across the frozen ground and the guns made flashes on the horizon to the east.