391History29

line positions of the 2nd Armored Division to secure a crossroad about 3 500 yards west of Regne. The division boundary was moved to include the road from Manhay to this crossroad and CC "R" was to assume the responsibility for the sector between CC "B" and the 2nd Armored Division. Captain Nelms was sent to Task Force Hogan as liaison officer and Second Lieutenant Yell as FO. This battalion was to give direct support to the attack of Task Force Hogan.

5 January 1945
Task Force Stallings (formerly Lovelady) renewed the attack at 0800 hours and immediately encountered strong enemy anti-tank, artillery and mortar fire. Due to restricted visibility (50 yards) Task Force Stallings advanced his infantry ahead of his tanks on both sides of the road in the woods and continued to push forward slowly. Against continuous stubborn opposition, this force worked its way out of the woods about 2000 yards west of Fracture. Task Force McGuire continued the attack at 0800 hours from Benelux. Tank elements moved to the west so as to bring fire of Lierne and assist Task Force Richardson of CCA in reducing resistance in the town. Infantry elements moved through the woods and to the east on the high ground about 1000 yards southwest of Lierneux.
Task Force Hogan started to attack at 0800 hours. At Pifossc this force encountered strong enemy dug in positions of anti-tank and infantry and was unable to advance. A force of tanks and infantry from Task Force Hogan was detached to outflank this enemy position. This force made good progress and held positions for the night about rooo yards northwest of Fraiture.
The battalion remained in position at Vaux Chavanne in direct support of CCB and Task Force Hogan. The battalion fired 25 missions this date: 15 harrassing missions during the night and morning hours, and 10 close support missions, 4 on infantry, 1 on infantry in woods, 1 on mortars and machine guns, 2 on infantry and tanks, 1 on a town and i normal barrage. Missions on infantry were very effective. Mortar and machine gun positions were neutralized. Total rounds expended this date - 2046.
At ogoo hours the "B" trains displaced from positions at Les Avins and at i t 15 hours closed in new positions at Houmart.

6 January 1945
Task Force Stallings continued to attack south over difficult terrain and reached Fraiture by 12 15 hours. Infantry elements pushed into the town and stubborn house to house fighting took place during the afternoon. An estimated 400 prisoners were taken by the Task Force and by 1730 mopping up operation had been completed and the town secured. Task Force McGeorge continued to advance against heavy artillery and mortar fire. The high ground south of Lierneaux was secured from which point this force supported by fire the attack of Task Force Richardson. This force continued the attack south and secured the high ground about 2000 yards of Lierneaux and halted for the night. Task Force Hogan continued his attack against moderate opposition. Hasty road blocks of trees felled across the highway delayed the right column and mines slowed the advance of the left column. Adequate bypasses were not available and infantry was pushed forward toward the objective while work was continued on clearance of the routes of advance. By 2400 hours two companies of infantry had cut the highway 2000 yards west of Regne and 3000 yards west of Regne and work was continuing to enable tanks to reinforce the road blocks. One company of infantry was in contact with enemy infantry in the vicinity of Croix St. Jacques.
Operations Memorandum 19, Headquarters Third Armored Division, 6 January 1945 ordered the division units to continue the attack to secure objectives whereupon elements of the 83rd Infantry Division will pass through with the mission of clearing enemy resistance to the vicinity of Langlir. During the period the 83rd Infantry Division was operating in the division zone, maintenance and rehabilitation will be conducted and the division will be prepared to pass through elements of the 83rd Infantry Division to secure objectives as designated in FO 20, Headquarters Third Armored Division.
The Battalion remained in position at Vaux Chavanne to give direct support to the attacks of CCB and to Task Force Hogan. The battalion fired 22 missions this date: 2 on infantry and tanks, 9 harassing missions, 2 TOT's, 1 on a roadblock, 4 on infantry, 1 on personnel and 2 on enemy activity. Total rounds expended - 2109. The missions on infantry were reported very effective.

7 January 1945
Task Force McGeorge and Task Force Lovelady (Stallings) attacked at 0800 hours. Task Force McGeorge advanced against light resistance and entered Regne at 0890. At 1250 Task Force McGeorge and Task Force Lovelady had completed mopping up operations and Task Force McGeorge attacked east with one tank and one infantry company from Task Force Lovelady. Second Lieutenant Meek went as FO with this force. Task Force Lovelady was left to organize Regne. Task Force McGeorge encountered stubborn resistance from small arms, artillery and mortar fire. First Lieutenant Plummer was relieved as FO and returned to Battery A.
Task Force Hogan during the night of 6-7 January maintained road blocks on the east - west highway. Trees were cleared from the approach routes and mines were cleared from the same area. By 1300 hours tanks were brought up and the objective consolidated.
The battalion in direct support of CCB and Task Force Hogan displaced from Vaux Chavanne starting at l000 hours and closed in position at Malempre at 1430 hours. The battalion fired 34 missions this date: 16 harassing missions, 5 preparations, 1 on enemy activity, 9 TOT'S, 1 on infantry, 1 on personnel, and 1 registration. Total rounds expended - 1903. TOT'S were fired on infantry and gun positions. Heavy harassing fire was fired in the morning hours.