8 January 1945
Task Force Lovelady held position and secured Rcgne throughout the day. An armored patrol made contact with Task Force Hogan at the main crossroad about 3000 yards west of Regne during the morning and opened the road between Regne and the crossroad.
Task Force Welborn (previously McGeorge) continued his attack east at 0800 hours to secure Hebronval. Elements of the task force were in Hebronval and had secured the town by 1200 hours. From Hebronval, Task Force Welborn turned southeast to seize Ottre and by 1705 Ottre was clear of the enemy and secure. Task Force Welborn encountered 2 minefields and strong opposition by infantry and some anti-tank and artillery fire.
The battalion remained in position at Malempre to support the attack of CCB. The battalion fired a 15 minute preparation for the attack of Task Force Welborn and the force was able to advance to Hebronval with very little opposition. The battalion fired 21 missions this date: 5 harrassing missions, 13 missions on a town, 1 on tanks, 1 preparation, and 1 registration. Total rounds expended- 1249. Artillery fire placed on the town of Ottre helped to reduce the enemy opposition and enabled the force to secure the town. Enemy infantry casualties in the town were heavy.
Ordnance crews were at the battalion this date checking the guns. They reported that the guns were almost worn out. Total rounds expended to date was 124,515.
Lieutenant Colonel George G. Garton was evacuated sick this date and Major William H. Elfring assumed active command of the battalion.
Weather: Snow and cold. Visibility: Poor.
Per FO 21, Headquarters Third Armored Division, 08 2000 January 1945 CCB will assemble in the Ottre-Hebronval area as soon as the area has been cleared and movement will not interfere with operations of the 83rd Infantry Division, and will prevent enemy infiltration to the north and northwest and be prepared to counter-attack in the event of an enemy breakthrough. Division Artillery will be responsible for defensive fires within the division sector until elements have passed through the 3rd Infantry Division; will support the assembly of the division and reinforce the fires of the 83rd Infantry Division.
9 January 1945
CCB continued to secure the objective while being passed through by elements of the 83rd Infantry Division. Moderate mortar and artillery fire was received throughout the day. In compliance with FO 21, Headquarters Third Armored Division, Task Force Lovelady moved from Rcgne to Hebronval while the remainder of Task Force Welborn moved from Hebronval to Ottre.
The battalion remained in position at Malempre. The battalion was in direct support of CCB until 1200 hours at which time the battalion went into general support of Division Artillery.
Task Force Hogan was passed through by elements of the 83rd Infantry Division and relieved. Captain Nelms, liaison officer with this force, and Second Lieutenant Yell, forward observer, were relieved and returned to the battalion. Liaison officers and forward observers remained with Task Force Lovelady and Task Force McGeorge. Billeting parties and the survey and reconnaissance sections were sent to Hebronval to select new positions. Orders were received to move to new positions the morning of 10 January 1945.
The 83rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion was relieved from the 391st Armored Field Artillery groupment.
Weather: Cold and snow. Visibility: Poor.
10 January 1945
CCB remained in assembly areas and conducted maintenance of equipment and rehabilitation of personnel. During the hours of darkness patrols from Task Force Lovelady contacted elements of Task Force Hogan in Regne every 2 hours. CCB maintained liaison with elements of the 83rd Infantry Division in Ottre and during the night sent out patrols to contact front line units of the 331st Infantry Regiment; this contact was established. Elements of CCB in Ottre and Hebronval received intermittent artillery and mortar fire throughout the day.
The battalion displaced from positions at Malapert at 0830 hours and closed in new positions at Hebronval at 1030 hours. The battalion was in general support of Division Artillery and fired 3 missions this date: 1 harassing mission and 2 registrations. Total round expended- 147. The battalion did not fire any harrasing fire during the night. Batteries B and C received light artillery fire in the new positions and Battery C moved almost immediately to alternate positions about 1000 yards to the west. There was one casualty in each of these batteries.
11 January 1945
All units of CCB remained in assembly positions in Ottre and Hebronval throughout the day, conducting rest and maintenance. Route reconnaissance and bridge repairs were made by units of CCB during the day.
The battalion remained in position at Hebronval in general support of Division Artillery. The battalion did not fire any harassing fires either in the morning hours of darkness or during the night. The battalion fired 2 registrations this date expending 51 rounds. Battery B received light artillery fire during the morning and one man was wounded.
12 January 1945
At 1000 hours CCB in preparation for future operations began movement to new assembly positions in the Langlir-Petite Langlir area, following closely the advance elements of the 83rd Infantry Division. Blown bridge at Petit Langlir and heavy fighting in Langlir delayed the move and CCI3 was in position for the night north of Petit Langlir.
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