During the morning of 19 Dec.1944, we pulled out of a bivouac area
and began an approach march along a narrow mountain road leading to
Trois Ponts. I was in command of E Co. 505. No maps were available and I
wasn't sure where we were headed. I was asked to send one platoon forward
by truck as an advance force to occupy the town and reconnoiter the
immediate area around the town. I selected the second platoon under Lt.
John Walas who boarded the trucks and headed for Trois Ponts. The rest
of the company (and battalion) continued the march.As the column approached the town I
went forward to meet with
Lt. Col. Ben Vandervoort,2nd Battalion C.O. Lt Walas had set up the
platoon as a base of fire along the Salm River, on both sides of the
damaged bridge to cover the area across the river directly opposite the
town. The terrain rose sharply across the river giving the appearance of
a cliff or bluff. A narrow road wound up the side of the cliff and
disappeared in the woods to the left of the top of the mountain. A
patrol under the command of Cpl. Putnam had reconnoitered and
waved that all was clear.
Col. Vandervoort ordered me to move E. Co. across the river to the
high ground and to establish a defensive position denying enemy troops
and vehicles the use of the road. I sent for the rest of the company and
ordered Lt. Walas to move the second platoon across quickly and set up a
defensive position straddling the road, inside the woods, just over the
crest of the mountain. When the balance of the Co. arrived we moved
across the bridge and up the winding road to get into position. I then
ordered Lt. Jack Bailey's 1st Platoon to move into the woods and dig in
on the right flank of the 2nd Platoon. Lt. Howard Jensen's 3rd Platoon was
kept in reserve and located in the immediate vicinity of the Co. CP,
which I established in a small home located on the road about 100 yards
from the 2nd Platoon positions. About 2000 hours the 2nd Platoon reported
mechanized activity to their front. Bazookas were dug in covering the
road and at this point several landmines were placed on the road.
Shortly after that two armored half-tracks approached the 2nd Platoon
positions. The Germans were noisy and shouting back and
forth apparently unaware of our presence. The first vehicle struck a mine
and was disabled. Almost immediately, the 2nd half-track was hit by
bazooka fire and was destroyed. A brief fire-fight developed and several
enemy soldiers were killed. We had no casualties. There was no further
activity that night. It was obvious we were facing some sort of mechanized
unit. At dawn, the Germans attacked straight down the road into the
2nd Platoon's positions. Their infantry was accompanied by armored vehicles.
Walas called me at the C.P. and said "the Krauts are all around us".
The 2nd held their positions and the 1st Platoon began to fire at the
flanks of the of the enemy force. I was able to get immediate
81mm mortar support from Battalion in front of the 2nd Platoon area
which was getting the most pressure. The Mortar Platoon
did a tremendous job and was mainly responsible for slowing down the
attack. I went forward to check on the situation in both the 1st and 2nd
Platoon areas and realized the attack was on a wide front. I went back to
the Co. CP and committed the 3rd Platoon. The terrain wouldn't allow
direct reinforcement of the 2nd Platoon so I put the 3rd on the right
flank of 1st to get more enfilade fire on the enemy forces. As the
morning wore on the situation was becoming more serious. 2nd Platoon
was suffering heavy casualties and it appeared they were not going to be
able to hold on much longer. The 1st and 3rd Platoons were also being
pressured badly and casualties were mounting. Part of our 2nd Platoon
area was overrun and Germans were occupying foxholes dug by our men.
They had captured 2 or 3 men in the process. They were last seen
being moved to the rear of the enemy lines. About the time it looked
like we would literally be pushed off of that mountain, I received
orders to withdraw back across the river. I got the word to my
Platoon Leaders to bring their units out independently and as
orderly as possible. F Co. was move up on my right flank and their
support enabled us to break contact and covered our withdrawal.
The withdrawal was disorganized and men formed small groups in the
attempt to get out. I had the Co. Hdq. group and some stragglers from
3rd Platoon who had become separated and drifted back. As we started down
the winding road we came under automatic weapons fire. The Germans had
been able to break through at some point and put fire on the road. We
considered dropping down the side of the cliff to avoid the fire on the
road but the 20-30 foot drop discouraged us from that. By moving single
file and staying close to the bank on the side of the road we managed to
work our way down the road to the bridge. Due to the small arms fire
directed at the bridge we were forced to run across one at a time to the
other side. The rest of the Co. made their way back by similar means
and drifted in over the next hour or two. In spite of our traumatic experience
we quickly reorganized and moved into defensive positions along the
Salm River with the rest of the battalion.
We suffered heavier than usual casualties in this action but our
stubborn stand forced the German forces to back off from Trois Ponts
and try to find another place to cross the river. E Co. did a hell of a job
at Trois Ponts. They fought well under extremely tough circumstances.
We learned later that we had faced a German armored battalion
(elements of 1st SS Panzer Regiment pko) the and my guys fought
them to a standstill with bazookas, mortars and small arms fire.
I couldn't be prouder than to be a part of E-505!!!
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