Action Against the Enemy
Reports After/After Action Reports
02 January 1944

HEADQUARTERS 331ST INFANTRY
APO 83
UNITED STATES ARMY

SUBJECT: Action Against Enemy, Reports After/After Action Reports.

TO The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.

In compliance with paragraph 10, (C 3), AR 345-106, the following report of the period 1 December 1944 through 31 December 1944 is hereby submitted:

1, a, 1 - 2 December 1944, continued on missions of patrolling.
Wagon and cart activity in Nittel reported, our artillery silenced
noise. Shelling fired some houses. Ammunition explosions were heard
in these houses shortly after. Five (5) rounds 80 mm mortar fell in
Stradtbredimus at 1400 on 2 December and one (1) round in Remich at
1445. One (1) man slightly wounded. No other activity.

b. 3 December 1944, continued patrolling activities along west bank of Moselle. Mortar fire falling in Stadtbredimus at 1300 wounded one (1) man, Twelve (12) rounds mortar shells fell in Lenningen at 1300, no casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Ruggles, executive officer, 22nd Infantry, arrived at command post at 1730, re, relief of 331st by 22nd Infantry, one (1) German deserter surrendered to 2nd battalion at Machtum, Casualties for the day - one (1). One (1) Prisoner.

c. 4 December 1944, Regimental Commanding Officer, Assistant S-3, and three (3) Battalion Commanders left for 4th Division sector to make reconnaissance for relief of 12th Infantry on 7 December 1944. Patrolling mission continued throughout the day. No enemy activity. Commanding officer, 22nd Infantry and Staff arrived at regimental command post at about 1730. 22nd Infantry closed in assembly areas at 2300. All 22nd Infantry troops were fed a hot meal by 331st Infantry.

d. 5 December 1944, relief of 331st Infantry was started just prior to noon and completed by 1830, 22nd Infantry relieved unit for unit. Command of sector turned over to commanding officer 22nd Infantry at 1830. There was no hostile activity during relief. Advance party, 331st Infantry left for new area at 0830.

e, 6 December 1944, regiment left Luxembourg at 0705 (head of column). Regiment moved with assistance of two (2) Quartermaster truck companies. Closed in vicinity of Gressenich, Germany at 1900. Regiment under control VII Corps.

f.  7 December 1944, relief of 12th Infantry was initiated at 0800.  1st and 2nd battalions, 331st Infantry relieved 1st and 2nd battalions, 12th Infantry. 2nd battalion on the right, 3rd battalion in reserve. Cannon Company, 331st Infantry relieved Cannon company, 12th Infantry in place. By 1600, relief was completed and Commanding Officer, 331st Infantry assumed responsibility for sector. 83rd Division at this time assumed responsibility for 4th Infantry Division sector, Units attached to 331st Infantry: 

Company B - 774th Tank Battalion (Med)
Company B - 759th Tank Battalion (It)
COMP any B - 635th Task Destroyer Battalion (T)
1st Platoon, Company C - 308th Engineers

Mission of Regiment: To consolidate and hold present positions. Maintain contact with 330th on the right. At about 1925, eight (8) rounds 105 artillery fell in vicinity Company B. At about 2340, one hundred (100) rounds 150 mm artillery fell in 2nd battalion area. Casualties: Company B, one (1) WIA -- Company H, One (1) KIA, five (5) WIA. Regimental Mine Platoon was engaged in mine removal in 2nd battalion area.  Upon exploring a road block, one (1) mine was exploded, killing one (1) man end slightly wounding two (2), Casualties during the period: KIA - two (2); WIA - eight (B), No prisoners,

g. 8 December 1944, regiment continued occupation of positions held by 12th Infantry.  Consolidation of positions  for future Operations continued. Patrols from Field Artillery battalions reached outskirts of Coy on east.

Results negative. Patrols considered ineffective -- did not establish assigned mission of determining hostile dispositions. During the period 080030 to 080300, approximately 124 rounds artillery fell in regimental casualties suffered were three (3) KIA and one (1) wounded.   No prisoners taken. Friendly artillery of all calibers continued harassing fires throughout the night.

b. 9 December 1944, Company B, 759th Light Tank Battalion and Company B, 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion (towed) were detached from attachment to regiment m-rd attached to 150th Infantry. Company C, 629th Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP) were attached to the 331st Infantry, During the night of the 8th and 9th December, 42 to 60 rounds heavy mortar and artillery shells fell in the regimental area including Service Company area, where two (2) were slightly wounded in night patrol from Company E.   Between 0730 and approximately forty (40) rounds artillery fell in general ar square 050390. During the day, Regimental Nine Platoon and A & P Platoon were engaged in improving roads, removing mines and road blocks. A forward command post was established et 032413 Friendly patrols went out during the day.  At 1415, a hostile five (5) man patrol reported in the 1st battalion area.  Three (3) patrols sent to make contact were unsuccessful. Original report came from both Cavalry

STATISTISTIC
Supplied by John D. Bowen
Professional Researcher - National Archives

Page last revised 12/07/2017
James D. West 
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