Just before dark, the Germans launched a counterattack from the vicinity of Saarlautern-Roden with five tanks and a force estimated at two companies of infantry. Tank destroyers knocked out two enemy tanks, and the infantry companies never were able to cross the open field, being halted by heavy machine gun fire. The Battalion Commander ordered that a minimum of half of all personnel remain on guard duty during the hours of darkness. Artillery fire increased, and guards on duty outside the buildings had a very dangerous task. Several enemy patrols tried to reach the bridge but failed. At about 0130, two German soldiers walked past several sentries and were not halted. They misled the sentries by laughing and conversing in the English language. They were within 75 yards of the bridge when they were forced to pass a rock wall, behind which was the 81-MM mortar platoon. A staff sergeant who could speak the German language fluently was on guard. For some reason which he never explained, the sergeant spoke to them in German. They answered him, then immediately turned and ran. The sergeant killed one, and a machine gun across the street shot the other. This attempt to reach the bridge was characteristic of several made. During the night some of the more seriously wounded were evacuated. The supply of ammunition was increased, and two heavy machine guns damaged by artillery fire were replaced. The heavy artillery and mortar fire continued throughout the night, and at the dawn of December 4, something new was added. An artillery shell of very large caliber began landing in the area. These shells did not come in barrages but one at a time. One of these shells struck a building occupied by a heavy machine gun platoon and went through a hole, previously made by a smaller shell, exploding in the basement, killing 13 men and seriously wounding 5 others. Among those killed were the platoon leader, platoon sergeant, and two squad leaders.
On the morning of December 4, the 3rd Battalion attacked Fraulautern, making small gains, but taking four pillboxes. They, too, came under extremely heavy artillery and mortar fire. The weather was cloudy, with a low fog early in the morning. The artillery liaison plane attempted to locate the enemy guns but was unable to see through the low clouds. At about 1200, an officer stepped outside the Battalion Command Post and actually saw one of the large shells as it approached the area, and he immediately checked the direction. The Artillery Liaison Officer, adding this information to that already gathered, turned in a shell report and requested a counterbattery fire mission. The Battalion Commander at the same time asked Regiment for everything possible to try and relieve the terrific barrage that the bridge area was receiving. At around 1600, the weather improved. Not long after the clouds lifted, a squadron of fighter planes passed over the bridge area, flying into German territory. Almost every man in the Battalion watched them, wondering what they would do. By using their field glasses, the men could see the planes begin their dives, and later, a deep thud could be heard as the bombs exploded. They had dive-bombed Saarwellingen. A report from the Regimental S-2 stated the planes had destroyed two railroad guns and damaged a third one. The important thing was that the big shells ceased their methodical destruction. During the night, Germans had infiltrated into the woods along the River and at about 0900, counterattacked, with two tanks firing from the vicinity of Saarlautern Roden.
Tank destroyers damaged one of the tanks, and the attack was repulsed. Able Co was ordered to clear the woods again. This was accomplished without much trouble, and more prisoners were taken. An enemy counterattack with two tanks and an estimated force of two platoons of infantry was launched at about 2200. The tanks never fired a shot but raced down the road at a high rate of speed. Able Co Commander was with his bazooka team located in a building near the road where it forks – one road leading to Saarlautern Roden, and one to Fraulautern. The first tank was allowed to pass as a tank destroyer was about 100 yards farther down the road. Just as the first tank passed in front of the tank destroyer, the second tank passed in front of the bazooka, and both tanks were destroyed. The peculiar thing was that the tank destroyer had a frozen turret; and as its gun could not be traversed, it must necessarily wait until the tank passed in front of its gun. The lead tank was loaded with explosives, so evidently was on a suicide mission. This attack, also, was repelled.
Enemy artillery fire continued heavy. The Artillery Liaison Officer and an officer from Corps Artillery estimated that 6000 rounds of artillery and mortar fire landed on the small bridgehead every 24 hours. For a 24-hour period, the XX Corps Artillery fired 19.404 rounds of counterbattery. Some of the buildings began crumbling from the consistent shell fire. The Battalion Command Post was moved from the large brick buildings south of the road to a German air-raid shelter north of the road. A short time later an enemy artillery shell scored a direct hit in the room previously occupied by the command group. This shell killed several of the Message Center Group who had just occupied the room. The night of December 4, was a repetition of the previous night. The Germans made several attempts to penetrate the left flank of the Battalion but were repulsed each time. On one occasion artillery fire was called for in the woods in front of Baker Co. A few minutes later, a terrific barrage was dropped in the woods and Germans could be heard screaming. The forward observer reported the mission was accomplished and was told that the mission had not been fired. The Germans had shelled their own troops.
The Communications Platoon worked day and night, and many miles of wire were laid in the small defense area. Attempts to repair wire knocked out by artillery usually resulted in casualties, so the new wire was laid. Radio was the chief means of communication and proved successful. Before daylight on December 5, the 2nd Battalion passed through the 1st Battalion area and attacked Saarlautern Roden. The attack was successful as they captured seven Forts and several blocks of the city, but it cost many casualties. Medics and men of the 1st Battalion gave a great deal of assistance in evacuating these casualties. As the 2nd Battalion continued the attack in Saarlautern Roden, enemy artillery and mortar fire became lighter in the bridge area. This was the first time the artillery fire had shown any signs of weakening since the bridgehead had been occupied. The Engineer Platoon, taking advantage of the lull in the enemy artillery fire, and acting on information from a German prisoner, made a thorough inspection of the bridge. They found and removed from the piers of the bridge 6400 pounds of explosives.
On the night of December 5 orders were received that the 1st Battalion would be relieved by the 3rd Battalion, 377th Infantry Regiment. The 1st Battalion was to attack Saarlautern Roden on the right of the 2nd Battalion. The night was quieter than the two preceding nights, but artillery fire was constant enough throughout the night to be classified as heavy. The morning of December 6 the Battalion moved out in column along the same road on which they had entered the bridgehead area. The mission had been accomplished.
The End
Capt Albert V. Kinslow (with:)
Statement Lt Col Tobias R. Philbin, C0 1st Battalion
Statement Capt Lawrence W. Slorah, Artillery Liaison Officer
Statement Capt Angelo A. Paciotti
Statement Capt Elias L. Tolbert, CO Charlie Co, 320-ECB
Statement Lt Lewis C. Archambeault, Platoon Leader, Baker Co
Statement S/Sgt Oscar Fatzer
Statement Maj Robert E. Burke
Statement Capt Joseph Lydon, Able Co
