Patton's Fighting Bridge Builders: Company B, 1303rd Engineer General Service Regiment

7. Luxembourg, on the Flank of the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944–March 1945

81 CHAPTER SEVEN Luxembourg, on the Flank of the Battle of the Bulge december 1944–march 1945 In the fall and winter of 1944–45, Allied armies were at the end of a very long and thin logistical line. Operation Dragoon’s opening of Marseilles and the use of French railroads in the south and east helped compensate for the devastation of northern France’s transportation network. Allied air power, helped by the French Resistance, had so destroyed the railroads, bridges, and other infrastructure that troops were functioning in what might be called a “supply desert.” Supplies, especially of gasoline, remained tight, and worse yet, manpower issues now became a problem. Gen. George Marshall’s insistence on the “90 division” strategy meant that the U.S. Army had too few infantry replacements trained and ready as casualties mounted. Most “noncombat” units in Europe, like the 1303rd, were taxed to provide young, fit men for use as infantry; since the 1303rd was a combat-zone unit, it was exempted from this order. Consequently, units on the line would stay on the line, without relief for rest and reinforcements. In addition, the Allies seriously underestimated the Germans’ ability to replenish their own military forces.1 These problems came together during the German Ardennes offensive, as the “Battle of the Bulge” is properly known. This counterattack posed serious dangers to the Allied advance and to the integrity of the Allied XXI Army Group and the U.S. First Army. Fortunately, Patton’s G-2 (intelligence officer), Col. Oscar W. Koch, had great skill in tracking German and Allied movements throughout northern Europe. As a result, he forecast a possible German assault in the Ardennes region, specifically against the First Army. Prepared with contingency plans, Patton was able to make a brilliant movement of fighting divisions and logistical support units, including the 1303rd EGSR, northward into position to open, on 26 December 1944, a supply corridor to the surrounded paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne. This shift of the axis of advance, done largely on verbal orders, was unusual in its daring and complexity.2 Among the units shifting 90 degrees and moving at their best speed across an icy, snow-covered landscape was the 1303rd. Ordered into Luxembourg, the engineers again were on the right flank of the XII Corps and Third Army. This time the danger was more acute since weather often grounded any air support. Arriving in Luxembourg, the first order of business was to lay out defensive posi- 82 PATTON'S FIGHTING BRIDGE BUILDERS tions. The 1303rd was responsible for protecting miles on the flank, far more than a division normally should cover. Company B found itself sent to a crossroads, where a self-propelled artillery battery was posted. As the company—unsupported on its flanks—laid out its small line of positions, the artillerymen packed up and moved to a more defensible position. They had no faith in the fighting abilities of the engineers.3 luxembourg bivouac 20—dudelange, u8199, nord du guerre zone. arrived 1730 21 dec 44—departed 1030 12 jan 45. THURSDAY—21 DEC 44 The billeting party crossed the French-Luxembourg border at 0200 this morning; arrived at Esch 0230; slept in their vehicle in the square until daylight ; got breakfast at the MP mess; and began billet reconnaissance. After considerable difficulty and finding no billets not occupied by division troops and their huge supply stocks, particularly the 80th Division, with the aid of Civil Affairs, the Company was assigned the Summer school for tubercular children in the Lehwald on the outskirts of Düdelingen, near the border. A light snow fell during the night. Meanwhile, the Company departed in convoy from the last bivouac in The 1303rd’s Service in Luxembourg. Courtesy Paul A. Lorah LUXEMBOURG 83 France at 0700 and arrived at this first bivouac in Luxembourg at 1730, at dusk. Two dozers, for which no prime movers were available, will be brought up later. Personnel—Woodward and Isham Wilson returned from AWOL to duty status as of 0800 this morning. The Regiment is in Luxembourg now, with the 1st Battalion concentrated in Differdange and the Company in Dudelange. FRIDAY—22 DEC 44 We awoke in a snow-covered world and spent the day getting established in our new area. The evergreens with their snow mantles look like a yard-full of Christmas trees: lovely. The...