HISTORY OF 442D INFANTRY PER PAR 13, AR 345-105
FOR MONTH OF 1 - 31 OCTOBER 33
1. Original Unit.
No change.
2. Changes in Organization.
Effective upon arrival at VI Corps are (11 Oct 44), the 442d RCT was
attached to VI Corps for operations; administration remaining with
Seventh Army, as per secret letter AG 370.5-C, Hq Seventh Army, 4 Oc-
tober 1944. The 442d Combat Team was further attached to the 36th
Infantry Division for operations.
Antitank Co, 442d Infantry relieved from attachment to First Airborne
Task Force effective 23 October 44 and reverted to control of parent
unit, per secret letter Headquarters First Airborne Task Force, 24
October 1944
3. Strength. O's WO's EM
a. At beginning of period 1 Oct 44* 186 7 3313
b. At end of period 31 Oct 44 117 6 2245
c. Net decrease month 1-31 Oct 44 69 1 1068
*Strength figure reported 30 Sept 44 did not include Antitank
Co, 442d Infantry.
4. Stations.
1 - 8 Oct 44 442d RCT in bivouac near SEPTEMES, FRANCE.
9 - 11 Oct 44 En route to vicinity EPINAL, FRANCE.
12 - 14 Oct 44 442d RCT in assembly area at CHARMOIS-DEVANT-BRUYERES,
near EPINAL.
15 - 31 Oct 44 442d RCT in combat near BRUYERES, BELMONT, BIFFONTAINE,
and in the FOREST DOMINIALE DU CHAMP. CP locations
established at Le Void de la Borde, Bruyeres, Belmont,
and in the Forest Dominiale du Champ near Faragoutty.
5. Marches.
Rescinded by par 12, C3, AR 345-105.
6. Campaign.
a. Name of: Eastern France - Seventh Army Offensive.
b. Duration: 442d Infantry entered line 15 Oct 44 continuing in
combat at close of period 31 Oct 44.
c. Purpose: Destruction of German Army in Eastern France; liberation
of Eastern France and Alsace.
d. Authority: Commanding General, Seventh Army.
7. Battles.
a. Name and Date: BRUYERES, 15 - 18 Oct 44.
BELMONT (vic), 19 - 24 Oct (2d and 3d Bns)
BIFFONTAINE, 19 - 24 Oct (100th Bn)
HILL 617, 26 - 31 Oct (2d Bn)
FOREST DOMINIALE DU CHAMP, 27-31 Oct (100th & 3d Bns)
b. Campaign of which battles were a part: Eastern France.
c. Forces engaged: German infantry, engineers, artillery, armored
force. Following units identified:
19th SS Police Regt
223d Grenadier Regt
1, 2, 7 Cos, 736th Grenadier Regt
2 Co, Engineer Bn 1316
Fortress Machine Gun Bn 49
1 Co, 716th Engineer Bn
Co Rode, Battle Group Ahrens
2, 3 Cos, 198th Fusilier Bn
2 Co, 192d Panzer Grenadier Regt
202d Mountain Troop Battalion
3, 5, 7, 8 Cos, 933d Regt, 338th Division
d. Results: Assaulted and occupied city of BRUYERES.
Captured towns of BIFFONTAINE and BELMONT.
Spearheaded division attack approximately 12 miles,
destroyed enemy in regimental sector.
Cleared Forest Dominiale du Champ.
Relieved "Lost Battalion" (1st Bn, 141st Inf).
Prisoners captured from 15 - 31 Oct 44 - 591.
8. Commanding Officer.
Colonel C. W. PENCE, O-10283, Inf (Injured in action and evacuated 29 Oct 44).
Lt Colonel V. R. MILLER, O-15847, Inf (Assumed command 29 Oct 44).
9. Losses in Action.
See Exhibit "A" attached.
10. Present and Former Members Who Have Distinguished Themselves in Action.
See Exhibit "B" attached.
11. Photographs of Personnel, Important Scenes or Events.
None available.
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