(51 AI Bn) Monday 13 November 1944 During the night, the engineers completed the bridge without any trouble. The column moved out at 0715, with Co B taking the lead. It moved south toward Chateau-Brehain and then turned north east of Brehain. Just before entering the town, another blown-out bridge was encountered and the column was halted while the engineers repaired the bridge. After it was repaired, it was discovered that the road out of Brehain toward Achain was impassable because of the muddy conditions. A bridge was out on the road to Bellange from Brehain. It was decided to go back through Chateau-Brehain and swing south toward Vannecourt, hit the main highway near the north east corner of the Forest of Chateau Salins and swing northeast toward Baronville. At the crossroads where the Marthille-Achain road crosses the main road from Chateau-Salins to Achain, mines were encountered and some artillery fire fell on the column. The engineers cleared the mines but by that time it was becoming dark and the column assembled in that vicinity for the night. The enemy was firing heavy concentration of artillery into the areas but they were not close. Our artillery was active. Enemy losses were estimated at one selfpropelled gun destroyed. The weather was miserable again, with rain, snow and bitter cold. Our casualties were mainly frost bite. There were 24 frost bite cases, 8 exhaustion, including Lt. Burroughs, 4 wounded and 2 sick. Morale was low owing to the slow progress of the column and the bad weather. Word was received that Lt. Col. Maybach died the previous day in the hospital after an operation. Service Co moved to the vicinity of Manhouse. Light replacements were received.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:32:13 +0000
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