History of the 49th Armored Infantry Battalion
February, 1945

Feb. 1 - Again we find ourselves on a 6-hour alert. This time it looks like we will be moving up north. The billeting party will leave at 2400 to an area east of MAASTRICHT, HOLLAND.

Feb. 2 - We move today. Head of column leaves out at 1237. Halts fifteen minutes on every even hour, 10 minutes every odd hour. At 2300, a two hour halt for chow.

Feb. 3 - Still moving towards our destination. Had a two hour halt at 0900 to 1100. Arrived in bivouac area at about 1540 covering a distance of 207 miles. We were to be billeted in homes but another outfit beat us to it. So we set up bivouac in an orchard in SIBBE, about 4.5 miles east of MAASTRICHT.

Feb. 4 - Sunday. This morning finds us in the rain and still in the orchard. Red Cross Mobile Unit was here at 1139 to feed us doughnuts and coffee. At 1730 the Bn moved and was billeted in civilian houses in Sibbe. The people here are just too happy to see us. They try to do everything for our comfort.

Feb. 5 - All white wash was washed off for there is no snow here and the vehicles stand out like sore thumbs. Still in SIBBE, and the people are as courteous and magnificent as can be.

Feb. 6 - Still in SIBBE. Information received in orientation that an enormous massing of troops is being made in this area. It looks like the last inning for this war and Germany. It will be the big push to finally crush Germany.

Feb. 7 - Still in SIBBE. Things are buzzing high and mighty. It looks like we will move in a day. Major Roseborough and Capt. Potter went to the front to the area where we are supposed to relieve a Reg't of the 35th Div. Today the men had an opportunity to take a shower at a mine, Heerlen. All who went made good use of the opportunity.

Feb. 8 - The move is to be made about 1430 today. The field order was issued at 1130 today in the school house. At 1230 the Co. Comdrs, Col. Roseborough, Capt Look S-2, Capt Potter S-3, and Lt. Huls, communications officer moved up to the area we are to set up our position. The rest of the Bn was ready to move at 1430. At 1540 it was all called off for a delay from 24 to 27 hours. Maj Roseborough made the Rank of Lt. Col. as of yesterday.

Feb. 9 - The companies will move from Sibbe at 1800 to relieve the 35th Inf Div. All company comdrs, the Col.. S-2, and S-3 moved up for a PR and issuance of field orders in Kirchoven. The advance CP was set up in BRAUNROTH. Everything was all set when Capt Potter received word by phone that it was called off again for 24 to 27 hours at about 1830. So again everyone went back to SIBBE to await new and we hope final orders.

Feb. 10 - Again we are ready to move to the area vic Heinsbeck and occupy the west side of the ROER RIVER. However at about 1530 Col. Roseborough got back and gave us the relax sign again. Again our effort was postponed. Today we had the pleasure of a visit from our former Bn Comdr, Lt.Col. William H, Orr. It was good to see him.

Feb. 11 - Col. Orr left us today about 1100. There are no plans for us as yet. Something is still buzzing but we don't know wht it is. Church services were held at SIBBE town church. Protestant services were at 1300 and Catholic services at 1500. New field jackets and combat jackets were received today by all officers and some EM. Today we received new reinforcements totaling 12 EM.

Feb. 12 - Nothing new has turned up in regards to our moving up front. Received 19 enlisted men as reinforcements.

Feb. 13 - One officer came to us as a reinforcement, 2nd Lt. Robert E. Cone.

Feb. 14 - Received one officer and 51 EM today. No change as to our moving up to the front. It seems the Roer River has been swelled by dams that have been blown thus inundating both banks of the river. (Officer is 2nd Lt. Morris Coffino).

Feb. 15 - No change as yet. Routine duties continue and all is in readiness for any move. Buzz Bombs fly over here each day. Most of the men are getting accustomed to it's noise now. Reinforcements of 1 EM and 3 officers, 2nd Lts John H. Williamson, Lawrence E. Lybrand, and 1st Lt. Richard C. Redmond.

Feb. 16 - Had a little accident in B Co. today. T/5 Julius Gelp, the assistant supply, fell from a peep and it is believed he broke his skull.

Feb. 17 - In the replacement of 1 officer and 1 EM it turned out that the officer was none other than 2nd Lt Ray E.Wilson, who we left back in the States. Had a movie tonight in the school house. It was "Teen Age Swingsters".

Feb. 18 - Things are getting hot again for us. We will receive a sector of our own north of what would have been our left flank boundary had we relieved the 35th. We are to relieve a unit of the British 7th Armored Div. It looks like the real thing this time for we move up there definitely on the 20th of Feb.

Feb. 19 - What heartaches, what disillusions! Everything was in readiness to move out on the 2oth at about 1950. We again received the order canceling everything for 24 more hours. It seems to be getting quite a habit for us.

Feb. 20 - Another day was spent in doubt as to whether we would move or not. Some of our personnel were very fortunate today because five men left for 3 days in Paris. The following men left for 7 days in London; Pvt. Bobby Ellis and Pfc. James D. Watson from Hq Co.; Pfc Ellsworth R. Furber from A Co., Pfc, Jefferson B. Krumme from B Co. and T/5 Ronald D. Kyle from C Co. The men going to Paris were; Capt. Carder, Capt. Look, Pfc. Donald E. Grotjan, Pfc Jack W. Thorpe, T/5 Joe S Spratt, and Pfc Michael P. Smerask.

Co. Comdr and peep driver, Lt. Cheney, and T/Sgt Cooke went to the front. Co. is to relieve British 7th AD. Final instructions given.

Feb. 21 - At 0555 the Bn left the SIBBE area and convoyed to relieve the 7th British Armored Division. A Co is with the 36th Tank Bn attached to A Co. 36th for Infantry in support of tanks. B Co is disposed around Posterholt.K 8082 to 8182. C Co is in ST. ODILANBERG. Bn Hq is in Castle 300 meters south of REUTJE with anti-tank platoon as CP security. The trip up here was approximately 45 miles, with no casualties and a well conducted march. Reached this area at 0945.

Moved at 0555 from SIBBE to REUTJE, HOLLAND and relieved British 7th A. D. (161 Brigade) part Tullens Rgt, part Devon Rgt. Mortar plat attached and supporting C Co. Machine gun plat divided into 3 sections (in Bn reserve). Assault Gun plat (in general support of Bn) fired 15 rds for first time. Echert and Burmiller firing the first round and registering in good order. Bn Reserve under Lt. Young consisting of Recon Plat, M.G. Plat, Co and Bn Hq and two anti-tank plats from A and B Co's. Kitchen with Bn Hq feeding reserves.

Feb. 22 - Artillery landed on our forward positions all day. Two casualties were suffered. OP No. 2 B Co. area vic PAARLO when a direct hit on the OP Bldg injured Pfc Anton L. Heintz, 36337027, in th back and Pfc. Albert J. Kiselica, 45005100, cuts on the hand. Heintz was evacuated.

Feb. 23 - At 0245 to 0330 all our artillery and mortar weapons had a 45minute barrage on the enemy positions across the Roer River. This was a diversionary measure for CCB so that bigger plans of the Corps went into effect. Receiving artillery fire all day. Intermitant machine gun plat put 2 hay stacks on fire because they thought they were ricocheting and 2 men were seen around it. Later inspection found it to be unoccupied and no bunker. All patches on again and unit designation on bumpers.

Feb. 24 - Still in defensive role and mostly artillery activity. Our patrol activity was intense today. Pfc Stewart C, Poulson, 37479848, was killed due to shrapnel from enemy mortar.

Feb. 25 - Two officers and four enlisted men returned from Paris today and two more officers and 4 enlisted men took off for Paris again. Lt. Meech with his platoon attacked Triest at 0830 and captured it. We had 10 casualties from booby traps and mines. In Triest, 49 civilians were evacuated. Lt. Rankin with his platoon took VOORSEL and found no opposition. In VOORSEL, 17 civilians were found. The day was a lot more quiet as far as artillery was concerned. Still a lot of mortar and small arms fire was received. D Troop of the 88th Rcn Squadron was atchd to us today. They were sent out at 1900 to reconnoiter possible river crossings, northeast of PAARLO. The patrol returned at 2345 and brought back two prisoners. Found to be from the 1st Bn, 1218 Regt, 176 V. G. D.

Feb. 26 - The enemy didn't send over too much today. Mostly artillery and mortar fire. The Engr patrol returning at 0230 had one of their men fired on and wounded by friendly troops. The unit on our left, 58th Armd Ind Bn, brought up their line on an even level with our unit. T/Sgt Alverie J. Parodie was seriously wounded while on patrol across the river from ST. ODILANBERG. He lost his right hand midway between the wrist and elbow. Also abdominal wounds from a Schu mine. Pvt Fiorella F. Marino of Hq Co mortar plar was a casualty when he went to the latrine. He was fired on by one of our own men. He suffered a compound fracture of the arm.

Feb. 27 - The enemy activity was very light today being restricted to mortar and artillery fire. At about 1400, we received word that we would be relieved of our sector of the Roer River, ST. ODILANBERG to VLODROP, by the 17 Cavalry Squadron. They were to be prepared to relieve us on notice after 1700. The relief was completed at 0100, 28 Feb. 45.

Feb. 28 - The Bn with attachments moved out at 0145. Route: REUTJE, SUSTEREN, SITTARD, GANGELT, GEILENKIRCHEN, BRACHELEN, HILFARTH, HUCKELHOVEN, GLADBACH, GERDERATH, ROGDEN, ARSBECK! Due to a blown bridge 1 mile N of ARSBECK, the advance was hampered, Local security was posted and the battalion billeted at ARSBECK. 3rd plat of B Co was used as outpost on North end of ARSBECK.