History of the 49th Armored Infantry Battalion
January, 1945

Jan 1 - All personnel have their equipment packed in duffel bags and are ready to stow on their respective vehicles. Drivers and Car Comdrs were instructed on movement of vehicles from Penning Camp to the Continent, at meeting at 2000 by Major Brown.

Jan 2 - Vehicles left Penning at 0927 and arrived in staging area at 1245. Area about 10 miles from Southampton.

Jan 3 - Vehicles were moved from staging area and were loaded onto Joseph Storey Victory ship. Personnel boarded the boat at 1945. The main body left Penning in two groups leaving TIDWORTH at 0830 and arriving at SOUTHAMPTON at 1030. Personnel were loaded on the Polish Liner M. S. Sabieski.

Jan 4 - Vehicles and driver left Southampton at 0900, stayed outside the harbor until 1900 and then sailed for the continent. Main body left port at 0220 and arrived at LE HAVRE at 1500. Disembarked at battered and ravaged lE HAVRE at 1830. Motored by convoy to Red Horse assembly area. At 2300 the main body was there.

Jan 5 - Still on Joseph Storey.

Jan 6 - The vehicles and drivers still anchored off mouth of Seine at LE HAVRE. At 1500 sailed into anchorage at LE HAVRE. Unloading started at 2000 by the Transportation Corps.

Jan 7 - Unloading completed and at 1145 moved the vehicles to assembly area vic TOTES, France. Hq and C Co. disposed in Chateaus and other bldgs. vic Belleville-En-Caux. "A" Co. located in TOTES Chateau. "B" Co. housed in civilian occupied bldg in ANGLESQUEVILLE. Service Co. situated at Chateaus at VERVANNES.

Jan 8 - Stowage of vehicles in preparation of the Bn moving to area vicinity of RHEIMS.

Jan 9 - The Bn left area vicinity of TOTES. The head of column pulling out at 0535 and travelling all day to area southeast of RHEIMS called BACCONES. Arrived in area at 1910. Total distance traveled was 174 miles. The Battalion is tactically disposed and within the companies the vehicles are set apart 50 yards or more. Snow lays 4 inches deep on the ground.

Jan 10 - Wednesday. It's a rough and rugged life we will lead now. It is extremely cold and the pine trees and ground are covered with snow. Maintenance of equipment and vehicles was performed all day.

Jan 11 - Everyone is getting battle stowed today. That is not only vehicles but all personal equipment and clothing. It is very cold, about 15 degrees above zero. Equipment of individuals is being readied for storage. It is contemplated that we move Saturday, and excess equipment will be stowed in some town building in RHEIMS. At 2300, Major Roseborough got back from Hq with the news that we move out at 0028, 12 January..

Jan 12 - To move at 0028 but called off till 0230. Everyone ready and we move out at 0230. Travel all night in a terribly cold atmosphere and at 1515 arrived in the village of LOUVIGNY. Troops billeted in buildings. The village shows terrible scars of not so distant a battle. 110 miles are covered.

Jan 13 - Maintenance and restowage of vehicles. Tonight a Platoon of AA set up in the fields around our village.

Jan 14 - Sunday. Work goes on as usual with maintenance and cleaning of all equipment. Church services were held in the bombed out church here in the village.

Jan 15 - Expectations for movement to the front mount higher and higher each day. We are subject to move out on one hour notice. It can be done for everyone and everything is prepared for our first engagement. Maps were received and distributed to all companies.

Jan 16 - Today we had our first casualty. Due to a booby trap Pfc Fred Partridge, 36754263, of B. Co. was killed. T/5 George W. Weilbacker, 33504549, was evacuated to the 34 Eva Hosp. All vehicles were 80% painted with white wash so as to make them less visible in snow backgrounds.

Jan 17-18 - Everyone is still anticipating a movement. However, so far we are still in village of LOUVIGNY. Patches were removed.

Jan 19-20 - The members of the Bn had the opportunity to go to Metz and take a shower set up by the QM.

Jan 21 - Still in LOUVIGNY and it looks like we will not move from here for a few days.

Jan 22 - The companies took a 2 hour road march to change the routine for the men. It looks like we will have a chance for some more training here. Our outfit is very secretive. All our moves are set with caution so as not to disclose our unit designation or location.

Jan 23 - "A" and "B" Co. went through a practice alert movement. Moving out, bottle stowed for a round trip of 8.3 miles. The movement in practice was well carried through. Major Roseborough, Mac Nary, and Pvt. Twickler left for the front today.

Jan 24 - "C" Co., Ser and Hq Co. moved out each separate from the other on their practice alert movement. These three companies executed their phase excellently with the exception of the tanks of Headquarters Co., A. G. Plat. Having trouble getting up one hill. That however was soon corrected by vehicles closing up quickly but efficiently to their normal distance. A movie was shown for the Bn at B Co area in the bombed out church. "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" was the picture.

Jan 25 - Major Roseborough got back from the sector where the 7th of CCA is fighting in the town of NENNIG. He had a lot of information about the battle.

Jan 26 - Usual routine and duty with exception of movement to the front.

Jan 27 - The Bn was alerted and the billeting party moved to DIENGE at 0400. The Bn was to move at 0900. Then a delay till 1200 was called. Later all was cancelled because 2 Corps wanted us simultaneously. So all was called off and again we are on a three hour alert call. Today a squad of "C" was practicing crew drill on the 57. The firing mechanism was left out for live rounds were used. After some drill the gunner was given to believe that crew drill was over with and replaced the firing mechanism. However, "Fall In" was called again and he, forgetting to remove the firing mechanism, upon the command of "fire" he let go and the live round went on it's merry way putting a beautiful hole in the building next to the medics.

Jan 28 - Sunday. The Bn still worked. Church services were held at the bombed out church and PX rations were issued. Each man received 7 packs of cigarettes.

Jan 29 - "A" Co. 49th, and "A" Co., 36th, had a tank Inf. Training. "C" Co, supplemented by one plat of 36th, had training in attack upon a village. "B" Co. test fired light and heavy machine guns.

Jan 30 - Battalion still in position at LOUVIGNY, "A" Co. with "A" Co. of 36 Tank Bn was engaged in Tank Infantry training in the vicinity of VIGINY. "C" Co., supplemented by one plat of Tanks from 36th, was engaged in attack of a village (POURNAY-LA-CHETIVE). Part of B Co. test fired machine guns. The remainder of the personnel performed maintenance on equipment and weapons and continued to stow vehicles. AG Plat received 105 Howitzers.

Jan 31 - Still in LOUVIGNY. B and C Co. in Tank and Infantry training vic Vigny. A Co. attack of a village (POURNAY-LA-CHETIVE). Remainder of personnel were engaged in maintenance and stowage of vehicles and weapons.