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1. Enemy situation at end of period:
There was no contact with the enemy in force at the end of the period. Stragglers and deserters continue to be picked up in groups of from one to five men.
2. Enemy operations during the period:
During this period the first contact with the enemy was on the 4th of April in the area South of LIPPSTADT. On that day, opposition consisting of small arms, automatic weapons, and direct fire from three tiger tanks was stiff. By nightfall the enemy had been pushed back South of VOLLINGHAUSEN (B3933).
On the 5th, no opposition was met. Elements of the battalion advanced South to KLIEVE (B3830 and West to BERENBROCK (B3834). There was still no opposition on the following day since the battalion was given the mission of holding a line through BAD SASSENDORF (B3032) to prevent the enemy from withdrawing East from SOEST which was under attack by American infantry elements.
On the 7th the battalion attacked South of SOEST to GUNNE (B217222) and DELECKE (B247215). Opposition consisted mainly of direct artillery fire. Numerous prisoners were taken.
The following day the battalion moved West against very light resistance, consisting mainly of sniper fire, mortar, and artillery. The enemy withdrew West of HOINGEN (B1621) and NDR ENSE (B1822). Other enemy elements also held the ground South of the RUHR RIVER.
Resistance stiffened on the 9th as the battalion advanced along the North edge of OVINGHAUSEN WALDE (B1124) where heavy mortar, direct and indirect artillery, anti-tank, small arms, and automatic weapons were encountered. Several tanks were also used to impede our advance. Approximately 200 prisoners were taken during the day. By the end of the day the woods had been cleared and the enemy had been pushed back West of the road between WIEHAGEN (B084227) and West BUDERICH (B0927).
The following day resistance was very light, however, the enemy continued harassing artillery and mortar fire. At the end of the day the Germans had been pushed West of BILLMERICH (B9623).
On the 12th opposition continued to be very light as the battalion advanced to a line from A918217 to A927205 where orders were received to hold up as elements of an infantry division were to relieve us at this point.
There was no further contact with the enemy until 21st when German troops were again encountered in the HARZ MOUNTAIN pocket near BLANKENBURG. In the woods North and West of BLANKENBURG all enemy encountered surrendered without resistance. One Tiger tank was captured as the crew slept in a nearby building. At D184585 - D196583 friendly troops of the 1st Infantry Division were met and the enemy pocket of resistance eliminated. There was no further contact with the enemy in any force during the period.
3. Section Operations:
The Battalion S-2 worked at the front during the entire period, assisting the Battalion Commander and S-3 in directing operations. In the operations near GUNNE and DELECKE the battalion was split into two task forces, one of which was commanded by the Battalion S-2. The S-2 Section at the Battalion CP performed the usual routine duties.
4. Weather and terrain:
The weather during the period was generally good, however, fog and mist during the morning was prevalent but invariably lifted about noon. Trafficability ranged from fair to good, practically no really bad going being encountered. The North of the RUHR and MOHNE Rivers was well suited to the use of armor. The excellent observation afforded the enemy from the high ground South of the RUHR RIVER, however, would have subjected our columns to disastrous direct artillery fire had it not been for the morning fogs.
 For the Battalion Commander
S/James L. Dykeman,
JAMES L. DYKEMAN
1st Lt., Inf.,
Adjutant
ROBERT L. BRUBAKER,
Capt., Inf.,
S-2
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