22 December:
(226883)--abatis;
(235889)--bridge mined;
(221894) and (229900) --roadblocks coordinated with
elements of 309th Engineer Combat Battalion:
(236902) --road and bridge mined;
(264411)--bridge mined; coordinated with elements of
309th Engineer Combat Battalion; and
(278915) --bridge and road mined.
Company C strengthened the defenses of the 51st on 23
December by manning the following positions:
(298878) --abatis with string of mines;
(267871)--bridge mined;
(250860)--bridge mined;
(219866)--culvert mined and minefield on both sides
of road;
(236875) --road mined; and
(226883)--abatis.
The ensuing days were anticlimactic. Company B was
relieved of all duties on the barrier lineon the Ourthe
River from Hotton to Hamoir, with the exception of the
demolition crew in Hotton. The latter was strengthened on
27 December from half a squad to one officer and 10 EM
[enlisted men], and the bridge was rewired so it could be
At 0140 on 26 December,
demolished from either side.
During the
the railroad bridge at Melreux was blown.
remainder of the period before being relieved, Company B
maintained a roadblock on Highway N35 south of the
junction at N29 and also maintained a roadblock on N35
north of the junction with N29.
Although the enemy had been held off at Hotton, and
its advance toward Marche on N4 had been delayed, there
was still some enemy activity after 22 December--generally
to the east and southeast, and south and southwest of
Marche.
The enemy appeared to be attempting to encircle
Marche and to move to the Meuse River to the west. During
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