Holding The Line
Map 1. The Benelux Countries and the Ardennes Area
Prologue - EP-870-1-380010
The 51st was not supposed to be on the front line.
In September 1943, the battalion started the long trek that eventually led to the Ardennes.
On 17 September, the 51st moved to Germany, 110 miles east of Soissons, almost to the Luxembourg border.
A Note on the Maps
A Note on the Maps (cont)
During the German breakthrough in the Ardennes
The battalion landed at Normandy on D-Day plus 21
Commanding Officers
Prior to coming to the battalion
Irked by this inactivity
Defense at Trois-Ponts
Map 2. Trois-Point Area, December 1944
Trois-Ponts is studded with bridges
The second accident benefited the defenders of Trois-Ponts a little less directly.
The defense of the town initially consisted of one platoon
Firing was heard in the vicinity of Stavelot during the early part of the morning.
There was some difficulty at first with ammunition for the antitank gun.
Almost simultaneous with the battle along the Stavelot road
The company had about six 2 1/2-ton trucks available
After the return of Lieutenant Green's group and the withdrawal of Lieutenant Nabors' platoon
After the bridges had been blown
Map 3. 51st Engineer Conbat Battalion, Company C, Defences Set on 19 December 1944, Trois-Points Area
Enemy patrols attempted to probe across the river throughout the period
Company C had its greatest casualties on 20 December
The Ambleve bridge presented no unusual problems, but the Salm bridge was more difficult.
The Battle of Hotton
The vital Ourthe River bridge at Hotton
More specifically
Map 4. 51st Engineer Combat Battalion Lines of Defenses, Hotton Area, 19-20 December 1944
Defenses were strengthened on 20 December
During the days when these roadblocks were held
The battle of Hotton occurred on 21 December.
Leaving Sergeant Ham's squad in Marcourt
Map 5. 51st Engineer Combat Battalion Defenses, Hotton Area, 21 December 1944
The bridge is perpendicular to N4 and connects N28 on both sides of the river.
The Hotton bridge was a two-way timber bridge.
The 3d Armored tanks started engaging enemy infantry
At this point Private Ishmael manned the 37-mm.
Meanwhile, Captain John W. Barnes, battalion S-3, was off on another mission.
Three shots were fired from the 7th Armored tank.
Throughout the morning and during the early after-noon, the tank-infantry battle raged.
On 22 December, Company A relieved Company B of the responsibility of roadblocks in the vicinity of Aye
Map 6. 51st Engineer Combat Battalion, Companies B, A, and C, Defensive Position Established in Hotton Area, 22-23 December 1944
The following morning, he received orders to repair the Rochefort bridge.
The ensuing days were anticlimactic.
Total battalion casualties for the operation
Epilogue - EP-870-1-380057
Then it was back to road maintenance and bridge construction, including one extraordinary burst of energy.
The battalion was lucky at Ingolstadt.
The battalion stayed in Germany through the summer.
Appendix A. Comments
Appendix B. AWARDS DURING WORLD WAR II
Soldiers Medal
Appendix C. PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
Appendix C. PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (cont)
Appendix D. FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH SILVER STAR
Notes - EP-870-1-380067
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380068
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380069
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380070
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380071
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380072
EP 870-1-38
Map 1. The Benelux Countries and the Ardennes Area
Prologue - EP-870-1-380010
The 51st was not supposed to be on the front line.
In September 1943, the battalion started the long trek that eventually led to the Ardennes.
On 17 September, the 51st moved to Germany, 110 miles east of Soissons, almost to the Luxembourg border.
A Note on the Maps
A Note on the Maps (cont)
During the German breakthrough in the Ardennes
The battalion landed at Normandy on D-Day plus 21
Commanding Officers
Prior to coming to the battalion
Irked by this inactivity
Defense at Trois-Ponts
Map 2. Trois-Point Area, December 1944
Trois-Ponts is studded with bridges
The second accident benefited the defenders of Trois-Ponts a little less directly.
The defense of the town initially consisted of one platoon
Firing was heard in the vicinity of Stavelot during the early part of the morning.
There was some difficulty at first with ammunition for the antitank gun.
Almost simultaneous with the battle along the Stavelot road
The company had about six 2 1/2-ton trucks available
After the return of Lieutenant Green's group and the withdrawal of Lieutenant Nabors' platoon
After the bridges had been blown
Map 3. 51st Engineer Conbat Battalion, Company C, Defences Set on 19 December 1944, Trois-Points Area
Enemy patrols attempted to probe across the river throughout the period
Company C had its greatest casualties on 20 December
The Ambleve bridge presented no unusual problems, but the Salm bridge was more difficult.
The Battle of Hotton
The vital Ourthe River bridge at Hotton
More specifically
Map 4. 51st Engineer Combat Battalion Lines of Defenses, Hotton Area, 19-20 December 1944
Defenses were strengthened on 20 December
During the days when these roadblocks were held
The battle of Hotton occurred on 21 December.
Leaving Sergeant Ham's squad in Marcourt
Map 5. 51st Engineer Combat Battalion Defenses, Hotton Area, 21 December 1944
The bridge is perpendicular to N4 and connects N28 on both sides of the river.
The Hotton bridge was a two-way timber bridge.
The 3d Armored tanks started engaging enemy infantry
At this point Private Ishmael manned the 37-mm.
Meanwhile, Captain John W. Barnes, battalion S-3, was off on another mission.
Three shots were fired from the 7th Armored tank.
Throughout the morning and during the early after-noon, the tank-infantry battle raged.
On 22 December, Company A relieved Company B of the responsibility of roadblocks in the vicinity of Aye
Map 6. 51st Engineer Combat Battalion, Companies B, A, and C, Defensive Position Established in Hotton Area, 22-23 December 1944
The following morning, he received orders to repair the Rochefort bridge.
The ensuing days were anticlimactic.
Total battalion casualties for the operation
Epilogue - EP-870-1-380057
Then it was back to road maintenance and bridge construction, including one extraordinary burst of energy.
The battalion was lucky at Ingolstadt.
The battalion stayed in Germany through the summer.
Appendix A. Comments
Appendix B. AWARDS DURING WORLD WAR II
Soldiers Medal
Appendix C. PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
Appendix C. PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (cont)
Appendix D. FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH SILVER STAR
Notes - EP-870-1-380067
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380068
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380069
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380070
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380071
Notes (cont) - EP-870-1-380072
EP 870-1-38
