| Each hour the gravity of the situation increased
immeasurably. The infantry across the river faced armor with only small arms
and courage. Desperately needed support was denied them. Only limited
supplies such as could be ferried across the river in small motor launches
reached the frozen, thoroughly soaked infantrymen, who nevertheless slugged
their way through mud and swamps, overcoming obstacles with such valor and
perseverance that even the enemy testified its grudging admiration. On that first day the infantry stormed and captured Petite Hettange, Métrich, Kerling-lès-Sierck, Basse-Ham and had gained a precarious and exposed grip on the top of Fort Koenigsmacker itself. The town of Koenigsmacker (not to be confused with the Fort) fell to the driving 90th. At midnight eight battalions had crossed the river, seven towns had been taken, and the bridgehead had been driven to a depth of three kilometers. The following day the 357th Regiment, having crossed the river in subsequent waves, stormed the formidable Métrich forts, reducing them in bitter hand-to-hand fighting. That morning the enemy, supplied with pertinent information regarding the 90th's position volunteered by German sympathizers, struck a powerful blow in the direction of Kerling-lès-Sierck. Unable to stem the assault, lacking armor as they did, the 359th fell back... but not before they had exacted such a heavy toll in the German ranks that the enemy was unable to exploit the advantages he had gained. The 358th on the right found itself caught in a vicious flanking fire from the southern emplacements of Fort Koenigsmacker which still dominated the terrain. Those elements which had scaled the top of the Fort were subjected to a murderous hail of mortar and artillery fire from which the Fort's defenders, hidden deep in the tunnels, were immune. Explosives had to be supplied but the raging river was still an effective barrier to supplies. Through heavy flak swooped five artillery Cubs, flying low over the fort and dropping the necessary explosives to the doughboys who clung like leeches to the crest. With these supplies they managed to destroy several steel doors and thus gain access to a small portion of the underground tunnels. At the day's end the Division situation was critical. The river had broadened its channel to a width of one and a half miles. The eight infantry battalions were still unsupported by armor, and a major enemy counterattack could be expected momentarily. The infantry had fought steadily for two days and two nights; they were numbed with cold and utterly exhausted. No blankets were available, rations were insufficient, ammunition was running dangerously low. It was difficult to say which was the more formidable foe, the Germans to the front, or the river to the rear. |
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