The speed and power of the assault was a decided surprise to the Germans. On the third day of battle alone more than 1,200 prisoners were captured. So devastating was the attack that enemy communications were almost completely shattered. Captured documents revealed the great respect accorded the 90^th by the enemy...

"It is imperative (said one directive) that steps be taken to ascertain whether or not the American 90^th Infantry has been committed. Special attention must be given to the numbers 357, 358, 359, 343, 344, 345 915, and 315. Prisoners identified with these numbers will immediately be taken to the Regimental G-3".

The 358^th Regiment was committed on the fourth day, sweeping rapidly northward as far as Bras itself. The 90^th had fought through Luxembourg and was now in the soil of Belgium. On that day, also, contact was established between the 90^th and the 35^th Infantry Divisions as well as with the 6^th Armored. The enemy salient had been liquidated, the objectives attained.

New order called for a resumption of the attack to the northeast, the 6^th Armored on the left, 26^th on the right, and the 90^th in the center. On the 14^th the attack was resumed in the direction of Niederwampach. A strongly held line along the railroad south of the town, however, held up the attack until one battalion, sweeping wide around the left, attacked the town unexpectedly from the northwest. With the aid of a 14 battalion artillery concentration, Niederwampach fell at last in comparatively docile fashion.

- 52 -

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