Garand Picture of the Day # 207 289th Inf

[Mark in Rochester]

American soldiers of 289th Infantry Regiment marching along snow-covered road on their way to cut off St. Vith-Houffalize road in Belgium, during WWII.
Location: Belgium
Date taken: January 24, 1945
Photographer: Richard A. Massenge


During the first phase, 24 December - 14 January, some of the Division's major elements were attached elsewhere, in piecemeal fashion in order to stem the Nazi break through toward LIEGE, BRUSSELS, and ANTWERP.



During the second phase, 15 - 24 January, the 75th Infantry Division took part in the XVIII Airborne Corps' coordinated attack to retake ST. VITH and its vital road net. The Division's role in the battle — to cross the SALM River to capture VIELSALM was a classic example of the double envelopment. The 291st Infantry on the north attacked and seized the high ground north of the city; the 289th Infantry attacked and seized the high ground south of the city. Thus the whole valley became untenable for the enemy, and he withdrew. A patrol from the 2d Battalion, 291st Infantry, discovered the withdrawal, and Corps was requested to block the upper end of the valley with troops in the vicinity. Determined resistance by the enemy held the corridor open, and the withdrawal continued under fire. The Germans then began a series of delaying actions which characterized the rest of the battle.




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75th Infantry Division in Combat ~ Page 1

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