Books and Documents

MEDICAL DETACHMENT
393 Infantry, APO 449
c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.

4 February, 1945

AFTER ACTION REPORT  JANUARY 1945

The 393rd Inf. Regt., 99th Div., continued to maintain its defensive position, with aggressive patrolling, on the high ground about 1 1/4  miles northeast of Elsenborn, Belgium, with the 2nd Bn., 393rd Inf. on the right, (and to the left of the 38th Inf. Regt., 2nd Div.)  The 3rd Bn., 393rd Inf. was dug in to the left and rear of the 2nd Bn., 393rd Inf., and the 1st Bn., 393rd Inf. was echeloned in reserve defensive positions to the left of the 3rd Bn., 393rd Inf.

Until 30 Jan., l945, Bn. Aid and Regimental Aid Stations remained in defensive medical support of their respective units. Minimal casualties treated and evacuated were chiefly due to frequent enemy artillery shell-fire, and casualties resulting from patrol activity, namely land mines, and small arms fire. One litter bearer, Francis X. Damico, T/5, xxxxxxxx, while evacuating a soldier wounded by enemy shell-fire was struck and decimated by an enemy shell.

Many replacements were received and processed by the regiment until 30th Jan 45.

The Regt’l Aid Section, during this period provided Medical and Dental service to the Regt’l. Rest Train Area where troops were rotated for a 24 hr rest.

At 0300, 30 Jan 45, the Regiment moved forward on the offensive with the mission of clearing the forest west of the main supply route, running from Krinkelt, Belgium to the Monschau Forest, Belgium, and on the east bounded by a line extending from Roderhohe on the south thru Rodenhuvel to Jagdhutte on the north. Second Bn., 393rd Inf., given the mission of Objective A, fought thru hip deep snow from Roderhohe into the forested area before Elsenbuchel, its objective. On 31 Jan, 1945, the 3rd and 1st Bns., 393rd Inf., echeloned in Bn. Column, in direct support to the rear, followed thru with 1st Bn on the left (and to the right of 1st Bn., 394th Inf.) and the 3rd Bn., 393rd Inf. on the right to take Objective B, at Hill 607, on 31 Jan.1945, and Objective C on Feb 1, 1945, south and east of Jagdhutte.

The Regiment was ordered out of the line about 1400, Feb 1, l945, having accomplished its mission successfully.

Each Bn. Aid Sta. and its personnel rendered superior medical support. During the period 1 Jan 45 through 1 Feb 45, 6 Battle casualties were treated and evacuated by the Regt’l. Aid Sta.; 32 Battle casualties were treated and evacuated by the 1st Bn. Sect.; 88 Battle casualties were treated and evacuated by the 2nd Bn. Sect.; 48 Battle casualties were treated and evacuated by the
3rd Bn. Section. A total of 24 exposure cases and 61 trenchfoot cases were evacuated during this period.

Adverse terrain features in evacuation, such as deep, light, crusty snow, extreme frost, later sudden thaw, and dense untravelled forest, were overcome by use of ski-type snow sleds, and Weasels. Litter bearer reinforcements were drawn from 324th Med. Bn., and A/T Co., 393rd Inf.
   
Our losses for the period 1 Jan 45 thru 1 Feb 45, were KIA 2; BC, 7;  NB 4.

About 225 exhaustion and exposure cases were salvaged at Bn. Aid. Stations following the action from 30 Jan 45 thru 1 Feb 45.


[signed]
MILTON J. COLE
MAJOR, MC
COMMANDING

MEDICAL DETACHMENT
393 Inf. APO 449
c/o Postmaster, New York, NY

6 March 1945

AFTER ACTION REPORT  FEBRUARY 1945

On Feb 1, 1945 the 393d Inf  Regiment was ordered out of combat, and placed in Division Reserve, at Elsenborn, Belgium until Feb. 5, 1945. On the latter ate, replacing the 16th Regt., First Division, the regiment motor marched to Krinkelt Wald east of Krinkelt, Belgium, with the 395th Inf on the left and the 394th Inf on the right. The regimental mission was to clear the Siegfried line of pillboxes, bunkers and mine fields in the vicinity of Ramsheid., Germany, on the north and Udenbreth, Germany on the south. The lst Bn 393d Inf with Co. K 393d Inf attached was assigned the mission for the former area, and the 2nd Bn 393d. Inf the mission in the latter area, with the 3rd Bn 393d Inf (less Co. K) in reserve.

The regiment having successfully completed its mission on Feb. 13, 1945, was ordered to Division reserve and motor marched to Born, Belgium. Here the regiment bivouaced, rested, and cleaned up until 19th Feb., l945 when the regiment motor marched to vicinity of Henri Chapelle, Belgium where the regiment remained in Division reserve until 28th Feb., 1945.

In the period Feb., 1, 1945 to Feb. 13, 1945 the 1st Bn Aid Station treated and evacuated 4 Battle casualties. The 2nd Bn Aid Station treated and evacuated 55 Battle casualties. The 3rd Bn Aid Station treated and evacuated 23 Battle casualties. Total number of Frost-bite cases treated were 43. Total number of Trenchfoot cases were 79. Total number of Combat exhaustion cases were 3.

Adverse features in evacuation were two man litter hauls thru narrow evacuation paths in mine fields. Forward collecting points were set up at Company CPs affording close medical support. Most severe casualties resulted from mine and booby trap explosions, resulting in traumatic amputation of the affected part.

Our losses as a Detachment for the month were: KIA 2, BC 3, NB 5, CE 2.

Citations for the month: Bronze Star – 4. Citations to date, Nov. 10, l944 to Feb. 26, l945; Bronze Star –  1 Officer and 7 EM, Certificate of Merit –  1 EM.

General Health of Command during Division reserve rest period. has remained excellent.


[signed]
MILTON J. COLE
MAJOR, MC
COMMANDING



Source:  National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 112, Appendix V, Office of the Division Surgeon, "Medical History 99th Infantry Division for Period 1 January 1945 to 31 August 1945," Box 9.