Cliff Hope writes The information our officers had at that time, as set forth in our battalion's after action report for 1 October, was that the enemy, situated behind the Siegfried Line, was preparing a "do or die" stand along the line. The terrain along this sector, the Belgium-Luxembourg border, was a high plateau with small streams and wooded areas throughout. The Germans were using "poor quality convalescents and aged: to fill the fixed fortifications (machine gun and antitank forts), while good quality troops remained in rear areas to counterattack in case of a breach in positions. The estimated enemy strength in the sector was about 30,000 men and 40 tanks. Because of a severe shortage in armor, the enemy refrained from using them offensively. Included in the force were 14 battalions of artillery. The enemy was believed to have 6,500 men for a tactical reserve and a maximum reserve of two divisions, made up of either newly mobilized forces or units withdrawn from Scandinavia, for a strategic reserve. An entry in my diary for this period said the Belgian underground seemed to be very similar to the FFI. Members wore black, yellow, and red armbands and rode around in low-built black sedans, not unlike Chicago gangsters.
Headquarters Battery moved to a new bivouac area in another spruce grove on October first. It was quite close to the German border, near the village of Grufflange, (the French Michelin-map spelling: the German spelling is Grufflingen). We soon learned we were in a German-speaking area and among a number of Nazi sympathizers. I made the comment that the men looked like A. Hitler and the women like Mrs. Pruneface (a Dick Tracy Character). the weather turned cold and rainy. One morning Okie Henderson, Bruno and I decided to dig our double tent in. We finally gave up, realizing all we were digging was a mud hole. For two days in a row, I had to dig sump holes for garbage. Six members of one party and Lieutenant Tyler went deer hunting, after learning that the 17th FOB, whom we were replacing, had shot 17 deer.
Headquarters Battery moved to a new bivouac area in another spruce grove on October first. It was quite close to the German border, near the village of Grufflange, (the French Michelin-map spelling: the German spelling is Grufflingen). We soon learned we were in a German-speaking area and among a number of Nazi sympathizers. I made the comment that the men looked like A. Hitler and the women like Mrs. Pruneface (a Dick Tracy Character). the weather turned cold and rainy. One morning Okie Henderson, Bruno and I decided to dig our double tent in. We finally gave up, realizing all we were digging was a mud hole. For two days in a row, I had to dig sump holes for garbage. Six members of one party and Lieutenant Tyler went deer hunting, after learning that the 17th FOB, whom we were replacing, had shot 17 deer.
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