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PHASE XII 135th INFANTRY REGIMENT HISTORY (Cont’d)
positions was occupied in an area north 500 yards from MONZUNO.
The 1st Battalion at 0830 hours [8:30AM] had located enemy dugouts a mile North MONZUNO LUICI; Company “C” was on Hill 413 and “A” Company on Hill 405. The 2nd Battalion passed through the 3rd Battalion at 2005 hours [8:05PM] and the 1st and 2nd Battalions prepared to resume the attack on the morning of October the 13th. The weather was such that even bulldozers were being mired in the mud. Patrols sent out by both Battalions brought back sparse reports. The Regiment was receiving mortar fire and TOT’s were placed on suspected enemy mortar positions, including an area where 18 to 24 artillery pieces were believed to be located. Two bombing missions were sent out. The 1st Battalion was getting S/P fire from BRENTO and VAL DEL FOSSO and TOT’s were ordered against those areas. During this period “C” Company had 34 casualties by severe mortar and artillery fire. The same situation prevailed here as it did in moving up to Cassino. Movement of our troops could be picked up easily and vice versa due to the fact that the weather even though fair, was perfect for observation. Meanwhile, on the 1_ of October on a verbal order (from the Commanding Officer, 135th Infantry) the 2nd Battalion’s Commanding Officer made a trial reconnaissance for moving the 2nd Battalion to the vicinity of LA LE CROCO to relieve the 1st Battalion, 362nd Infantry, 91st Division. The 2nd Battalion crossed the IP/IF? At 1600 hours [4:00PM] and relieved the 1st Battalion, 362nd Infantry by 2400hours [midnight]. “A” Company got one platoon across the SAVENA River due East of MONTE IMICI {MONTERUMICI} ½ mile, using the covering fire of machine guns, rifles and bazookas, capturing VERASOLE. Eighteen prisoners were captured and 10 killed. On the evening of the same day the remainder of the company moved to the same location. There was no change in positions of the rest of the Battalion. The weather was fair on this day of the 13th of October. Throughout this day, active patrolling was maintained. Patrols from “G” Company went as far North as LE FOSSE. Patrols from “F” Company went as far North as LAGLI, the 2nd Battalion CP area at LA LE CROCO. At 2030 hours [8:30PM], an order was received from the Commanding Officer, 135th Infantry to attack at 2200 hours [10:00PM], to take the objectives,
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DRAFT DRAFT PHASE XII 135TH INFANTRY REGIMENT HISTORY (Cont’d)
LE FOSSA (“G” Company) and LAGLIA (“F” Company). The companies moved out at 2200 hours [10:00PM] but were unable to advance more than 200 or 300 yards due to heavy enemy small arms fire. Enemy was in dug-in positions, impossible to see in the daylight hours due to excellent camouflage. In regards to the 1st Battalion’s actions at this time, “A” Company crossed the SAVENA River and took LA FIANA/PIANA?, only after a fierce hand-to-hand fight with hand grenades and small arms. Eighteen of the enemy were captured and eight killed in the determined stand by the German troops at that point. “G” Company attempted to cross the SAVENA River a short time later, but were forced back after suffering 26 casualties from intense mortar and small arms fire. “B” Company, then, passed through “A” Company and took LA TOMBA after a brief small arms fight. Many casualties were suffered due to the numerable thick mine fields. The 1st Battalion had its Command Post near LA VILLA. The Battalion had one company across the SEVENA River and secondary defenses in the rear with two companies. During the night of the 13th-14th of October Company’s “F” and “G” reached their objectives but were strongly counter-attacked and were forced to withdraw to their former positions. “G” Company with the 2nd Platoon, of Company “H” attached withdrew to within 200 yards of their former positions and dug-in positions. Everything seemed quiet until about 0900 hours [09:00AM], the 14th of October, when the entire Company position was subjected to heavy MG and mortar fire. Immediately after the fire lifted, the enemy moved in over-running one platoon’s position. Harassing MG fire covered the rest of the positions preventing the other platoons helping the 1st Platoon. The enemy continued this until all of “G” Company had been over-run and disorganized. The Company “G” Commander, Capt. Miles, and 14 men from “G” Company and about 14 men from “H” Company were believed captured. The rest of the men who were not killed or wounded infiltrated back to the rear CP of “G” Company. On the 13th of October, 1944, the 3rd Battalion received word to join the remainder of the Regiment in the 91st Division sector. A reconnaissance party went over to locate
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DRAFT DRAFT PHASE XII 135TH INFANTRY REGIMENT HISTORY (Cont’d)
positions. The Battalion Commander went to a staff meeting at 1315 hours [1:15PM]. Results were that the reconnaissance party was called back. The 3rd Battalion was alerted at 1330 hours [1:30PM]. At 1400 hours [2:00PM] the 3rd Battalion Commander met the Company Commanders and announced that we were now attached to CCA, 1st Armored Division, and were to be recommitted at 1630 hours [4:30PM]. Objectives were the ones previously taken. Company “K” to go to Hill 410*, “L” to Hill 469, and Company “I” was in Battalion reserve. The attack was to be preceded by an artillery barrage for fifteen minutes, and then a rolling barrage as the attack progressed. The support consisted of two 240 MM guns, six 155 rifles, 125th Artillery Battalion. The attack moved slowly and increased enemy resistance was encountered. Difficulty was obtained from our artillery because as put, “A rolling barrage doesn’t roll against mountain cliffs”. Casualties resulted from our artillery. At 1900 hours [7:00PM] the forward elements had reached the vicinity of Hill 410, Company “L” captured two prisoners from the 3rd Company of R_n, Bn., 16th SS Division, west 200 yards of Hill 410, who had been in position only three days. A doubtful statement was “Food received regularly but ammunition slowly”. The attack continued fairly well during the night, but was haunted by the increased mortar and artillery fire. The 3rd Battalion stopped at about 2400 hours [midnight] and reorganized for the night. On October the 14th the 135th Regiment, keeping “G” Company of the 757th Tank Battalion, one platoon of TD’s and one platoon of Chemical mortars, passed to the command of the CCA. The remainder of the units reverted to their parent organizations. We maintained heavy harassing fire[s] all day on known and suspected enemy positions. “C”/”G”? Company was heavily counter-attacked by a superior force on three sides near LA FOSSE and was forced to withdraw to their former position in the vicinity of LAVIANNO. The 1st Battalion attacked at 2300 hours [11:00PM] with “B” Company passing through “A” Company and going toward LA TOMBA, (across the river) and Hill 395. The 2nd Battalion attacked at about the same hour with “E” Company going North toward LAGLIA and “_” Company going North-west toward LA FOSSE. “B” Company reached LA TOMBA, meeting only scattered resistance, but a fight developed for the locality where nine prisoners were taken. The Germans *2nd LT Barnett was attached to Company “K”
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