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of the enemy-held town of Oeting by E and F Companies; Second, taking of high ground southwest, west
and northwest of Oeting by G and K Companies; Third, taking of the town of Oeting. Preparatory to the
attack the Second Battalion, Maj. T. R. Mataxis commanding, established a forward CP at Folkling with
right and left CP's from which to observe action in the first two phases.
Supporting the attack were the 93rd Armored Battalion, a platoon of 4.2 mortars and elements of the
2775th Engineers.
The attack began, as scheduled, at 0001 6 February when E and F Companies moved out along the road
running north from Gaubivingen, with E on the left, to accomplish the first phase. Enemy resistance was
not heavy and the objective was taken at 0507.
To accomplish the second phase, K and G Companies crossed the LD at 0630, K on the left. But now the
enemy was alert and these two attacking companies met heavy small arms, automatic weapon and
artillery fire. In spite of this stiff opposition, K and G attained their objective by 1100. Now the four companies
held high ground overlooking Oeting in a general horseshoe from southeast of the town, to the
south, to the southwest and up to the northwest.
But the opposition which was overcome by K and G Companies proved to be only a forerunner of
extremely stubborn enemy resistance that included heavy and accurate mortar and artillery fire, continued
small arms and automatic weapon fire, and, on the following day, fire from tanks. For the rest of 6
February the four companies held their positions on the limited objectives in the face of the mortar and
artillery pounding by the enemy. Our supporting weapons reduced the effectiveness of the enemy's
concentrations to some extent by counterbattery fire, but late in the afternoon this assistance still wa.s not
sufficient to permit a continuation of the attack into the town of Oeting.
By 1800 of 6 February we had taken 35 prisoners of war and had inflicted considerable casualties on the
enemy with our small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire, but we had also been suffering
casualties through the day, chiefly from the enemy's artillery and mortars.
As darkness approached, reports were received from F and G Companies that the large number of
enemy in Oeting made an attack on the town inadvisable. At the same time, the enemy renewed and
intensified his artillery fire on our positions. The Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion deemed it
unwise to launch an attack to carry out the third phase of the engagement so late in the day, mainly
because it was virtually certain to result in a night fight within the town.
Thus, the coming of night 6 February found our forces still holding the high ground of phases 1 and 2.
While this action had been taking place, O Company, assigned the mission of staging a raid into the town
of Behren to kill or capture all possible enemy, carried out this order by sending one platoon into the town.
Having carried out the mission, the platoon withdrew to its original position.
During the night of 6 February the four attacking companies strengthened their positions and were
prepared to lay down close in fires in case of counterattack. However, the night passed in comparative
quiet.
Shortly after daylight the enemy resumed his aggressive action against our positions with heavy fire from
artillery. At the same time enemy infantry commenced counterattacks through infiltration tactics. This
early morning action was beaten off, but later in the day there was additional infiltration supported by fire
from enemy tanks and by continued artillery and mortar fire. Our counterbattery fire reduced to some
extent the effectiveness of the enemy mortars and artillery, but never sufficiently to permit a renewal of
the attack. The infiltration counterattacks were successfully staved off in all instances, although the
second and third platoons of Company G had to withdraw to the CPL after receiving an attack from the
front, both flanks and the rear, and after vainly attempting to contact Company K.