Posted by Allan Wilford Howerton Link: Another Company K Story
on January 16, 2008, 4:10 pm, in reply to "Lt William Himburg co k 334th"
172.135.11.208
The battle of Verdenne, Belgium (December 24-26, 1944) was one of the more decisive actions halting the German drive to the Meuse River just northeast of Marche-en-femenne, the anchor point of the Allied defense of that area. Eighty-fourth division units involved included the 3rd. Battalion, 333rd Infantry (particularly Companies K and L), the 3rd. Battalion, 334rd Infantry (especially Companies A and K), and Company B, 771st. Tank Battalion. The battle was complex and is described in detail on pages 95-99 of the division history, "The 84th Infantry Division in the Battle of Germany" by Lt. Thedore Draper (Viking Press, NY: 1946). Per this account, Company K-334, was involved in the initial attack which was commenced at 3 p.m. December 24 in an effort retake the town after the Germans had initially occupied it. Casualties were heavy. By 1 a.m. on December 25, when a second attack was launched, Company K-334 was reportedly down to about 40 men. This second attack proceeded into woods beyond the town which the Germans had entered earlier. Lt. Himburg was likely wounded in one or the other of these attacks.
Another good source pertaining to Verdenne is "The Men of Company K" by Harold P. Leinbaugh and John D. Campbell (William Morrow & Company, 1985). Leinbaugh was the commander of Company K, 333rd Infantry and Campbell was his deputy. Both of these books are out of print but reprints or used copies many often be obtained through various Internet booksellers.
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