"From 19-25 December the 12th was opposed by a new division on the western front, the 257th Volksgrenadier Division, which was fighting a defensive action. Very light small arms and automatic weapons fire, with vey infrequent artillery fire, marked the enemy's defense. Prisoners of war were apprehended by our patrols with no difficulty and all these prisoners described a low state of morale in their division, a result of a lack of preparatory training, a shortage of food, and the effectiveness of our artillery.
"A propaganda warfare broadcast on the right of our lines by the Psychological Warfare Branch of the 7th Army netted no substantial results, chiefly because of close surveillance by the German officers and non-coms of their soldiers. Our artillery previously had fired 50 rounds of propaganda leaflets on 15 December. German divisions of this type were rarely up to full fighting strength. Occassionally, a Kraut PW would tell the interrogation team that his comrades were only waiting for a chance to surrender. The propaganda leaflets were designed to make friends and influence the enemy into coming over to our lines.
"On 18 December the division was reorganized and regrouped. The following day the 92nd Cav. Ren. relieved the 4th Arm'd screening elements and the forward elements of the 80th Inf. Div. then threw out a counter-reconnaissance screen along the division's front and maintained contact with the 87th Inf. Div. on the left flank and the 44th Inf Div on the right flank. CCB moved from Butten to Bettviller, relieving elements of the 25th Cav. Ren. sq. and 80th Inf Div and protecting the left flank of the XV Corps. In addition, CCB picked out a CP which, unfortunately, the Jerries had 'zeroed-in'. The large home on the hillside received direct hits the first day that CCB set up shop. A radio half-track was demolished, and a few casualties were sustained.
"CCA moved from Wolfskirchen to Singling on 20 December to take its place on the battle line. It was alerted to move north or northwest on three hours notice at any time after 0700, 21 December. The remainder of the division moved to forward assembly areas, with elements of Col. Bromley's CCB engaging in minor patrol activities.
-----
"On Christmas Day the frozen ground was covered by snow and with American propaganda leaflets which had been dropped short by a bomber during the previous night. Christmas Day proved to be a hectic one for some front line units. The 56th AIB received a determined enemy attack, which the doughfeet courageously threw back. In this attack the Germans were in plain view from all vantage points as they came out of their foxholes, garbed in their long green overcoats which were swaying in the bitter cold wind. As they slowly made their way in haphazard formations toward the Hellcat front lines, the division artillery, directed by front line forward observers, was having a field day. Previously planned fire plans were used to perfection as burst after burst brought terror to the oncoming enemy. Infantry mortar platoons were also brought into the fray, and their fire created further havoc for the Germans. The attack soon lost favor with the Krauts, who retired to their lines under a continuous fire.
"Mess sections prepared delicious Christmas food which was taken to front lines to enjoy. Although enemy artillery fire ws experienced (several Christmas dinners were interrupted), mail, pachages, and hot food combined to make Christmas Day a memorable one for the Hellcats."