The Story of the 10th Armored Division cont.
For three crucial days tankers, doughs, and cannoneers lashed at the Germans, engaging superior forces, keeping them confused and occupied until III Corps could assemble sufficient strength for a counter-thrust to puch the salient back across the Sauer River Line. TF Chamberlain blocked the deepest German penetration in Mullerthal's "Bowling Alley," a deep draw which crescendoed on the battle's din. TF Riley ran a three-mile gauntlet of fire on three occasions to rescue infantrymen marooned in Echternach; TF Standish slashed northward to Berdorf, scene of bitter house-to-house fighting. A combat team under Capt. Steve Lang, Chicago, killed 200 Germans at Berdorf in an engagement fought partially at night in the torchlight of burning houses.
Meanwhile, two Nazi divisions were reported heading for a three-mile gap between the 9th Armd. and 28th Inf. Div.' lines. Lt. Col. Cornelius A. Lichirie's 90th Cav. Recon. Sqdn. plugged the gap, held fast.
CC A had jabbed and parried to keep the Germans off balance. Now it would deliver the solid punch. Jumping off at 1100, Dec. 24, the combat command cleared the area south of of the Sauer River within 24 hours. The southern anchor was secured.