sleeping. The Company began descending through the woods to Hammer on the Roer at 1530 on February 2nd, 1945. A six-man patrol was dispatched across the Roer to gather vital intelligence on the enemy, but it encountered strong opposition and was forced to turn around. Units of the 102nd Cavalry relieved the Company at Hammer, from where "F" Company boarded trucks and rode to Rollesbroich. Early on February 9th, the fox men were prepared to leave the positions, but they were instructed to return to their shelters and wait for further orders. After dinner, they quickly set out for a sugar beet farm from which they could view the devastated town of Schmidt. The German shells started thundering again as soon as the men began digging in the beet field. The Germans had heavily mined this region, and "Achtung, Minen!" signs were widespread. They remained in the field of beets until the next day when they left for Schmidt. As soon as the soldiers began to move, a battery of 81-Mm mortars unleashed a continuous stream of shells over their heads. After a bloody battle, other battalions of the Regiment broke through the highly defended northern end of the town, cleaned it out, and proceeded past. 500 German soldiers had been killed or captured or dispersed. The Company was stationed in the town's cellars and devastated homes. Lt. Richard M. Jones led the First Platoon, Lt. Dallas E. Dimmer led the Fourth, Lt. Richard Neuman led the Third, and Lt. Roger T. Duncan joined Fox Company. The Company's executive officer was Lt. Robert Tastor. Fox was then informed of the impending drive through the Cologne Plains, and the men underwent training in the woods southwest of Schmidt in Eicherscheid. In one of the training sessions, Lt. Bowman introduced a group of men who had distinguished themselves through outstanding initiative and bravery in the fighting that had taken place up to that point: "I am recommending Pfc George E. Hershberger for a Bronze Star for his high level of courage," S-Sgt Donald G. Warner ("Because of his small size, you would not judge him to be a real fighter, but do not underestimate him"), S-Sgt Leonard H. Hampton ("A humorous, good-natured fellow, but a real fighter"), and Pfc William C. Crates ("He can really lay down a stream of fire from his BAR"). Units of the 309th arrived at their objective,