The new month began to the tune of 'march order'. It had been decided that the terrain to our east between the Lippe and Rhur Rivers was generally more suitable to the employment of infantry divisions than armor. As a result the Division was withdrawn from what was then the western boundary of the 'Rhur Pocket', and it was sent on a flanking movement north of the Lippe River toward the east.

At 0705 the Battalion departed from Timmerbrink, marching through Dorsten across the Lippe and thence eastwards. Pontoon bridges north of Dorster slowed the march down initially by creating a one-way traffic bottle-neck. This delay was of some benefit, however, because it provided us with an opportunity to view some of the wreckage created by the unit in supporting the attack upon that city streets were in the process of being cleared by dozers and other equipment. Dead German soldiers still lay here and there where they had fallen. While the city was in a generally 'beat up condition' it bore witness to the fact that cellars afforded fairly good protection against light artillery.

The route of march included the towns of Brennenburg, Lippramsdorf, Haltern, Fullern, and Olfen to an assembly area in the vicinity of Selm. The Battalion occupied billets in separate farms with Headquarters located at Strater. The total distance marched approximately 38.6 miles, and the unit closed in at the new area at 1300. The afternoon was spent in doing maintenance and checking over civilians and the area generally.

Early in the evening Col Dawson was called to a meeting at CC 'A' and the unit was maintained in a state of preparedness for march order. At around 2300 it was learned that the move east would continue the following morning.

Sgt Scott Phillips and Cpl Theodore E. Psuty, Headquarters Battery were awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received as a result of enemy action on 28 March 1945, paragraph 1, General Order Number 18, Headquarters, 48th Field Hospital, APO 339, dated 30 March 1945.

Lt William Hanmer, Headquarters Battery was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received as a result of enemy action in accordance with paragraph 2, General Order Number 23, Headquarters, 105th Evacuation Hospital , dated 29 March 1945.

On 2 April 1945 the Battalion continued eastward, marching a distance of 69 miles to Wiethaupt Germany, arriving at 2045. While numerous delays enroute interrupted the smoothness of the march, they afforded ample opportunity to view the countryside and to take cognizance of the liberated people of all nationalities who were to be seen progressing to the west. Whether they were French or Belgian on the one hand or Russian or Polish on the other, these liberated folk progressed westward seeking the quickest egress from Germany, regardless of their ultimate destination. While they were glad to see U.S. soldiers, extending hearty greetings to us, they were people unused to freedom, whose spirit seemed to be well broken. Rehabilitation would take a long time.

Cities passed during the march included Kapelle, Wastedde, Archlen, Beckum, Wiedenbruck, Kirchen, Hovelhoff, and Haustenbecn. Along toward the end of the march units of the 2d Armored Division were encountered.

Inasmuch as we were deep in enemy territory which had been only hastily overrun by units proceeding us, the Battalion was laid to afford all around protective fires during the night and strict blackout was observed. During the night 'C' Battery captured one prisoner who attempted to go through its position.

The Division was apparently given the mission of working on the 'Rhur Pocket' from the northeast, for on the following day the Battalion went under CC "A" control, and moved to the southwest with CC 'A' attacking with two task forces. One battery was attached to each task force leaving the third in general support. At 160003 March 1945, the Battalion departed from Wiethaupt, marching through Delbruck and Goeske west to Eikelch where resistance was encountered, arriving at 2400. Units of the first Army were enjoying a well earned rest at Goeske. FDC was set up at the firing battery positions and the remainder of Headquarters Battery stayed about one mile to the east.

The Battalion continued in this position throughout 4 March, firing 403 rounds in support of the attack. Early in the morning of 4 March CC 'A' had overcome resistance west of Eikeloh, and it progressed south. The Battalion departed Eikeloh at 1000 and marched 12 miles to Effeln arriving at 1245 where it continued to support the forward elements which had been stopped temporarily by units of the 116th Panzar Division west of Ulde. At 1945 the unit departed Effeln and marched 3 miles to Ulde. The attack had progressed so rapidly that for a period of about four hours the third battery was not used. In the evening both batteries with the right task force were grouped together firing H & I missions during the night. Ammunition expenditure for the day totaled 329 rounds.

On 6 April action continued in the same vicinity, and FDC displaced around 1100 to Lendhoff, operating adjacent to the firing battery positions. Shortly after its arrival a 105 dud landed right outside the operations room adjacent to the S-3 half-track causing no damage. During the night of 6 March the 405th AFA Battalion was attached giving CC 'A' FA Battalion per task force and permitting the Battalion to be grouped together for the first time in several days. During the day 352 rounds were expended.