For their next mission, the Rangers became a part of General Patton's Third U. S. Army, and were further attached to the Sixth Cavalry Group for operations.

        It was a cold, muddy December Ist when the Rangers moved out for their next campaign. "A" Company joined Troop "A" of the Sixth Cavalry Squadron at Longeville les St. Avold, -- "D" Company joined Troop "B" of the Sixth Cavalry Squadron at an assembly area in the vicinity of St. Avold, -- and the remainder of the battalion moved as far as Porcelette on trucks and then marched to Grunhoff. A five man patrol was sent out from Grunhoff to reconnoiter the town of Diesen, and that night, the battalion moved up, setting up the Command Post in Diesen.

        Next morning, "B" and "E" Companies attacked, crossing the Diesen-Carling Road and advancing Northeast. "C" Company followed, one hour later, and the entire attacking force met scattered but stubborn resistance, and heavy artillery fire bursting in the tree tops, hindered but could not stop the advancing Rangers. That night, Company "C" moved into position, contacting Company "C" of the Tenth Infantry on its left and Company "E" on its right.

        Meanwhile, Company "D", after a brief reconnaissance of L'Hopital, attacked the town under the supporting fires furnished by Sixth Cavalry's Troop "B" and a Cannon Company of the Tenth Infantry. The Rangers advanced despite the heavy enemy artillery and small arms fire, but ran into very determined resistance in the center of the town, and since they had no ar-