2nd Battalion. Continued to occupy defensive positions with no enemy contact throughout the period. A group of Russian soldiers, including some women, met with Lt Col MCDONALD at his C.P. at 1930. Battalion S-2 and S-4 and detachment of enlisted men from Headquarters Company continued Military Government functions in preparation for receiving DPs in northern portion of Regimental sector West of the river.
3rd Battalion. Minus K and M companies attached to 1st Battalion and L Company in Division reserve, continued Millitary Government operation in preparation for receiving DPs in Regimental sector West of the River. Kitchens were set up in BRIETEN-HAGEN, LADDERIZ, and KLEIN ROSENBURG, prepared to feed one thousand people a day in each kitchen. Patrols sent to each town in Regimental area to check on law and order.
At 1100 word was received that the Battalion could expect from two to three thousand DPs late in the afternoon. At 1400 this number was decreased to six hundred--expected time of arrival unknown. At close of period the DPs had not arrived. Six Russian Officer PWs sent down by Regiment to assist in the processing of dispslaced persons.
8 Prisoners captured.
2 May 1945
At 1630, colonel YORK left for the States for a forty-five day leave after thirty-three months overseas. Lt. Col. HENRY NEILSON assumed command of the Regiment.
3 May 1945
3rd Battalion. At 0600 Western European DPs departed for Division entraining point. At 0900 the first group of incoming DPs arrived in GROSS ROSENBURG and the processing of them was started. A total of 1065 DPs was received by 1230. At 1400 word was received that the Battalion could expect 1000 more DPs on the 4th of May.
4 May 1945
1st Battalion. At 1800 the Battalion was informed that the Russians would advance on the 4th of May and that the Battalion would be prepared to move West of the Elbe sometime tomorrow. All men to wear a white armband on the left arm as a means of identification to the Russian forces.
5 May 1945
At 0645 word was received from Division that the elements of the Regiment in the bridgehead area would move to the area West of the Elbe River, leaving two reinforced companies to form an outpost shell for the entire Regimental sector until contact was made with Russian forces.
7 May 1945
I and L Companies which were in the process of being shuttled to the new area at the end of the previous period closed into HALBERSTADT at 0220. Remainder of Service Company closed into ZELLY at 1200. Throughout the day elements of the Regiment started the task of the organization of Military Government installations and functions in the Regimental sector. All elements began rehabilitation and resupply of troops and equipment.
Colonel Neilson visited all Battalions and reviewed the notes given out at Division Commander's meeting on the 6th of May in which all elements were instructed to stress military courtesy, discipline, dress, and proper conduct.
At 1705 word was received from Division that the war would be officially over at 0001 on the 9th of May. This news was an anti-climax to all as the war as we had known it was over when the counter-attack on the 18th of April in the Elbe River bridge head against the First Battalion sector was finally repulsed. At 2155 Regiment was advised that on the 8th of May we would send elements to an area in the vicinity of SEESEN near the HARZ MOUNTAINS to relieve elements of the Second Aromored Division there and also maintain control of the present area until relieved by elements of the 30th Division.
27 May 1945
As this is Sunday and the day selected for the observance of Memorial Day, all activities were reduced to a minimum. Parades were held in each of the Battalion areas with the Division Band participating after which Church Services were held for all faiths honoring the men of this and other units who had given their lives for the preservation of peace.