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One night, as the guards on tanks doing artillery support were firing off and on at the same time, they were subject to infiltrators of the Germans.  One guard, while on duty on his tank, reported that he heard something moving, to his driver.  It would move slowly, stop, move slowly, stop, to a point where he couldn't see an outline, but he could see movement and he gave a challenge of a guard of someone approaching him and received no reply.

But the thing advanced.  A second challenge, no reply.  The guard, took his machine gun and pulled off about ten shots at what he thought was moving.  He heard some crashing and thrashing and so forth and got the crew awake.  They investigated and found a very nice two year old steer had been killed, that was roaming the area and didn't know the password.

The company ate well for the next few days.  The company was in a bivouac area at Villers Les Proud farm 12 October.  The tankdozer dug an area out, and we would pull our tank over it to use for shelter.  It made a nice rest 'till 8 November.”

From the 702nd Tank Battalion S-2 Journal: October 1st;

"4:00pm-Enemy positions unchanged-enemy holding Mt. Toulon and Mt. St. Jean-digging in on all positions.  5:00pm-Recon. Sgt. Schaeffer reports ground one kilometer above Leyr very poor for traffic-reports heavy enemy artillery and anti-tank fire.  Also small arms fire.  Reports tanks being  bogged down in area.  The 6th Armored Division has a command post in Leyr.  7:00pm-enemy maintained outpost line along east bank of Seille River, and continue to shell our forward positions.  Midnight-Prisoners of War: 4.  Total to date: 3642.  Tanks: none.  Total to date: 64.  Third United States Army Anti-Aircraft-Artillery Intelligence reports plane totals: S.W. Germany 220 S.E.F., 110 T.E.F.  N.W. Germany 470 S.E.F., 280 T.E.F.  Total: 690 S.E.F. and 390 T.E.F."

From the Headquarters Company Diary: 1 October;

"Recon. Platoon working with "A", "B", and "C" Companies.  Mortar Platoon in position across the Moselle River from Dieulouard.  No firing done.  Assault Gun Platoon in position across Moselle River from Dieulouard.  60 rounds fired at 8:00pm.  Company overhead section located in woods southwest of town of Dieulouard on road to Toul.  Weather cloudy with rain."

From the Service Company Diary; 1 October;

"All Company Commanders will keep a diary"...Signed, Talbot.  A miserable day with a steady, cold rain falling, and the mud becoming slicker and deeper as men and vehicles move about.  And now this, adding a daily page to the diary, so that posterity may know and read about the accomplishments of, and obstacles confronting this organization.

"This Organization" is Service Company, 702nd Tank Battalion, commanded by Captain Dale G. Roberts.  It is composed of a rugged bunch of men and boys, hard workers, all of them.  Ready to fight anytime and more than ready to get back to the good old U.S.A..  Editing the daily sheet has been allotted to the junior officer, namely, yours truly, 1st Lt. Charles Muellersman.  Compiling the data will be the duty of all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men of this company.  Captain Sidney Cohen of Headquarters Company leads our supply section, assisted by W.O.J.G. John J. O'Brien and Captain Russell B. Juckett heads our Maintenance Platoon, assisted by W.O.J.G. Vernette M. Thompson.  The always difficult and frequently nerve-wracking Transportation Platoon is very capably handled by 1st Lt. Edgar J. Swanin.  The enlisted men will be introduced as this narrative progresses, and it is hoped that in due time, all will be mentioned.

The very busy First Sergeant, Vincent J. Rueve, was surprised upon consulting his duty roster, to find that he is Sergeant of the Guard tonight, and will probably spend the day pouring over the names of the men present to make sure everyone does his two hours.  He'll probably get everything messed up!  Today is Sunday!  Ouch---what a life, or better still, what does that mean?  Sunday?  Just another day, with another rain, more and more mud, more fighting, more work, more sweating and cussing and T.S. slips to be punched.  What price glory?  Where oh where is that peace we are fighting and waiting for?  We had braised beef for supper.  What?  Where did the cow come from?  How should I know?  It tasted awfully good, and that satisfied me, Mess Sergeant Pacocha and First Cook Davis.  They have already promised steaks for tomorrow!  What, again?  I tell you, I don't give a damn where it comes from, as long as it lands in my mess kit!"