American casualties were climbing, both from frequent German counterattacks and the cost of storming pillboxes.Whiting (1976), pp. 113–114 The Germans had spent the night of 10 October turning cellars of houses in the town of Bardenberg into fortified pillboxes; American attackers were forced to withdraw and instead shell the town into submission.Hitler's Army, p. 329 On 12 October, the Germans launched a major counterattack against the American 30th Infantry Division.Yeide (2005), p. 80 It was disrupted by heavy artillery fire and well-placed anti-tank defenses.Yeide (2005), pp. 80–81 At the village of Birk, a three-hour fight broke out between German tanks and a single American Sherman; the Sherman managed to knock out an enemy Panzer IV and force another one to withdraw, but was soon attacked by others.Whiting (1976), p. 115 This lone tank was eventually joined by elements of the 2nd Armored Division, and the Germans were driven from the town.Whiting (1976), pp. 115–116 The 30th Infantry Division soon found itself in defensive positions all along its front; nevertheless, it was ordered to continue pushing south for its intended link-up with the 1st Infantry Division.Whiting (1976), pp. 117–118 To accomplish this, two infantry battalions from the 29th Infantry Division were attached to the hard-pressed 30th.Yeide (2005), p. 81
