":",,~,.,:,,, "~

{;~l:'.(.: ":: _ ":;...:;f/ .AAR/i 563

AFTER' AQTION' '--REPORT

54TH AmID INF. BATTALI01;

. - ..........

THIS DOC OMEN! Is 'l'HEPROPERTY OF ,AND S tDULD BE R,~TURNED TO, THE CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT SECTION, F:TELLIGENCE DIVISION, S-2,

BUWING T-5, (T-1782).

.' .,:.

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'II'~' '

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HEADJ,UART~ '54'rH ARHOR3D INFAiHRY BArrTALIOl~ 10TH ARi:ORED DIVISION

!PO 260 u. s. AR1.;Y

AFT"~ ACTION REPORT December 1, 1944 - December ~1, 1944 (Incl.)

I. PERSONNIl, a. December 5 - 6 (Incl.)

1. Hq/54 8-o-~

Hq 00/54 4-o-1~

A/'54 (- 2 Plat) 2-0-9'>

B/54 4-0-176

~v/54 ~~-8~

Med/'54 ~-o-28

Bill '5-o-10'S

n/l1 5-0-108

F1at/'5,) l-o-~4

Plat 0/90 1-0-19

Tota 1 ~6~-80')

(a) Killed-o 1'Iounded -0 giuing-o

b. Uecember 17 - 'S1 (Incl.) B~ginning of Period E:nd of Period

1. Hq/54 9-0-)0 9-0-27 Hq Co/54 ~-o-127 )-0-122

Co B/54 4-0-169 }-o-129 ~v/54 '5-2-71 4-2-61 Med/54 2-0-21 2-0-16 0/21 5-0-104 4-0-89 0/55 (Plat) 1-0-41 1-0-40 Plat n/~ l-o-2~ 2-0-,) Plat 0/90 1-0-20 1~-19

Total ;1-2-606 29-2-5,6

Eiaaing 0-0-2 Killed 0-0-9

Hoapi ta 1. (N BC) }-o-49 (b) Gaina-Returned to Duty ~-o-29 Replacements O-o-}

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AFTER AOTION R~PORT (Oontinued)

II E:.: El:Y a. Identificationa I

5O~rd K.G., 560th V.G., 1128th Inf Regt, 1129 Regt., 11,0 lnf Regt. 26th V.G.,;'9th Inf Regt, 77th Inf Regt, 78th Inf Regt. 15th pz. Grenadier DiVision, l15th pz. Grenadier Regt. Panzer Lehr DiVision, 90lat pz. Grenadier Regt, 902nd pz. Grenadier Regt,

~rd Arty Bn, 5th AM hcUiM !)1viaion, 14th Parachute Regt, 15th Parachute Regt. , "6"~

b. Summary of Enemy Operations and Lo.sesl

,fhlle at Merzig, Germany, enemy restricted to active patrolling inside our lines because of his heving to hold a defensive on the east bank of the Saer River. Enemy losse. for the period cannot be accurately determined. Positive contact was never obtained and our operations were restricted to artillery.

Bastogne, Belgium. When this Battalion w~a committed the 3ermanl winter CO'lmter offenaive was at i tl peak. Hi., aggreuive high morale, wga evident on all sides. Employing tanks and infantry wi th occasional air support, he wu able to pueh forward alm:..t at will. His reckleaness accounted for his losing heavily in armor snd infantry.

Enemy losses included twenty (20) Matk IV tanks, two (2) self-propelled aSlault guns 75mm, five (5) personnel carriers, two (2) Volkswagons, one (1) car~o truck, and an undetermined amount killed or wounded.

III. OUR OPERATIO:\]S I

a. FCRCES gr,JAG3:D: 1. See paragraph 1 a and 1 b.

b. StJl.~}1ARY CF OPERATIO~~S DAY BY DAY I 1. See daily q-~ periodic reporte.

~. R:~~P'LTS OF OP~ATIO!~r:; DAY BY nAY I 1. See daily S-? periodic reports.

- 2 - .

AFTSR ACTION REPORT (continued)

IV- SUPPLY ANt) EVAO.UATION

a. If a situation such as the one recently encountered in Ba8to~e, Belgium should occur again, it i. highly recommended that rations, gasoline, ammunition, etc., carried on B trains, b, dumped prior to 8ending the B trains outside of the ~ncircled ar~a.

V. RP%)OM::F:mATIONS I a. The ratio of infantry to tank8 should never be lowered to such

an extent that there i8n't enough infantry to prot~ct the

tanka available.

b. ThRt We leave our 57mm Anti-Tank guns behind, and let the

per80nnel of that platoon compri8e another rifle platoon.

c. That on~ SCR ,00 be i8sued per company; two per Battalion Headqu~rters.

d. That more telephones be issued to Headquarters Company. Four

per aS8ault gun platoon, four per machine ~un platoon.

e. That wire team8 of at least nine men be part, of our T/o. f. When operation8 where kitchens cannot support, one cook be aSSigned

to each platoon.

g. That company and battalion maintenance sta~ within supporting distance.

For th~ Battalion Commander:

('~~ .j1/:iz.~,~< ( ,U.RIlEN B. 1tASK~LL Major, Inf,

~xecutive Officer.

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1 "

IlADl1Wt'f.. flAIl 0'IAIA IPO 260 u. s. ARMY

A". AOfICli R!POIl!

I. OUI ottifIO. POll !lIft 0' JAlUm, 1",1 A. .111 VI'fRD flAM C,UIA PROM 1 .,8 ., to 16 .,M ,.,.

s,r~..~ ;,4 .Pl'aPia''1.' Oa. SIll WJ!IIDf tUM O'DIA PItOI( 191M ., to ,11M 4,

..",.

:M.~..",. cI/54alii I Pl/1",

, .. b. PI/itAl

I. ".. 1 Ian to 16 I.nl ~, ..... O'HW vaa .ttaohM. to lObt Airbol'lle Dlnal_ wl'h t.... t clef_cll", I'STOCIII, .!L()l~. T... OIDIA \htle rn.r.,. tor the 101lt Airborne 1)l'ridon on a thirty Ill' 1.n- nurt., ~1. tt ta.k '0.... O'IARA ft. o..billOd with ta.k ren. OIIlRt wi\It OI!!Rftt 111 .....n.. .

,.... 17 J.II ., W ao .I 4', , ... O'IIARA _tor .aroh trOll ...to.....1,1ta to otte1l,', Pr.n.o. 'hn to 'eraaTilla, ".anoe ...1_oul'\, ,na., .oftal .pla a clq \0 _.r, ".ano:

,.... 21 J.ft ., \e ,1 I .. ,." t.bo _\lr. \ .....a .,r,anl4 .......a '0 \raln under a 'ralnln, aahaclu1. ,-, out ~ Team o'lARAIa.a,,.re_

II. laGIAI'f 0' OPDAfI~ Dlt IT DQ'I I .,.. ~ - .a~1 . 01r aad u. .

t ... 0'iAal ... tho.tl. rery' tor th. ,01., Paraohute Re.lm.n',

lOin Al..."" Dlft.!oa .nd w. OIl a thirty .1nut. alert. '!'ho .1JlIt

_a la .e Yl.lIl1V .f 11"17 aDeI .,... O(URA r ...lnod on elert at

, ....\1...\1...ntIa ..., 0' ..ne, ,.lll-- ". r ...l ..d la,."l.''-' ar\111.". tir. 011 oW' ,..1\lou elurla, _'1ro d.,.

Lew t1Jia& _~ plaa. wr. or that a!&bt, Mwe dld aot drop

.Q .......UP poolUt"'All t.ra.,o ot , ... O'8A~A vore ~ald thl. day.

Il_ " - .otlle.. a 01.... and aold. .

III..,. .1'\1110"'" .onUnu to taU lnt.ol'llit.tent.q on ,001Uon_ !hr..

_a.y ,lall....1t trland1, p1Uon \0 our 1'0rt.h alto,"" 1,00 ,ardo

.. O. h...., w.aponupport an attaok 1t1 ,olot raraohut. Intantr,

t.Il...p .04. Yi.lnl", 0' 11.017. o-paQ .I, 54\h Arad Int ID.,

wa 11.d .ut. .\ 191t t.o alo.o aaP.' b.t.wan ~1.t. Pbutat. ancl .1._t. ot \h. ~ih 'nd DlYl 011 01l \heir !"llh'

I ... !'ea o...... n. 1~11T 0' OPmATION' illY It !)lY' (oo..U8ued)

a iT." (OODUDuM) lee.\a..~r' 0_,.117 ud 0..,.", I. ~t.h, .utt.red tr. h..~ arU11 .., _d

IIOnar tire clu;!..~ the nl"".

, Jau 4, - '.,..\hera ",U aad ...".

In.-y aortar and anU1..., tire during th. enUre dAJ. Appn.s...,.lJ 1_

""'Y ,owtt,r-.ttaaked 'PO.1U DMr 81-17 anlt weI" "epul.ed wit.h a moWl

10.a 0' tour (It> en.., '\anke anel \h.... (') a..ored ,.raonnal .arrl.l'I.

" Jail .2 - 'leeth,r' "oU and anow.;)1., .r\111ary oonUaued t.o taU on our , 1UOI1.. RMd,ual"\e,. aad

~o.wpall1. B, 541.h, w.re raUIy.d b7 .l_enw of ~18t raraahut.. ~.Il\ u4

at. 11!J111 r nta \0 "'1n.10ll rar , 1018t 4lrltorne Tlln.lon OM eo \0

Ild po.it.lon abou' Ii 811...ou\h..., ot sa.toanl, a.l,lua.

, Jus ~ - '.therlooleS .nd MOW.

rllll CHARA .t111 in "1Y1r'Qil " n-. HMdq_rtltr. '0IIp'Q1 t1r" Ie ._"n

ot 00/1.. 6\h .AN.! ')l trOll .,rant ,odtSolhi...".1.0-1 1ntend\""\ '

en.., .rtill.r,.and 1Ib.lw.rt~r (lor..slnl M.acl..).

6 Jus 4~ - v..t.h... I 001t1 and MOW.

~""lnn :1lri.loo F....n.. ~_y .rUn., aDd ".b.lwrtlre U8_

,.ll on our ,0.1 tlon....y quln. M.. weI" altl . \0 ,., ......., _eI

ol_n .! equi",ent. .

1 Jan 4, - Velt.hera 00111 and .now.

,...k P'on. 0 'HAltA ._bined with Ta.k !'ore. OKIlRRY. OIf:t!iRY inl In.I.4.

Pe.... d..lgnated nin.1_ R...". tor lOla' Airborn. !.l1Y1.ion. 111 tha\

....i"l4 01 T k 'or O'HARj w. ~o1"t.er Tl,toon and , ,en of 1'.....1.......

'Platoon &'Del tour (4) ".ault aunt with DO or.w. KoNr l'la'\oea ,ontlnu"

'UPfort ot OJ/A, ttb Aratl nl.. tate..lttant ., -rU11 .., and It.lwert.re

tire .ontinuH.

a J'n ., t.o 1, Jan 4, - ~tb.rl Generally oold.

~..ain.d a mobIi. r rye tor 'h. lOl.t Airborn, ~vl.10n. _rt111."

.nd Neb.l"ert,... tire ecmUnued lnt.,.U,ten'l7 on our ,Hl\leD.

14 Jan J.:?teath!t1"' :::old and .11'.

0"".8J' 8, 5It\h, oOlSlIl t t.d fro. T... ~H:::Rr.Y at ~ and a''',h.d W ,,6Ua

far.,hut.. Int.ntry R.~s..'l)t. A1.tlo;c.d vlo101\,. ot :'onll. and took n4

h.ld nonil.. ,

15 Jan 4, - .r t.h... a .,oll! Il"Id ol..r.

"OII,.n~ ! r ...aln. on tha Un. Yiolnl\y ot 'J,onU. end r~.lved lr.t....S.t.t.a,

arUn..". .n~ ....U al'lMl t1 r. durin, 'h. day.

16 J.D ., - '{'th.r I ,1..1' .nd oold.

A' ajIJ Ootap.ny B, 54t.h........11.....j trOll ~6\h tar.ohut. Intan\1'1' ,,--,.

and re....t.i baok to .,..... mr~mT. All attaohed t.ftite ot ,..... O'JlARA Wlr.

r.Ui hOI! r .... O.w:mRY and r aned bk \0 TeM C' RAHA. 0,/1, 10th

ANd OlY. w. r.~l..ed trora 101lt Airborn. '-1n.lon and r.1'ar" b.,k uncl...

oOl"ltro1 ot 10th Ar.or.d OlYi.lon.

11 Jan" -if..th... , Jold .nd MOwL,.:. .

ta.k POr O'HARA 1.t, 3a.to,"" Helgl_ .'11t11 on aotor lI.rot! t.o o,~.

"'.no.. "'aroh oont.1~u..-.! throu~out. \h. dq. Thl roa~. wror.d wi\h

1nd our oolumn .0Yed r.t.h.r .low.

18 J.n 4~ - 't..th_.. llIlnu.r ani oloud7.

'f... O'IIM-lA olc.d 1n e".nca, 'ranol .t tIJII. ~.taQ" .o.ared w. ".7

.11... 1... r ..u.~a aaroh .t 111'-. dtlna'!oD V.rc-Yill., rr.ne.. ?10'"

In at 17". ~htan.. o:)y...ed w. 68., 1111... O..pa", 8, '}lith, len .01_

..

at !o!ns and joln~ (n"'. 10th 4h" ~Y.

... ,.... 0 'Hara. n. 'tJt.~A"T 0' or ~jTr01f9 DAY BY 'lAy. (.,oat.inu.d)

19 Jan'" - /t.t.h,r I :n.ar 1\:IlGI by oOlllllandlrt ~fl' oarri,1 out, o')Ylrinl all "'1", whiah .... INA.;! u,. In C'Jr OO'Jnt.,r attaok plaill.

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IlADQUAR!1RS ~!H AfM)~~n IBr.!RI IATTAl.T0M 10fR ARMQRlry nIVISICN

U. S. ARMY

AI'T!R AOTIOI R"ORT Januar" 1, 194, ~ Janu.r.r ,I, 194, (Inll.)

J f !MONN~L a. J.n 1 - 16, 194, (Inlh)-

'e51""1n, of Period Jnd ot Period 9-0046 8-004, ,-0-11' ,-0-9, ,-0-127 2-0-91 4-2-61 ~..Q-60 ;1-0-16 ,-0-16 4-0-&9 4-0-81 1-040 1-040 2-0-" 2-0-'7 1-0-19 1-0-12

( a) K111.d - 2 _UDd.d - ,-0-10 MlI~in, - 0 HOI,l \81 (X 80 ) ,-0-61

(It) CJeinl - Ret.urn_cl t.o ~t.7 ,-0-1 R.p1a.aent.a - 2-0-0

1- Jan 17 too Jan 18, 1945 B'I1nnln, ot 'eriod !nel ot I'erioel ~/~ 8-004, 8-004, B\ go/54 ,-0.." ,-0-&7 115-' 2-0-91 2:-0-89 89;" ,04-60 ,-2-60 " \ MI4154 ,-0-16 ,-0-16

tota 1 1904048, 19-2047' . (a) 1111d,O ~un4ed,O Mil,lna, 0 Hoapit.l (Nao) 0-0-9

.I.- Jan 19, 194, (It) !)aina -0 Re."la oement,-o on'jl) neT p.rlod

Rq;,4 845 ,

ftq o.~ 4-0-90

X.d/" ~-16

Total 1 -D9

Ca) Kl11.d, 0 ~und.d,O Mllalni. 0 80a,1t..l (MBO) 0-0-1

(b) Galnl-R.t.urned to nut7 1-0-2 Repl.oem.ntl,O

t. Jan 20 to Jan ,1, 1945. (Ino1.) "Ennins of 'erlod ~d of P.rloel

Iq/54 8-0- a, 8-0- 27 ftq oo/~ 5-

.'11ft A011011 RlPOft', ~, 54t.h And Int ID. Jla 1, 194Wla '1, 194, ( ..... 1.) I: ,wonu. (oont1nued) -

d.

h.l (OOn't)

1111ed -() JllDWld.i -0 Hilnl-o

Ho.,1~1 (SBO) C-l-~

(It) /]alu - R.turn.d t.o T)a\, 0-1-a2

II. ~..rr I. Idlfttlfl0.tlonl'

~ 1,0\11 f my, 90bt ,. Gr.

26th ,.G. !)J.y, 77\h tat Re&\., 78th lnt Rep.

,40th ~. 1I.y, 694th (lrenldier R..t, 69'Ul Gr. R.p.

2n" , flly, ,I'd f Reil\. PI't.r J",end al DlYl.lon, "\11 Int Rep.

10th q1 P.n.er !lin.loa, aDd '.n.er !llridOD

It. '!\8.ary ot !n.-y O"....'lon. and to-

!\Irln" tb. perlod 1 - 16 Jenu.ry 194'5, .n-7 .orala ell_'-' The 'li'l .aJtured by \hie _1t. ln at.taok y111nl'7 Noyl,l1e, 8.1&1-. htd 'een told t.o bold a' an 00.'.. No '.",rl_enta..,. or r ..er.e Nll'lon. bad Ia.en ,r_.r~. lilt1071"" tank. aDd lntant.ry, t.b. en.y ,0Wl"r-.f'~' attlok.d in .trenct,h .e.era1 \1.... Howr, t.he7 were toroed ba.k ..ah tl with h..Yy 10..... NI unit r ..el~ ,0ntll".-1 an., 1nt..,.I''-' artiller" an~ n.b~lwert.r tlr. during t.h. p.rlod 1 - 16 Jan, 1~ 11ft.., oortt.lnu.d to .e n.ero", tlar at nlpt. pat.ro11iDa.' '1,. by bot.h triend17 and an"7 troopl. ~"7 .,.ed n.eroUi .elt-propel1ad ~un. ln Ih.l11n~ our tront lin , .OyiDI \h IUD ,..l'lon. trequent.lr.

!ne7 a1 r '01.1.. dUriDI nip'. but 1.14011 out. durin, d."Ucht.. ryurln~ the ,erlod t7 - '1 Jan, ." \hi. unit .od t.o joln 7th u. s. A'-7, .nd r1n.d 1n 00..,. ""'1' '" U. s. Oorp.. No ,..011.1000te., a~. with .n_y durin, thla ,eriod.

ut. OU'R ('r~A'1'TONS I,

~. Poro ~.~.d. I. ~ par J a, b, 0, and d.

~ .... ..

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b. t~ary or Op.ratlon. da,. by day.

1. R dallY ~-, It.riodl. r.porta.

. ~'Iult. of Op.rationl da7 b.r day. 1. ~.e daily s-' ".rtoU. reporte.

IV. SUT'!'LT AN n -::-TAOUA'!'lOlf V.r" I.ti.t.ot~ry t.hi. period.

v. qm~'IIT)AttoN9 !.. Cn. CJMll tull trt "..al b. 1u.d t.o 8n Hq., tor Ut a 1'1r.

'1'... Vehiol

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b. ~.h Battalion Ihould It. t ued a, oogtllnerl, round 1n.ul.t.d w1\h Inrt., 19'9, t.o t.ed tron' I1no unit. hot tood.

l- That a wire t ... ot at 1...t. nlnn b. ,ar' of our Tib. If,f I f if-It ft k J .. I ~ ... J tl II f v e. A'" to >- tit I ~ - ~ - t~ -4 "'1 ,." J

l"~ lOTJCII RlfOftT, Rq. ~ AI'll4 lnt In. Jan 1. 194, - Jan '1, 194, (oon't.)

d. fMt. ~e 1_.e oW' 57- In\l-Taa~ &\811 behind. and let. the .,erlonnel of- \hi, ,latoon .~ri.e .~ot.h.r ritle ,latoon

fha' .n. IIIOR ,00 b. 111\114 ,er ..,aftJ' t.vo l)er aat.taHon H..dquart.erl.-

WARR ~ a. IlASIa.t. Major. Intant.Z"J. 1xeoutl.e Ottl.er.

''\6'

In.Aqu,~lRS 541'" AH'TlH' Y' FA,'. r~~Y ,1 .. r;-A!ll';

10TH A~}'( R n lIVl'HC"

..PC 260 '1. ~. AH.: Y

'\PT~ lI.1TTC4R -;;.; CRT -.raroh 1,194, - 1/aroh ,1,194) (Inol.)

"aroh 1 - " 194, (Inol.)

- l.dOqipl or Feild ~J ot r ,riod

1-0- 2, 7eO- 24~~ 6-0-12, 6-~..t,;59 (.) Kll1~ 0-0-6 'J/oun;!slf ,.0-76 H ..lns o-c...a4

Hoeplu1 (NM) 0-0-14 (b) 1alne - Return ..tt to ~" 0-0-7

~,p1ao~Mlt. 0-0-1

~. "'.reh - 6, 194, (ln01) ....

-

A.pnnln, ot fer101 ~1 or 'eriod ftq/", 7-0- 2, 7-0- 2, Hq 00/54 6-0-12, R~-124 9,,4 ,-0-128 ,.0-18.7 qy~ ,..a- 6, 4-o-1~'

.;~e-t"" 2-0- ,0 ,..Q- IS4

2-C- ,c

Flat/;5 1-0- 29

8/21 4-0-116

}-O-I04

r 1/e/(/)9 1-0- 28 1-0- ,a o, ../AA 1-0- , 1-- 21

"1-0- ,4 Total 28-2-547

(.) '11 hI! 0-0-, lbun".i 1-0-1, ildng 0-0-1

Hoapi t.l (.; f!.o) 0-0-17

(b) 181n. - n.,tur.".,'t to ')Jty ,.0-17 ~~~l.o~.nt. 1-0-,4

- 1

- :-'eroh 7 - -- aroh ,1 191., (lnol)

RIIt,l11nnln5 of' l .. rlo 1 1n'~ of' j erlod

.;q/54 8-0- 22 hq oo/'}/~ . e-O-12 , ..",. ,.c-19'0". 5-0-179 1./';11 ,-2- 64 ::~/'Y~ 2-0- ,1 oAt ,..0-104 rl/~/21 1-- 21

l/Q.""~ 1-0- ,.,. rlet/fGC) leO- "

Tote1

llq154 Hq ';0/')4 RIJ4 ":~

:~. SAl

1/~'2/: ~Q '/~l

8-0- 26 ,.0-117

~.1' ~-56 w- 62 2-0- 71 1-0- '1 1-0- If2 1-0- 18

'1-2-~16

(a) i.U le1 2-c...-l, .Io,,"1e1 5-O.1~e :;la.lng 0-0-1

HOI,,1 tel (i q,) '-1-1)11

(b) ~ln. - ~;"tu,,".i to ~ty 7-0-101 ~.Dlaoem9nt. 5-O~11

-.~ ~4:

!.. -...,. !".,utt..Uon );1 ;'ohlhoff

~5' ~1' 8ft !lG (m)

~4th 1nt ,... ( "81 i 1Tt. Bn)

,1~7 lnt 11. (Arty t1.gt)

2ni "eunuI" ")lY, 1'~ !;8gt..ent

212th w'l "'iY, '1~ Int, ,aOt.h lnt ~8I1m.nt

-

b. ~~~.rv of "'!nl"'-y 'r""retionani Aotinty 1 - 2 -'1"0", 19lf5

"'u!..- .oro. l:uk.l1 attaok"''' .n~ took 'l'PI~. ~8!111 .fltl'l..... delal1a,

.otlon o(;,n.'_ lUng r~.~nly of' h_vy art! 11~1')' oonoent...t.lon. on k". .ro

ro.~, an"' 1"0"" junotion.. 68rIJ'!! AT gun. "ere .lght!!"! 1n at ont.1011

rt01ntl alon~ o~Jr rout. ot a1.""... ~~:l abo In ..) h....1 tlak eone..trroti.on. '.Juring ".r1oi on roa" n..t I. !18C41 Y..1 on8 en., .NJn~."~teo'"

...u"1.n~ ~"J'lo"" All .,.,y W,!!,'" olJ'J'ylng pan rta~t..

T'19 feAt 1\11' ",01 ct cur toro .. r" l JU,d in a larg9 nt",b-,r ot prt.on9ra

.ni ler~., IItlr.tunt, I, r '!'lS!!'lV 'II.t~rial i .. ltr.,y.:t In-1 oar-ture:t.

"''!Iult. ('f Cr~ret1.on & 2(;4 prl .,n1ra, 9 8&1,..- gun. knool,:ed out., 12. 20tms! Al-AT

p;una l-!'lOC' ...J Ollt.

7 - 11 61'01-- 194:>

...u'... r~ro~ !'uak"n atteokAit'l -.,:qA:J, p.~ 1f" lJ".1 ~~:n! t-: Ul1 ~, ....t of

S ,,: "no'. '-:n., y.l.,r..,... w. at-tic 8n~ rl-, hl~',,)!~Jr1":. tHe p"rlo1 hoi

or ?.,.,.. t(. hol" a,,~ .....1+)"~"W m-1.,1' no conUtlon. :1\C!.,I'!)~.l8 'Jln.tl~lcI.,

blown br:i~g"., _~ it tch~1I Doaurat~ly o)Y~r .. i by artll bry, mortar,

..

8~1~ amall Ir~. r: r. '~re .nooIJrlt"l"' .... 810n,; r'.mt..., ot e ''fQ-jOIt. ~4r.'lIy ha1

III Op4tn t.rr~in aoourat ..ly .. ..,f'9!1 ....i 1fi U: pi 11 bo'r..' ent ;'T !~,.an.. -~n1l!!Y

he" ",..".......1 1)ol!t1on"" ~'lr'~"~ tl~il op.,rlttion, UlI unit e~!'lt..ot.i ('1ontj

- c.

tt. ':::! ..,ry

~.~umd'r.v of' 1n~1 Cp~... tlonn~ Aot1Y1ty {aontinuei) p11 1 bon. o.moun.,..:! houa.... 1n1,.... tire 1n "aOf. t()wn WII, ""'rY h....,

.,,1 VII. nlO"!t.~ .. ry te tl ....l! .uoh town before :roYin.~ on.

q ul t. ot ro..rot1on I '76 ,naon",.., , artill.,ry pl

. ....

IInl. l ~. T'.~ 1I'0ro" "~,,1l - Ta.k Foroe ttob..,ru 7 '.'aroh - ,1 ~~.roh. 4,.

'1t"A~Y ('f r~ ~~ATT(,Nq 'lAY 'W ')AY' bt of aroh 194, ~!e.th.r I Jl..r .n~lIo".nt"ly .m. 00,0 T'" Foro1 :la.k"l~ oeo".,y1ng t.hllt high ~ro1A'J:i (Rill 427) 4 k11011.t.n .'Uth....t ot 'PJ"tlltr when th.,y w.r. hroUCht under hMI~ a.ull..., tir.. *Il7 e1 rbureta. At 0150 th" .n'!~y !!Iai" a 11.,t"i eount.!tr-ettaok utili.lnl Fau...

t.I.I.t..~1Y .""r"'! "rlYi::tg ott .tt..r Hol'1ng,thr ., d1r4ot hiu OD our \and

,,1 t ...out anv .,r-!"eot. A.t 020C "latoon ot ~ wi t.h I .~tion or \ank cttroy."

rooy"! of to th'" ut of th., hill "., wu.. oocup,s.ng an 1 Ittelk",J In., &WI pOlltlOfta.

'!''h''Y return.,1 at 0,,0. At 070C Ta.k 1'oro. ii.ak.ll Sloysi to t,h., attalk ot M.r.

:h1h tJlrt of thol! o~'l~n wee lUll 1n th., ."5.~1" .r.... , .rtillery onl' I.galn

earr" ~urlnp; In. qlnee th., III1Hl w..r~ .bove groun~ .rd It .1 'iayu.&ht, a t.,rrltic tl)11 was t.lor1n In y.hle1 .....n~t o.rICln,-;.,l. blJt t~ ... Dt:.lt1J1n eonUDu,,~ t:) "7ov." by " ing the burnin,; hulka. At 09QC we .t.teok.,d Ind .ebsd 1'11Hh, rll'lnin:",: sauntl~t. ot Ur1Ot. tl r8 ...pon. ".,loh hrt. rn., ani equipsent. .tr... 1~n., th- ro.... 7h. o~ltan 1)l'Qo...de::l to ral'~"'t.. it w not. unU1 16,0 \hat

W~ oouLl r,,~ort th" town weken en" eon.oUdat"d althou,h \h. I_diAl .1centl of 315J~ he" b4g1m the Itt_ok. ii.motftlt.,1 at 1100. ~l.,fo.. t~e e01wnn lould

eC"nt1nu~ to r.;ove, it "'BI n,o, ..ry to r ...hurrl't our toro'!.. Bini 0 10000anl" ..;..r~ oonl l)l1 ~at..", a. w ... th .. tan:

J ..r .ni 1001. lpe , a_bat ';O'O:',lon i :s A". a!'l; .tt..ob~ 3

\0 00...., Oonan'1 -!fA at. 0100. ('utpoot"i th. t.own. fo,"","i ro.ln; I,.trcla ani .t..n." out. ,be .._.lnln,~ port.lon ot our al"". At. 2000. th, ':'..1. Foro. rev'",,,d baok to O..bat O~.ni -A-. ~..vtt.1 C!"nhe1 the ...alning port.1Oft ot our 8""', our1n~ t.'.r.t it wa t.... Ol..n'9d equlplltmt an" pr'pol"d to.. n,,, al~.nt, - J.lar 1 o. 'f. th!tra n ..r .n1 0001. _.nlwSI.... ' \oeD, Ml.t.alaed .loon with ta.k foroe 'lio':ar,'!oon who w ttaeld.n~ to t.h. north. ,Jont.1nu",1 t.o Iftolnteln OU\POlt 'j.t~ throu;~h out. '.1"10.... ('n t.he ~h of t,~a ..oh at 08>0, WIt ""1"1 rel1e~ from atboh~"~ to O_'a' O....nd 'AArt an" ot.teoh,,1 t.o ')osbot OOfllllonJ -R'A. Cn t.h~ 6th ot' /'01"01". at. 1000 v...9081'""., t.h8 at.taok ortlel". ~"1.1on weo m:>V1n;'. en ~1.t.tlloh. fn/G ... \0 pl"ood t.he '1lviaion 001"0" th, bl"idg. anrl mt:V8 nort.h an! at t; 1~e 'h. hlP. gl'Oun~ north of ~ahwelah. "l'hua blooi~ln for thf.t 11,,18100. R_vlt.1 .-0,1AY''''' to t.h" Rq W~ "'11"9 to "I"k un~"'r ~'.lrlng or-.,r.t~o"h ;'e1ut01,.,1 aent.lnUDUI .ont.ot ~th front 11n., .1._to. cutpoot,~tt.4" UU1n,~ ln, we 11'''8 o"U'l'\t~.....'_.k.tf bJ thr.. arili('\r .. :i ",h101,.,. (75-'1I!1 '1! I.)Wi',. eo en., int.ntry. Aft.... a t..r..lfio 0-:.11 armo tie;ht. ths en~y vithh.'lfu.,. ,.\1'01, to \he trcmt ani tlank. kept \II in ooot.1lNDUI oon~ct wl th th~ ena.y '''l'Ov~hout th. nlg~.t. A ot.rone onab.t. pav,,} eVllcuat'Ji CUI" ",cunlf.,! by""l71n. pal'\1.,.."..vlt, I ~..ch.,,, oUl" objIMti".,.OUllt." our woo lei, took 27 \.! andi,.t.roy.t! on. e&u ~ "m.

8th ot ~....h ~..t.h... I 1....nd ewbot. _rIIer.

A our It'lgin."re ot..rt"rJ to:> alM.. a b .. idg. no.rth ot tbe t;nn of ~u1n~.

It w, Ida" wlt.b tell... 111"...d a 1000 pO\ald aerial bo!tb. The britJI;';9

01....,,'1, our 98hlo1 .. 'PI"OO .,-,.rl to th, ti~S 1n lnt'!ltry at t:l~ ernroIH'

"e'" t.h.y r'gI'OtJl)1i ltlt", tum to.......t10n. of ' __"le, intantry, .....i-f.in8~!".. At

124, 1I1th an .rtUl-ei"y rr8plrat1n ot .::oklt end F:, th/t h~I'lr.,,: collAn

(ot...., '\?an !"t.~t) jWIJptt'" ott. Th .. oolmn ran gauntl'ltt of Ur"JOt tire "'.Q'OI1'

until r8.el)1\'!~ th~ tClwn ot rale 1h" J"'IJn 1"1"0.8-1 c.:;'It1y b:::t~; 1n mMl an;!

"ehl,l... Tn th" town the an1'O.,r ti r" "',I' 1nt." .,. 1 roe,.,Un : on t-:; 3cL,.,.,1eh.

on th4 outaldrt. of to\'ll'l ViI nn into I ro.ibloc> an~ mln.,fi41j, hQltinr; tht

o~,t1Bft. 'l'h. Infantry ~iMt'''unt~i .ni mo .,d 1n on t.hlt t;_~ ~m. tlthou.:;h this w".

1UPl)e,.,.1y .n open 01t.y. 1t Wtill fount! to bit "'.,tr.J~ ""'. ;1-',., N'oe".1 of' 0 l~51nin.~

the t08 lov. At le.~ ~...'ft ! eonal"d oon.t.Un, ot two latantry plat.oono an i on~

en~n...1" aqu.... ",,,1"4 .ent f::,r.;f1IJ". 'I'M!.r rd,oion to el"r~.l O'.Jt tll" hy ]:.8S'."

1"..1ota110. ot t 4tl. bIe_ th" aT":!') :1\81', t.h"" to pl"Oo,,~-! to ~c~.itleieh, ,tL.r. to

I.iotora. th~ inr,,,tr;. ,t 11'7 tl",., ti r.t 1)(jrt of t,.~ ~ia~lOfl ',\1',.;8 80e .'r,r ll1L.d

an" .t otoo tlt~ tlfO ui.i t. tr"t in th"! t"wn. :h. sngln.,...... cl~r,'j the n:1n,

ti.l,", .n~ tl-I" "eh~ol ... rroo."'"~ into 'M tow

.. 5

An .... "'1'T0'l :~( ~T, Pq, ~th Ahi Jnt Bn, ~"onth ot : arch 1 .. ,;1, 1945

TIl. '1.,.".,,~y Of" M'~AT'Tin -'AY '3Y 1AY, (JonUnu.") 8th of varch '~ontlnu.,A

' ..u t., 1a"tur~" t W('l town., took 10' 1. ~, on ~ ~ i}m ha tt. ~l"y (10,) -i .,.t.royed

by arUll"ry. Thr,e 8P.-!1 reot ti r ., .. anone ( 1 eartH""", ,2 ,~~.t..o'y ,-4) ,

on. arr.-:"o tilms~ (~"'roy ..d by $I1g1ne'... ). ...tl_\e1. I""'Y ualUe., 1!Xl.

ot ~".r.h "therl',n"'r and 0001 T"'1!i iI'11ea;yr ILC""~ out rroco ,ohwe1ch to .tt.ac~ th., hI,l! groun~ to the

ent or tl."'".,. TIM":: T~n.l"~ an~ th49 r.a10. of Yan It.,,,,t oontinutt,i to.1Ma tr!' town. t:'il_yr .1wnclng elowly lIle..t1n~ oproait.1on fro~ a pillbox, "hi.h WIll. n'SutraU.,,'! by thlt tir., an! fro!:: troope :iult 1n .lon~~ \1M hh,;h groun~ ot ~~1l1 ,:l4. Thb ob ,hot,1.,-- w.- a~l anJ ena.:)1H.t.~ by lle\;. ,Ut 1200 f11.,r"0.,--1 out for .con~ ~bj.,ct1.,., Hill ~5. '!'he town "u n::-w W11 ..r h .. awy ar\111-17 tire. '!"he terrdn VIla not o~n~uelft to th~ IIOnng "r tank. th... to the poor roa-1a en" .-fen wnie. 1t th8retor~ bl9Oam., a et.rict intar.try ehcw. 'lh a"ft"lo. o:mt1nlJl'~ wi t' .u..'';t o,,!'o.lt1on from a r""" holet",1 .tron, point qy t~,o htt had r8Qohlt'1 hh oon:t obj80tlYe end now our !'lS110n W. oompiete. tie now MU th" oOlllmeno:Unv; te.....l .. bu\ the wod...... "- "."... ~tronl

1>0lnt. w.......t.bllel-!,,~ wit.h oon.tent "nntaot patrole. fien....er. me,te tor t1re 1'1 0 .... 'th'\! ef'l~y cOt'~t"r..ttaok.,-1. 'l1rln~~ thh 1111881011 the on. in town. htllt proee.,,, .. i rig}!t alon~. 11x '1IIall'~1n ..tieH~ an1 on., cr.ter ....... touni wit';in th" oity. Th., town " .. outpoet,,". ~4Iteu1t" rbulne1 oo.-nal1~ obj'MtlY.. '1t..r.rl eU mln. t1el-le 1n Y101nlv of' t ;;wn. lOal"oh 1945 ;' therl ,;l88r an 1 0001. Fetor" 'h~ Tuk Forae ooul~ aHtn~ (hot r"ponelblUty of alMring t.he "Dod., hl,har :'.a'Jquert"!r8 gaYe ue a furth.r [Cieelon to .1....1' the t....ri \(;1')' vl\h1n th.. bor".r. ot ":ehw'!lioh on the eou\b to ""MIl! n t.he north. f'rOli fobi'.. 1n

th~ w~t to ;:'hcrrnlch 1n th" .nt by "'Y of 1ekon-l. Prom "i'~I"IIs.....~ " roUoh ani -: olhh lte.twerl to ~ohw1ch. 'lUring the al--Gnln,,; ,,1'0.... no oppoe1tion woe m..t e 1n on. 1e01.t,,1 in.tanott. ;. encountere1 ~ouble 1'0.1 block a",l a cr.t~r t~ f ...t -.die eni 2C t t dot"'. '!'be ro.d blook and 1to prot-NtiOlt '11". re:::mr't'~. "Multi 4o f)(lfllrl1a;\,,-! th., .~on.j ~1ea1on gl.,sn to ue. 'utpolt",i the oity. 'ontaottt'f t;-,,., tlOth ~on ')a qq:b1 ('eo.) vi thin our zone. U "arch - l~ -,aroh 194 l..the,,' al..r .n1 partbl . olo'..tti A '!': ~ort.l~ :-u; ~ "~paM..,l "'ctn.eloh .or 1'riltr. nrrive1 J.OCXI. Teu \I'll!!! b1l1..t.,,~ an! i:,'~:" 1~8t,,1:1 '!!I,l .. flr.plIIration.f'or r"f1tt111~ .n'" r.turnhhin;; tl." t.ea:'. l,t 14!)(. :1.athl1on WI noUfi~~ tl':ut. th";1 W'"ul'l .u.n" inar~tion' of m",'1, "~h1cl ... , an ~ equ1r.~~.,t, l,o~. '-'UJ'ln~ th., 12th of aroh, the tea:t oontinu,,:l 1 to. rrepantlona tor t.h ... oQlltf'lan1 1n.r..ot.lon. '..,n t./lot l,o;;()O the Tnk F'or~" etock an in.fl~ctlon by ()OInt'llm~ "'.,,,n.. Jolenel ~.,toh~l and. )ala atatf ~akln-: 'Pot er."ak 4t 1,1120 thi-_1qtJart.,re \rillS oot1(1.,,1 t~t lie ':I"re reU"",.1 tr~)!':'; .tuoL.:! ':)0!11!";an" . 'St!!I~". an~ attac"~ to i)fJI!!tlt.t OOlrl".and 1.-. The tltare oomma:} hr went to ~'JIA liN IqUllrt~r. tor cr!8r.. :;19 r.,tUl'n,,:1. with the n.." t ..-r ..t.,... (Hq, Uq Jo/54, 3/;;4, 3~1, lat It/1/}, lq'! 1ngre/55, ~V/5lI, en ~ edl0.154th. 'J/'54 remain-:! un .. ~r control ot'Jorr.bet Oom~.n'i '-, ",earn r.,a:luftl.,~ .d we n:::w have '~"IaM Rl1.,y, 1'.,ar.;,oIntv.L .n~ re.'ll Oook. l.n th'" 14t.h WIt w~r.., rhc .... ~::.n on., hour .1.,rt. t.t 151115 notlt1~:! t.o he.. b1111')Un. perty r"Port t~ ::omh-..t ;orr.an'1 ",,". - -,OOOia1eeanoe : 1.t~on to reconnoltttr

~o1Jt~.Jrel. At 14c{) bl1 htln.:; party r.tur'1'" lmpo..lbl., to mo.,., al'1c, '1''' \

1'~ AJ'l'T(" p.~C"'l'. Hq. ">4tl,_ .ni Int an, !'ont.h of carol 1 - .... ~. 1945

t. 1tJMtfART CPO C'P-:o:RAT1C11'l "lAY BY "lAYI ("Jontinu!tj) 6th ot ~."b I , ttr..,rl ')\..,.1' an~ 0001.

'talk Foroe l:llOV"t1 1'r:1l Trier. 1~rr,.ny on "'?t~t'" t r..

T:"y !U~rt"r f'~ re.

.........

t .i II "'-'" - .... ~ ......... . , . , .' -:', Mq, ~cJl AI'II1 Tnt BrI, ' nnth Cot .'arc!: 1

:'c.Wl'l "tJtsl b, fll ..L",,'. Town ol~reJ. t4.~' r,t~r~~l .~! ~re~.r~i t: ~OV!. !.'lenltl' thr.. aorl town., " r. " u&ll al',;I, IW I .. ;; Iter 22 . u'ch 1945 ',,$.ttl,,r' 1hilr .n~ wt~'tr.

! "Y. .o!r""1h~ia t~ 8tboi~ ~hl. '~n'!ll:Y t~!1~' in tOilln f~ l"~ on C~, hll"n. ~ol\.ltn

.. tt.o" ~" by 81r.::or.t,"ot~1 l2t\, :r-r.l ~.vialon. 180i-:>:1 Ol:.l:~"'". IV or1"r.

rroD'!!"'! 1 uth, r.')uth;.{"at out mal!'l route L.lJ",u"r.pey~r. : roc'n'] ('on 1II1..10n

Ti....p.,Y.... rdorf. raoLen, In! "lrt\,~ll.,r

.- ,.,.u!t.,. Tal:e 5) ~ I ;', tJ';re! e:crs t"''II!l'.

2 .I,ro},l?"'5 pth.,rl n ... r 811,1 J1lJ"'Cer

10ntlnue W1 th ght .ttaak. :::nt"r ,o\lt 10rt. iJy FUll :'r1 T::.,:,rlh,k Sr.,1 ",ib'&.

en8"tty 1n f'!!'e f1:;ht on8-h.lt' k11C'!!,~t~r lonth cf t)'",'r:. ~:I~y tanl: v1t},Jra.-. to "'ll tit. F'C'J"c" ~ bel ~n to"" of ., ~r. I'cohl t.a !t. ~... '0'. en. : ton, ttro l1.;Lt tlln1rs thr:u~.~ /}!"I"':-y (H~t1on. :'''Q'l'f l't"l'UJ >r.:,-t.r :':'r., r.,J"'Y". '::',l\ c~'-'nt"'r .tt.e'~ b)" :5C !)~ troc):..~n~ty ,..ltL'tras w~tl'; ~.'i.,""t!.... '~r'"rl reth'lv~" to "', ... v~ Z(~U'Ji, .outhl'l'!st to ;But rbur::;. ""c~:v",l ....... J' a~" Alt ;.~ lrort:;;r fIr'" .t ril4l J bloak. {br' ooMb!t. ~Mb.\ pat.roll to rl.n~. r8'1"on hone'rcwn "~h101 ..,. .n~ tr-'):)PI 1n W!)O~I. ""'11+,. ~ ~.', ...t1"ilit,,1 k111 ..d an} wount~1 16. ,ne a '0 ,"1urq.~ i".troyd, th.... tNtr.!!I tll}:'.-,. 2 /4 ~.roh l ..l~~~)tr.~r' :~l"lr an~ WIIrrr..,r. _ 0ol,.n 110"" out 1cnookl", out three AtT gun. dons rout~. U.b"...u 470 r ... rrom T'r1a()ll C';:T:T vie~ n1 tv ,tt"!.h~lr::. 8:t" t: !"l'J~h tt~rl ~1Jr .n" oontaatM 'X,/a, llit!-, ~.rr;~ '11v .t crcc. 'ow r:l::iV" t.o t t :'ra: "'1!'~ t,;:, 811t81 t or '''H.

"~ultl ]")-. t, '~418tr"y~4 tlv'9 8.3 1., c.pt'lr,,l em., tnm, an'~ nlEl'!roUi .mall '1'11:1. Z~, 2'ith, 27th (.)r.:-cl' 1?'~ '"J&U"r' ":'hcz' ~r.! wur:;:. NeTt f',rc-, r:"'elr.... .,nI"" I:) on t;:)tJr\ "! ::oro. o.ikY:l-:~'r, BoUtl_ .... 1r'9 on thirty-e1x hour al"!\"t,. ~lnll'!t.,.) 1n f.:-.wr.. ,:t 1(."'0, 26th, t.he .lert ohane'ti tt' t"'l houro. It.. ;01. :1111I.'1l T. fl. ~tt.Pta join. .lat'.a11on .. "~.n! ~r, 2.7 arot: 19Ji5. .,'Ultl :ornfht~ r!tOrg,,~i%qu.Oft of .tart ...t.lonr alla returnt.hed un! t IIUOh pot1tl. durin, period.

2e.~'.reh, 171~; '", tl.~rt :'1"1" Ir.'! IUp.:htly 0001'

T, 1"01"0" -:'oh .... rt. !epai'ted vd6lm~er tlf~. U !;ii.rc!': ll'1rhl of ..., ... /,. r?r ...e'"l1bly

or... Vio 'QI;1'1h't1:r viI! "-1t;"1'}1l~r,":{'tblh~, '1OlIJ"'n~"i:~, "'t:.t:; ~t, J..,l.enheim,

FT1JIr.k~t!;al,"rcn"~! :";tln~ '=1.,.,r to !.!lSr~rth"tm. 7'" "lob,rtt 5.1.,rte,;! and'

IWl1 t1n'~ or lW8 lilt If.CC. ""'lJlt ,t!I' .::r" ,,1 u:~ lt1n~. '!'ravel.,'! Jt;.7

':'-.", tn Tloej ti 0''1 tc b~ 00111111 '\tsti.

29t.h an" !(;th .':-01.:. 1~4'5 'ltl;'lt:-~r' 'n".r ar~ .f)C'hr

Tf ~()b.,rtl i~.rt8d '8IIl'W\billll. ~t...d t.he oltr ot ".nnh.,.. .t. 12,a and

-'''

tV. ~v~rl.T A~'l' 7" ..',J lATH". 411 ,upp1y ." ~xo.ll.nt. It 1. r"cG:ll "n~~i tt~\-t .,," train. c0n.iRtin~ of aT.'r.unl\lon and g.aclin", follow 1!D-s1ht.,ly b.,h1n-! th. co:bt ~.,.. :t ,-. t1J:.t 1n oa of a br

\t-"~~'" . , ~

./ ,': ,,~.

HBDQUARTERS '54TH ARMORJm INFANTRY BA'l"l'.lLION 10TH ARMORID DIVISION

AfO 260

AFTER AOTIOlf RIPOR'r December 1, 1944 - December 51, 1944 (Incl.)

P!1lSONdL a. December 5 - 6 (Incl.)

1. Hq/';4 s-o-~

HIt Co/54 4-0-1=50

A/54 (- 2 Plat) 2-0-9'5

BJ54 4-0-176

, J AT/~ 5-e-65 Med7?4 ,-o-eS

B/11 ?-o-105

0/11 5-0-108

Plat~ 1-0-54

Plat 0/90 1-0-19

fC)ta1 36=2-80'5 (al n11ed -0. Wounded-o Mi..ing-o

b. Deoember 17 - '1 (Incl.)

. ,aefd,nning of Period End of Period

1. Hq/54 9-0-,0 9-0-27 Hq Co/54 ,-0-127 ,-0-1.22

00 8/54 4-0-169 ,-0';'129 ~T/54 ?-2-71 4-e-6l Med/54 2-0-21 2-0-16 ~ 0"1 5-0-104 4-0-89, 0/55 (Plat) 1-0-41 1-0-40 Plat n/, l-o-e, 2-0-" Plat 0/90 1-0-20

_

1..:0..19 ............

Total '1-2-606

(a) Killed O-o-Q Mi..ing 0-0-2 HOlpi ta1. (N SO) ,-0-49

(b) Gainl-Returned to Duty ,-0-29 Replacementa 0-0-,

- 1

. ./

; ..PL:,R ACIIO~; iLj.JQfiI, It 54th Armd Inf bn., ~on of Apr 1 - }O, 1145

II. ENEMY a. Enemy Identificationsl

Hq, 4th and 6th Co, 2nd Bn, 'OBth ~egt, 198 Div. 3rd Co, 326 Regt, 198 Inf Bn. 2nd Co Stomach Bn 283 5th Co, 212 VG Div. 1098 Pioneer Engr En. 2nd Bn, 37th 53 416 hegt, 416 Div (M)

b. SUID&".ary of Enemy Operations and Activit)' 1 - 5 April 1945

The enemy fought a delaying action entirely, uaing min.

fields covered by artilleZ) and anti-tank weapons.

bridges were blown and artillery sighted in on importnnt

junctions and crossroads. Small arms fire ranged trom

lieht to modfrate chiefly employeu on outskirts ot tOM1

rnemy tanks were in the area but moved about constantly.

Towns which we occupied received light to moderate ahel.11nl

to impff:ode our progress. " Results of uperationsl 161 Pal

captured, two 20m: . .i. flak guns, tour anti-tank guns, four

trucks, two command cars and one prime mover ca.pturE~d or

destroyed.

6 - 10 April 1945"

Still fighting defensive action the enemy continued the

use of roadblocks and abatis both defended and undefended. Bridges werp. blown. V~ry sr:iali pockets of enemy, employill8 small arms, automatic wea:'ons arid panz'rfausts, surrorted by light artillery caused some delay and difficulty. the Luftwatfe was active to a greater ey.tent than had been experienced b~ thi~ unit at any previous tiE-e. Results ot operations: 57 FsA' captured, two multi-barreled machine guns, one 20mm flak gun, one 8l~1 mort~r, two comc;and cars, and one truck captured or destxoyed. 11 - 14 April 1945 During this period, as terrain features greatly favored the enemy, we met grf.!ater resistance. lighting in small groups and ambushing whenever pOSSible, using srr~l arms and automatic weat,ons they withdrew froDI one position to " another somewhat hindering our progress. Civilians joinedsoldiers in sniping activities. hridges were blown and some artillery, anti-tank, and nebelwerff'r fire was sustained by our column. Results of Cperutionsl 72 l's~ cartured, one 88DJ~n 5"Ull, onft Blmilu.nition wagon, one auto, two bazoo~a teams, and one machine gun position knocked out.

- 2 .

? ..

/Jo'l'R A.:rION HE: CRl. liq, 54th Armd Inf Bn, i.'lonth of Aprll 1 .- 30, 19.. 5. II. EN~Y

b. 5U mlDBTy ot Ene~ iJper~tions and Activity (ContiIll.l.f'd; 15 - 22 April 1945 The ene~ during this period was very disrgani,ed, the use of mine fields and abatis to hi!lder ou.r pX(Jgress wus continued. Artillery sighted in on roads, some snta.ll anus fire, and fire from one SP gun was the only concrete reeistnnce encountered. The speed with which our columns moved, caught the er:ecyof! guard completely and resulted in the capture of a large amount of equipment. l1esults of Operations: 160 f'sW captured, three wagons, five motorc,cles, twenty bicJcles, a large number of rifles and quanti ties of 8.rllluuni tion both small arms and mortar.

22 - 28 April 1945 The enemy offereod v~ry light opposition during this ppriod.Some small anns fire and on one occasion direct artilleryfire was encountered. One town which we occupied was shelJ ed heavily for 8 short tirnf'. The spnf'd with which our column moved resulted in thp capture of great quantitie~ of enemy material and a laree number of prisoners.Results of Operations: 679 l)sf., 83 prime mov~rs, one 6EtS dump, one ammo dump, one liaison plane, four trucks, one li.ow.ted 40mm flak gun, five 20mm flak gtU1S, five 8bmrrl guns, destro~e~. One radio, one train consistl.llg of 16 passenger c~rs, and four flak cars taken intact.

III. OUR OPERATIOND }'OR MONTH OF Al'RIL, 1945: A. Units within Task }'orce Roberts - Clrich l\rril I - 12, lY45:

Hq/54HJ Co/54B 54

lled Det/5"

Serv/54

:8/21

1/A/552/11/609

"/D/21

B. Units ~thin Task Force Ulrich from April 12 - 30 j 1945: llq/54

Bq Co/54

:8/54 .-Jed Det/54

Serv/54

B/21

2/C/55

2/B/609

3/D/21

- 3

:J '::.~i. ,',:TIC:~ }I.E~T:\:', Hq, 54th f,rmd Inf Bn, i..onth of April 1 - }O, 1945: III. ,::'i~ ::'" ,>l"-SiIc)rs :rCR .:Cl:i'll 01' AHaL, 1945:

.. c:.>.tht'r: 24hour neriod - Clebr w1d cool.

Po. 0 er 5 moveu OU 0 .,~n laUSefL 0 8 nc alont route

of advance. /~t ~,eckesl1eim the forvaird elements rE1l'l into Wl

enemy pock('t of resi~tuLce before cros3in~ the bri~e, they had to clean out two l.iacl'.ine gun n(sts. i our enemy Anti-tank guns wer'!" destroyed. Continuing on mission they were brought under direct 8d fire. Two tanks fell before artillery destro~ed the gun .~ovi~; along under sporadic brtl11ery, they encountered a mine field. The mine field was covered by mortar and 88 fire. Enginet'"re cleared the fi@l!ld 'md the point continued on to Zuzenhaueen. 1,0w the column was running a gauntlet of heuvy artille.ry, mortar and 88 fire as it proceeded to I1offenheim. Sporadic small arme fire was met as we reached the outskirts of to?,m. An A/T. gun with prime mover Wke enguged b. the tanks and destroyed. 3rr.all arms fire trom the h1ghground to the e~:)t of the town.' They :.'.~re dispersed b, th~ column.

~ore i:Sri were taken iTl town. Colu.tm wus progress1~ outside of town wh~n every thine came down. 20m:~l, mortar, artillery, SUi-all arms, and 88rr.~' fire. Golwnn pulled bhCk and awaited ordere. Leading elaa .ere given orders to forn. a brldgeh~.:~d on the outekirts of town to torestall an attempt at a counter attack. The second team wnr, ordftrf'd forward to s{,C":1re the t ';wn. Both prepared to move forward and attAck in the mornin,se n~sult: Captured three towns, destroyed four A/T guns, cl'"rea hm 11linefi~}ds, cHptured 43 rsw, estif'llited 80 eneIDJ casualties, mill/orOl.," 8l:,Hll ara;s captured and destroyed. 2 /,}!'i.l 1 45 _c. enther: Clettr and cool.

f'~:U r!,!~ e emen s 0 J.:usJ( oree 0 e "s (parted lioffe-n.heim (821751) at OU15. i~t 0830 the for;mrd elements 'Here held up by an exploding ac~;,o dur..;n get afire bz tar.k tracer. EncountFred minefield (841741) at O'jJ:,). ',l'his field. was covered b, artil i.ery. J\t 1010 point reached .;in":l~ v!ld clC')::ring t\'\!o S?otty Li.ne fields, the column ent.ered Hohrbach (85 y7) wh(>Ye t '-:e'y en~')ur.terf':d 8r.d were brought wlder firt" of an en~;'iy tiger t,.;lJ.K. ,:..rtillery fire ~ad(! h1.o flee h;ter tank d~stroyer frcr~t~;1 f~re had no effect.. l..nother spotty mihe field. 'l:he bridge Ht ([:E;'l728) \,.'Uf' Oi... t 50 thp column depleYf"d in tl.e towr.. Town bYC hr.i" TV tank', two COr:lnlan~ c1.;1'S, two 20mm 8r:t i-aircr:t, 011(:: prime I;"ov~r, four A/T guns. Captur~d 64i):;;'~.

~t i -:t;. t-.~d (3() }~ilJ ~ '1.

;; I\r'YG to n t tl!(! i~l !lev'; d1.rection en~ rnl1.y along .lJ hile/'s route of ftdVtt.ce. l!:isk l-orce departe6. .. ins.:.eiru [:t 04}O.

_ fl.

AYTEH ACTIC~l ru~'?cRr, ..h 54th Armd rn! :iln, ~..ont ')f (;'ri"! .1 - 30, 194~. Ill. SU~;/\RY Of O}:SHATI~l'::':; Vt,Y ll"" LAY: (C ontinuf.'d) ir.;~r11 (Continuedl

r vtng at l'ririkenbach, tt.e Iask }oorce rEH.:eived orde~; tu r:roc(;~'d at once to Neckargartech and seize bridee rf:'portl'~ l'.t::,t!t t,~' ei.r. Team ~.~clntosh entered town without or: osition but fOU!!G or-i.3,*e blown. Civilians sMd it was out since 022100. Our Illen Jug in 011 tl~~ river bank Rwalt1.ne thf'! a.rrival ot friendly troops who wer#": to f:~;t>tlist a bridgehftad for the engineers. Here they held for th~ eveI.lnt;. Route of !!arch: Sinsheim, ' sisbstadt, 1~elL'1st8dt, .chrger., iiuf(el~hardt, Frankenbach and ~teckargartech. hesult: ~apturfd one town, took 20 PsS. c!estro~ ed three multlple-bar, eled guns, and sU1:dry SIna l'l arms and ammo.

/'-. rill .. t r en y in antry crossed tile

under thp. cover of our fire Hnd est~iblished a 'eckctr Hiver in as!"'>Hul t bOhts

bricigf'!!le:~d. They lUet terrific opposition eo VIe held our position supporti.n.g b~ tHnks, mortar machine gun, and sNall arms until 1730 when they withcre'N to ll'ankenbach on order. At 1800 the CO and 3 attended meetiltt; at (X,/A 'IIhere they received tentative plans for a pro,lJos~d new [lIiS5ior.. J,t 2000 the CO preeented his pl~tll to teulI; co.uj~f'..nders. Itesult: heU1U.ill~d in defensive position") supporting the f:rienci1J' doughs Wit;,. fire.

A ril 1 45 hent}lf~r: ~1ehr fUld cool. e . 'as ~ orce "Hl~ pu.t on a OIl~ hour alert. i,t 1037 the \.,\.. l:' ecei.vpo

orders and rou.te from C~/A. 1eparted l' rai~eI.tc'"ch 1345 ;:iI ri~;ln[. at ASSl-;.r;Jstadt at 2()4~':::. Distance cov~rf;ci: 63 Il.ilp.,. nou.t:"": ~ J'a:.Lk~nbach, Klrchh..t:luse.a, .i;onfeld-j'.epJ ,enau, ,')igelsb ell, ,~ufielJ.hHl't, "ol.le"1:,l( rg, bergen, ;csbacfl, ,\110 si)c:...ch , .4~eckarburke:'~t i..a.ll:~u., ~.uercae:Lf \J u(':c . ,dr' 1 ~H~eia-., Osterburken, ,eTch ingp.n, ,J:)al1enbf"rg and ',ssc.:.E.lstadt. i, OVf. ;,: ~ nt c po 31tion for attack. 6 A ril 1 \\eather: Cloud and cool. Lea.ding eler.ients of Task force ho "rts ju!n:p~u off ut Oc)4:- b ... t Uti!' to the extrl'!:!;e drlrk: ..eS3 and rain they had to procet'!d wi th Cf;~~ t Lon. t;y error the, reached Horrenbach which WV.9 undefende-d. i.ft,...~ ~l~:tshL'1g they proce~ded to the orieinB,l flr~t objective, Lai!ibact~. r:~:il1:y jumped of! at ogoo and entered tl:e town of Do!'zl;ach vTh~re th!!j' \'z!'-!"e tw,l ted by a road block (defended) of old vehi.:~J es. A direct fire wet,'~'Ion account-' ed for one tank. The town was put under intease artill prJ fil'e !i.nU the infantry c~e in on the flank. ::niper fire 'W.':l~ inte!'~)t- ()r. "'.'ott flanks. Capt/alson, the vattu110n ;>-3, vms 'NoUllded Wld eVHC'l.Hted. CArt lilricr~t Executive Officer, assumed the diA.ties of 5-3, r..1r.~s und, ro01J;; traps were scattered alone Ol.::.r route of auvwwe. ~loved into sB:-e:,bl~,; H:r~a to re~ur-i,l~' and r~or{"::Uli.e. }\e~)Ult: ::Look tnree towns, tf.!li ,~;" t":3timated cssua.l ties, 60. ~e~~troy"":d three dlr~ct fire Wf:"apons. '1 A Til 1 4 :.eather: hain and coel.

'epH:rt~e /-.3SC-:i.stnlit 1;4; olloV'!lng \,;'"j h to Crailsltf"in oVt"r J"o:~t(- taken 4'- 3 . ( ( " ~. 5 ' by llask 1oree ~~'.ll1.ki:ns and l'i1Sk l' Ol'ce hiley a.nd {) rd t j1, .:Jr. .1.)).

Col1.lum preC'edir~,' rj}~l ted 21 t Eoller:b1.ch. ~\ t 1215 er,~i.', [',1;- ~ t tt~ckt:d. At 1315 CG, CC:/}\ issued oruer for '~F' F:IL,; rt;, to b;; ;:'~'ss :... . .,-' i., nnd

contlr:ll~ along rout~ of advance. Vicinity, l.eldbvch l~tsl' 1 c'r:.'e ran gauntlet, of 3t:.al i ~rJ13, dlrf'ct fire "';("".':-;O?'~i. 1\1 so re cetv :,~:' b"VJi eoin.c over tJl air, bOt::birJ.t~ and strt1fir::~. ,__ , I,>~~l~inil.:d, eJ :,[: ~out~ u"tll reaching outskirts of Crnl15,~1~1:n. ,',t ]f>l.h) , ~v, ",,/1., 1::;e~.::,:', (.~u('r for ""'oakJ.c"o Forc,_ to ntt",c",~..,(;A r. orodCA..:.1 ..... oeize ~il'r"l"~'"1.:1 , .1\ . ..., .L..., .. r'c. ~.~. Cc\llF"~'v",,_.... 1 l'~r":',"':.i... ~ ..... t u ';"QR_"", ~ ',roce""ded1;' ..... on mission at 1830. liea,m ;,.clnto!lh was tL~ only te!.tl tc. ~,~~:,' ..::1,. ((,out)

- 5 -

AFT~H "eTION REroH'I, HCi, 54th An:ld In! En, ~onth OJ. April 1 - '0, 1945. III. 5U......AHY Ot Gf'LhAl'H,NS DAY bY DAY: (l;ontinuect)l 7 April (Continued) .

Rielly and or elements remained at Jlaldhausen. Aliclntosh procef"ded to

IIorrenburg where it Wb,S found that roads presented on maps did not

actually exist on the ground. .Bypasses were attempted but failed.

learn consolidated Horrenb...,rg and planned to move out in the morning.

Distance cover~d: 35 nales. Assamstadt, Re~erhaueen, Hollenbach,

R.ldb[;ch lUau!leden, Rot-run-See, Wallhausen, Gronnigen, Crailshe1m, Gronn1ge"~, ;~"a.l'lfimg1: HOcf;R~ullf~ cJ

AFTER AC'lIO!~ HEroIn, Q~, 54th Armd In! l)n, Lonth . April 1 - 30, 1945. Ill. SU14..AHY 0;' OPI-RATI(jN~ DAY hY DAY. (Continued) 9 April 19~5 (Continued)

we came un ar Iriendly mortar fire. Team cowHand.'r decid~d to hold

what be bad since positions of the W1its we were to contt'ct were

unknown. The flush1ne of the friendly doughs was pusldnt; th~ enemy

into our path. We occupied the hiBb. ground around Lrewlhausen,

~olfsholden, and blocked their further retreat.

Result: Covered 25 miles, captured 'light towns, '50 1-'3~',", ~sti.a.ted

enemy casualties, 75. Destroyed three command cars, 50 i)WlZ~rfaust,

and sundry small arms and ammunition.

r1l 1 ~e8ther: Cloud and cool. At 8.5 contact was made with "L" company of 254tll In:f Regt, 6:5rd Division Mission accomplished Hq was established Wolfsho~ en. Reorganizing. At 1740 received notice that ~ffectiv. in.mediHtely Task }'orce was relieved ,!lttached CC/A and att,;ched to TF Riley. l~y direction of CG, lOth AD. Ril.,y operating direct control, CG. At 1830 TF Ulrich moved out for Division assembly area, vlcinity ]jorrenzimI:itarTt arrt ving1945. Result I Accomplished ~s5ion ot contacting 63rd Int Div. Reorganized as much 8S was possible. 11 April 1945 Weather: Cloudy and cool. Received orders to cross bridge at ',Veisbach attackil'-Z w~st in the direct of Heilbronn. There to make cOlltact with the lOOth Inf. lJiv. Departed 0830 behind T;' Riley with the 4l9th A~d 11\ Batt~!. i_on to Join enroute. At l200 revftrt"d to CG/A control. At 2000 ee, TF Riley gave orders tor TF Ulrich to pass throu;h hi~ leading ~leo;,ent r- at Kemmeten. His Force had traveled to the east becau.e~ of a bJo\\'l1 bridge. PHssed through elements or TF Riley and proc~ed~d to I!.;eek'hof by corduroy road, constructed b, e~ineer3, over stream bed. Arrj.ved2255B. l1esul t: Captured on~ town, 22 Pe/~, destroyed one 88 [-un. Distance traveled 22 miles. Route or );iarch: Dorrel1JirrlO'l~rn,: t~uchhau.en, Delsenberg, Nage:t.sb~rg9 Ingelfingen, lIe18sbnch, herr.l~sbert;, .urels, Kemmeten, ~eckhof. . 12 rill. weather: Clear and WArm.

'iiec 0 to proce~d alont" route of 8dvanc~ beLiLd 1'1" Hilf.',}'until Kirchen~tall whftre Wit were to branch off on pre::;el,ectt.'d route. I'ord~d streBIl1 sw ..eufels. Continued behind TF Ril~J- wherl hp changed his rout. ot advance so it corrp.Bnonded with ours. l.t 12:::-:0 \,re en

count~red an enemy column movin.c!} on our r:1.glrt flarJ.:: on foet .and blcycle.From Si to J\TE, 2 kilometers ov.tside Ohringen. ASSl-lUl t gU;i, tnnk,

tank destroyer, s!llall arms, and artill~ry destro;oed l'iLd dj s:-ernen the

entirl' column. TF Riley was encounteYing stlff resistHIlCf'! 'Nit'lin the

town. One infantry platoon and the mortar platoon were ~"f"r;.t for~',-Rrd

to help the attack. Sniper fire by civilians as j,\:~ll as soldi~rs WllS

encount.!!red. At 1600 the CO, eCIA, issu~d a verb.1 orcr:-r ft'r tt:,.. attack

to continue on to Vivis."Lon objective. iieilly on tne rieLt or no!.'th.

Ulrich in the middle, nankins on the l~ft or' SOl;.t 11~rn rente. Ir.e

fighting in town was HOW intense. ~ecided. to ~Yi tl.i.::lr:-"l'j ele::;et~;; R!ld

fire town witl: artillery. At 1900 hOU1'S, 3 artillery bi.(tt!::~llor..s of

155 fired the town.

13 April1945.~.Hther: Cloud, an,d -..urm. .

At 1030 EaJor Putnam, !i-), t..!~ ...\, arrivtK at Gr with ordj&>;~ t'J ;.Y".;~ out.

Routf':. changed jus-t;' enough to al]_,.;w :for tL,e byri':S(~ir~: cf Srlr::!:(~'-'n.

TF Ulrich depart~d :. e1.nbach 1130. riearr, j

I

... 't ~ ., l"o..i: J..L, ;:"~'IICN nI.1C('1', Lei. 54tr..\rmd In! 1r;., t.:.onth 0": April 1 - 30, 1945. 111 ~t!:':' ....AI\Y 01 0 t El-.AJ:I(;~:":; In\',' BV D,\Y. (Continue-d) ,

~ontinued unA e 0 sUPllor J." Wft ~r.t of tll~ thru: s. hl!:~;(i.d iutu ()hrin~~n.

Hec~ived inforlhation fl"Om friendly forc~s tr-.at there was a road block along our route of adv,".JIlce (defende..t.) l,;ismounted infantry went forward with f!l.;ineers. .block was found and cleared and found to be unCiefen,~ed. As leudir.&i:, elements passed tiu-ough road block, they were brought und~r antl-twJK fire fl om t~le1r left flank, also sli.all aruls wea,Por;.s. ,'Jtillery fire 1r~terr..litte.nly. lieceived ap: roxi. :.atelJ th~ty rounds of nebelwerf~r fire on leading elements. As colwun adv:~nc.d on Verneberg, two PanJerfaust teams w.r~ destroyed. Resistance of.l.'ered in deten.e of town.

:~.ven man group with autor:w.tic wenpons Vlho wer~ neutralized b7 mortal', tank, and srr.all arms fire. EnterinG the town with dOUGhs dismounted. Tanks in SUi;' ortir.g positions. Th~ Ivst bit of resistance disintt'rgrated and.i.eam iieilly uutposted the tovm, awai tins the arrival of 'iewll ~cIntosh. ~.:e had w:.i ted for th~ fall of the town on the outskirts of Ohringen. . cIntosh cyos~ea the tableland wittout too much ado save, small anns fire from the tlank~. ~cIntosh reinforc~d the outposting while the Task force refueled and replenished their suprly of ammunition, food and water. .~hile thie was taking place, received orders from CC/A to hold positions especially watchful of south and east portion of town. Resul t of Operation: Captured one town, 12 rs',~, one 8Jr.r."o wagon. Esti.l!:ated casulaties: 22. 14 A xiI I 45 'j'~ather: l;Iear and warm. es is. aments Ie t erne erg. mrr.e ately upon clearing town they received small arms from the hig!: erourlll to their left flank. ~oved assault gun into firing position. Leadine; ""lith doughs dismounted

cov~red b.y tanks, the iwmediate route of lliarch WtLS flusl.ed. Entered Bretzfeld. Bothbridees reportt'"d out and road block mined on route to hap ach.'l'l1e lighter armored vehicles tlnd trains wer~ flrt"d upon by civilians and enroute to bretzteld, the enemy deluged theul with small arms and lVil; fire. l;isptached light tanks to cover their advance and placed artillery and mortar fire on the high groWld. Sporadic heavy enemy artillery commenced fallil1" at 1205 and continu~d throughout the ni6ht. Reconnaissance 'lroop, 90th Cavalry, who were to pass through to ~a3sbach and relieve pressure fron ~outhern flank failed in their at t.empt du" to thfl' .n~tr:y curtain of fire. At 1'30 leAding eleoents, Team R~illy movtl!d forward on next objt!ctive via bitzfeld. l)roc~ed.,d without op:.osition SHve harassinc artillery fire. heached and secured :1.sppact. 're&! [,.cIntosh moved from his position il~ l:;retzteld across

tre~ldV"'n/ constructed by engineers. h,sfled thro~h Reilly and proceeded to D1;' bach. There hI'! contacted elms of 398 Inf hegt at 1720. f:eturned via same route. i:\eceived alert orders with overlHY for moven,~nt to 8sserr;bly Br~n in pr~paration for 8tt~~ck in new direction. LoveCler.t to

cormj':~nc~ when propt!!rly reliftvt"d by friendly elerr.ents. Houte of .l...arch: Verneberg t Er~tzf ... Id, Bitzteld, Rapr,ach, bimbA.~h~ ~istHnc~: 7 mi les. Reeul ts or Oper,cition: Captured twc towns, 16 }Jsw, li8sualti~s estimated, 30. ::JeBtroy~d two ~a.zo~)ka teams, one r--.G position and onC! civilian v,hicle.

Clellr w:d cool. Hrrf"inr; aS~~,l blj ar~a 1130. Lattalior HeadqWlrt,.r~ ~Gttl.blisl~l~J l:lUtt~lbronL. '.i..f!ULi heilly at buttelbromJ l.ils.o. lea::: .. cIutos!1 bt C!lt~r-:'',ag::31101d~rtHch. irttins at Ilohrig. Losley

- (3 ( ..:ontinued) ow

-

l \

1 A.lriJ. J,retz ",1(\. 09)

AF~ER ACTION REPeRT, II 54th Armd In! En, i.::onth '- April 1 - 30, 19450 III. SU!l.l,;.AT1Y OF OPERATICNS DAY BY DAY. (Continued)!5 ~ril 1945 ~Continued)nrlrieen.oute: Bretzfeld, Bitzfeld, Ohrineftn, Unter 1..asz;hold rbach,

to Duttelbronn. Distance, 7 miles. At 1000 1atta1ion CO and 3 attendt"d .e.ting at Division Headquarters where they v.-ere informed of the mis:sion. Attack fj'ii in Corps zone, destroy 17th !:is Division. l;lans A and B consi3ted of rou.tes of attack. CO u..1'ld 3 at t.ended J:rH'f tine at C',,j A where they were inf'ormed of change in mj.ssion and enemy 8ituatlon. .Prepf>red Task Force for movement. 16 A ril 1 4 Weather:

epare to move at 0 on order 0 C" A which never m8.t~rializea.. Recoruia13sance was mude of the rout, s and contact established. wi til the elements who we would pass through. Constant 11aiso'n with hit'her headquarters. Result: I'repared to attack on ord(~r. 17 ril 1945 Weather: Clear and wa~.

eam e y, our e8 ng e emen , moved out on route of udvance. Progressed along follOwing the established path made by 'II- Riley until .RJ at 331580. Almost imrn!!diately we ran in to n spot ty rr;in~ field tuat was removed bJ' the engineers. Continued along wi thout re~dstance, save an undefl!'nded abatis, until about 700 Yllrds ou.tside tl'~e to'Nl'l of ,i~ilsboch. There the leading el~~~nts picked up 8 horse drawn col~i ptisslng in front of them from west to east. All guns cap[.:...ble of bei:cg fired. ef!..gaged the column. It was dispersed and destroyed. ~aintairH.'c 8, blocking force to the right flank throughout the r.ma.l.nd~r of thf" period. 18 A~r1l 1945 Weather: Cloudy and coSl. love out at 0800, Team II'!clntosh leauing. Fired artillery preparHtion on woods before passing through them. Continued on route of Hdvancf' vli thout interruption. At 0825 entered klketown, 334-529. Approxir1ately 1000 J'ards south of the town we ran into an ahati. '::':ngineers removed it. Encountered second abati at 348518, remov~d it in 45 minutes. l;hysieal contact was made with 1st Lattalion, 398th at 1030. Encountey~d third abati that engineers removtI!d o Proceeded on to Grub where an infantry company was caught off gl.!ard. After a fierce fire fight, the entire unIt was either killed, wOWlded or captured. Liaison offict"r reported to the TJo' commander with new plan of attack and routes of advance. he 0 rganized and prepared to move out when recor.naissance reported Task F Ol'ce Rl.lf"~ had not cleared Point A (road junction where we were to tie in behind him.) Reporting this fact to higher headquarterf., we received a standbJ-' ord~r. Liaison officer once again came forward with orders and rout~. At 1730 departed Garb, Team Reilly leading, ran into three abati on our rout!" of advance. Two had to 'b.e oleared. One was bypE.ss~d. J\t 1946l.: messo-.:_ from celA advised the CO to hold up for the night gettirl. much rl('edeci r!"'st. The column halted at wolfenbruck. Results: CHpturt~d tOlAr tevm.s, known enemy dead, 30. Estimated Casualties, 12. 84 Ps., captun::~i.

Numerous quantities of supplies and material capturedo

19 April 1945 Weather: Clear and warm. .

At 0830 Task Force, with Team Reilly leading departed Wolfensbruck. At

0845 encountered abati 200 yardS lone. bypnss~d and continued on rout~

to Glashofen. Leading elements contacted 'lask lorce Riley at I'oint bnker

as deSignated. They had to wait for Tank !torce to clear. t\t 1,330 coluniIl

moved out. Received message that Redwood 6 (Corps) desir~d all conmcanders

be notified that sp.~d is the most iriportant element of OU.r a.t t!~ck and that

every ef"rort will be made to seize crossL~~C3 over both th.e h~r.lS and .F els

Rivers todaJ'. Tas~.{ Forc~ :r~nct~d:Loyc'r-. st ~~~40 n~' d s~cured th.ree bri.dges

_ I) _ (Contil!LH'd)

AFTER .4CTICN REl'GRT, . ,4' 54th Armd Inf Bn, Kont.. t April I-30, 1945. III. ::;UM.,.ARY Of OFEAATIONS DA'.' B"l DAY: (Continued) 19 April 1945 (cont1nued~ l across the Rer.l~ River..sult of Operation: J-\ccomplished securing bridLes acros~ the Rem~. Bistence- 27 miles. Route' wolfensbruck, Glashofen, Ob hot. j'orn~bach, Monchhof, Kai~erbach, Gebenweiller, BurEholz, lloldis, Pfalbronn, and Lorch. 2 A. )ril 1 4 ',weather: Cloud and cool. A con act. a vance e ement~ 0 riendly doughs. Meceived warnine from Crown to be especially watchful since this was Hitler's birthday. ~eing relieved by elements of the 44th Divisioll. Task Force moved out 0800 for Frondau and the Fels river bridgehead. At 1115 bridgehead was secure. Task Force was reinforced b, elements of Troop C, 90th Cav Rcn Sqdn (Kecz). Relieved by CC/R the Task Force moved out at 1500 following the route of Task force Reilly. At 1830 column W[iS jwnp~d by a single enemy plane who was

driv~n off before he could inflict rulY dau~eo Knter..d Kirchhelm wher~ we rftc.iv~d orders to. be prepar. d to blocl{ entrt":lce at daylight. Resul t of Cperation: 15 Ps'Iii, secured bridge across ~ els River, Distance - 20.5 milss. Route: Lorch, ... Hsh.nbur.ll, berenbach,

Rechbt'!rgh~u~Hm, l'aurndau, Alberhau3.n, ;;>chli.rLach, Klrchh.im. 21 April 1~45 '.eath: Cloudy and cool. Task Forc~ assumed outposts as per orders o~ the previous evening. Engin~r~~ prepared m1nefield~. Enemy wa~ reported in the area throu'6h v&rious sources. ~fuen traveled visible routes were fired u~~on by artilJ ery, tank, and mortar. These outposts Wf"re drawn into the city proper und.-r the cov@r of darkness to effect greater security. Results: 15 PsW, .stioat.d casualties, 30. Destroyed Volks'n-l.gon and three trucks. ZLt;ril 1~~45,~eathf!rl Rain and cool. Received alert ordftrs to 'be prepared to move out following the route of 'fask :Forc!t Hiley. Comp~i~d with these orders at 1300 when relieved bj elms of 103rd Division. Shortly after leaving the outskirts ot !

AFTEh l'.eTlON FJ.o:'ORT, hq, 54th Annd lr.f 1m, }.'(;;1th ul. t.pril -1 -50, :)45. II~~. S'L"1e. ....AFY Olt' OPERATlm~3 DAY b Y DA::: (Continued)

~1: Apr~l 1945 (Cont in~ d)Rf"5U t:aptured three towns, 48 1J5~i, esti~.a.t~d eH~J,u,:Jlti~~, 70.

lJe'5troy~d five S8ral.ll anti-tp..:nk gW1~, and Oil. 20Ull, flB-K.

2S A",~ril 1... t'.ath 4 r: Clea.r and cool..

I.t 124 received orders to be pre;.ar'l'd to continuf! attLI)Y -~_pon crossing canal. At 1550 leaclin,g l.r!l~nts, Teo.m ;.. ,c1!Jt()Sl~ Uf' r~!rt~Q ~~teinb.ck moving 8out!.lW.st. Cros3f1!d canal and C'~lhllrt d direction of attack to north east. At 1945 .nCOU':Lt~rfld sIIlal~ a.r,~, [.',r.d -V ...: fire. Continuttd on to 'Jullenstett8n., Here the T~:.s~ Fore_, Hftf!iT town was flushed, was subjected. to he",vy brtil1*ry fir. - 25 rounus. R~sult: Cllptured o~e town, 51 1;5~:, fiVft knovrn d.ad, d.'stro~ed four 20truH AA guns, captured one radio intact. ])lstmLce t rp.ve1~d" 9.2 l:-d.les. Route Steinberg, Dorndolf t Illerried9n, 'nangen,

Dilitenhelm, Ill"rtis!5ftn, Bellenbure, Vohr(u~.ge:-i, ,Jull tm s t tot +~n.

26 A ril 1 ~ Weather: Cool and cleHr.

xeeft ve no ce tl'...at e ~etiVft 252400 yOLl.:r eo:, ,tu:d detached from thl! headquarters and plaef'd l.lnd~r Div isio::'.. COi!t~cl. Report into Div net. At 0730 Task :F'orce with teb)n I~.j.}J:( ]l'"nding continued alone route of Rdvanc~. TH~:,k }'orc~ still l,ooDI- fyo~:gtne t.f\m~. :t.il1y to('lk and sttm.. red L.nd~n A.nd Av. It.~Into~r, ],"",t)vl"d forv;ard and took Ludwigsfe1d. ~clntosh eor;tinued on t(}WHro obe~ctiv~. Two kilomet.rs out'Side of FIn; hp enC'-:Oi;ntll',rl!H: t:. rc,- d b~_:}(;~;, 1,nllftfl'trJd"'!;u, that he was unsbl'l to by pR~S. E:ngh:elEr3 cleared th19 rC'rlClb1oc:k. Thft railroad bridge at entrar.ce to to'.V!J. was blovin SCYQ:::;!-j ro~ci. Infantrv

., was disIl'lolUlt.d and encoun,tfT~d tile soutl:v.st s~ctiOL wher'! they met fri~ndly doughs of th.e 44th 1ivislon. Recejvf-d (;rde!2 thst if Wft could be of no furth~r as::-,if>tclll.c" to clil:!J1,!' Ciirectior of attack to soutb, SQuthw,.st alont,: hilty's route of ad\;,:u;c~, to tb.t'I vicinity of Lab.nhausen. Road priority to Cli}: Imd. C/90th till they cleared bridge. Departed 1530 anti proce~;d~d wi tLm;

" '

L

2e'\:>r'~1 1945 J'~Qth~l~: Clf'!ar and cold.

~i~i.>:i;1:;:T in vicblty of K~(ufb"ur"j:i feT th~ t\'/enty four hour ppriod

. ~l .-J;1') ma(~td..ri!'>,S r"';~ivi:-t: H !ml'~h nee(',"d rest, r.hbbilith~,lon ,)~:d ~;~L\Tict~16. O",.tl) 'J ':' tl"!(' t~I~' town, rounding u~ th" straUlers ~7ho E'.t:r,ro:=ich.,:1 tl-.~ ()ut~o~t. !1:~t~-:':;. rt~sult: Outpl)stf!d th" t'YNu. ,;'Y'f!)""1I1t'!d i:mel1 nel!'df!d L'laint.na,i"lc~~ ..s9_\p:~1 .:4cCither: c.:olrl. snowiYl,c.

l,e~,~~:rt ~d l.au.~ .ur~n 1, for ;:chongau.~~hile enrout. r~ eelved.

1;. .' .:,:cL:~ in oraeTS. To Ill"OCe ~d withoat dela~' to c.;annish-n'rtf'!nkirchen

t.~-, :' . ~~1"",1"""\.J.4 ,..:~::t, l.nfaLtr~y,

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