|
|
635th TANK DESTROYER BATTALION
-
- THE 635th TANK DESTROYER BATTALION IN EUROPE IN WORLD WAR II
by Carl Condon
Carl Condon, a former member of Company A, is the Historian of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion Association. This history was compiled from official reports and was supplemented by reminiscences of unit members; it is published with Mr. Condon’s permission. It has been reformatted and partially edited by Bryce Benedict, formerly of the 102d Military History Detachment, Kansas Army National Guard. Most military acronyms in the original have been spelled out; some of the ones which were not are:
CP Command Post
OP Observation Post
HE High Explosive
HET-105 High Explosive Thermite (Shell)
HVAP High Velocity Armor Piercing
LCT Landing Craft, Tank
LST Landing Ship, Tank
VOCO Verbal Orders Commanding Officer
VOCG Verbal Orders Commanding General
- 635th TANK DESTROYER BATTALION INDEX
- 1944 - January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, The Battle of the Bulge and Christmas Day
- 1945 - January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October
JANUARY 1944
30th Left Camp Polk, Louisiana by troop train for the Port of Embarkation at Camp Shanks, New York.
FEBRUARY 1944
2nd Arrived at Port of Embarkation at Camp Shanks, N.Y.
8th Completed processing, shots, and paper work etc. at the Port of Embarkation for shipment to Europe.
9th Loaded aboard the British HMS "ANDES" for somewhere in Europe or Africa (?).
Bill Hay told me today (3/15/97) the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion sent an advanced detail to England in early January 1944 on the British Ship "Mauritinia" to prepare for the arrival of the Battalion on February 19, 1944. The advanced detail was----Major Bert Scott---Captain Bill Hay---T/Sgt Roscoe Rowe---T/Sgt Haven Howatt.
9-19th We sailed by the Statue of Liberty in the early morning, out into the Atlantic and were at high seas for the next l0 days. As I remember, we were told, that we had about 7,000 troops aboard this 3rd largest British Luxury liner converted to a troop carrier. We had 2 meals a day, one in the AM and one in the PM. The ships galley served meals from early morning to about 10:00 PM and then the tables were used at night for some of the troops to sleep. Bob Van Buskirk says, "how could you ever forget creamed liver for breakfast?" The English cooks could not furnish meals to the American liking.
We hit a very severe storm in the North Atlantic and many troops were sick either hanging their heads over the side or in the latrine sitting on one stool with there head over another. Most of the 635th men were assigned duty of some kind while on the ANDES. We stood fire watch at stations around the ship or on the 20 and 40 millimeter gun anti-aircraft turrets on the ship. Company A had the anti-aircraft turrets and the other companies had other such duties around the ship. Our watch on the gun turrets were 2 hours on and 6 hours off for the 10 days at sea.
After several days at high seas word came down that our destination was England.
19th We arrived at Liverpool, England. Moved by English train to Cheltenham, England and then by truck to the Tracy Estates, Toddingham, Gloucester, England. We were billeted in Nissen Huts on the Tracy Estates. Our double deck bunks were made from wooden shipping crates with a lattice made of the steel banding across the bottoms. For a mattress we stuffed a mattress cover with straw. For heat we had a small potbelly stove in each hut and one bucket of coal per day. We had outdoor latrines with honey buckets under each stool. The honey wagon would come each day to empty the buckets. We heard rumors that this waste was used on the vegetable gardens by the English farmers and sold to the Army. During this period in England we continued our combat training with a great deal of physical endurance workouts. We knew the invasion was ahead and our physical conditioning was important for survival.
MAY 1944
16-Jun 1st We moved into the marshaling areas (“Sausage Camps”) at Chasewater in southern England. Our vehicles were equipped with the water, gasoline, rations and the many things that were necessary when we hit the beaches. All vehicles were water proofed and equipped with snorkel tubes well over the tops of the vehicle. All motor and drive-train vents were sealed with this water proofing material as well as the entire electrical ignition system. The water proofing was needed in the event that we would have to land in the water.
We were issued impregnated clothing in the event of a gas war. No one will ever forget these smelly and stiff outfits. Each man had an inflatable life belt to be worn under the armpits that could be inflated with a CO2 cartridge. If the cartridge failed they could be inflated by mouth with 2 tubes on your chest.
We were paid with French invasion money and handed a French phrase book. Briefings were held on what to expect on the beaches. All that we were told about the beaches were the code names: DOG --- GREEN,WHITE & RED. Next, to the east, were EASY--- GREEN, & RED. East of these were FOX ---GREEN & RED. The higher command had more information of where we would land but most enlisted men knew very little. Security was very tight and we could not send any mail.
JUNE 1944
1st Company "C" loaded men and equipment on LST-55 at Plymouth, England.
2nd Company "A" was loaded on LST-5 at Falmouth, England. Company "B" and part of Headquarters Company were loaded on LST-393 at Falmouth, England. All of this information is taken from the LST Deck Logs of these 3 ships. We have log sheets for LST's 5, 55, 393 & 392 for the period of June 1st thru June 8th, l944.
LST-381 is also listed in the battalion records. The log sheets however, show that this ship was damaged in Italy and was in dry-dock on June 6th, 1944. However it made its lst trip to Normandy on June l8th. Haven Howatt's records show that a part of Headquarters Company was on LST-393. It also shows that parts of Headquarters Company did not arrive in Normandy until June l8th. It does not indicate the LST but its possible that it may have been LST-381. LST-392 also shows up in battalion records but we have the log sheets for this LST and nothing indicates that any of our units were on it. However Ernie Pyle and the son of John Pershing as well as many Washington high brass were on this ship for observation of the beach assault on June 6th.
LSTs 5, 393 & 55 on June 6th were well within view of Omaha Beaches. The 16th Regiment of the lst Infantry Division was going in on EASY & FOX beaches. The 116th Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division was landing on DOG beach. We could observe that the beaches were under very heavy shelling and bombing. It seemed, at times, that most of the rocky areas back of the sand and the bluffs of the higher ground to the back were on fire from the shelling. Large clouds of smoke would block our view a good part of the time.
We waited on our LSTs for our turn to go ashore. There were hundreds of LSTs and infantry landing crafts on all sides of us. The beaches were crowded with men and equipment and the units were called on to land as they were needed. Battalion records would indicate that some advanced parts of the 635th landed on the beach on June 6th & 7th. Small crafts were busy taking troops on to beach and returning with wounded to the LSTs. Medical teams were set up on the LSTs to receive wounded, take care of their immediate needs, and then transfer them to hospital ships. We now know that this operation OVERLORD consisted of about 5,000 ships of all types.
7th Battalion landed in France on Omaha Beach in LSTs and Rhino barges. Order of landing--Company's. A, B, C. Battalion CP party was last to land. Upon arrival Battalion attached to 1st US Infantry Division Artillery. Proceeded to Transit Area #4 for de-waterproofing. T/5 Grazier's ammo truck hit a land mine, rear tire blown and trailer turned over and damaged beyond use. Companys A & C attached to 26th Infantry Regiment and Company B to 18th Infantry Regiment. General bivouac in vicinity of 1st Division Artillery CP.
From the log sheets of LST-5 we read-------0800 hours anchor await proceeding toward beach EASY RED.-------l000 hours Anchored -------1030 started unloading Army Tank Destroyer units of vehicles and men, started loading army casualties-------1320 hours completed unloading army vehicles and men. (this was Company A of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion.)
From the deck log sheets of LST-393 we read--------0800 to 1200 hours anchored as before-------At 0920 hours LCT-290 alongside to commence unloading Army vehicles and personnel-----At 1025 hours LCT-209 away with one-tenth of army vehicles and personnel aboard.------seven 40mm guns manned in condition III.-----1200 to 1600 hours anchored as before with previously described set. Ten percent of combat load disembarked,awaiting further unloading. ------US LST-209 alongside for unloading at 1245 hours-----LCT-209 away at 1317 hours. Underway closing beach off FOX GREEN at 1320 hours------At 1830 hours LCT-199 cast off loaded with Army vehicles and personnel.-------At 1840 hours Rhino ferry secured to ramp and ship completely unloaded at 1902 hours.Our small boats shoved off for FOX GREEN beach to pick up casualties at 1950 hours. (This was Company B and part of Headquarters Company of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion that was unloading.)
From the deck log of LST-55 we read-----1530 hours beached at EASY RED France, dried out according to orders. 1945 hours, completed unloading Army personnel and equipment, containers of gasoline, water, oil and barrage balloon. 1950 hours 2 deceased casualties taken ashore. 2154 hours retracted from beach, under way, destination, assembly area. (This was Company C of the 635 Tank Destroyer Battalion that was unloading)
(Note) We have pictures of all 3 LSTs on Omaha Beach. Also pictures of a Company "C", 2nd platoon, gun section #4 halftrack & gun coming down the ramp of LST-55. (See picture album of LSTs). The 635th T.D. Battalion. was the first Tank Destroyer onto Omaha Beach. The 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion was the first Tank Destroyer outfit on UTAH BEACH.
During this period of June 1944, all of the areas on and near Omaha Beach were very busy bringing in landing crafts of all types. Rhino Ferries were working between landing crafts and the beaches bringing in troops and returning with casualties. When unloading is indicated on the LST's deck logs, we have no way of knowing if they are 635th units or other troops. The logs only indicate Army Troops. However, the time frames for the unloading of the 635th fit these slots and some of the logs are marked in pencil, Tank Destroyer troops. Advanced parties of 635th personnel may have went on to the beaches on the 6th of June by small boat as this activity was very heavy.
Harold Duarte (Company C) remembers that during the time we were on the LSTs waiting to go ashore, they asked for volunteers to go on shore by small boat and bring the wounded back to our LST for medical treatment. Each LST had a Medical team and a small operating room back of the tank deck. Harold says that he, Bob Van Buskirk and others volunteered for this task. On one of the trips to shore, he says he saw Lieutenant Colonel Wint Smith going to shore by small boat.
As the 635th went on to the beach June 7th we could now see close up what faced the 1st assault waves on June 6th. On the ground back of the sand beaches and on the rising bluffs facing the beach area, the Germans had built their block houses, bunkers and pill boxes. The German gun emplacements were on the higher ground above the beaches and could lay heavy fire on the Americans as they had advanced across the sand. The naval guns and some of our self propelled artillery on LSTs had shelled the German bunkers on the bluffs ahead of the advancing assault troops.
The ground back of the beaches and up onto the bluffs was covered with tall marsh grass and brush. The shelling had set this area on fire and we could see smoke still billowing up from the burned ruins. The large 14 and 16 inch naval guns were still firing over our heads inland to road junctions and railroad terminals to slow the Germans from bringing in reinforcements.
The area behind the sand beach was infested with land mines, deep tank barriers, anti-personnel mines, wire entanglements and everything to hold back the advancing men and vehicles. The combat engineers had cleared narrow lanes thru mines and marked these narrow trails with white ribbon tape. Many of the vehicles as they moved thru these marked lane would strike a land mine that had been missed or the vehicle would wonder a little outside the tape. (See pictures of the EASY BEACH area and the white marking tape)
Nick Kuntz (Company A) remembers----As we left the LST and were moving down the lane between the white marking tapes, our half-track got mired in the sand. The Engineers brought in a bulldozer to give us a pull. As the bulldozer was moving backwards pulling our half-track, it got slightly outside of the taped lane. It struck a land mine and blew a track off of one side. The only casualties was sand in our eyes.
We moved across the beach, over the trails marked by white tape and up a crude road that the engineers had dozed up the side of the bluff. On the higher ground back of the beach, we moved into a transit area between the hedgerows. Here we removed the water proofing from our vehicles and equipment. Everything must now be made ready to go into active positions with our guns the next morning.
We now were to learn the sounds, sights and smells of war. The sight of the dead along the hedgerows told us that this was for real. One of our first fears was snipers. We were to learn that many French women had lived with the Germans in their underground bunkers. They were left behind and now many had become women snipers. They were everywhere sniping at us. We moved around very careful and never alone. We would even take someone with us when nature called.
These small fields with hedgerows all around made it almost impossible to know who was on the other side of a hedgerow maybe only a hundred feet or so away. We were soon to learn the sound of the German burp gun, the German 88mm artillery guns, the rattle of German tanks and the silence of the incoming mortar. Every new sound brought new fears. The smells of war will never be forgotten by anyone.
The first night in Normandy, we were bivouacked in a small field with the hedgerows on all sides. We dug our foxholes deep and got no sleep. At the first sound of anything, we had to learn to interpret it in an instant and decide the action to take or dig deeper. The clatter of German tanks moving about at night and at times the voices of Germans only a hedgerow away. Also this very first night we would see a dogfight between the American and German fighter planes. We never could be to sure of anything these first days and only time would sharpen our understanding.
Companies A and C were attached to the 26th Infantry Regiment and Company B to the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division the first day in combat.
9th Company A transferred to the 2nd Infantry Division.
We were now living on C and K rations and this would be our diet for a month or so until the 10 in 1 was added. The one burner Coleman stove was our way of heating our food or heating water in our steel helmet for washing and shaving. Later we picked up a few cooking pans in bombed out homes, otherwise we used our mess kits. Our steel helmet was used as a stool while sitting, also cooking, washing, dipping water from our fox holes and many other uses besides our head protection. Major Scott (S-3), Corporal Dever, and Private Opray captured a German flying NCO radio operator who parachuted from his burning plane the previous night.
10th All Companies in positions near Hau Gros, France. Sergeant Blair, 2nd platoon, Company C killed 5 Germans with .30 cal machine gun and other members of his platoon captured 10 prisoners. Staff Sergeant Bonham, Company B wounded in groin by enemy sniper.
11th All Companies in position near Le Vielle, France. 1st platoon of Company C captured 2 enemy prisoners.
12th All Companies moved into positions near Castillion, France during the night of the 11th. Then on June 12th all Companies took up new gun position 3 miles north of Caumont, France. We would hold in these positions until the 17th of July. (This was a period in which we were in a holding position waiting to build up supplies, fuel, ammunition etc. from over the beaches to start the offensive code named OPERATION COBRA--St. Lo breakthrough.)
1st Sergeant Lowell A. Harper, Company C Killed In Action, southeast of Caumont, France. Company C also lost a half-track. Enemy infantry infiltrated and tossed a hand grenade into vehicle that burned beyond use. Replacement June 14th
14th Pfc Donald Snook, Company C, Lightly Wounded In Action and returned to duty. Private Henry Maderis, Company C, Severely Wounded In Action and evacuated. Dale P. Schuetz, Company C, Severely Wounded In Action and evacuated - died later of wounds. Ray Magines remembers Madaris and Schuetz were wounded on June 14th shortly after we occupied Caumount, France and died the same day. They were the squad security riflemen. They were surprised by a German patrol and killed by "Burp" gun fire and grenade. The same German patrol destroyed Marintzer's half-track. Snook was wounded in the leg by a grenade in the skirmish that followed. Earlier in the same afternoon Kramer was wounded in the leg by an 88mm shell fragment. (Snook and Kramer were not evacuated) They were both killed later on July 14th. Harry Carver, Company C, Lightly Wounded In Action--treated and remained on duty.
Ray Magines remembers-----Henry Madaris and Dale Schuetz were killed June 14th shortly after we occupied Caumont, France. They were the squad security riflemen. They were surprised by a German patrol and were killed by "Burp Gun" fire and grenades. The same German patrol destroyed Marintzer's half-track. Snook was wounded in the leg by a grenade in the same skirmish that followed.
16th Sergeant Poor, Company A, section took 9 enemy prisoners June 13th while reconnoitering the new gun position. Corporal Stanley Linquist, Company C, Lightly Wounded In Action and evacuated. Sergeant Durward L. Whitford, Company B, Killed In Action. Private Olney Harrison, Company B Lightly Wounded In Action and evacuated. Private Samuel Rutherford, Company B, Lightly Wounded In Action and evacuated. Company B reported that enemy infiltrated into area of 2nd platoon. Section's machine guns went into action to support automatic riflemen of the 18th Infantry Regiment. Next morning 26 German dead were found in front of Corporal Peterson's machine gun. In this action an enemy sniper was accounted for by S-3.
17th Private Martin Halpern, Company C, Killed In Action. Company C half-track suffered direct hit and burned beyond use. Pfc James Grant, Company C, Lightly Wounded In Action and evacuated. Private Emil Reich, Company C, Lightly Wounded In Action and evacuated. Company A transferred from 2nd Infantry Division to support 16th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. Company B attached to the 18th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. Company C attached to the 26th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division.
Lew Williams remembers,---Helpern was killed near Caumount, France on June 17, 1944. A German shell hit on the inside of Sergeant Fender's half-track where Halpern was sitting. The half-track's tanks of gas as well as the 3" ammunition exploded and Halpern was burned in the resulting fire.
In the book "OMAHA BEACHHEAD," June 6th through June 13th, the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion is listed on 4 different occasions. On page 120 the 2nd Battalion of the 26th Infantry Regiment is reinforced by a Company of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion and Company C of the 745th Tank Battalion. Then on page 138, the 18th Regiment with Company C of the 745th Tank Battalion, Battery A of the 62nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion and Company B of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion attached and the 32nd Field Artillery in direct support. Also on page 138, attachments of the 2nd Infantry Division for the attack include a Company of the 747th Tank Battalion and Company A of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The last entry in the book on page 151 list each Regiment of the 16th, 18th and the 26th Regiments had a Company of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion attached.
18th Battalion Residue, less detachments of replacements, arrive.
Glen Horman likes to tell a story on Ray Klein----One of Ray's gun sections was selected to shoot down a church steeple that the 1st Infantry Division Commander thought the Germans were using for observation. Lieutenant Colonel Wint Smith, Commander of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the lst Infantry Division Commander were to observe this from an artillery light plane. However before they got the plane into the air, Ray destroyed the steeple and the Ole Man about blew a gasket.
20th Lieutenant Whelehon's platoon, Company B, on orders fired 21 shells and demolished church steeple at Sept Vent, France reported to hold snipers.
S-1 to 32nd Field Artillery and Recon Officer to 7th Field Artillery as forward observer, relative to Company A firing harassing and observed fire mission. S-3 to Company A to coordinate firing and our personnel for FDC. Results very satisfactory but had to discontinue because the fuse caused 5 premature burst which endangered friendly troops, 1500 rounds were fired. Camouflaged enemy tank spotted in Company B area obviously bogged down in swamp terrain. 57mm gun unable to hit tank. On order, Sergeant Cumming's gun fired 9 rounds and had six direct hits---distance 2500 yards. Battalion surgeon advised Schuetz and Maderis, Severely Wounded In Action to Died Of Wounds.
Ray Klein, Company B, tells this story-----On June 22, 1944, Colonel Taylor of the 18th Regiment, lst Infantry Division told me that a German tank was firing into the Battalion area. He said to locate the tank and stop the firing. The 2nd Lieutenant in charge of their platoon of 57mm anti-tank guns and I moved one of our 3rd platoon 635th 3" guns into a spot where we had a clear shot. The German tank was spotted camaflouged on a small trail of a forward slope. I had a BC scope and estimated the distance at 2500 yards. He and I had a wager on the distance. (I'm sure with a little more digging I can identify the gun crew that fired). We hit the tank with our lst round of APC. A couple of the crew bailed out, so we fired some HE around it. It was the 3rd platoon, not the 2nd, as listed in the After Action Reports. Later that day the infantry Lieutenant went in with a patrol to verify the destruction of the tank. When the patrol came back the Infantry Company Commander told me that the 57mm Lieutenant that had gone to check the tank, had been shot through the chest, and left by the Germans. After the St Lo break-through, Colonel Taylor of the 18th Regiment, was badly shot up near Marigny, France and withdrew. The evacuating men told me that the 57mm Lieutenant had been found in St. Lo, had been operated on by the Germans, was evacuated to England and would recover. I would be almost sure that Lieutenant Johnson listed in the After Action Reports was that 2d Lieutenant Johnson anti-tank officer of the 3rd Battalion, l8th Regiment and he did recover. I always thought that this German tank destroyed by the 3rd platoon of Company B was the 1st tank taken by the 635th.
We learned early in June that the Germans would string a small wire across the roadways at just the right height to catch a man in a jeep by the neck. The Americans were quick to react. From that time on, you would see every jeep equipped with a wire catcher on the front.
27th Pfc Everett D. Day, Headquarters Company, Killed In Action by shell fragment while on guard duty in rear echelon. Corporal Cwikla, Company B, wounded left forearm, mortar fragment, treated and remained on duty.
29th Replacement detachment consisting of 1 officer and 63 enlisted men returned to battalion.
At the end of June the 1st Army had moved deep enough into northern France so most of the small German field artillery could no longer reach to the beach area. The Allies had command of the air, so all units were laying away supplies for the big breakthrough to come.
JULY 1944
2nd Company B reported Germans were noted around a stranded enemy tank this morning. Six enemy personnel were moving around tank either repairing or camouflaging. After watching position for 1 1/2 hours, on order Sergeant Foord's gun fired 17 rounds HE as directed, range approximately 2500 yards. Hit top of turret and enemy scattered. Two believed killed.
7th Staff Sergeant McCellan, Company C, suffered small fragment wound nose, duty.
8th Company B reported at 1900 hours mortar shell severely wounded Sergeant Boock, shell fragment multiple leg and shoulders. Also Private Walter Henry, Company B, shell fragment right arm and leg.
10th Private Gordon Van Leeuwen, Company C, Severely Wounded In Action in neck by rifle bullet and evacuated.
13th Pfc Kenneth Millar, Company C, Lightly Wounded In Action, duty. Company A Commander changed from Captain Page to Captain Williams.
14th 2nd platoon, Company B, CP barn demolished by enemy shelling. 1/4 ton with Private Zieder (medic) driving, returned to Company C from rear echelon, hit by overhead burst, first hitting telephone pole. Pfc Snook and Private Kramer (both of Company C) Killed In Action. Private Smelcer, Company C, Severely Wounded In Action and Private Zieder (medic) Severely Wounded In Action ---all evacuated. 1/4 ton burned beyond repair and was replaced.
Lew Williams told me at Reno, that he remembers when Snook and Kramer were returning from the aid station when a shell hit a pole near their Jeep. This incident occurred on July 14, 1944.
15th Sergeant Stubb's (Company B) 3" gun knocked out by enemy rocket--gun replaced.
17th All companies moved from north of Caumont, France to a 1st Division assembly area near Bricqueville, France. All companies had been in a holding gun position north of Caumont, France since June 12th.
1st Infantry Division released from the V Corp and attached to the VII Corp. The 635th remained attached to the 1st Infantry Division.
20-28th 1st Infantry Division, 4 officers and 118 Enlisted Men, and four 90mm guns of Battery B, 129th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion attached to this battalion. Attached 1 officer and 41 Enlisted Men and 2 guns of Company A and Company B each, remaining 2 officers and 26 Enlisted Men to Headquarters Company.
Company A moved to Goucherie, France.
Company B moved to le Mesnil-Angot, France and then Tibaterie, France.
Company C moved to le Mesnil-Veneron, France.
On the morning of July 25th "OPERATION COBRA", the St. Lo breakthrough was set into motion. The sky was alive with planes. We had never before seen so much aircraft at one time. As the operation started, the infantry was to withdraw l000 yards for a safety zone from the B-17 and B-24 bombers. The 1st plane dropped a smoke shell to mark the line. However, as the bombing proceeded, the smoke markers drifted out over our troops. The following planes started dropping
short on to the American lines. Before a correction was made 111 Americans were killed and 490 wounded.
Private Nichols, (Company A) wounded by enemy bullet in shoulder---evacuated. Private Tureski, (Company A) Lightly Wounded In Action in left leg--not evacuated. Corporal Green, (Company A) Killed In Action by enemy mine---1/4 ton damaged beyond repair and replaced. Company B reported Private Eggleston (2nd platoon) took a prisoner---turned into PW cage. Lieutenant Standfield and Private Padoski (Company C) between gun positions noticed an enemy sniper in a tree and Padoski fired two burst from his Thompson Submachine gun and killed sniper.
29th T/5 DeMent captured a prisoner--turned over to PW cage. Lieutenant Horman captured a prisoner--turned over to PW cage. M51 Maxim Turret Mount of 129th Anti-Aircraft Artillery attached to Company B knocked down enemy plane at approximately 2130 hours---confirmed by infantry according to Captain Pattison, Company CO of Battery B, 129th Anti-Aircraft Artillery.
30th 129th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery B relieved of attachment to 635th as of 1000 hours per VOCG 1st US Infantry Division. Firing Companies, especially B and C reported their gun positions constantly under shell and mortar fire and all of their moves heavily shelled.
The hedgerow country of Normandy was apple orchards and dairy cows. Each little pasture between the hedgerows would have cows and apple trees. The apples were used mostly for apple cider. We would find cider cellars with huge wood barrels, maybe 500 gallons per barrel.
Carl Condon (Company A) remembers-----While the 635th was in a defensive holding position near Caumont from June 12th thru July 17th, our 1st platoon of Company A was near the little village of Cormolain, France. The 4th gun section of the 1st platoon (Company A) had its 3" gun in position behind a hedgerow of a small pasture covering a road junction. Two French milk maids would come each morning and evening to milk the cows in this field. Some mornings, we would beat the French girls to a couple of the cows. Fresh milk was quite a treat after all of the powdered milk in England and 6 weeks on "K" rations in Normandy. On the side of a hill near our gun position was a religious shrine. I have a BandW picture of this scene taken in 1944. Now 43 years later (1987) with the help of a French newspaper that printed a picture of the shrine and the little French girls, I have located one of the milk maids. She still lives near Cormolain and has sent me color pictures of the shrine as it is today. Madame Dumoncel has invited me to visit her and her family in the little village of Cormolain near Bricqueville, France.
AUGUST 1944
We have no AFTER ACTION REPORTS for Aug 1944. Somewhere or somehow they have been lost or maybe never did exist. A letter was written to the National Archives in Washington D.C. but they could find nothing except Lieutenant Colonel Wint Smith's summary that he would write at the end of each month. (see copy in this booklet) The Allies sweep across France after the St. Lo breakthrough (OPERATION COBRA) was so fast and the miles put on each day was so great that I doubt if the Battalion had time to write any reports.
The summary letter for Aug lists the following incidents----
1st "On Aug 1st enemy bomber formation bombed our area killing 1 officer and wounding 1 officer plus wounding 13 Enlisted Men."
On talking to Glen Horman at the Kansas City reunion, he remembers the incident very well. He was the officer that was wounded and evacuated. He did not return to the outfit until the Battle of the Bulge in Dec 1944. The officer that was killed was Richard Kendell. Earl Proctor remembers that as we were moving into a bivouac area for the night, a German reconnaissance plane came over very low just above the tree tops and spotted our positions. Then later that night the German bombers came over and dropped anti-personnel, cluster (butterfly) bombs over our entire battalion area.
Harold Ganz remembers----- On Aug 1st, he was on the other side of a hedgerow when the German bombers came over. He says that Lieutenant Kendell was a young officer that had not been with the outfit very long when he was killed on the other side of the hedgerow from me.
Carl Condon also recalls the incident----I think it was about 40 miles from Mortain near St-Dennis le Gast, France. The bombing only lasted a few minutes but it seemed like 2 hours. Since we had just pulled into the bivouac area, we had not dug our foxholes yet and had to take shelter where ever we could find it. I remember that our gun section was hugging the side of a hedgerow as many other men were also during the bombing.
We have no record of the 13 Enlisted Men wounded.
2nd On Aug 2nd our Company C captured 3 spies; 1 women and 2 men.
3rd On Aug 3rd a Company C officer accompanied by 2 officers of the 26th Infantry Regiment were fired upon by the enemy.
4th On Aug 4th an A Company officer and 2 Enlisted Men were on recon in a 1/4 ton vehicle and were attacked in force. They escaped but 2 Enlisted Men were Severely Wounded In Action.
Herbert Wanitschke told me about this incident at our reunion in San Antonio Sept 1993. Wanitschke was driving a 1/4 ton Jeep on a recon mission with Lieutenant Cox and McCastlin in the back seat operating the radio. The Germans opened up with machine gun fire from both sided catching the Jeep in the crossfire. Wanitschke, while wounded, backed the Jeep 100 yards or more out of the crossfire. McCastlin was wounded in the upper left side of his head. Lieutenant Cox was not wounded but continued to spray the sides of the road with his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun as Wanitschke backed the Jeep. Both Wanitschke and McCastlin were evacuated. McCastlin was sent back to England and later to the US for reconstruction surgery on his jaw and face.
For a long time McCastlin was on our memorial board as killed in action. I (Carl Condon)
wasn't sure that this was right so I wrote to Mrs Howard McCastlin in l990. Dorothy McCastlin a few weeks later called and told me about what had happened to Howard. She said that through a series of hospitals in England and back in the States, he finally was sent home. He was wounded through the jaw and much of his face was shot away. He opened a business in El Dorado,Kansas. He died of cancer on Sept 26, 1974
5th "On Aug 5th 2 platoons of Company B, in position in Mortain, France were bombed. Casualties 2 Enlisted Men killed, and 2 Enlisted Men wounded and evacuated.”
Richard Knudson remembers--Carnes was killed on the outskirts of Mortain. Ray Klein remembers---Carnes was in my platoon and he was killed on Aug 5th during the German bombing of 2 platoons of Company B. He was on a gun section that caught a big one, maybe a 500 lb bomb. When I got to their gun section the crater was as wide as the road near the gun.
Norman Saastad remembers----- Whited was killed on Aug 5th by a German Nebelwerfer (Screeming Meemie) shell during the bombing of Company B. Whited's name is not listed in the AFTER ACTION REPORTS but we found his name listed under the awards of the BRONZE SERVICE ARROWHEAD, Posthumous.
Norman Saastad says-----Vernon Sanker was killed on Aug 5, l944 when the Germans dropped bombs on Company B. The bombing was very intense and for quite a period of time. Norman said that when Sanker was found, he had no body wounds of any kind. It was thought that with the massive bombing, he may have died of a heart attack.
On August 5th, 1944 the enemy bombed 2 Platoons of Company "B" near Mortain. Clarence Carnes, Vernon Sanker, and Joseph Whited were killed and 2 men wounded.
I talked to Edsel Cedar at our reunion in Colorado Springs during Sept. 1995. Cedar told me that in the afternoon of Aug. 5th, they had visited with some French people. We thought, at the time, they were just French civilians but we decided later that they were spying for the Germans. That evening the German planes stated to drop bombs on 2 Platoons of Company "B". Our men took cover wherever they could. Clarence Carnes and others took cover in the entrance to a cave. A bomb hit the entrance to the cave, and Cedar says, that this was when Carnes was hit and killed. Sanker and Whited were killed in this bombing on Aug. 5th but Cedar is not sure if it was in the entrance to the cave.
One of the men wounded and evacuated on Aug 5th we have found was Donald G Meyer. The name of the other man, we do not know at this time. We did find the name of Charles Braman listed for August but we are not sure if this was on August 1st or August 5th.
7th On Aug 7th the 3rd platoon of Company A, going into position ahead of 2 Infantry outpost, were fired upon by enemy small arms and heavy artillery shelling. Recon platoon M-8 , on forward recon work for 1st US Infantry Division, was hit by 2 enemy shells while in bivouac area. Vehicle taken to ordnance for repair or replacement. Our Company B CP heavily strafed.
13 to 15th Our Company B furnished half-track's and 1 officer and enlisted men to haul infantry forward to capture and occupy Juvigny, France. Our liaison officer, with 1st Division artillery, assisted in observing the registering field artillery battalions in the destruction of an enemy column.
16th Our 3rd platoon of Company B was fired upon and returned fire with small arms and 3" guns. 1st platoon of Company B, on order, fired 3" harassing fire into houses and area reported as a enemy strong point.
In mid Aug the entire German 7th Army was encircled between the British and Americans except for a narrow gap between Argentan and Falaise. German vehicles and equipment were bumper to bumper trying to escape to the east over only 3 roads. Then it was narrowed down to only 1 road. The Air Force dropped fire bombs during the daylight and the artillery shelled at night. As we moved eastward later, on this road, never had we ever seen as much destruction of German equipment and men. Even dead horses still hitched to artillery guns. This was later called the "FALAISE GAP".
After the St. Lo breakthrough we moved east very rapidly toward Paris and the Seine River. In the last days in August we had moved as much as 75 to 120 miles per day and crossed the Seine River just on the south edge of Paris on August 25th.
On Sept 1st, 1944 the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion was transferred from the 1st Infantry Division to the 4th and 24th Cavalry Group. Company A was attached to the 24th Cavalry and Companies B and C attached to the 4th Cavalry.
SEPTEMBER 1944
1st Message from 18th Field Artillery Group "Message rec'd from Captain Bryan lst Division Artillery 0245 today for transmission to you reads --Effective 1000 hours 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion is detached from danger and attached to 4th Cavalry Group.” Left 1505 hours for new area and arrived 1730 hours and established new CP in Rozoy Sur Serre area, France. Enroute new area Lieutenant Brant captured enemy and made him prisoner, evacuated by S-2.
"A" Company CO and Recon party for new positions to Brumehamel for gun positions. Advise there Aubenton free of enemy. Upon arrival Aubenton, party heavily attacked by machine gun fire. Also two salvos enemy rockets dropped in their vicinity. Headquarters Recon section drove into town and relieved A Company group. Company A assisted in the recovery of wounded 3rd Armored soldier left behind by their own medics due to the heavy enemy fire.
2nd B Company first troops to enter Rethel--followed by Infantry. Recon party sent to Mezeries area to reconnoiter enemy positions for lst mission with 4th Cavalry Group.
3rd Forward CP left 0815 hours for assembly position in Girondille area, France. Left assembly area 1040 hours and arrived and established new CP at 1215 hours in German airport at Charleville, France.
A Company captured enemy prisoner--turned in to 9th Division Prisoner of War Enclosure.
Recon party sent to Mezieries area to reconnoiter enemy position returned after having visited Rocroi and Charleville. Discovered enemy evacuated and destroyed all bridges across Meuse River. While on reconnaissance for bridge crossing, enemy fired on Captain Page in 1/4 ton. Enemy fire from house and water tower used for observation point. M-8 behind 1/4 ton fired 70 rounds of .50 caliber into house and 2 rounds of 37mm Canister and 2 rounds of HE at tower, neutralized both strong points.
Left 0905 hours for new area and arrived 1255 hours and established new CP in Rosee area, Belgium. Entered Belgium at Bruly.
635th now in Belgium.
B Company reported--2nd platoon attached C Troop 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron went into position at approximately 1400 hours Sept 3rd and two guns fired at Old Fort used as strong point Lieutenant Von Ende killed 2 German soldiers from roof of house.
B Company reported CP Recon section, aided by Security section 3rd platoon fired at enemy near L'Orangerie. Our party was fired on from across the river from hilly terrain. No observed effect. A Company reported Lieutenant Thompson and 6 Enlisted Men, 3rd platoon, in three 1/4 tons on Recon for gun positions on hill. Unable to secure suitable gun positions, installed two .50's and one .30 machine guns from their 1/4 tons covering target Nouzonville. Mission was to fire and dislocate enemy in house and strong points in town as they were unable to cross river; bridges all out. They were supported by elements of Troop C of 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron who in turn were supported by two 75mm assault guns and one 60mm mortar. Lieutenant Thompson registered the artillery in for the 24th. Our Enlisted Men fired bazooka in roof of enemy headquarters building at approximately 300 yards. Three enemy half-tracks were observed firing into civilian homes. Our machine guns knocked these out. We also knocked out two camouflaged civilian cars. Our detail remained in position from 1230 to 1600 hours September 4th until relieved by 102nd Cavalry Recon elements.
8th Left at 0715 hours for assembly position in T'r Leopold area and arrived at 0945 hours. Left 1350 hours for new area and arrived 1440 hours and established new CP in Haversin, Belgium.
9th Left 1015 hours for new area and arrived at 1050 hours and established new CP in Baillonville, Belgium.
Company C reported--At 1930 hours September 8th 3rd platoon fired 35 rounds of HE and 4 rounds of smoke indirect fire at two crossroads harassing enemy movements. Base point range 13,200 yards, maximum range 14,200 yards. Had aircraft observation, but too hazy to pick up smoke and had to fire by map coordinates.
B Company reported - Pfc Harold Schunk Killed In Action, shot in back by enemy sniper in his half-track in the vicinity Hotten, Belgium.. At approximately 1100 hours 1st Sergeant Sarras Severely Wounded In Action right shoulder and jaw. Private Eugene Colman Severely Wounded In Action shell fragment in left side.
Tom Reilly writes (February 1997)----I was near 1st Sergeant Michael Sarras (Headquarters Company) when he was hit by a sniper's bullet. I think it was in the town of Hotten, Belgium. I never saw so much blood in my life. Sarras was in the state of shock. I sent a couple of my men to get a truck and they took him to the nearest medical receiving station. I never expected to see Sarras again. (After much time in the hospital, Sarras recovered and stayed in the Army until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel).
Tom Reilly goes on---Harold N. Schunk was killed about the same time as Sarras (September 9, 1944) was also hit by a sniper. It has always been my opinion that they were both hit by the same sniper. I took Schunk’s body back to grave registration.
10th Left 1430 hours for new area and arrived 1805 hours and established new CP at Izier area Belgium. A Company radioed---3 prisoners taken.
11th C Company reserve left to guard VII Corps per VOCG VII Corps. Left 1705 hours for new area--forded Grumont River vicinity Snamont --and arrived 1920 hours and established new CP at Noirfontaine area, Belgium.
Company B reported by radio---Private Erwin wounded and evacuated---Private Harris wounded---duty.
12th Left at 1215 hours for new area---forded Rau dela Venne River in vicinity of Fosse, crossed Salm River in Grand Halleaux---arrived 1410 hours established new CP at Baugnez, Belgium.
Lieutenant Brant captured German in Wenne---evacuated.
13th A Company recovered F/O Orville Schutz, T2870 and waist gunner Sergeant Delmar J. Galloway 39468121, who bailed out of B-17 due to mechanical difficulties--both members of 838 Bomber Squadron, 487 Group, 3rd Division---both evacuated to rear to MSR. 3rd platoon, A Company placed in position for indirect fire in cooperation with 87th Field Artillery Battalion also attached to 4th Cavalry Group.
Battalion CO appointed as Group Provost Marshal to govern Civil Affairs of group per group Memo 13, Sept 44 signed by Colonel Tully.
14th 3rd platoon A Company (Sergeant Baxter's gun) first to fire 3" gun in to Germany. Fired at 2215 hours Sept 13th from vicinity Bullingen, Belgium.
15th Left 1020 hours for new area and arrived 1100 hrs and established new CP at Butgenbach, Belgium.
Company B reported incidents not previously reported--On Sept 7th at approximately 1100 hours in vicinity of Bourdon, two guns 1st platoon fired 27 rounds of HE and 1 round APC into personnel and area targets; range 2000 yards, no observed effect.
At approximately 1000 hrs Sept 9th while on Recon in vic of Hotten, Belgium lst Lieutenant Whelehon with 6 Enlisted Men and two 1/4 tons were fired upon from 3 sides. 1 Enlisted Man seriously wounded. Lieutenant Whelhon administered first aid and evacuated him for additional medical attention in face of considerable enemy fire. One 1/4 ton damaged but evacuated for repair by our own Battalion Maintenance. Enemy attack repulsed but no observed effect due to necessity of prompt withdrawal. (no name of wounded Enlisted Man listed)
Between 1500 and 1700 hrs on Sept 10th 2 guns of 2nd platoon fired on enemy equipment in vicinity of Stavelot knocking out l half-track l with towed 40mm anti-aircraft gun and 18 enemy personnel in double column nearby.
3rd platoon fired on enemy between 1700 and 1900 hrs Sept 12th in vicinity Baugnez, fired 2 rounds of HE at 1200 yards into approximately 20 enemy personnel dismounted. Burst hit among group. Noticing movement 20 minutes later 50 rounds of .50 cal machine gun were fired into same area. Checked for results next day; 1 dead German found but estimated most of them either wounded or dead and evacuated during night.
3rd platoon fired on enemy 0800 hrs Sept 13th in vicinity of Baugnez, knocking out German sedan. Unable to determine whether 2 occupants injured but believe wounded. 2nd platoon fired on enemy at approximately 1600 hours Sept 13th, 2 guns fired at a group of enemy sighted at 500 yards. Results---1 enemy dead, l wounded and evacuated, 3 bicycles destroyed, 1 enemy Machine gun and 1 machine pistol captured.
16th A Company reported--2nd platoon took German prisoner at 0025 hours near their gun position. Headquarters personnel captured 2 enemy prisoners.
17th Recon party recovered Pfc William E Harrell 38554854, Company C, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division.---He claimed he was taken prisoner by enemy Sept 14th. He was evacuated to rear and Commanding general, 9th Infantry Division advised by mail.
A Company reported---1st platoon fired September 16th two rounds of HE and two rounds of APC on order from 24th Recon Squadron troop Commander at log barrier believed to harbor tank--results unknown.
20th Sergeant Stephenson, Headquarters Company, captured German prisoner---evacuated.
21st Company A reported--2nd platoon heavily shelled in their own area from 2100 to 0500 hours. Company C reported to Battalion from guarding Corps CP.
22nd Company A reported---2nd platoon heavily shelled between 0030 and 0130, and 0200 and 0400. Believed 16 rounds of 150mm fell into platoon area. One 1/4 ton damaged by shell fragmentation but evacuated and repaired by our own Maintenance Section.
B Company reported---at 2330 hrs Sept 21st 1st platoon aided in repelling enemy attempt to infiltrate 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron forword positions -results unknown.
At 2335 hours Sept 21st an enemy patrol attacked 2nd platoon's position on their left flank. We returned fire, action lasted approximately 30 minutes. Extent of damage to enemy unknown. Inspection next morning showed 1 enemy rifle with fixed bayonet 10 yards from our position and considerable blood on road. Enemy used rifles, grenades and machine pistols.
24th A Company reported--- on Sept 22nd at approximately 0030 hours, 2nd platoon subjected to heavy shelling for 20 minutes. Lieutenant Games hit lightly in back with shell fragment; treated by our medics and returned to duty.
B Company reported---Company CP heavily shelled from 2230 to 2315 hours Sept 23rd by 150mm. Deep craters in CP area--no damage.
25th A Company reported---at 1700 hours September 24th large enemy infantry patrol infiltrated behind 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron elements vicinity crossroads Rockroth. 3rd platoon of Company A supported Cavalry Recon Squadron to repel attack and drive patrol back---results unknown.
26th Sergeant Peterson, Company B, Severely Wounded In Action 2330 hours September 25th shell fragment right ankle. Private Gerald Cox Wounded In Action penetrating wound back lumbar region---both evacuated. Captain Wikoff, Company B, captured 2 enemy while at 1st platoon position.
B Company reported---1st platoon shelled during evening Sept 25th. Enemy planes dropped flares in vicinity.
Our movement eastward was so rapid that we were running short of gasoline, rations ammunition and all supplies. The supply lines were very long and still coming in over the beaches. The vehicles were showing the wear from lack of maintenance and most troops were getting very tired. The 635th with the 4th and 24th Cavalry were liberating Belgium town by town as we moved east now getting near the German border.
27th B Company reported---At 2100 hours September 26th 1st platoon in vicinity Hofen, Germany supported B Troop 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron in repelling enemy patrol infiltration after heavy artillery barrage in area. At 2045 hours September 25th 2nd platoon was attacked by enemy patrol withdrew and results unknown.
Lieutenant Sands apprehended 4 German soldiers in civilian clothing in Ruitzhof near Kalterherberg, Germany---processed through Provost Marshal Group.
28th Company B reported--2nd platoon fought off enemy in an exchange of fire lasting approximately 10 minutes. Large enemy patrol on both flanks---results unknown as action took place at 2100 hours Sept 26th.
29th B Company reported--- At 1900 hours Sept 28th enemy shelled 2nd platoon positions for approximately 15 minutes. Four 150mm shells fell into platoon area---no damage.
Gun Sergeant Floyd Goudy, Company B, Killed In Action. Norman Saastad remembers that Goudy was killed by his own booby trap that he was attempting to set. Something went wrong and he was killed when it exploded on Sept 29,1944. Leo Hullihan writes; I was at Headquarters with Major Scott's unit when Floyd's body was brought in to be picked up by a burial unit. Floyd and I had played in many a poker game during our state-side army days, so I went to pay last respects to him. One side of his face was gone so he probably died instantly. He was always a quite well mannered man.
30th B Company reported---2nd platoon heavily shelled between 1945 and 2015 hours Sept 29th with 150mm shells coming into area---no damage.
Lieutenant Pritchard's platoon, Company C, captured enemy---turned in to Battalion CP for processing.
Lieutenant Whelehon, Company B, turned in report of activities of 3rd platoon not previously reported:
Sept 20th***** Fired on patrol approximately 1000 hours.
Sept 21st***** Wounded 1 German, taken prisoner from 180th Infantry Battalion at 1100 hours when attacked by patrol. Sent combat patrol out at 1800 hours.
Sept 22nd***** Encountered enemy patrol at 1400 hours. Took out combat patrol at 1800 hours.
Sept 23rd***** 40 Germans attacked our gun positions but were driven off. Sent out combat patrol at l800 hours.
Sept 24th ***** Took out combat patrol at 1800 hours.
Sept 25th ***** Took out combat patrol at 1800 hours.
Sept 26th ***** Took out combat patrol at 1800 hours.
Company A submitted report of 3" gun firing by 3rd platoon in support of 87th Field Artillery Battalion, Captain Page, Liason Officer in charge of all firing activities of platoon. Firing was done from Sept 13th thru Sept 30th excepting on 17 and 18th Sept. A total of 1672 3" HE rounds fired. 80% of the firing was indirect harassing and interdiction, l8% observed general support fire and 2% registration. All observation, air and forward, was conducted by the 87th Field Artillery Battalion. Observed fire was pronounced effective on enemy infantry, CPs OPs, strong points, tanks, etc. (Daily record of fire and coord in unit journal file). One self propelled gun, believed to be an 88mm, was pronounced destroyed by the observer.
All of the 635th was now in Germany. Some Recon units were in Germany as early as Sept 19th.
At the end of September fighting was very intensive and now progress was slow. Sometimes the movement was only a few yards a day. The Meuse and Moselle Rivers were crossed in Sept. The Germans were now on their homeland and put up heavy resistance.
On Sept 1st the 635th was detached from the 1st US Infantry Division and attached to the 4th and 24th Cavalry Group (Mechanized).
OCTOBER 1944
On the 1st of October the 635th was at the German West Wall (Siegfried Line). Most companies were within sight of the German Siegfried Line.
Company A CP was at Monschau, Germany from Oct 3rd to Nov 11th.
Company B CP was at Lammersdorf, Germany Oct 3rd thru Oct 11th and then at Roetgen from Oct 11th thru Nov 11th.
Company C CP was at Roetgen, Germany Oct 3rd thru Oct 11th and then Lammersdorf Oct 11th thru Nov 11th.
1st A Company reported--2nd platoon fired on enemy patrol sighted at edge of woods at 1600 hours. Killed 1 enemy---patrol withdrew. Captain Page reported--3rd platoon, A Company completed their indirect fire mission in support of the 87th Field Artillery Battalion by firing 180 rounds of HE in 8 interdiction missions.
Company B reported---1900 hours CP shelled for 20 minutes. 40 to 50 rounds estimated at 150mm fell in area. At 1700 hours 2 rounds fired for registration.
2nd B Company reported---From 2030 to 2045 hours Company CP shelled---12 rounds estimated at 150mm fell in area. Between 2030 and 2100 hours 10 rounds of 150mm fell in lst platoon area. Company C reported--Staff Sergeant McClellan captured German prisoner in his area.
3rd Left 0920 hours for new area and arrived 1100 hours and established new CP in Roetgen, Germany. Distance traveled 29.9 miles. Rear echelon moved from Malmedy to Eynatten, Belgium.
Following Enlisted Men of B Company wounded when 1st and 2nd platoons moved into position north edge of Lammersdorf, Germany:
Rowley---Penetrating wound right and left arm---not evacuated.
Pazamickas---Penetrating wound left arm---not evacuated
Manser---laceration wound left shoulder---not evacuated
Donald Meyer---Penetrating wound right thigh and side---was evacuated
Degen---laceration skull---was evacuated
Parfitt--laceration wound left calf---was evacuated
Price---Penetrating wound left leg and cheek---was evacuated
Fatchett---Penetrating wound left cheek---was evacuated
Rowland---laceration wound left leg---was evacuated
Lesjack---laceration wound right arm, penetrating wound left shoulder---was evacuated
Cummings---Penetrating wound leg---was evacuated
Luther Johnson---(Medical Detachment) attached to Company B laceration wound right shoulder, and multiple penetrating wounds left ear--was evacuated
4th B Company reported---lst platoon area received 8 rounds of 150mm enemy shells at 2200 hours. Meader's 1/4 ton peppered with shell fragments when enemy shell exploded 50 yards from his vehicle while driving to his CP vicinity Lammersdorff, Germany. Repaired by Company Maintenance. B Company reported---Pfc Gates wounded by shell fragment right hand ---given medical aid but not evacuated. At 0600 hours 1st platoon area heavily shelled by enemy. One shell burst on area near 1/4 ton which was damaged beyond repair by fragmentation's. Replaced.
A Company reported---0900 hours 1st platoon, on order, fired 9 rounds of 3" APC at pillbox in front of their position---results unknown. At 0600 hours Oct 3rd vehicles of 2nd platoon moving toward their gun positions were shelled on road in vicinity of Monschau, Germany, and had small arms fire fight with enemy foot troops---results unknown. At 1100 hours two 1/4 tons of 1st platoon going to their own gun positions were bogged down in heavy mud and were shelled by enemy for 45 minutes---no damage.
Company C 1st platoon went into position to fire indirect fire mission in support of the 87th Field Artillery Battalion.
5th Company A reported--Between 0945 and 1000 hours Lieutenant Gotham in his 1/4 ton driven by Pfc Frey bringing Reef to medical aid station for treatment fever and cold were attacked approximately 1 3/4 miles south of their gun positions by 2 German soldiers and 1 civilian. Enemy emerged from woods and threw hand grenades and fired rifles at vehicle. Driver Frey started backing vehicle and at same time fired Lieutenant's machine gun. Private Reef expended 12 carbine shells and Lieutenant Gotham fired the .30 cal machine gun mounted on 1/4 ton. Results 2 dead German soldiers and 1 dead civilian. 1/4 ton sustained damage left front tire cut from grenade fragments, rifle bullets in rear tire and radio; repaired by Battalion motor maintenance.
B Company reported---Staff Sergeant Grusheski hit lower right back by shell fragment at 1630 hours Oct 4th---treated by our men and returned to duty status. Company CP area shelled between 1600 and 1700 hours Oct 4th also 1115 hours Oct 5th.
6th Company B reported--1st platoon fired 8 rounds of HE at 1430 hours Oct 5th and 8 rounds of HE at 0720 hours Oct 6th direct harassing fire into Beckerath, Germany ---range 1800 yards --- results unknown account heavy haze.
Private Ridgeway Lightly Wounded In Action Oct 5th shell fragment left side of head---medical aid given and returned to duty status.
7th C Company reported--T/4 Williams Lightly Wounded In Action laceration thigh left leg in air raid at 1120 hours by strafing enemy plane---received medical aid and returned to duty.
8th 1st platoon Company C placed in position to support 3rd platoon in their indirect fire mission with the 87th Field Artillery Battalion.
9th B Company reported---Oct 7th all positions received light shelling throughout day. On Oct 7th Lieutenant Stewart and 30 Enlisted Men of 1st platoon took and held high ground in front of their position vicinity Lammersdorff after elements of B Troop, 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron (Mechanized) dislodged by enemy by heavy enemy shelling. Company CP shelled by enemy artillery throughout Oct 8th.
At 0800 hours Oct 9th T/5 Elbert Clark wounded by shell fragment through jaw---evacuated.
A Company reported---at 0930 hours Private J A Hoagland while on duty as gun sentry was Lightly Wounded In Action in right testicle by enemy small arms fire---given medical aid and returned to duty status. On Oct 8th 3 rd platoon fired at OP church steeple in Immelburg, destroying it. On Oct 8th 3rd platoon fired at OP church steeple in Kinzen, destroyed it.
10th 15 tanks of 759th Tank Battalion to B Company intersection to aid in blocking this strategic point. B Company reported---T/5 Seeman wounded left foot by shell fragment---evacuated.
11th C Company reported--1130 hours Oct 7th planes which strafed their area were P-47's with Allied striping but obviously manned by enemy pilots as strafing continued although red panels displayed on vehicles.
A Company reported--1st platoon on Oct 10th between 1230 and 1300 hours fired 22 rounds of APC and 6 rounds of HE at pillbox in front of their position. Pillbox neutralized. All direct hits---range 1700 yards. Fire also directed to aid confusion made by feint attack by Group in aid of southern drive by 9th Infantry Division.
B Company reported--- 3rd platoon fired at church steeple in Cimerath, destroying it. B Company moved to Roetgen in reserve replacing C Company moving to front position in Lammersdorff area also taking over indirect fire mission in aid of 87th Field Artillery Battalion.
13th B Company reported--when 2nd platoon moved from Lammersdorff position to Roetgen they were heavily shelled by enemy--l sight on 3" gun damaged by shell fragmentation.
C Company reported--mortar fire on all platoon positions throughout day. Experienced considerable sniper fire. Enlisted Men went out on individual patrol to draw fire to enable them to detect enemy position--no results. Wire crew fired on by sniper 3 times in 300 yards--no casualties. 3rd platoon fired at enemy patrol moving toward their position--- patrol withdrew---results unknown.
14th C Company reported--3rd platoon heavily shelled by mortar at 2130 hours. All platoon positions experienced considerable mortar fire throughout the day. 3rd platoon picked up enemy CP house and directed 87th Field Artillery Battalion fire on it---results unknown.
15th C Company reported--at 2330 hours Oct 13th an enemy patrol of 4 men endeavored infiltration 1st platoon position. Our men threw 4 hand grenades---patrol withdrew. At 1000 hours Oct 14th 3rd platoon directed artillery fire by B Company at enemy OP house (believed to be mortar emplacement).---target destroyed. Observed 4 men enter ruins with litters twice. Unknown whether dead or wounded enemy evacuated. Oct 14th 2nd platoon directed B Company fire at enemy mortar positions. Mortars ceased firing. All platoon positions were subjected to mortar fire sporadically throughout day. Company CP shelled, one 150mm dud fell by CP building.
Lieutenant Silki (Company A) observing for 87th Field Artillery Battalion in schoolhouse in Mutzenich near Company A positions in Monschau area spotted 15 enemy personnel Oct 13th. Artillery had direct hit. Observed men being carried off but number dead or wounded unknown.---range approximately 2600 yards. Oct 7th, on way to Battalion CP, A Company's 1st Sergeant's 1/4 ton observed by enemy bombers. Two bombs dropped, but no damage done.
C Company reported---Raymond Baker KIA shell fragment in head. Guerra 3 penetrating shell fragment wounds in back--evacuated. Corporal Way shell fragment in left leg---evacuated
John Winslow told me at the Reno Mini-Reunion that Baker was killed on Oct 15th,1944 near Lammersdorff, Germany. John said Baker was a part of a detail of volunteers up on a wooded hill near Lammersdorff that was being used as an OP to watch the German pill boxes and machine gun nest on the Siegfried Line. Baker was part of the volunteer group along with Baker was Zugg, Laxague and others. This observation point was made up of Company C and also men of the 4th Cavalry. The OP was manned for more than 35 days and as casualties got greater, volunteers from Company B were called in to help. The enemy were aware of our OP and they had it under almost constant artillery and mortar shelling. During one of these shellings Baker was sitting on a tree stump when it started. A shell hit a tree near his location and the air burst fragments hit Baker in the head.
Winslow goes on to say, that Willie Zugg dug a foxhole with his bare fingers large enough for 4 or 5 men on this same hill when the Germans dropped flares and then anti-personnel bombs on Oct 28th. It was during this bombing that George Laxague was killed. He was the 4th or 5th man into Zugg's foxhole when a fragment hit him in the back. It hardly drew blood but it severed his spine. John Winslow says that Willie Zugg deserves a lot of credit for digging this foxhole that not only saved his life but the lives of the other foxhole buddies on that night.
16th C Company reported--- at 0935 hours Oct 15th 3rd platoon directed B Company fire on vehicles. Results---1 vehicle knocked out and personnel dispersed. At 1130 and 1300 hours fire directed at mortar positions--results unknown. 1530 hours Oct 15th Pfc Davis hit in leg by shell fragment--given medical aid and returned to duty status. 1430 hours Oct 15th Company CP shelled---10 rounds from self propelled gun estimated 75mm. Private Zugg wounded left arm from grenade fragment---brought to Battalion aid station for treatment---returned to duty status.
A Company reported---at dawn this morning lst platoon become engaged in a fire fight. Privates Ford and Bunney were on guard and saw 2 men appear at the edge of the roads west of their position. Private Bunney fired a short burst with his light machine gun. The firing aroused all the men and they were in their firing positions in a matter of seconds. Since more Germans were seen north and east of their position it appeared that the best defense would be to lay a blanket of machine gun and rifle fire clear around their position. The 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron added to the density of fire by 37mm canister and mortars. The Germans fired at one of the half-tracks with a bazooka, which landed about 4 feet from Sergeant Smith's gun. After the firing died down, Corporal Oetting and another man went over to the wood pile where they thought there were some Germans and took 2 prisoners. One of the prisoners was a Corporal. He stated that the patrol consisted of 31 men led by a Staff Sergeant. 6 of the men were to circle around and attack the platoon's position from the west while the remaining 25 were to advance from the north and east. Accurate results of our fire have not been obtained as 20 rounds of estimated 150mm enemy artillery fell into the area at that time coming from the east. We had no casualties. This was at KONZEN CORNERS.
T/4 Hare (Company A) killed by a booby trap 1600 hours Oct 16th. Sergeant Cantrell (Headquarters Company) in M-20 guarding approach to Group Headquarters slightly wounded by shell fragment--duty.
Ken Kipp, Mess Sergeant in Company A says---Joseph Hare was with his kitchen crew at Monschau. Joe was killed by a booby trap along a trail back of the kitchen building located in a small building next to a German blanket factory. Before serving supper Joe left and didn't say where he was going. While we were getting ready to serve, we heard an explosion and we knew it was one of the booby traps up on the trail from the kitchen. We thought it was possibly a dog or a cow that had tripped the booby trap as that had happened at other times. After supper we wondered where Joe was at as no one seemed to know. He was found along the trail killed by the booby trap.(Oct 16th,1944)
17th C Company reported---at 1430 hours Oct 15th a 15 man enemy patrol attacked 3rd platoon position. Fire fight lasted about 30 minutes. Our men pinned down by machine gun and machine pistol (Burp gun) fire but managed to return fire effectively and patrol withdrew leaving one dead. One of our men was wounded by grenade fragment but remained on duty. At that time enemy threw in heavy artillery barrage and Private Daugherty was wounded in neck by shell fragment and Private Roisum in left side, but both remained on duty after securing medical treatment from our medics. Elements of the 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron on the hill with our men retreated leaving the 3rd platoon to defend the position by themselves--which they did.
All platoon positions sustained mortar fire throughout the day. At 1130 hours 20 rounds of enemy artillery fire fell in Company CP area.
18th C Company reported---lst and 2nd platoon positions under heavy mortar fire throughout the entire day. Two enemy artillery shells fell in Company CP area at 1930 hours. At -330 hours enemy patrol attack 3rd platoon position. Our 3 outpost returned their fire and at the same time our artillery fell into their vicinity causing enemy withdrawal---results unknown.
19th C Company reported---all platoon positions sustained mortar fire throughout the day and 16 artillery shells estimated at 150mm fell on roads in front and rear of Company CP.
20th C Company reported---Between 1630 and 1700 hours Oct 19th 1st platoon engaged in fire fight with large enemy patrol which lasted approximately 45 minutes. Enemy opened fire at 200 yards pinning our men down and sent large group forward to take high ground. Two of our men, in face of heavy enemy fire, fired their Thompson submachine gun and light machine gun repelling the forward group and causing general withdrawal of enemy patrol.
At 1730 hours Oct 19th 3rd platoon position was heavily shelled by medium artillery. 1 shell hit Sergeant Van Buskirk's gun pit and exploded a 3" shell with no damage to gun or personnel. 5 enemy hits were scored on CP house tearing off roof of house. Another house nearby was demolished.
CP area in Lammersdorff bombed Oct 19th by enemy planes. Private Roscoe received bomb fragment in left side of head---treated by Aid station and returned to duty status. All platoon positions sustained heavy mortar fire thought the day.
A Company reported---4 artillery shells fell into 1st platoon's area Oct 19th. Two booby traps set off by enemy patrol. We fired into position---results unknown. Enroute to Battalion CP Oct 20th 1st Sergeant of Company A fired upon by 2 bursts of machine pistol (Burp gun) from enemy on high ground on road between Monschau and Mutzenich ---no damage.
21st B Company reported---1st platoon CP got 7 large enemy artillery shells in their area; 1 shell fell directly in front of CP house with superficial damage to house only.
C Company reported---0715 hours lst platoon's position on hill sustained heavy enemy mortar concentration. Pfc Forsman received mortar fragment in left hand and Pfc Schwinn wounded in right shoulder ---both evacuated. All platoon positions received mortar and artillery fire throughout day.
25th A Company reported--- 1st platoon organized combat patrol in charge of Staff Sergeant Lewis. Patrol out from 1015 to 1315 hours Oct 24th and made up of Headquarters Recon men. Proceeded to crossroads SW of 1st platoon's position. Observed fire from 3 enemy heavy machine guns generally firing SW on to crossroads. Patrol fired 16 rounds of rifle grenades along road and hedgerow and 6 bazooka rounds at enemy dugout. All rounds hit dugout--results of action against enemy personnel unknown. 29 rounds of enemy mortar fell into lst platoon's position between 1315 and 1630 hours Oct 24th.
Company C reported---mortar and artillery fire fell on all platoon positions throughout day. S-3 and vehicle crew captured 3 German prisoners in vicinity of Lieutenant Gotham's position.
A Company reported--- enemy artillery fell around CP Oct 24th. Pfc Bean ---A Company wounded in back by shell fragment---evacuated.
Battalion Commander appointed Reserve Commander for Anti-Airborne Defense for this area per order dated Oct 23, 1944 from 4th Cavalry Group (Mechanized).
26th Received Troop Assignment #38 (Administrative) Secret dated Oct 25th,1944 from Headquarters VII Corps indicating this Battalion relieved from attachment to 1st Infantry Division and is attached to 4th Cavalry Group (Mechanized), effective Sept 1st,1944. Battalion attached to V Corps for operation only, effective 1200 hours Oct 25th,1944 per Anti-Tank Bulletin #88, Headquarters VII Corps artillery dated Oct 26th,1944 signed by Robt M. Brewer, Lieutenant Colonel, VII Corps Anti-Tank Officer.
Company C reported---all platoon positions sustained mortar fire throughout day.
Company A reported---3 heavy artillery shells fell 3rd platoon area 2000 hours Oct 25th. A Company reported--at 1430 hours Oct 25th 6 rounds of enemy mortar fell into 1st platoon's area. On Oct 26,1944. Sergeant Poor, Company A, was killed with enemy mortar shells that started falling into the 1st platoon area. Carl Condon retmembers-----The 1st platoon of Company A was in positions at Konzen Corners north of Monschau, Germany . We were along the west side of the Siegfried Line (West Wall).
Corporal Thomas to Battalion aid station for shell fragment left leg--duty status. Private Harold Peterson for shell concussion of ears---duty. Following Enlisted Men wounded and evacuated: Corporal N. Collins, multiple mortar fragment wounds both legs and right hand. Private Felzien multiple chest and back wounds from mortar fragments. At 1345 enemy mortars started falling into lst platoon area; 20 rounds fell at 1420 hours. 2 rounds fell in front of Sergeant Poor's CP house and fragment coming in through window and open door struck him in head, killing him. (Company A). Mortar fragments wrecked 2 tires and 2 headlights on Burnett's half-track and fragments through Sergeant Stephenson's 1/4 ton. Both vehicles repaired for duty by Battalion Motor Maintenance.
27th A Company reported---Private Podraza, lst platoon hit by mortar fragment in neck on Oct 26th---duty.
C Company reported---all platoon positions drew mortar and artillery fire throughout day. A Company reported---On Oct 25th 2nd platoon observation patrol encountered enemy in vicinity Konzen--were fired upon but withdrew without returning fire as their mission accomplished. 2115 hours Oct 25th 2 rounds of estimated 105mm enemy artillery fell in 3rd platoon area and 2 rounds in Company CP area. 2015 hours Oct 26th 5 rounds of enemy artillery fell in 3rd platoon area 7 rounds in 2nd platoon area and 2 rounds in Company Cp area.
During night of Oct 26th light showed on hillside. Guards fired as instructed and light extinguished. Patrol next day indicated footprints.
1030 hours Oct 27th 5 man patrol [Carrell, James W. (Company A); Cirillo, Steven L. (Company A); Williams, Gale W. (Company A); Walters, Lloyd M. (Company A); Thomas, Walter E. (Company A)] in charge of Sergeant Williams set off enemy mine on footbridge. Corporal Thomas and Walters and Cirillo Killed In Action. Sergeant Williams Severely Wounded In Action laceration both legs and head (Died of wounds same day) and Pfc James W Carrell laceration face, head and body (Died Of Wounds same day) Patrol was directed to south flank of Monschau by CO, 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron.
Nick (Pop) Thill and Harold Ganz remember this incident------On Oct 27th, the 5 above men were killed while on a patrol lead by Sergeant Williams near Monschau, Germany. The 24th Cavalry man was to lead our patrol around an American mined area including a footbridge. As the patrol crossed the footbridge, a mine was set off, killing 3 men and wounding 2 men. The 2 wounded died that same day of the wounds.
28th A Company reported--- 1st platoon area had mortar fire all day; enemy registering on area with 2 smoke mortar shells at 1045 hours Oct 27th. 1st platoon organized observation patrol in charge of Staff Sergeant Lewis (Headquarters Company Recon) which left at l030 hours returned at 1600 hours. Went to reconnoiter SE of railroad tracks. Observed enemy personnel activity at pillbox and called for fire mission from Troop E 24th Cavalry Squadron; registering hits on and around pillbox--effect unknown. Spotted activity pillbox and called on 87th Field Artillery Battalion for fire. 3 rounds fired with 1 direct hit---mission accomplished.
C Company reported---1630 hours Oct 26th enemy patrol attacked 1st platoon position on hill for purpose of drawing our fire. Enemy fired approximately 20 rifle grenades and a number of short Machine gun bursts. Our troops did not return fire and enemy withdrew. 2230 hours Oct 27th enemy patrol attacked 3rd platoon's position. After 20 minutes fire fight enemy withdrew leaving 2 of their dead behind. All platoon positions had mortar with a few rounds of artillery throughout day.
Private Laxague Severely Wounded In Action mortar fragment back ---evacuated (Died Of Wounds same day). Tony Sebaugh remembers---- Laxague died as results of wounds when Company C was near Lammersdorf, Germany on Oct 28,1944. Company C was acting as infantry on a hill that was called the Lammersdorf Hill. We took enemy artillery and mortar shelling with the shells hitting trees and getting air burst. The Germans also bombed this hill and it was during this bombing that Laxague was killed.
Frank Brewer told me at Reno----- Laxague was killed on the OP hill near Lammersdorf on Oct 28, l944. George Laxague told Brewer before he went up on the hill, "Frank, I've got a feeling that I'll never walk off of that mountain.” And he didn't!! His spinal cord was severed by a shell fragment, he was evacuated, but died the same day.
Sergeant Fender Lightly Wounded In Action mortar fragment right arm---treated by Battalion aid man and returned to duty. Pfc Warrix Lightly Wounded In Action mortar fragment right leg ---treated by platoon aid man and returned to duty.
29th A Company reported---lst platoon area received mortar concentrations throughout the day; 1 shell falling into shed housing 1/4 ton damaging radio----replaced. 2015 hours Oct 28th 4 rounds of heavy enemy artillery fell in Company CP area and 4 rounds in 3rd platoon area.
0930 hours Oct 29th enemy patrol sent 2 rounds of bazooka into schoolhouse in Mutzenich where Lieutenant Silki has been observing for 87th Field Artillery Battalion - also three hand grenades, two of which were duds. Considerable damage to schoolhouse but none to our personnel or equipment. No fire returned as enemy promptly withdrew in extreme darkness.
C Company reported---2230 hours Oct 28th enemy patrol attacked 3rd platoon position to draw fire. Our troops did not return fire and enemy withdrew. Mortar and artillery fell on all platoon positions throughout day. 3rd platoon had much heavy artillery and 2nd platoon heavy mortar concentrations.
We know very little about Lieutenant [William F.] Gothum at this time. Earl Proctor remembers that Gothum was evacuated when the 1st platoon of Company. A was at Konzen Corners near Monschau, Germany on the Siegfried Line. Earl says that he returned to the 1st platoon to take command after Gothum was evacuated. Jerry Workman, who was platoon Sergeant of the 1st platoon, says that when Gothum was evacuated, he was without a platoon Officer until Lieutenant Proctor returned in late Oct. 1944.
Following Enlisted Men of 2nd platoon wounded by mortar fragments and evacuated: Fred Wells penetrating wound right side and back of left knee. John Olson, penetrating wound front of neck. John Ratto penetrating wound right side and right arm. Medical Detachment reported---Gleason, of A Company, received penetrating wound lst finger left hand from mortar fragment---treated at Battalion Aid station and returned to duty.
30th A Company reported--- at 0555 hours Oct 29th, 9 rounds of enemy artillery estimated at 88mm swept the lst platoon area from north to south. No gun flashes noted by guards. Fire from SE. From 0755 hours thru 1400 hours 23 heavy mortar shells fell into area. At 1530 hours 1st platoon organized observation patrol headed by Staff Sergeant Lewis (Headquarters Company Recon). Patrol took up position in house establishing forword observation post. 3 civilians living in house were placed under guard while our patrol occupied house. Radio communication set up with Fire Direction Center.
31st A Company reported---from 1215 thru 1700 hours Oct 30th 35 mortar shells fell into 1st platoon area. 1st platoon observation patrol in house captured enemy, Corporal Franz Hermann, 1088 Infantry Regiment at 1515 hours Oct 30th and brought him to Battalion CP for processing.
Company C reported---All platoon positions sustained mortar and artillery shelling throughout 29th and 30th Oct; 4 rounds of 150mm artillery fell in area of Sergeant Morgan's position at intersection doing considerable damage to his CP house. 1900 hours Oct 30th Company CP organized 15 man patrol to hunt enemy sniper who wounded 4th Cavalry Recon tanker---results negative.
Our primary mission throughout October and the lst 10 days of November was to hold the area along the Siegfried line in general support of the south flank of the VII Corps and on the 25th of October, the Battalion was attached to the V Corps for operations only continuing our primary mission under Group control.
Employment of the firing companies was coordinated between Group Commanders and Company Commanders, and they have been successfully used in repelling counter attacks and enemy patrol activities, for combat and observation patrol, OPs, creating and protecting roadblocks, and generally neutralizing German attacks and resistance in designated defense areas. Our firing companies were utilized as infantry because of military necessity, and often a platoon was employed where ordinarily a company of infantry could be used. The combat efficiency of this command is very satisfactory, and has all its equipment except one M-8. Our platoons and patrols had 27 fire fights with the enemy, and aided considerably in the elimination of personnel and obstacle resistance with forword observation for the artillery.
At the end of the drive up to the Siegfried Line by the end of Sept, all ammunition, gasoline, rations and other supplies were in very short supply. As a result it was decided to go into a holding action for about 4 weeks while supplies could be moved in and prepare for the next offensive. However, during this period the 635th experienced many very heavy attacks of mortar, artillery and enemy patrols.
During these 40 days along the Siegfried Line near Monschau, Lammersdorff and Roetgen, Germany, we got our mail at pretty good intervals for the first time. Also the paper "Stars and Stripes" and the "Yank" was getting up to the firing platoons. This was also the first time we got fresh bread. What a great treat after 5 months of "K's" and "10 in 1" rations. Our gun section had found a battery pack portable radio in a bombed out home back in August near Mortain, France. We could now get the news from AFN radio in Algiers, North Africa and BBC in London.
During Oct the 635th was sending a few men at a time back to Verviers, Belgium for 3 days of R and R. We were treated to hot showers, clean clothes, real food and some movies.
The casualties suffered by the 635th during this Oct holding operation was the 2nd highest month, only exceeded by December 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge.
9 men killed in action
21 men wounded and evacuated
20 men wounded and not evacuated
Our high losses were the result of very heavy enemy artillery and mortar shelling during this holding operation along the Siegfried Line in Oct and early Nov.
Carl Condon (Company A), 1st Platoon) says---------The 1st Platoon of Company A was in positions at Konzen Corners, a railroad junction, NW of Monschau, Germany. We were along the west side of the Siegfried Line (West Wall) and the Germans were hitting us daily with artillery and mortar shells from the German side of the Line. Sergeant Kuntz and Sergeant Poor's gun crews were only about l00 yards apart covering this railroad jct. On Oct 26th we were under very heavy attack by German mortar and it was that day a shell hit near Sergeant Poor's CP and he was struck in the head and killed. We were getting a lot of rain in late Oct which made the ground quite soft. Had it not been for this soft ground, I'm almost sure, that our casualties from the mortar fire would have been much higher.
NOVEMBER 1944
1st 1st platoon Company A reported--- Between 0005 and 0658 hours heavy enemy artillery fell in our area. From 1100 to 1240 hours 27 enemy mortar shells fell into same area. At 0315 hours CP house occupied by Staff Sergeant Lewis and his patrol was approached by 2 enemy soldiers and 1 civilian. One soldier knocked on door and Sergeant Lewis had a civilian occupying the house answer door. As the soldier entered the house Sergeant Lewis stepped up to take him prisoner and was fired upon by soldier remaining outside with machine pistol (Burp Gun). Other members of patrol in position at windows fired and killed the 2 soldiers and wounding the civilian who escaped behind hedgerow. Staff Sergeant Lewis was Severely Wounded In Action perforation wound upper right arm and left shoulder, penetrating wound right shoulder and perforation wound abdomen. At 0330 hours entire patrol withdrew to woods line north of OP house carrying Sergeant Lewis with them. At 0530 hours enemy opened fire on house from their lines. A 610 radio and Enlisted Men's equipment left in the house was recovered. Patrol remained in woods line until approximately 0800 hours, not risking travel through heavily booby-trapped woods. Sergeant Lewis was evacuated at approximately 0830 hours.
Company C reported---0530 hours enemy patrol directed heavy small arms fire at 1st platoon's position to draw our fire. No fire fight ensued. Mortar and artillery fire fell on all positions throughout the day. Enemy moved machine gun in front of 3rd platoon's position in heavy fog and fired intermittently all day for purpose of drawing fire; no damage---no fire returned.
Company A reported---Enemy dropped 4 heavy artillery shells in CP area at 2100 hours and 4 rounds in area occupied by our artillery OP in Mutzenich schoolhouse.
2nd 1st platoon, Company A, reported--59 enemy mortar shells fell into our area between 0844 and 1655 hours.
Company C, reported---Mortar fire fell on all positions throughout the day.
3rd Delivered, to Corps Forward, F/O Wright, British Lancaster bomber navigator who parachuted to safety when enemy night fighter knocked out his starboard engine. Picked up by Company B.
Company C reported---All platoon positions sustained heavy mortar fire throughout the day. Between 1700 and 1800 hours 3rd platoon received exceptionally heavy mortar barrage. Staff Sergeant Neske captured 3 enemy prisoners.
Company A reported---3 rounds of mortar dropped into 1st platoon area. 20 to 30 rounds of mortar fell in 3rd platoon area throughout the day.
4th Company C reported---Mortar and artillery fire on all platoon positions throughout the day.
Company A 3rd platoon fired on enemy patrol in their area; patrol withdrew with no known results.
5th Company A reported---27 enemy rounds of medium artillery fire fell into 1st platoon area between 1000 and 1100 hours.
Company C reported---Mortar and artillery fire on all positions throughout the day.
6th Company A reported---1st platoon advised at 2100 hours 2 booby traps tripped and at 2300 hours 1 mine and 1 booby trap tripped. Our troops fired in direction of sound and at 2100 hours drew return machine pistol fire. Two enemy observed in light of flare. Patrol next morning saw signs of enemy patrol activity and picked up enemy ammo container---results of action unknown. 3rd platoon reported---outpost reported enemy movement from enemy lines toward platoon position. Fired on enemy patrol which withdrew with no known results.
Company C reported sporadic mortar and artillery fire on 2nd and 3rd platoon positions. Heavy barrage of enemy rifle grenades fell on 1st platoon position to draw fire and give away positions. 2nd platoon patrol fired at enemy trenches and pill boxes to force movement and disclose positions. Results accomplished. Directed artillery fire on machine gun nest which was neutralized. 2nd and 3rd platoon patrols fired at enemy pillboxes, machine gun emplacements and trenches, harassing to disclose positions.---results satisfactory. 2nd platoon fired 5 APC and 5 HET-105 3" at machine gun nest at 1000 yards in front of their position definitely destroyed same. Number of personnel dead or wounded unknown.
7th Company A reported---at 0045 hours 1 booby trap tripped, at 0210 hours 1 anti-personnel mine and 1 booby trap tripped. Our troops fired in direction of sound---results unknown. At 1430 hours Nov 6th 2nd platoon fired 5 rounds of HE delayed fuse and 5 rounds of APC at pillbox, scoring 6 direct hits. Embrasure knocked out and pillbox neutralized. At 1512 hours 5 rounds of enemy artillery estimated at 105mm fell in 3rd platoon's area. At 1550 hours our OP in schoolhouse in Mutzenich spotted 2 enemy tanks and directed mass fire of 71st Field Artillery Battalion, who fired 2 volleys at target---results unknown. At 1645 hours 3rd platoon fired harassing small arms fire at newly dug enemy position---results unknown
Company C reported---Mortar fire fell in their 2nd platoon area throughout the day.
8th Company A reported---At 1700 hours Nov 7th 1st platoon sighted enemy five man patrol working their way toward their position. Directed Company B 3" guns on mission for direct hit. Results 3 known dead. 1430 hours Nov 7th 2nd platoon fired 5 rounds of HE and 5rounds of APC 3" at pillbox scoring 7 direct hits making noticeable hole, neutralizing pillbox. Also fired 2 rounds of HET-105 at OP building, scoring direct hit and destroying building.
Medical Detachment reported---At 1225 hours following Enlisted Men Severely Wounded In Action from enemy mortar fire and evacuated: Pfc Woodrow Franklin, Medical Aid man, with Company C and Pfc Winslow Hildreth, Company C (Franklin Died Of Wounds Nov 13th,1944)
Company C reported---Enemy mortar and artillery fire fell on all positions throughout day. At 2315 hours Nov 7th Sergeant Crandall noticed and detected movement 20 yards in front of his machine gun outpost. A booby trap tripped and one figure was noted in the light. Enemy soldier promptly shot with Thompson submachine gun fire. Sergeant Crandall noted another figure crawling toward his position by wristwatch dial and again fired his Thompson submachine gun. Hearing further sounds, he sprayed the position with machine gun fire. Next morning 2 enemy dead were found. Also 3 machine pistols and 1 P-38 pistol.
9th Company C reported exceptionally heavy mortar fire on all platoon positions throughout the day.
Company A reported--- 1015 hours Nov 8th 3rd platoon outpost observed activity at house and fired light and heavy Machine guns into house--- results unknown. At 1425 hours outpost detected enemy personnel and activity at enemy house in woods. Fired heavy and light machine guns and directed 75mm assault guns on woods and house indirect fire. Results - house set on fire---number of personnel hit unknown. At 1730 hours Nov 8th 3rd platoon layed mine field on railroad tracks using 10 land mines and road block on railroad at junction of road. At 2030 hours trip flare set off---no activity --- no firing. At 0352 hours Nov 9th CP area received 4 rounds of HE artillery fire from 120 degrees and at 0610 hours they received 4 rounds of HE from 60 degrees.
10th Company C reported---Mortar fire on all platoon positions throughout the day.
Company A reported----1 mortar shell fell in 1st platoon area Nov 9th. 0352 hours 4 rounds of HE artillery shells fell in CP area from 2140 m. At 0610 hours 4 rounds estimated at 105 mm HE fell in CP area from 1070 m. 1045 hours 3rd platoon outpost fired .30 machine gun harassing fire at enemy in woods---results unknown. At 1100 hours they fired 5 rounds of APC and rounds of HET-105 from gun position at pillbox---pillbox neutralized. Also fired 5 rounds of HE delayed fuse harassing fire at town of Imgenbroich (All 15 rounds fired in less than 2 minutes). At 0130 hours Nov 10th 4 rounds of HE of undetermined caliber fell in Company CP area.
11th At 0830 hours CP moved from Roetgen and established new CP in SW Aachen, Germany, at 1030 hours. Company's B and C moved to same area ---assembly position for CP and 2 firing companies. 1320 hours Nov 11th l944 operations attachment to V Corps no longer in effect per CO 4th Cavalry Group (Mechanized).
12th Company A reported---at 0130 hours 4 105mm shells fell into CP area. Company A moved to vicinity of Eupen, Belgium, with the 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron.
13th Received Corps Artillery anti-tank Bulletin #105 dated November 12th, 1944 indicating this Battalion passed to control of VII Corps on closing in Assembly area.
Company A reported---0800 hours Nov 12th received field orders and made Recon east of Zweifel and north of Lammersdorf, Germany.
17th Company A reported---Left Eupen area and established new CP Zweifel, Germany, area---distance traveled 22.4 miles. All platoons were in position at 1500 hours.
18th Medical Detachment reported--- 4 men wounded by glass and debris resulting from explosion of flying bomb dropped in area---all remained on duty status. (We found the following Enlisted Men listed for the Purple Heart listed as wounded on Nov 18th: James McNamee---Harry Stoerkel---Frank Thebault---the other Enlisted Man could not be found.)
19th Company A reported---That Company A is with 24th Cavalry Squadron less Troop C established a moving counter reconnaissance screen to cover the gap between the 8th and 22nd Infantry Regiments. Also to cover road blocks already established by 289th Engineers.
20th Company A reported---l gun section 3rd platoon moved into position to vicinity of 010390.
21st Battalion Commander placed in command of anti-airborne defense plan of the southern part of Aachen. Arrangements to recconnoiter all roads, etc for defense position.
22nd Company A reported---2 guns of 3rd platoon moved from 988355 to vicinity 003378.
23rd Received Field Order 21 dated 221000 Nov 44 Headquarters 4th Cavalry Group. Group less 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron and our Company A now in support in the 4th Division area, attached to 1st US Infantry Division effective date Field Order 21. Mission of Group with this Battalion as integral part to fill or plug the gap between the 18th Infantry Regiment on its right (S) and the 26th Infantry Regiment on its left (N); advancing to the East in conjunction with the advances of both of these regiments, paying particular attention to the protection of the 1st US Infantry Division Right (S) flank; artillery support to be furnished by 1st Division Artillery. Group and our Company C to move to vicinity Schevenhutte. Balance this Battalion to remain present location with other units of group left behind in command of Lieutenant Colonel Wint Smith and be prepared to move in vicinity of Schevenhutte on an hours notice and to make advance for forward assembly area. Group established new CP vicinity Vicht. 3rd platoon Company C moved forward to protect CP vicinity Schevenhutte.
Company A reported---enemy tanks reported in vicinity. Moved 2 guns 1st platoon in position---no trace of enemy tanks found.
24th Company C reported---3rd platoon area lightly shelled at 0800 hours. Made reconnaissance for gun positions on order. Found roads impassable, ground hilly and covered with heavy timber growth. At 2310 hours heavy guns shelled 3rd platoon area and long range guns shelled the town of Schevenhutte throughout the night. At 0815 hours Nov 24th Private Robinson Medical Aid man attached to 3rd platoon Lightly Wounded In Action shell fragment and evacuated.
25th Company A reported---2nd section 1st platoon moved. 2nd section 2nd platoon also moved.
26th Company A reported---Due to crowded conditions 3rd platoon brought back to vicinity of Company CP as Military Police set up posts in front of their guns.
27th Company C reported---Nov 26th 3rd platoon made Recon in vicinity 02904170. 2 guns placed in position on road running east out of Schevenhutte. Four rounds of light mortar fell into 3rd platoon area.
Company A reported---2nd platoon moved Nov 26th to new positions.
29th Company C reported---7 rounds of heavy artillery fell into 3rd platoon area Nov 28th; 2 proved duds.
30th Received through channels with favorable endorsements from Commanding General, 1st US Infantry Division, Commanding General, VII Corps and CO 4th Cavalry Group (Mechanized), Commendation from Commanding General 1st US Infantry Division Artillery for service during this battalion's attachment between June 8th 1944 and Aug 31st 1944: Commendation dated Oct 24th 1944.
SUMMARY FOR NOVEMBER
After 40 days on the Siegfried Line under constant artillery and mortar shelling along with enemy patrols, the 4th and 24th Cavalry Group along with the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion were relieved by the 102nd Cavalry Group. On Nov 11th we moved to Aachen to re-group, rest and do some badly needed maintenance on our vehicles and equipment.
The 635th had been under constant enemy contact since Omaha Beach (5 1/2 months) with no period of rest or any maintenance on our vehicles and equipment. The big offensive across the Rhine River and the German heartland was to begin in mid November and everyone could see that the war would soon come to an end. (This whole picture was changed however, by the Battle of the Bulge)
After 13 days of rest, on Nov 23rd, we moved into the HURTGEN FOREST near Schevenhutte, Germany. The 4th and 24th Cavalry along with the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion bridged an area between the 1st US Infantry Division and the 4th US Infantry Division. This was a new type of war in the Hurtgen Forest, where we had to protect ourselves from artillery shell air burst. The artillery shells would hit the tops of trees and shrapnel would cover large areas. We would cover our foxholes with logs and earth. During this period we were under overcast skies with rain, snow and no air support. Our foxholes would fill with water and mud and we were wet most of the time. Many men developed foot problems and had to be evacuated.
We would be in the Hurtgen Forest for a little over 4 weeks. Much of the time we were under constant move of gun positions and dis-mounted on enemy foot patrols much of the time.
DECEMBER 1944
1st Made reconnaissance South Aachen for security positions against airborne attacks. (Battalion Headquarters still in Aachen)
2nd Personnel Section moved from 1st US Infantry Division Base and joined our rear echelon at Eyenatten, Belgium. 6 Enlisted Men on DS with 1st US Infantry Division Artillery forward CP to alleviate their shortage of personnel returned to Battalion for duty.
3rd platoon Company C moved to Eyenatten in preparation of movement with 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron returned to Aachen assembly area due to limited room and billets in Eyenatten, Belgium.
Advance billeting guard of 7 Enlisted Men returned from Eschweiler, Germany due to change in mission
3rd Following report submitted by Company C--3rd platoon which displaced an A Company platoon in the Schevenhutte, Germany, area was heavily shelled by the enemy between 0630 and 0730 hours Dec 2nd. A 1/4 ton vehicle hit by shell fragments with no repairs necessary. Staff Sergeant McClellen sustained laceration wound left arm; treated by our own medics and remained on duty. At 1030 hours Dec 1st Corporal Shows entered an unmarked enemy mine field to rescue an engineer who had his foot blown off by an exploding mine. Corporal Shows has been recommended for the Silver Star award for his brave deed. Following officer and enlisted men decorated by the VII Corps Commander for bravery in action against the enemy: 1st Lieutenant Whelehon, Company B, Silver Star; Sergeants Mead and Stalpes, Company B, Bronze Stars; Corporal Kelly Savoy, Company B, Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star; Pfcs Bender and Bussman, Company B, Bronze Stars.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 2nd--2nd Section, 3rd platoon moved from Company CP to new anti-tank positions.--entire company alerted for movement.
4th Following report received from Company A for Dec 3rd---Moved CP and established new CP. At 1405 hours 4 enemy planes strafed CP area. Sergeant Matthews was hit by a bullet which penetrated his field jacket, sweater, shirt and bible in shirt pocket causing slight scratch and considerable bruise left side of body below heart ---remained on duty. At 1432 hours 1 enemy plane strafed area again, but no damage caused. Following is the report for Dec 4th for Company A---Between 0100 and 0525 hours approximately 30 rounds of enemy artillery from 1800 mils hit in and around CP area. At 0525 hours 3 enemy shells hit the CP. 1 round hit our ammunition trailer causing severe fire damaging two 1-ton trailers exploding 72 rounds of 3" APC and 24 rounds of HE shells and destroyed beyond use approximately 125 duffel bags belonging to Enlisted Men, A Company officers duffel bags and personal luggage, 2 platoon 3" spare parts kits and 2 aiming circles. Private Phipps, driver of loaded ammunition cargo truck, braved the exploding shells and drove the cargo out of the area and Private Vogan drove a 1 1/2 truck and a 1/4 ton from the exploding trailers. Both men recommended for the Silver Star award for their bravery. 2nd platoon moved into reserve position in vicinity of Company CP.
5th Following report received from Company A for Dec 5th---Between 0240 and 0500 hours the enemy shelled CP area from 1700 mils; estimated 75mm or 88mm. A total of 78 rounds hit the area with 49 rounds falling during the 1st hour. One half-track sustained a direct hit putting it out of action (Replaced). Corporal Walter Anthony wounded and evacuated for possible fracture penetrating wound left leg, shell fragment. Private Louis E. Saki wounded and evacuated for penetrating wound left arm shell fragment. Sergeant James Nelson wounded not evacuated laceration wound shell fragment right side face. Private Lloyd Callwell wounded not evacuated slight laceration wound left buttocks shell fragment. Private Russell K. Sites wounded not evacuated laceration wound right arm shell fragment.
6th Company A established new CP, new location approximately south of Gressenich, Germany.
Medical Detachment reported---On Dec 4th Pfc James Frey, Company A, 2nd degree burn left hand from exploding 3" shell when enemy shell hit ammo trailer---remained on duty.
7th Received Memo #11 Headquarters 4th Cavalry Group dated Dec 6th. This Battalion less Company A tactically attached to 83rd US Infantry Division effective 080600A Dec 44. Company A will be attached effective the time 83rd Infantry Division assumes control of the 4th Infantry Division Zone.
Sergeants Dever and Lackey presented with the Silver Star Award for bravery in action.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 6th--Lieutenant Gotham reconnoitered for and found suitable indirect fire gun positions. At 2050 hours 21 rounds of enemy artillery estimated at 75mm fell in 3rd platoon area from 1400 mils.
8th 8 Enlisted Men; 6 from Company B, and 2 from Company C, left Battalion for 92nd Replacement Battalion of 3rd Replacement Depot to be returned to the United States on furlough per confidential letter Nov 29th 44, Headquarters EOUTSA, "Return of Personnel to the US on Temporary Duty for Rehabilitation, Recuperation and Recovery." Authorization Headquarters VII Corps S/O 169 Dec 7th 44.
CP group left assembly area in SW Aachen at 1045 hours and established new CP 1150 hours in town of Vicht, Germany.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 7th---1st platoon started indirect fire with Lieutenant Silki as forward observer; guns in position. 73 rounds of 3" HE expended. Platoon ceased firing 1600 hours as unable to register without smoke. 5 harassing missions were fired on towns of Derichsweiler and Gurzenich, Germany.
9th B Company reported--- Company CP left assembly area SW Aachen, Germany at 1245 hours Dec 8th and arrived 2 miles east of Schevenhutte, Germany at 1445 hours. Company B attached to 331st Infantry Regiment of 83 US Infantry Division tactically.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 8th---1300 hours 1st platoon fired 116 rounds of HE---7 harassing missions into town of Derichsweiler and Gurzenich, Germany. 1830 hours 3rd platoon reported unidentified plane flying from east to west circled to south and dropped 3 anti-personnel bombs---no damage. 2000 hours 7 artillery air bursts to be from our own artillery into Company CP ---no damage.
Company C reported--- Left assembly area SW Aachen and established new CP Dec 8th near Schevenhutte, Germany.
Received Operations Memo # 12 Dec 9th 44 Headquarters 4th Cavalry Group: This Battalion less Company's A, B and 3rd platoon Company C attached to 4th Cavalry Group effective 091500A Dec 44. Company B, this Battalion, attached to 759th Tank Battalion, light.
Captain Page, Liason Officer, on order from Commanding general 83rd Division Artillery placed Company C in position for indirect firing; 1st platoon 00605-40295, 2nd platoon 00675 40500, 3rd platoon 00540-40355. Fired 432 rounds of 3" HE 14 interdiction and harassing missions with no known effect. 2 registration fired on 2nd mission. Fired from 0500 Dec 8th to 0600 Dec 9th.
10th B Company reported---Moved approximately 2 miles west of Kleinhau, Germany and established new CP 1700 hours Dec 9th.
11th Battalion Commander, S-3, Liason Officer and 15 Enlisted Men left CP to establish Advance Forward CP in vicinity Kleinhau in the Hurtgen Forest to permit closer operation and Liason with Company's B and C nearby and Group Headquarters also removed to the forest.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 10th---1st platoon moved to reserve position. 2000 hours: 3rd platoon shelled from 2000 mils by 2 enemy guns estimated at 75mm--no damage.
Company C reported---CP moved and established new CP in town of Vicht, Germany, 1230 hours Dec 10th. Moved again Dec 11th from Vicht to vicinity Kleinhau in Hurtgen Forest and established new CP at 1300 hours. Attached to 85th Recon Squadron of 5th Armored Division less 3rd platoon which remains with the 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron. Advised that since departure from assembly area SW Aachen, Company C on VO were attached to the following organizations prior to their attachment to the 85th Recon Squadron of 5th Armored Division; 83rd Division Artillery, 330 Infantry Regiment, 326th Field Artillery Battalion and 329th Infantry Regiment ---all for tactical purposes, but changes in mission caused detachments.
12th Advance Forward CP augmented with additional personnel; 1 Officer and 10 Enlisted Men and l ambulance and 3 medics.
Company C reported they established Liason with 85th Recon Squadron and were awaiting orders to support the Squadron in screening the south flank of an extended drive to the east contemplated by the 5th Armored Division. Company C reported---3rd platoon in vicinity of Jaegerhaus, Germany, subjected to heavy enemy artillery concentrations throughout the night with 60 shells falling in area in one hour.
Company B reported---Dec 10th: Between 1730 and 1800 hours an estimated 4 enemy planes bombed CP area. One 100 pound bomb fell 25 yards from CP and several anti-personnel bombs fell in 3rd platoon area. Staff Sergeant Demanett hit in finger left hand and remained on duty. T/4 Ruth hit by bomb fragment and remained on duty. One 12 volt battery was damaged, one 610 radio knocked out and 1 rifle damaged; 6 tires and one 2 1/2 ton cargo damaged superficially. Company maintenance section took all damaged material to rear echelon for repair or replacement.
Dec 11th: 1st and 2nd platoons committed forward to hold approximately 300 to 400 yards high ground east of Kleinhau, Germany. Our troops went forward at 1300 hours Dec 11th dismounted and to take place of infantry. The area they were assigned to hold was under enemy observation at all times and was heavily raked by enemy mortar and artillery fire; over 200 shells dropped in approximately one hour, and not all the men were able to reach their positions. Shell fire came from the northeast. By 1700 hours the following Enlisted Men were wounded and evacuated by tank due to the constant enemy fire and muddy terrain. Sergeant Stalpes, shell fragment right arm, Sergeant Harold Brown shell fragment arm and leg; Pfc Albert Speaker shell fragment right side of face and forehead, Private Amato Wounded In Action, Pfc Frank Nitschke Wounded In Action, Pfc James O. Woodward BE.
Following Enlisted Men wounded but not evacuated: Pfc Carl M. Larsen grazing wound right side of head and shell fragment thru lobe of left ear; Private Chester L. Gilkison shell fragment right shoulder and right hip; Pfc Thomas Garver shell fragment right arm. At 1100 hours Private Ridgeway Wounded In Action grenade fragment--evacuated. 1st Sergeant Moore, while contacting radio detail in Kleinhau, Germany, Wounded In Action by HE shell fragment, contusion, abrasing right arm, triceps region---remained on duty.
1 officer and 11 Enlisted Men additional moved to Advance Forward CP in Hurtgen Forest.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 11th---2nd platoon moved into indirect firing positions at 1100 hours. 1400 hours: 3rd platoon moved from position to reserve in CP area. 1430 to 1600 hours; 2nd platoon fired 37 rounds of 3" HE harassing fire at town of Gurzenich at company of Infantry dug in. Company Survey Crew utilized and A Company officer used for forward observation.
Rec'd SO 338 Dec 9th 44 Par #2 Headquarters First U.S. Army promoting 2nd Lieutenant Lawrence J Stewart 01824933, to 1st Lieutenant.
13th Following report received from Company A for Dec 12th---1410-1730 hours 2nd platoon fired 20 rounds of 3" HE unobserved fire in support of 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron and 331st Infantry harassing fire on road junction; all in town of Birgel, Germany and vicinity.
Company C reported---3rd platoon in vicinity of Schevenhutte, Germany, subjected to intermittent heavy artillery fire throughout the night, averaging 3 to 4 rounds per hour through the hours of darkness.
9 additional Headquarters Company Enlisted Men from forward CP transferred to Advance Forward CP.
At 1530 hours Dec 12th 4 enemy artillery shells fell in CP area; one shell fell 25 yards from where Battalion Commander was standing but proved to be a dud.
Company B reported---Following Enlisted Men wounded and evacuated on high ground east of Kleinhau, holding as infantry Dec 12th: Private Edward Walker shell fragment buttocks and legs; Private Randall Schaub, fragment in leg: Private John Roper, fragment right shoulder and face; Private Walter Henry, Wounded In Action, Pfc Arthur Weller, shell fragments arm; 1st Lieutenant William R. Von Ende killed in action same action. Following Enlisted Men Severely Wounded In Action and evacuated Dec 13th; Sergeant John Cwikla, double fracture spinal cord and Died Of Wounds Dec 14th. Enemy continued to rake area Company B holding with artillery and mortar fire all day and night. Battalion Commander committed forward to assist Company B to hold high ground, l officer and 20 Enlisted Men of Recon platoons Headquarters Company.
.
Dick Chaney remembers-------Lieutenant Von Ende came to the outfit the same time that he did. Von Ende and Chaney came to the outfit around the 15th or 16th of June 1944 at Caumont, France as replacements. He was killed in the Hurtgen Forest on the 12th of Dec l944. He was hit by an artillery shell. Von Ende was a West Point Officer. Everyone in Company B said he was a very fine man and Officer.
14th Following report from Company A---Dec 13th: 1320-1630 hours; 2nd platoon fired 20 rounds of HE harassing fire in support of the continued attack on Birgel, Germany by 24th Cavalry Recon Squadron and 331st Infantry Regiment
Company B reported---3rd platoon committed forward to aid 1st and 2nd platoon to hold high ground. Position heavily shelled with artillery and mortar fire throughout day. Headquarters Recon platoon were able to get into position during a lull in the enemy firing. Reported that Private Stedonsky Lightly Wounded In Action Dec 11th shell fragment left wrist and left thumb ---remained on duty. On Dec 14th 1st Lieutenant Paul W. Whelehon Wounded In Action by shell fragment penetratingleft shoulder---remained on duty. Pfc Ernest Meador, Lightly Wounded In Action shell fragment hip--- remained duty.
15th Following report received from Company A for Dec 14th---Lieutenant Brant, on Recon for OP to fire indirect on Birgel, Germany, reported enemy tanks and approximately l00 infantry moving SW thru town---unable to fire as friendly troops working toward town.
Company B reported--Sergeant Emery Smith, Lightly Wounded In Action shell fragment finger right hand ---duty.
Battalion Commander reported---Mission of Company B plus Recon platoon of Headquarters Company was to occupy and hold as infantry defense positions for 3/4 mile SE of Kleinhau and engage in protecting the right flank of the 4th Cavalry Group reinforced with patrols south and east for distances of approximately 500 yards. That 1st platoon of Company C attached to 759th Tank Battalion, Light to occupy positions 1 mile NE of Kleinhau. That 2nd platoon Company C attached to 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron to take up antitank positions 1 1/2 miles north of Kleinhau.
16th Pfc Edsel Cedar, Company B, Wounded In Action shell fragment in left knee---remained on duty. Pfc Ralph Miller, Medic attached to Company B, Wounded In Action shell fragment left thumb---duty.
Received Operations Memo #14 dated Dec 15th 44 Headquarters 4th Cavalry Group; Company B and 1st platoon Company C and l Recon platoon Headquarters Company attached to 759th Tank Battalion, Light; 3rd platoon Company C reld attached 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron and attached to group in reserve effective 151300 Dec 44. 2nd platoon Company C attached 4th Cavalry Recon Squadron for mission---from selective positions protect right (S) flank of 5th Armored Division and prevent enemy movement north of the line CP F-084381 (excl) RJ F-100389 (incl), maintain contact with elements of CCV on left (East flank) Headquarters 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion less gun Companies and 1 Recon platoon under group control.
Company B reported sporadic shelling throughout day and night on high ground.
Medical Detachment reports---Captain Harold L. Pellegrino, Company C, Wounded In Action mortar fragment right hand and head 1100 hours Dec 16th---evacuated. Private Amadee Reulet, (Company A) Wounded In Action shrapnel right hand and thumb---remained on duty.
Following report received from Company A for Dec 15th---Lieutenant Brant on route Recon from CP and at 1300 hours lst platoon moved into position.
THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
The weather on Dec 16th and up until Christmas was to the satisfaction of the Germans and our Air Force could not give any support.
Company "B", (Hurtgen Forest)
William R. Von Ende Killed In Action Dec 12,1944
John Cwikla Wounds Dec.12--Evacuated Dec.13--Died Dec.14, 1944
Edward Walker Wounds Dec.12, 1944
Randall Schaub Wounds Dec.12, 1944
John Roper Wounds Dec.12, 1944
Walter Henry Wounds Dec.12, 1944
Arthur Weller Wounds Dec.12, 1944
From December 3rd, 1944 until the German Breakthrough (Battle of the Bulge) the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion was in the Hurtgen Forest, dismounted and being used as infantry in a holding action. During this period it was raining almost daily and we were living in mud filled foxholes due to the heavy artillery shelling by the Germans. Due to the heavily wooded area, the shells were hitting in the trees high above the ground and the shell burst would spread over a very wide area.
Up until this time, we or at least I, didn't know the story of 1st Lieutenant William Von Ende and his platoon. Von Ende was Killed in Action, John Cwikla was wounded and could not be evacuated until Dec. 13th and died of his wound on the 14th. The other above men were wounded in the same shelling on Dec.12th and we are no |
