Covering Force Withdraws
Meanwhile, on the south CCB US 9-AD and portions of CCB US 7-AD, as well as the reserve battalion of the 424-IR US 106-ID cleared successfully, leaving a portion of the 14-CG and Task Force Jones on the east side of the Salm River. Their plan of withdrawal consisted of leap-frogging from defensive positions at the Beho crossroads (P7581); at Bovigny (P7082) and at Cierreux (P7184). One battalion of the 112-IR US 28-ID was to cover the east flank. The withdrawal of Task Force Jones started at 1430 after all miscellaneous elements had been previously withdrawn. An enemy column including tanks was reported moving from Limerlé towards Gouvy and then west. The 440-AFAB fired on the column without results. Successfully disengaging by leap-frogging the several blocks, Task Force Jones proceeded north towards Salmchâteau along the exit route. A few hundred yards south of that town (695860) an enemy ambush destroyed one light tank of the 14-CG with one Panzerschreck, and in Salmchâteau two light tanks of Dog 40-TB were destroyed by 88-MM shells either from German Field Artillery or Panzer Mark VIO-2 King Tiger fire. The enemy had come from the east. The enemy was also contacted at Cierreux where Baker 814-TDB, destroyed two Mark VI-2 Tiger tanks.
The column withdrew to 1½ miles south of Salmchâteau at 1700, and the 112-IR US 28-ID attempted to clean-cut the town with an attack at 1930. Meanwhile, a recon for an alternate route in the vicinity of St Marie – Provedroux was completed. Simultaneously the rear of the column was attacked by tanks from the south and east which destroyed four M-36 tank destroyers, a medium tank, two towed guns, and two other vehicles. Six of the tanks were destroyed. The majority of the personnel escaped on foot. As the enemy was pressing strongly, the alternate route was taken. In the creeks west of St Marie an enemy ambush destroyed two armored cars and three ¼-tons. At (865692), two Mark IV tanks attacked the column, destroying two more armored cars and three ¼-tons. Part of the column attempted to move towards Provedroux and met an enemy column of unknown strength, losing one armored car. The balance of the vehicles negotiated the creeks (two ¼-tons and one armored car mired and abandoned) and moved on the road north from St Marie until they reached the road Salmchâteau – Sart where contact was made with the outpost line of the US 82-A/B. From there the force proceeded safely to its assembly area.
Action at Manhay
The successful withdrawal from the region to the east of the Salm River was hardly completed when, on the evening of Dec 23, the Division Commander was called to the US XVIII Corps (Airborne) HQ. Here he was informed of the threat of the 2.SS-Panzerdivision coming up the road towards Manhay, between the positions of the US 82-A/B and the US 3-AD. On Dec 24, at 0330, Task Force Corbin, consisting of:
– Baker Co 40th Tank Battalion
– 48th Armored Infantry Battalion
– 1/Able Co 33rd Armored Engineer Combat Battalion
– 1/Baker Co 814 Tank Destroyer Battalion
was formed. This force moved out at 0700 to defend Manhay and to block the roads leading north-south highway through Manhay at Sur les Monts and Drî l’Cheslain. This force, however, was dissolved that same morning when all of CCA US 7-AD was committed to defending Manhay. CCA took up positions in the Manhay – Malampré area, south of the road junction in Manhay. At about 1800, instructions were issued to withdraw to a defensive position along the line Grandmenil – Manhay – Drî l’Cheslain. The move was ordered by CG US XVIII Corps (Airborne) at the request of the US 82-A/B which felt it was necessary to move back to shorten the defensive lines. The withdrawal was to begin at 2230. The enemy attacked in force almost simultaneously with the withdrawal. The attacking force was composed of tanks and infantry with Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks. Charlie Co 40-TB was lost entirely and the enemy inflicted other heavy losses. The enemy continued on into Manhay. CCA fell back from Manhay and established defensive positions to the north.
CCB US 7-AD was alerted at 2400 Dec 24, to reinforce CCA, and on Dec 25 it was decided to commit CCB to retake Manhay. The tanks were unable to reach the town, but the infantry did reach the outskirts. The division line was moved forward to better positions overlooking the town. CCA relieved elements of the US 82-A/B in Dri l’Cheslain and Vaux Chavanne on Dec 26, while CCB assumed the responsibility for the western half of the division sector, and at 1500 the 424-IR US 106-ID (-3rd Bn) was attached to CCB. The 3rd Bn, (-l Co), 517-PIR assembled in the CCA area, and at 0225, Dec 27, attacked Manhay. Two platoons of medium tanks from the 17-TB supported that attack. The town was retaken and defended against several counterattacks during the day.
On Dec 28, the 3rd Bn (-1 Co), 517-PIR, was attached to CCA and the division continued the defense of Manhay. Patrols were maintained south to the east-west road, Grandmenil and Drî l’Cheslain. Contact with the US 82-A/B on the left flank and the US 3-AD on the right flank was maintained and the defense of Manhay continued on Dec 29. Plans for the relief of the division by the US 75-ID were prepared, and the relief was carried out during the night of Dec 29-30. At 0410, Dec 30, the relief of the US 7-AD was completed and the division moved to an assembly area north of the line Hamoir – Ferrières – Werbomont, closing at 1230. The Division Artillery remained to reinforce the fires of the 75-ID’s artillery.
Dec 31 saw the division reorganizing and performing maintenance of equipment and rehabilitation of personnel. Dec, 1944, was an epoch-making month for the US 7-AD. The division’s stand at St Vith brought commendations from Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower and Field Marshal Sir Bernard L. Montgomery.
For the Commanding General
John L. Ryan Jr
Colonel, G. S. C.
Chief of Staff
APPENDIX 1
Administrative and Statistical Summary
During the month, the US 7th Armored Division had several changes in command. On Dec 17, 1944, it was attached to the US VIII Corps and the US 1-A from the US XIII Corps of the US 9-A. On Dec 20, it came under the command of the US XVIII Corps (A/B). On Dec 26, the word was received that the division was released from attachment to the US 1-A and attached to the US 9-A and assigned to the US 1-A, effective Dec 22. Within the division, there were also changes in the important positions. Col Church M. Matthews, Chief of Staff, became MIA on Dec 17 and was succeeded by Col John L Ryan Jr, who had commanded CCR. Col Fred W. Warren became Acting Commanding Officer of CCR until Dec 28, when Col Francis P. Tompkins assumed the command. The US 7-AD’s losses, both in personnel and equipment, were the highest in Dec of all of the months in combat. During the period Dec 17-30 alone, the losses were 231 combat vehicles and 165 jeeps. A partial breakdown of the month’s losses includes the following:
Medium tanks 72
Light tanks 31
Armored Cars, M-8 25
Halftracks 75
Howitzers, M-7/105-MM 2
Howitzers, M-8/75-MM 7
Personnel losses of the division and attached units for the month are as follows:
Killed and Died of Wounds 61;
Wounded 518;
Missing 747;
Non-battle casualties 654
During the period Dec 1 to Dec 31, 1944, the Division used the following amount of supplies:
206913 gal. fuel
4102 gal. oil
5360 lbs. grease
980 tons rations
310085 gal. water
Cal .30, all types 596074
Cal .45, Ball 52200
Cal .50, MG 79840
37-MM Gun, all types 2160
57-MM Gun, all types 340
60-MM Mortar, all types 2798
75-MM Gun, all types 1674
75-MM How, all types 159
76-MM Gun, all types 1821
81-MM Mortar, all types 3191
90-MM Gun, all types 1244
105-MM, How, all types 53198
3″ Gun, all types 161
Mines, HE, AT, M1A1 3680
Grenades, all types 2925
Rockets, HE, AT 1060
2″ Mortar, Smoke 90
Flares, Trip 200
TNT 2500 lbs
Troop Assignments & Code Names
Dec 17, 0300, March South
CCA
– 40th Tank Battalion (Wordy)
– 48th Armored Infantry Battalion (Worse)
– A Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
CCB
– 31st Tank Battalion (Wyoming)
– 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (Wolf)
– B Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
CCR
– 17th Tank Battalion (Wrapper)
– 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (Woody)
Div Arty
– 489th Armored Artillery Battalion (Wow)
– 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Woven)
– A & C Companies, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
Div Trs
– Division Headquarters (Workshop)
– 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(Wonder)
Div Hq
– 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(Wonder)
– 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion(-)(Worker)
– 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(-)(Highdeed)
– 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
Div Tns
– 129th Armored Ordnance Battalion (Wopper)
– 77th Armored Medical Battalion (Wounded)
– 446th QM Truck Company (?)
– 3967th QM Truck Company (2)
– B Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
December 17 2400
CCA
– 40th Tank Battalion (Wordy)
– 48th Armored Infantry Battalion (Worse)
– A Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
CCB
– 31st Tank Battalion (Wyoming)
– 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (Wolf)
– 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (Woody)
– B Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
CCR
– 17th Tank Battalion (Wrapper)
Div Arty
– 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Wooten/Wotten)
– 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Woven)
– 489th Armored Artillery Battalion (Wow)
– A & C Companies, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
Div Trs
– Division Headquarters (Workshop)*
– 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) (Worker)
– 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(Wonder)*
– 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(-)(Highdeed)
– 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
Div Tns
– 129th Armored Ordnance Battalion (Wopper)
– 77th Armored Medical Battalion (Wounded)
– 446th QM Truck Company (?)
– 3967th QM Truck Company (2)
– B Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
December 18 2400
CCA
– 40th Tank Battalion (Wordy)
– 48th Armored Infantry Battalion (Worse)
– A Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– D Troop 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(Wonder)*
CCB
– 31st Tank Battalion (-)(Wyoming)*
– 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (-)(Wolf)
– 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (-)(Woody)
– B Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(-)(Wonder)*
– 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
– A Company, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 1 Plat Rcn, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
CCR
– 17th Tank Battalion (Wrapper)
– C Company, – 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (Woody)
– C Company, – 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) (Worker)
– B Company (-) 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 1 Plat Rcn, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 1 Bn, 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (Wolf)
– 1/1, 31st Tank Battalion (Wyoming)*
Div Arty
– 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Wooten/Wotten)
– 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Woven)
– A & C Companies, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
– 489th Armored Artillery Battalion (Wow)
Div Trs
– Division Headquarters (Workshop)*
– 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) (Worker)
– 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(-)(Highdeed)
– 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 14th Cavalry Group (-)
Div Tns
– 129th Armored Ordnance Battalion (Wopper)
– 77th Armored Medical Battalion (Wounded)
– 446th QM Truck Company (?)
– 3967th QM Truck Company (2)
– B Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
December 21 2400
<
CCA
– 40th Tank Battalion (Wordy)
– 48th Armored Infantry Battalion (Worse)
– A Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– D Troop 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(Wonder)*
CCB
– 31st Tank Battalion (-)(Wyoming)*
– 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (-)(Wolf)
– 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (-)(Woody)
– B Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(-)(Wonder)*
– 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
– A Company, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 1 Plat Rcn, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
CCR
– 17th Tank Battalion (Wrapper)
– C Company, – 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (Woody)
– C Company, – 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) (Worker)
– B Company (-) 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 1 Plat Rcn, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 1 Bn, 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (Wolf)
– 1/1, 31st Tank Battalion (Wyoming)*
Div Arty
– 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Wooten/Wotten)
– 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Woven)
– A & C Companies, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
– 489th Armored Artillery Battalion (Wow)
Div Trs
– Division Headquarters (Workshop)*
– 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) (Worker)
– 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(-)(Highdeed)
– 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– 14th Cavalry Group (-)
Div Tns
– 129th Armored Ordnance Battalion (Wopper)
– 77th Armored Medical Battalion (Wounded)
– 446th QM Truck Company (?)
– 3967th QM Truck Company (2)
– B Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
December 22 2400
CCA
– 40th Tank Battalion (- 3 Tanks)(Wordy)
– 48th Armored Infantry Battalion (Worse)
– A Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– C Company, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (Woody)
– B Company, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
CCB
– 31st Tank Battalion (-)(Wyoming)*
– 17th Tank Battalion (-)(Wrapper)
– 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (-)(Wolf)
– 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (-)(Woody)
– B Company, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
– 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(-)(Wonder)*
– 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Wooten/Wotten)
– 1 Sec/C Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
– 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
– 965th Field Artillery Battalion (-)
– A Company, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
– C Company, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Herald/Harold)
CCR
– Task Force Wanke
– 17th Tank Battalion (-)(Wrapper)
– 14th Cavalry Group (-)
– 1 Sec/D Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
Div Arty
– A Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
– C Company (-), 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
– 489th Armored Artillery Battalion (Wow)
Div Trs
– Division Headquarters (Workshop)*
– 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) (Worker)
– 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(-)(Highdeed)
– D Troop, 87th Cav Rcn Squadron (Mechanized)(Wonder)*
– 14th Cavalry Group (-)
Div Tns
– 129th Armored Ordnance Battalion (Wopper)
– 77th Armored Medical Battalion (Wounded)
– 446th QM Truck Company (?)
– 3967th QM Truck Company (2)
– B Company, 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
– D Company (-), 203rd AAAAW Bn (Self-Propelled)(Highdeed)
