M8 of the 106th Cavalry Regiment in small French village

(September 8, 1944) The Squadron continued on the mission of screening the advance of the 12th Infantry Regiment until ordered to suspend forward movement at approximately 1400. Troop A advanced east from Smuid and drew heavy enemy sma1l arms fire from the high ground at (245812) and movement of enemy tanks was detected. The infantry passed through the troop, taking a northern route and moving the cross country into St Hubert. In the meanwhile, the first platoon, Troop A, found an undefended route into that town and the entire Troop proceeded to it. The enemy withdrew at 0930 and the Troop patrolled to Navets and to the vicinity of (291640). Troop B proceeded to the east through Grupont to Awenne. Two enemy half-tracks and a Volkswagon were observed in the vicinity of Awenne at 1120. Patrols discovered two Mark VI-1 Tiger tanks in Awenne and were unable to obtain tank destroyer supports before darkness, the Troop remained in observation for the night. Troop C advanced through Forrières and encountered a small force of enemy infantry who took cover in the forest, leaving a wagon load of supplies. This group of Germans was bypassed. As the Troop reached Nassogne, the third platoon commanded by S/Sgt Engel, surprised another small German infantry force in the act of constructing a roadblock. A dismounted flanking party was sent out but the enemy withdrew hurriedly and without casualties. The Troop then reached Harsin at 1400 and outposted the RJ at (306773) and Nassogne; also patrolling the north-south road between these two points. A first platoon armored car, outposting the main highway leading to Marche, ambushed and destroyed a German staff car in the vicinity of (306773). Later, the first platoon was ordered to seize the crossroads at (384697). An extensive roadblock was encountered 300 yards west of this objective after dark. The platoon worked all night on the removal of this obstacle by towing the trees out of the road with an attached platoon of Assault Guns. The Squadron Headquarters, together with Troops E, F, and Hq, remained in Transinne during the period.

Illustration Maquisards

(September 9, 1944) The Squadron continued to screen the advance of the 12th Infantry Regiment to the east. Troop A reconnoitered roads leading out of St Hubert to the crossroads at (383699), the RJ at (285686), and to Grupont at (245687). The Troop established an observation point at the crossroads (268654) and relieved elements of Troop B holding the crossroads at (393699). The 1st platoon was attached to Troop B and remained in Squadron reserve. Troop B advanced with the mission of securing the crossings of the Ourthe River at La Roche-en-Ardennes. The first and third platoons were halted by heavy small arms and machine gun fire. Supported by heavy tanks, at the western edge of that town. Both platoons remained in contact. placing direct fire on enemy positions in the town, until supporting infantry arrived. The 2/12-IR deployed to attack La Roche but was stopped at the river by heavy machine guns and rifle fire from prepared positions in the cellars and on the roofs of the buildings in the town. The third platoon of Fox Company, led by Capt Lewis, in his command tank, had come up to reinforce Troop B. Seeing that the infantry had stopped, Capt Lewis decided to clean out the town with his tank. After securing a large-scale, detailed map of the city from a civilian, he led his platoon through a ford on the flank of the enemy center of resistance and, proceeding swiftly through the city streets, enveloped and overran the enemy positions. He then swept through the town, pursuing the main German body, and took eight prisoners after killing approximately fifteen of the enemy at the outer edges of the town. The infantry then followed the tanks into La Roche and cleaned out all scattered resistance and snipers. During this attack, the second platoon proceeded to secure a bridge east of Nissramont at (525734).

Four hundred yards north of the bridge, they came under fire from enemy light automatic weapons which were neutralized by a flanking party commanded by Sgt Phipps and Sgt Oxenham, using their armored car as base fire. The platoon then closed in on their objective only to meet with more machine guns fire. Lt Yontz set up his armored car as a base fire directed at the enemy positions, and himself led a dismounted flanking party that dislodged the enemy, destroying the machine guns and killing their crews. They were unable, however, to prevent the enemy from de­stroying the bridge as they retreated. One enemy personnel carrier was destroyed, as it withdrew, by T/5 Piatek, who took it under fire with a 37-MM gun. While this action was taking place, an enemy force was discovered to be pocketed in the vicinity of Beaulieu, to the rear of the troop, and the attached platoon from Troop A, with a platoon of tanks in support, was dispatched to clean up this re­sistanoe. The enemy force turned out to be vastly superior, including an undetermined number of heavy tanks and self-propelled guns, and one of Fox Company’s tanks was lost to the action of an 88-MM gun as contact was made. The reconnaissance platoon called for artillery support from Troop E, in battery position at Champlon, which effectively broke up the concentration of enemy armor and destroyed several enemy soft vehicles. Lt Hysick, (Fox Company), was seriously wounded and captured during the action.

After a night spent in removing booby-trapped roadblocks (felled trees), Troop C advanced to the east; the first platoon engaged German infantry delaying forces, of about company strength, in a sharp action at (383698). Lt O’Brien sent dismounted parties to both flanks and ordered his attached assault gun platoon to fire on the enemy position. Daylight revealed the enemy to be located in and about several buildings along the roadside and direct assault gun fire was employed to destroy these positions, supplemented by 37-MM and Cal .50 BMG fire from the armored cars. After suffering some twenty casua1ties, the enemy withdrew to the southeast, and all platoons of the Troop proceeded on the new mission of reconnoitering and securing the crossing of the Ourthe River between La Roche and Hotton. Late in the afternoon, the first platoon was ordered to proceed into La Roche where it was reported that the Squadron executive officer had been captured. The platoon arrived at its objective to find La Roche strongly defended by enemy infantry and tanks, but the report of the executive officer’s capture had been exaggerated. All bridges across the Ourthe were found to have been destroyed­ and the villages of Marcourt and Marcouray burned by the Germans, but the Troop secured a successful crossing at a ford (416840). At the end of the period, the Troop was securing this for and reconnoitering across the river to the east. The Squadron command post moved forward to the crossroads (384699) in the vicinity of Champlon and remained there for the night with Troop E and Fox Company, with fewer detachments.

La Roche en Ardennes

(September 10, 1944) The 12th Infantry Regiment cleaned up La Roche and large roadblocks were encountered to the east. All forward movement was retarded while bridges were repaired and roadblocks cleared, when Troop B passed through the infantry and advanced without contact to a point on the main highway northeast of Samrée at (680842) where they outposted for the night. Troop C crossed the Ourthe River by fording at (560842) and advance through Marcourt then Dochamps capturing two prisoners and a 1938 German Ford V-8 Sedan (boobytrapped) in Marcouray. At 2230, the Squadron command post, Troop E and Fox Company closed at Samrée. Troop A followed the command post and outposted Samrée for the night. During the period, the Squadron was contacted by Maj Fraser (British Special Air Service). Maj Fraser requested permission to accompany our units to Amonimes and Odeigne; permission was granted and the major proceeded with the third platoon, Troop C, to Odeigne, where he continued on foot to his destination.

(September 11, 1944) The 12th Infantry Regiment (4-ID) continued the attack to the east followed by Troop B, who had the mission of passing through the infantry should contact with the enemy be lost. The infantry did lose contact early in the period and Troop B proceeded their advance to the Salm River. Troops A and C protected the left flank of the Corps by patrolling road net to the north and constructing roadblocks. Cpl T. I. Clark and Pvt West of Troop C, accompanied by several Belgian Maquisards, made a dismounted patrol from Bomal to Pont Bomal. At Pont Bomal, they discovered a small German force and reported this fact to their Troop Headquarters. The first platoon of Troop C was dispatched to their aid and returned with the report that they encountered twelve Germans in Pont Bomal and killed ten of the enemy, two escaped. The Squadron command post displaced forward at 1400 with Troop E and Fox Company, located in the vicinity of Grand-Sart (668883). Acting upon instructions from the 102nd Cavalry Group Headquarters, the British Maj Fraser (SAS) was again contacted and taken to the Group command post. As a result of this, Cpl Carson and T/5 Benedict, both from Troop C, were placed on detached service with Task Force Fraser until further orders. This Task Force was endeavoring to contact, organize and equip a large body of Belgian Maquisards.

Enemy resistance estimated to be two companies of infantry supported by an unknown number of tanks was encountered at Vielsalm and all bridges were found destroyed. Unable to make a crossing and successfully engage this superior force the first platoon of Troop B set up a fire line on the high ground west of the river and succeeded in harassing the enemy and maintaining contact while the infantry forced a crossing. The second platoon attacked to occupy Salmchâteau and, with the assistance of attached tank destroyers, knocked out an AT gun in the cemetery. Armored car 37-MM guns and mortars of the platoon reduced several enemy machine gun positions at the bridge, and the town was taken late in the afternoon. The Troop forced the river and outposted the crossing that night.

(September 12, 1944) The Squadron, with the Troop B of the 102nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, one platoon of tank destroyers, and one platoon of medium tanks attached, continued to screen the advance of the 12th Infantry Regiment and protect the north flank of the Corps. Troop B of the 38th Squadron and B of the 102nd Squadron (attached), both reinforced, performed the Squadron mission of screening to the front on three routes, with Troop E supporting their advance from battery positions. The 1st Platoon platoon of Troop B plus 2 M-1O tank destroyers and 1 platoon of light tanks, were combined into a small Task Force commanded by Capt Meyer. This force moved east to Petit-Thier without contact and proceeded to Schoenberg, bypassing the town north in the direction of Manderfeld. One mile south of Manderfeld, the force ran into a small arms fire. A base of fire was laid down with armored cars and machine guns while the tank destroyers and medium tanks then rushed the town, led by 1/Lt Farmer. This column assembled and returned slowly through the town. At the same time, the armored cars and dismounted men moved in from the west. The enemy in the town was trapped by the two forces and all strong points were eliminated by the direct fire of the armored cars and tanks, while dismounted parties flanked them with small arms and hand grenades. Control was effected by 1/Lt Farmer, who moved from one force to the other coordinating the attack. Three prisoners were taken and the town was secured for the night.

The 2nd Platoon of Troop B spearheaded the Task Force consisting of one recon platoon, one infantry platoon, and one platoon of medium tanks, commanded by Lt Yontz. Their mission was to proceed to Vielsalm and on Petit-Thier, Recht and Born. No contact was made until the patrols of one recon platoon discovered strong enemy positions in Born. The patrol maintained contact and the infantry platoon supported by two medium tanks deployed to make the assault. The three remaining tanks took up positions on the high ground in support of the attack. The infantry platoon and patrols from the recon platoon advanced through the town with armored cars, and snipers were cleaned out by hand grenade attacks. Two strong points in the center of the town were effectively silenced by the direct fire of 75-MM guns of tanks. All actions were successful, and the enemy was forced to retire with heavy casualties. The entire Task Force occupied the town for the night. The 3rd platoon of Troop B was assigned the mission of guarding the Troop B flank and bivouacked tactically that night, between Holzheim and Manderfeld, without having made enemy contact. Troop A continued defense of roadblocks on the left flank of the Corps in the vicinity of Grand-Halleux. Troops C was relieved of its mission of defending roadblocks on the Corps flank between Troop C, 102nd Cavalry Recon Squadron, and was assembled at Poteau in Squadron reserve. The Squadron command post, Troop E (fewer detachments), and Fox Company (fewer detachments) moved to the vicinity of Poteau for the night.

Siegfried-Line-September 1944

(September 13, 1944) Troop B, 38th Squadron, and Troop B, 102nd Squadron attached, continued to perform the Squadron mission of screening the advance of the 4th Infantry Division, and Troops A and C protected the left flank of the Corps in assigned zones. Enemy delaying action stiffened as Troops approached the German border. Troop B, 102nd Squadron found the bridge at Schoenberg destroyed but was able to ford to Our River at this point. The troop crossed the German border at 1330 and advanced to the vicinity of Wischeid by 1800 when they were halted by enemy machine guns and mortar fire from the high ground in the vicinity of Auw. Troop outposted this position for the night, maintaining their spearhead formation in readiness for a forward move the following day. Troop B, 38th Squadron encountered numerous roadblocks defended by enemy small arms fire at (845900), (865904), (936915), and (984945). Patrols to the east encountered heavy machine gun fire from pillboxes of the Siegfried Line east of Manderfeld, and the Troop was ordered to patrol the lateral road net from Lanzerath to Manderfeld. The Troop advanced to (016934) in the vicinity of Manderfeld and established a counter reconnaissance screen along the line Lanzerath – Manderfeld. Troop C, reconnoitered roads to the north and east, along the Corps’ left flank. No enemy contact was made, but Lt Hopkins was wounded by a sniper, dressed in civilian clothes, in Wereth. A thorough search and investigation of this town failed to bring the assailant to capture. The Troop maintained outpost positions on the Corps flank for the night. Troop A continued to secure the road network on the Corps’ left flank in the vicinity of Recht, without enemy contact. Troop E supported the advance and Fox Company reinforced Troop B, 102nd Squadron, Troop B, 38th Squadron, and provided command post security. The Squadron command post moved to (975896) at 2030B, in the vicinity of Laudesfeld in Germany.

September 1944, entering Germany, northern shoulder

(September 14, 1944) The Squadron performed the mission of reconnoitering to the northeast in advance of the advancing infantry columns and protecting the left flank (north) of the Corps. Troop B, 102nd Squadron proceeded to Roth under enemy mortar and artillery fire. As the Troop advanced to the east on three existing routes out Roth, they were met with strong enemy resistance consisting of roadblocks and concrete pillboxes at (063914), (055912), and (053906). Each critical point was defended by enemy infantry of about company strength while nine tanks were observed in different places in support of the infantry. Troop B, 38th Squadron, advanced to a distance of two miles to the east of Lauderfeld, then its advance was halted by enemy machine guns, mortar, and artillery fire. A patrol of the 3rd platoon went to investigate Krewinkel. They patrolled to and into the town, where they were fired upon by strong enemy positions. The patrol was led by Cpl Long who was killed in action and his second in command, Cpl McDonald, was wounded. The 2nd platoon and a section of the 3rd platoon supported Fox Company, then attacked Krewinkel. The attack moved northeast through the town, meeting stubborn resistance. The strong point was reduced by overrunning them with light tanks. The enemy moved through the town to the northeast but a quick reorganization enable all forces to meet and repulse the new enemy threat from the south. Strong enemy positions, including concrete pillboxes and dragoon teeth (AT obstacles), had been observed on the high ground along the road from Losheim to Roth. The Troop secured the town of Krewinkel and Berterath and remained in observation.

Troop C supported the Squadron’s advance and, after the seizure of Krewinkel, outposted a line from that town to the village of Afst for the night. Troops A was ordered into the Group reserve and assembled at Herresbach with the 102nd Cavalry Squadron. Troop E supported the advance of the Squadron from the battery position. Fox Company reinforced the leading troops. The Squadron command post remained at (975895) in the vicinity of Laudesfeld, Germany. The Squadron had made its first contact with the Siegfried Line in locations indicated by advance intelligence.

Come on dude, make my day



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