Document source: After action report 38th Cavalry Recon Squadron (Mechanized), Aug 44 thru April 45, Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research, Digital Library. (Checked and Corrected while processing the file: Doc Snafu)
In accordance with paragraph 10, AR 345-105, and letter Headquarters First United States Army, subject: Action Against Enemy, Reports After/After Action
Reports, file 319.1/401 (C), dated July 13, 1944, the following report is submitted:
Missions and Results
On July 1, 1944 Troop E continued, attached to artillery Hq 1-ID for the purpose of training while reinforcing the fires of the 33-FAB (relieved by 19-FAB). (Mission accomplished)
On July 1, 1944 Troop B continued the mission to fill the gap between the US 1-ID and the US 2-ID maintaining liaison with the 3/16-RCT (US 1-ID) on the left and the 1/9-IR (2-ID). (Troop B, 102 Cav Rcn Sq) on the right. (Mission accomplished)
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On July 1, 1944 Troop C continued the mission to fill the gap between the 1/18-RCT (US 1-ID) and the 3/16-RCT (US 1-ID) in conjunction with Ithem Co, 16-RCT maintaining contact with both Regiments. (Mission accomplished)
On July 2, 1944 Troop B was given the mission to fill the gap and hold the line between the US 1-ID and the US 2-ID maintaining liaison with the 1/16-RCT (July 2 – July 6), 2/16-RCT (July 1 – July 8), on the left and Troop C (2 July – 4 July) 102-CRS on the right. Relieved July 8. (Mission accomplished)
On July 2, 1944 Troop C was given the mission to fill the gap and hold the line between the 1/18-RCT (US 1-ID) and the 1/16-RCT (US 1-ID) maintaining liaison with both units: outpost the bridge at 654617 in support of the 1/16-RCT. Relieved by Troop A. (Mission accomplished)
On July 4, 1944 Troop A was given the mission to fill the gap and hold the line between the 1/18-RCT and the 1/16-RCT (July 2 – July 5) and the 2/16-RCT (July 6 – July 8) maintaining liaison with both units. Outpost the bridge at 654617 in support of the 1/16-RCT (July 2 – July 5) and the 2/16-RCT (July 6 – July 8). Relieved of mission July 8. (Mission accomplished)
On July 7, 1944 Troop C was given the mission to fill the gap and hold the line between the US 1-ID and the US 2-ID, maintaining liaison with the 2/16-RCT on the left and Troop B, 192-CRS on the right. (Mission accomplished)
On July 9, 1944 Troop A was given the mission to cover the area between the 1/18-RCT and the 2/16-RCT with static defensive positions. Operate security patrols and maintain observation posts. Relieved by Troop B on July 10. (Mission accomplished)
On July 9, 1944 Troop was given the mission to cover the area and hold the gap between 2/16-RCT and left (eastern) unit of the US 2-ID with static defensive positions as directed by the CO of the 16-RCT. Operate security patrols and observation posts along the troop front. Relieved by Troop A on July 16. (Mission accomplished)
On July 10, 1944 Troop B was given the mission to cover the area between the 1/18-RCT and the 2/16-RCT by patrols and static combat posts. (Mission accomplished)
on July 12, 1944 Troop B attached 2-IR (US 5-ID) per Field Order #12 V Corp, July 16, 1944. Relieved July 20 at 2400.
On July 13, 1944 Troop A was given the mission to cover the area between the 16-RCT and the left (eastern) unit of the US 2-ID as directed by the CO of the 16-RCT. Relieved by B Troop July 17. (Mission accomplished)
On July 14, 1944 Troop E attached to Artillery Hq US 5-ID for training purposes while reinforcing the fire of the 19-FAB. (Mission accomplished)
On July l4, 1944 The 38-CRS (Mecz) was relieved from the US 1-ID and attached to the US 4-ID per Field Order #11 Hq V Corps, July 12, at 2235.
On July 15, 1944 Troop C was given the mission to cover the area between the 1/10-RCT and the 1/2-RCT by static combat posts. Relieved by the 2-CRT on July 19 at 0900. (Mission accomplished)
On July 17, 1944 Troop E attached to Artillery Hq US 5-ID for training while reinforcing the fires of the 19-FAB. Troop relieved of attachment and returned to squadron control at 1500.
On July 17, 1944 Troop E attached to the 102-CRS per Field Order #1, 102-CG (Mecz), detached July 17, 1944.
On July 17, 1944 The 38-CRS (Mecz) (less Troop B) was relieved from attachment to the US 5-ID and was attached to the US 2-ID as per Field Order #12, Hq V Corps, on July 16, at 0900, detached July 1944.
On July 18, 1944 Troop E temporarily re-attached to the 38-CRS (Mecz) on July 18 at 2100. Returned to control of the 102-CRS on July 19 at 1725.
On July 26, 1944 Troops A and C attached dismounted at 0620, two troops abreast, A on left and C on right, with the mission of protecting the right flank of the US 2-ID and to take and hold defensive positions generally along the line running from south from the highway to Saint-Pierre-de-Semilly and east along the lakes of Saint-Pierre-de-Semilly. Troops drove back to their original positions during the period 1430 to 1630. During this period, troops A and C of 102-CRS (Mecz) were attached to the 38-CRS (Mecz) to further the 38-CRS (Mecz) mission.
On July 26, 1944 The squadron launched a counterattack during the period 1800 to 2400 with the mission of regaining the ground retaken by the enemy during his counterattack. Was successful in regaining positions lost along the hedgerow on the north side of Field 501. As a result, a major portion of territory lost during the enemy counterattack of July 26, was regained.
On July 27, 1944 Troop A was given the mission to secure the streamline from the east end of the pond at 563632 to a point of contact with the right units of the 11-IR on the left. Relieved at 0530 (Mission accomplished) Moved to secure above the streamline again at 0930, Troop relieved at approximately 1200. (Mission accomplished)
On July 27, 1944 Troop C was given the mission of maintaining contact with the left (east) units of 320-IR from 562633. Mission accomplished.
On July 27, 1944 Troop E was relieved of attachment to Group composite artillery battalion at 0530. (Mission accomplished/
On July 29, 1944 Troop A was given the mission of maintaining liaison between the US 2-ID (V Corps) on the left (east) and the US 35-ID (XIX Corps) on the right during the advance on Torigni-sur-Vire to the south. Relieved at 1110 on July 30 by Reconnaissance Troop US 2-ID.
On July 29, 1944 Troop C, at 2000, was given the mission to move along the axis of and in support of Troop A, relieved on July 30, at 1200. (Mission accomplished)
PATROLS – RESULTS
On July 1, 1944, Troop C was sent out for reconnaissance with the 18-IR, and the patrol was successful.
On July 2, 1944, Troop C was sent out for 2 patrols with Baker Co 16-IR. Patrol N°1 had a combat mission to kill enemies and take prisoners. Patrol unsuccessful.
On July 3, 1944, Troop C was sent out for a patrol with the 18-RCT on a combat mission. Results: Firefight with little effect against dug enemies.
On July 4, 1944, Troon C was sent out for 2 patrols with Charlie Co, 18-RCT on an ambush mission. Both patrols were unsuccessful.
On July 5, 1944, Troop A was sent out for 3 patrols with the 18-RCT on ambush missions. Patrol N°2 dispersed the enemies with fire. Patrols N°1 and N°3 were unsuccessful.
On July 6, 1944, Troop B was sent out for combat patrol with Able Co, 16-RCT. Results: Firefight and mission accomplished.
Donald J. Weber
2/Lt 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mecz)
Historical Officer
Charle E. Rousek Jr
Maj 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mecz)
Commanding