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Cook's Bridge
George L. Caley
At one the boys took off in the six by. They rode for quite a distance over a muddy road and finally came to a river. It was flowing fast and muddy and they could see that farther up around the bend of the road, a bridge was knocked out.
When they got out of the truck Captain Kalwaic, the Group dentist, said, gWell boys, this is your job. You cookfs are supposed to throw a bridge across the river. I think the name of it is the Meuthre. I do not know. Youfll get help from the FFI here in this last town. How you build it or repair it or fix it, I donft know and I donft care. Just get it done. Youfve got to have something across that open stretch of water tonight. Just enough so that a jeep can get across. So youfd better get to work. There will be picks and shovels and crowbars coming in with these FFIfs.h
They worked until late in the afternoon, and after finishing the bridge they all took a cold bath in the river. Then some of the boys decided to do a little fishing - with a hand grenade. Just as everyone, or almost everyone, had gone down to the stream to throw the grenade, Uncle Ben (Lt. Col. Benkosky) drove up in his jeep. Just as he stopped the grenade exploded, and of course he wanted to know what the big confusion was down stream. Someone told him that there was a rumor that there was a Frenchman who had seen a Jerry down by the bank. Col. Ben let it go at that.
The next day at noon the convoy crossed the bridge that the cooks had built. The recon and headquarters boys joked and laughed about the bridge, but it held up and got them across.
As Group pulled over the bridge, the cooks were the last to cross it. They rounded a curve on the far side of the bridge and Dawson and Hurts and George saw a sign pointed in a northerly direction bearing the inscription, Luneville! (IV)(25)(NS)
Luneville (IV)(25)(NS) was the initial objective as the Second Cavalry Group pushed steadily north and east on the opening day of the Rhineland Campaign. C 42 worked north against Luneville from above Fraimbois (25), while C 2 pushed through Moncel (25) to secure Marainviller (25) and cut the main road into Luneville from the east, then turned and moved westward toward the city. However, the enemy in this area anticipated our arrival and was alert and waiting for us. Both Troops met stiff and well organized resistance as they attempted to enter the town from the southwest and east respectively. Our first attack was stopped and hurled back by the unexpected viciousness of the German defense.
Attack on Luneville
C Troop, 42d Squadron
15-17 September 1944
The morning of September 15, the 1st and 2d Platoons were given the mission of taking Luneville (IV)(25)(NS). One Platoon was to go mounted, the other to attack dismounted. Before the men had even entered the town however, enemy artillery, 88fs, 40mm anti-tank guns and small arms threw out such a volume of well-directed fire that they were forced to withdraw.
T/4 Eugene Fehr, the radio operator in one of the armored cars, remembers it well. gSomething gave the M-8 a helluva jolt and my driver looked at me and yelled that he couldnft steer anymore. We climbed out, saw that an 88 had blown off our right front wheel, and immediately dived into the ditch alongside the road. We were no more than on the ground when a second 88 drilled the car right through the middle. After that we did just what the rest of the dismounted men were doing - ran! I mean those Heinies really laid it to us. Itfs funny though, that wheel was knocked off as clean as a whistle, but none of us in the crew was even scratched. We lost two bantams too that morning, one of them equipped with a 510 radio. After hearing the enemy trying to operate the set we changed our channel, just in case.
Kyle Roots, the T/5 driver of the COfs bantam, also had unpleasant memories of that days action. gBug-Eyes Spence, my machine gunner, got his hand smashed by an anti-tank shell ricochetting off his .30 caliber mount. He was real calm as he waited to be evacuated, and I remember him saying, ewell, I guess I wonft be shaking hands with you fellows for awhilef. That made us feel even worse than if he had made a fuss.h
The Troop moved constantly from one area and position to another, attempting to evade the enemy and their frequent and accurate artillery fire. The men had little opportunity to rest, and it seemed as though the Germans had positions around every bend in the road, and artillery in every patch of woods.
Troop A 42d, working on the right flank of C-2, penetrated through the Foret de Mondon (25) as far as Benamenil (25), and cleared the Krauts away from a great munitions dump in the south center of the forest. Captain Andrews requested engineer teams to blow the mess as there were too many seperated stacks of ammunition for the few fuses that he had.
Troop B followed A into the Moncel (25) area and discovered another ammunition dump there. Since the 2d Squadron (-Troop C) was in the Toul (IV) sector at this time, Troop B 42d was charged with maintaining liaison with the 121st Cavalry Squadron in the vicinity of Flin (25), where they had agreed to relieve us west of the Meurthe river. Captain Henry Ebrey of Troop B gave this mission to a section of Lt. Lindoerferfs platoon commanded by Sgt. Roscoe. The sergeant set up his guns across the river from Flin below the town of Chenevieres (25), covering the road from Baccarat (25)(NS).
It was at this position, about five miles from Baccarat, that a Frenchman reported to Lt. Lindoerfer that six Tiger tanks were in Baccarat. He didnft place much credence in it as for the past month the French had been making similar frantic, unverified reports.
When a German officer PW claimed it was the concentration area for 160 Panther tanks unloading from rail transports at St. Die (IV)(NS) 15 miles further south, Group Headquarters felt some concern and notified XII Corps, requesting TD and artillery support as our lines were greatly extended.
On the 16th Lt. Kraatze tank platoon, guarding the bridge over the RR at Marainviller (25), knocked out a Kraut armored car that poked itfs nose around the bend in the road to la Neuveville aux Bois (25), at a point 800 yards north of the Vezouse river. As far as could be determined at the time this was a lone vehicle and not the point of a strong reconnaissance element.
The afternoon of the same day the 42d Squadron launched a coordinated attack on Luneville from the south, southeast, southwest, and east at 1330. The French gave us a detailed report of the German preparations to receive us. They were shifting guns to meet our approach. Six tanks had moved in to reinforce the town, and anti-tank guns were set up and ready to be used against us. Troops B and C carried the brunt of the assault, supported by the assault guns and our tank troop. The enemy withdrew slowly in the face of heavy and accurate assault gun fire. They offered stubborn resistance to the west and southeast. But by 1610 a platoon of Troop B entering Luneville from the east had taken the RR bridge in the center of town. Troop C came in from the west and drove on in the face of determined resistance. Our persistent attack finally forced the enemy to withdraw to the woods on the north and the hills to the northeast of town.
On 17 September 42d Squadron outposted and secured the city. The 2d Squadron had rejoined the Group and was pushing north and east, with C-2 taking la Neuveville aux Bois and pounding the Krauts in Embermenil (25)(NS). Meanwhile B-2 had taken Veho (25) from where they fought their way into Leintry (25) where the CP was established and patrols sent to the line Blamont (25)(NS) - Avricourt (25)(NS). (Eds note: The Squadron at this point was just five miles from Legarde (29a), which the 42d was to capture more than two months later, and also just five miles from Cutt
ing (29b) off the Foret de Parroy (25) which cost so much 79th Division blood before it was finally cleared.) In the scattered engagements during the day, Troops of the 2d Squadron killed 72 of the enemy, took 70 prisoners and destroyed 22 vehicles.
Patrol to Igney
Bercaw, Mustard, Frey and Beeman
1st Platoon, B Troop, 2d Squadron
17 September 1944
The 1st Platoon left the B Troop bivouac area at Veho, France (25) at 1530 on a regular reconnaissance mission. Binocular observation, questioning of civilians, and the drawing of fire indicated beyond a doubt the presence of enemy forces in several small towns, which were by-passed as directed by SOP.
As we approached the village of Igney (25)(NS), six French paratroopers were encountered. Since they volunteered to accompany us, we moved toward our objective with our new found French delegation. Careful observation revealed no enemy activity so we road into town, as we had done so many times in the past, like a crack express train into itfs terminus. The joy of the residents was indicated by the myriad offerings of food and drinking material. It was one of those gay, abandoned street scenes you would expect could only be staged by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. After the usual brief pause we reluctantly continued to the outskirts of the village and proceeded to outpost the approaches.
The machine gun bantam was no sooner in position on a curve of the road than a German Volkswagen with two occupants made a sudden appearance. Pfc. Beeman brought the vehicle to a screeching halt with an accurate burst of fire from his machine gun. One German officer was killed and the other occupant, who was wounded, escaped. The armored car was hastily pulled into position near the bantam to provide any necessary supporting fire. A hasty but thorough search of the dead officer uncovered papers revealing local enemy positions as well as the details on an approaching convoy.
Things had barely quieted down from this first encounter when we saw enemy moving toward our position from the road and fields. We opened up with machine gun and canister fire killing many, wounding several and dispersing the rest. In the meantime, another section of the platoon was in contact with other elements of the enemy unit, which turned out to be the 11th Panzer Division. In their brush with the enemy they destroyed four motorcycles with sidecars and one scout car.
Our platoon, while on this short mission, destroyed six enemy vehicles and killed or wounded 35 German soldiers.
Panzers Strike
18 September 1944
The morning of 18 September started as any other typical Cavalry day. Group had received orders to be prepared to swing to the north that day or the next on the flank of the XII Corps attack. In spite of the contemplated move there was the usual amount of patrolling as well as a great fluttering and studying of maps around the various headquarters of the Group in anticipation of the next long jump to the north. Then the 11th Panzers hit!
Troop A, 42d Squadron, was screening along the north, east and southwest of Foret de Mondon (25). The first contact with enemy tanks came from the vicinity of Chenevieres (25) where Sgt. Seth Taylor with his section of the 2d Platoon of A Troop was outposted. Early in the morning Sgt. Taylor flashed an urgent message that his position had been overrun by seven Tiger tanks and approximately 100 doughs. We were not too alarmed as this first encounter had all the earmarks of being the usual small local counter-attack. However another call from Sgt. Taylor raised the number of tanks passing his position to 17. Taylor stuck on his mike as long as possible and every few minutes called Troop Headquarters adding a few more tanks and doughs to the size of the attacking force.
Over on the other side of the woods at Benamenil (25) the 1st Platoon under Lt. Mike Bayer flashed a report that they were having the time of their lives watching their 37mm shells bounce off the enemy tanks that had run into their position. They reported 40 lined up on a hill firing down at the 1st Platoon.
Back on Sgt. Taylorfs side of the woods our forces hastily prepared an ambush with assault guns placed in the edge of the woods just south of Moncel (25). The enemy continued his advance and, seemingly, blindly entered the ambush. However this became a case of the trapper trapped, as the enemy evidently saw us go into position and was ready to swap shot for shot. Our light guns did not seem to damage the enemy tanks while the return fire from his heavier guns rapidly liquidated and dispersed the ambushing force. It soon became obvious that this was no local action but instead was a large scale and determined counter-attack. The 42d Squadron was given the assignment of delaying the enemy advance to permit the Second Cavalry Group and the 2d Squadron, then way out on a limb to the northeast beyond the Foret de Parroy (25) near Embermenil (25)(NS), to withdraw through Luneville (IV)(25)(NS).
Tank Trap
A.L. Wessling, 2d Lt., E Troop, 42nd Squadron
17-18 September 1944
On the afternoon of the 17th of September I had returned with my platoon to the Squadron bivouac area, from a road block we had established with a section of Lt. Lindoerferfs platoon on the road to Baccarat (25)(NS), just a mile or so below Chenevieres (25). While the block was in operation a Frenchman told us that there were six German tanks in Baccarat. We reported this and promptly forgot it. That evening we went to Luneville (IV)(25)(NS) for a badly needed shower and change of clothes. On the evening of the 18th, Capt. Welsh, the Troop CO, was called to Squadron Headquarters at 8 ofclock. Upon his return he told us that there were six German tanks reported coming up the road from Baccarat and that we were to go out and lay for them.
As we pulled into position about 900 yards from the highway I noticed a French wagon, loaded with hay, standing on the road to our direct front. I was standing on the ground beside one of my guns observing in the direction of Chenevieres when one of our armored cars came up the road and passed our front heading to Luneville. I thought then that we were all ahead of time, until a jeep came zooming up the road with the driver screaming at the top of his voice, gfire, fire!h I took a quick look around but could not see anything to fire at. A moment later a civilian came out and started to lead away the horse and wagon, which had remained stationary all this time. The hay wagon had moved only itfs own length when I saw that three Tiger tanks had been sitting behind it all this time. They had backed off the highway into the ditch so that only their turrets and guns were visible to me. I thought afterwards that if I had only known this I would have put a round of smoke into the hay, thus setting it on fire and giving us a little time, for what I still canft imagine. I had two assault guns, 75mm howitzers with a 53 inch tube and a muzzle velocity of 1900 feet per second, and that definitely is not the type of weapon for a successful tank duel. At that time the Tiger guns looked a mile long and I remember thinking to myself as I watched one of the Tigers bring its gun to bear on my gun, gWessling, somebody is going to win this fight and it wonft be you!h
I gave the gun chief the fire order, with range 1000 yards. He said, gbut Ifve already told the gunner 800. So I told him to fire anyway and get one out there to adjust on. Just as his gun went off, I saw the muzzle smoke from the Tiger and I started to drop to the ground beside my gun. I had been standing upright in the open field observing through my glasses. As I got halfway down there was a blinding flash and a terrific explosion and I was knocked down the rest of the distance I had yet to go to the ground. The Tigerfs first round had hit ten yards in front of me, just a little to the right of my gun, putting 14 holes of various sizes and shapes in me. I ran about ten yards to the edge of the woods where Capt. Welsh was crouched down to have him tie my handerchief around my right wrist, which had been punctured by a piece of shrapnel and was bleeding badly.
I then told my halftrack driver to get the halftrack, which had been backed into the woods, out of there and told my guns to go to the other side of the dirt road to our right and continue firing from the better cover there. One never got there as his track was blown off. I then ran about a hundred yards through the woods to the dirt road where Capt. Welsh, Capt. Harris and Major Potts were standing. I said to Welsh, gWhat do we do now?h and he said, gYoufre not going to do anything, youfre going to the medics.h I said I wouldnft go and about that time he and the 1st Sergeant threw me in a bantam and the sergeant drove me off to the medics, who were further back in the woods. I remember seeing C Troop lined up on the dirt road in their vehicles facing me as I rode out. At the crossroads I saw Major Pitman for the last time. He was standing beside the road and asked me what was going on down there.
What happened after that I got from Capt. Welsh. I had fired the first shot that day about 0830 and it was after five when the rest of the Troop got back to the other side of Luneville. We lost four of our six guns, and three halftracks. Two men in the Troop were killed. Cpl. Campbell from Idaho, a gunner in the 1st Platoon, was killed when an 88 pierced the front of his gun, and Pvt. Calderone from New York, Brooklyn I believe, was hit in the heart as he was running down the road. One man besides myself was wounded, Sgt. Tillotson from Idaho, who was a crew chief in the 1st Platoon, was wounded above his right eye when a shell glanced off of the turret shield, taking the .50 caliber AA gun, mount and all, on its way by. We had miraculously few casualties considering the fact that not only were the Germans pouring everything they had on us, but also our own artillery was dumping big stuff in the area.
It took E Troop about three months to recover from that days work. At least it was that long before we got all our equipment replaced. The men whose vehicles were demolished lost everything they owned. I was more angry at the Germans because they had filled my clean clothes full of holes and blood and got all my equipment, then I was because they had shot me up. | |
