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1. ENEMY SITUATION AT END OF PERIOD; Task force GOODRICH held a line along ridge north of TETELRATH, vic (K951880) to (K958889) at end of period. With the exception of unidentified motors, movement and voices heard by outposts and estimated in vicinity of RJ at (K952888), the enemy had completely disengaged.
2. ENEMY OPERATIONS DURING PERIOD: First contact was made by Rcn elements with a road block (abattis) south of MERBECK (K963870). At 0400, 28 Feb. heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire, covering road block, received from tree line, east of road (K964872) and from line of bldgs on south edge of MERBECK (K961871). An Anti-Tank ditch had been cut east and west , intersecting but not cutting the road at the abattis. Innumerable fox holes and fire trenches had been prepared over the entire area. Later were discovered 1-88 MM gun and possibly 5 bazooka teams in vic (K967877) and 1-88 MM gun to the southwest of the town (K961866). In the town of MERBECK a temporary road block of wagons was at the approach of the main intersection, (K961872). During the operation against MERBECK, 46 PW were taken and 7 pill boxes at following coordinates were reduced: (K968876)-(K961877)-K962878)-(K956863)-(K956864) & (K949869). At 1000 an Anti-Tank ditch running east and west along ridge between MERBECK and TETELRATH (K9588) and a road block of log uprights with shoulders and surface of approaching road heavily mined, where anti-tank ditch intersected road (K959877) was encountered. Continuous heavy automatic weapons and sniper fire were received from (K957879) and (K961883) an the edge of town of TETELRATH and from network of fire trenches and dugouts over the area. It was noted that 3 of 4 pill boxes in the immediate area could not cover the road block with fire. Between 1030 and 1045 heavy mortar and artillery fire fell in MERBECK. Heavy resistance was given by an estimated 60 infantry in very well prepared positions in the edge of the woods vic (K951874) at about 1330. During attack on TETELRATH, 167 PW were taken, 1-88 MM gun out and 17 concrete pill boxes at the following coordinates reduced; (K961882)-(K958886)-(K958887)-(K955888)-(K954885)-(K950888)-(K949887)- (K949886)-(K948886)-(K949885)-(K951884)-(K951883)-(952882)-(K951881)-(K950880)-(K949879) & (K950879). The ridge to the north of TETELRATH was occupied at approximately 1600 with no enemy resistance. During the entire day of operations the enemy surrendered or fled under heavy fire power.
3. SECTION OPERATIONS: 0800, 28 Feb. Section vehicle with Command Post at UEVEHOVEN (K986820); moved to north edge WEGBERG (K976847) at 1800 and remained until end of period.
4. WEATHER AND TERRAIN: 28 Feb. weather fair. Terrain generally gentle and rolling and firm for armored maneuver. Laterally crossed from south of MERBECK to north of TETELRATH with Anti-Tank ditches, communication and fire trenches.
To AAR index
COMPANY 'C' 18TH TANK BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY
4 March 1945
SUBJECT: Combat Intelligence Report
TO: S-2, 18th Tank Bn.
On the 27th March 1945 left Schulberg, Holland, en route to Hilfarth, Germany. Crossed the Roer River at 2400 and proceeded to Wegberge, Germany, arriving at 1800, 28 February 1945. Halted until 0500, 1 March 1945. Proceeded to Armend-Dt. George, Germany; objective obtained at 1600, 1 March 1945. Pushed on to Lobberich, Germany arriving at 2000. As the Advance Guard neared the town, it was held up by a road block covered by small arms fire. Battalion attacked at 0615, 2 March 1945. Objective obtained at 0900.
The Task Force was then reorganized, Company 'C', 18th Tank Bn. was made a part of the Advance Guard for CCA, 8th Armored Division. The Advance Guard, commanded by Capt. Chapman (John H.), consisted of two platoons of Troop A (88th Cavalry), one medium tank company (Co. 'C', 18th Tank Bn.), one platoon of engineers, one battery of artillery (Battery C. 398 F.A.), and a platoon of TDs. The Advance Guard pushed through Hinsbeck, Germany, without resistance and on to Wachindonk. Here advance elements encountered small arms fire. A section of tanks was called up to neutralize the position. The section commanded by S/Sgt Levi L. Barnes (ASN 32139121) moved up to the town. When he dismounted to get his orders from Capt. Chapman, Sgt. Barnes was wounded by sniper fire. Tec/4 Lawrence Swinehart (ASN 35550993) assumed command of the tank, and as he moved forward to secure a bridge in the town, his tank was knocked-out by enemy bazooka fire. There were two casualties: Pfc. William C. Ehlert (ASN 16125360) and Tec/4 Swinehart. The section was then ordered to withdraw.
It was then decided to send a platoon of medium tanks through the town followed by a platoon of infantry mounted in half-tracks. An artillery preparation was laid on the town, and the tanks moved in. The tank commanded by the platoon leader, 2nd Lt. Daniel A. Buechner, III (ASN O-533833), was knocked out by enemy bazooka fire. There was one man killed (Pfc Ted E. Maddox, ASN 34536699) and one man seriously wounded (Tec/4 Lee F. Teenie, ASN 35550993). The tank stayed in position while two platoons of infantry dismounted and entered the town about twenty enemy soldiers surrendering. The tanks were called up but could not advance beyond a blown-out bridge. The infantry secured the town alone. At about 0900 3 March 1945 the tanks were relieved by CCB.
S/Claude D. Blevins,
Claude D. Blevins,
1st Lt. Inf.
Commanding
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