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At 1200 on February 27th the company was alerted to move out to Schilberg, Holland, crossing the Roer River at Hilfarth, Germany. The company moved out at approximately 1700, crossing the Roer River at approximately 2300 27 Feb 1945. Along in the main body, this being practically nothing more than a road march until reaching the town of Wegberg. At this point after sitting beside the road and waiting for development further up the line, 11 prisoners walked from one of the houses beside the road and surrendered to one of the tank crews. This was the morning of the 28th. The first platoon was moved up to the Autobahn on the southern edge of Wegberg to protect the flanks from possible counterattack. The entire company sat in this position until 1700 on the 28th at which time it was moved on the west side of Wegberg where we bivouaced for the night. At 0530 hours on the 29th of February "B" Co took over the mission as advance guard upon passing "A" Co which was holding the high ground just north of Tetelrath, at 957 - 892, (Sheet 4803, Defense Overprint) and bulldozers were sent ahead to remove an Abatts which extended some 100 yards before the bridge and 100 yards beyond. This was successfully removed and the company moved on toward Waldniel which was our first objective. We arrived there about 1200 and found that the 84th Inf Div had already occupied the town. The company moved on through Waldniel to the next objective of Amern-St. Georg. The first platoon moved through the town taking up a defensive position on the road leading north to Bilkrath and Boisheim. The company was reorganized and moved out again at 1400 hours still performing mission for the task force, moving through the town of Flothend. As the first platoon leader turned the corner at Klinkhammer, his tank struck a pile of five American mines however the tank was not seriously damaged and was able to continue. They pulled back from this position and the 1st platoon pulled up to the road block after "C" company of the 7th Inf had driven forward and established a bridgehead across the anti-tank ditch beyond the barricade. Engineers were then called to blow the road block, which they finally accomplished at about 0200 on March 1st. Activities during the night concisted of some small arms fire from snipers. Other activities were heard in the town which could not definitely be determined. The infantry outpost reported a column of vehicles moving from the town in the direction of the roadblock so the first platoon withdrew from the roadblock and took up firing positions behind the houses and what other cover was available. A few shots were fired down the road and the infantry outpost reported two vehicles, one truck and the other a smaller vehicle burning. He also called for fire on a building opposite his position to eliminate a sniper who was taking pot shots at him and also on another building to the right of the road for the same purpose. These missions were evidently accomplished because nothing was heard of the snipers afterward. Harrassing fire was placed on the town for most of the night by the artillery and one infantry patrol was sent down into the town to determine whether there was enemy armor present. This patrol sent back a negative report. At 0600 hours the artillery laid down a fifteen minute barrage at the end of which the second platoon was to charge down into the town followed by the infantry to mop up. The second platoon moved into the town but ran into a similar road block in the center of the town and were forced to retire. The first platoon then moved into the town slowly closely supported by "C" Co of the 7th Inf. without a shot being fired into the center of the town to the road block. The infantry began moving to road block and the civilians and a very few soldiers came out with their hands up waving white flags. The company moved on thru the town to the area beyond the railroad. This was accomplished by 0930 on the morning of the 1st of March. At this time the advance guard was taken over by "C" Co and the Bn continued on toward the next objective of Hinsbeck. This was taken with no resistance and our company continued on behind the advance guard to the vicinity of Harzbeck where we sat beside the road until 0430 hours on the morning of 2 March 1945. At this point, the 18th Tank Bn was relieved at 0430.
s/ JAMES P. BOLINGER
1st Lt., Inf.
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