HEADQUARTERS FORTY NINTH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY

COMMAND REPORT
1-28 February, 1945

I.   RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

The period 1-28 February 1945 was characterized by preparation and training for combat, and successful employment of the Battalionin the defense along the ROER RIVER, in the vicinity of ST. ODILIENBERG, GERMANY. In the defensive phase the patrolling showed evidence of increased proficiency as confidence was built up in ability to get desired information. Elements of the battalion successfully assumed the offensive in taking the enemy held towns of TRIEST and VOORSEL thus anchoring the line on the ROER throughout the battalion sector.

II.   COMBAT EFFICIENCY DURING THE PERIOD WAS VERY SATISFACTORY.

III.   COMMENTS:

  a.   The relief of the elements of the 7th A.D. (Br) was, in an excellent manner, accomplished due to the sufficient amount of time alloted to all commanders concerned for reconnaissance of sectors prior to the actual relief. The elements being relieved were most cooperative and supplied the organization with all available information as to enemy and friendly activities.

  b.   The sector assigned the battalion was too great and as a result the enemy was able to enter our lines to some extent until stopped by counter patrols.

  c.   The troops, being unseasoned and untried, did not always give complete reports on enemy activity which resulted in calls for additional information.

  d.   The importance of Shell Reps was brought home as the troops soon realized that was the way of getting effective counter battery fire.

  e.   Patrols. initially, were given too many missions to accomplish. Experience later proved that one mission obtained the best results.

s/M. G. Roseborough
M. G, ROSEBOROUGH
Lt. Col., Infantry
Commanding

AAR index

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Hq 49th A. I. B.
APO 258 U S Army

S - 1, PERSONNEL REPORT, 1 - 28 February 1945

1.   INSPECTIONS:

The following inspections were conducted on either a Battalion, Company or Platoon basis during this report period:
  a. Clothing and Equipment Inspections.
  b. Records Inspections.
  c. Weapons Inspections.
  d. Sanitary Inspections.
  e. Police of Area Inspections.
  f. Radio Equipment Inspections.
  g. Vehicle Inspections.
  h. Quarters Inspection.
  i. Stowage of Vehicle Inspection.
  j. Gas Mask and Accessories Inspections.

2. CASUALTIES:

  The following report covers casualties for month of February, 1945.

3.   PRISONER OF WAR REPORT:

  61 civilians and 12 Soldier Prisoners of War were captured during the month of February 1945.

4.   REPLACEMENTS:

  6 Officers and 79 Enlisted Men replacements were received during the month of February.

5.   GAINS AND LOSSES:

  Gains and losses for the month of February were as follows:

6. OFFICER PROMOTIONS:

  The following officers were promoted during the month of February:

  The strength return for February 28 1945 was 41 Officers, 3 Warrant Officers and 1016 Enlisted Men.

Hq 49th A. I. B.
APO 258 U S Army

SUMMARY OF ACTION (1 Feb - 28 Feb 1945)

Phase I    (1 Feb-21 Feb 45)

On the 1st of Feb the battalion was located in vic LOUVIGNY, FRANCE where it had been training for its coming role in combat. Tank-Infantry coordination was the leading subject for training throughout that entire period. It was also at this location, that the Assault Gun Platoon began familiarization with the newly acquired 105's.

At 1345. 2 Feb the Bn was placed on a 6-hr alert status for movement to vic SIBBE, HOLLAND. Our billeting party as part of the CCB advance party preceded the batta1ion. At 1236 3 Feb the battalion moved out behind Hq, CCB. At 2300 the column halted in vic of ETAIN, FRANOE for dinner and at 0900 4 Feb there was a 2 hr halt for breakfast. At 1540 the battalion CO met our billeting party in vic HEER. HOLLAND and the battalion was in the area surrounding SIBBE due to the initial lack of billets in that area. All vehicles and personne1 closed into their respective bivouac areas in good shape in spite of the 207 mile trip.

At 1100, 5 Feb billets had been obtained for the entire battalion and by 1500 all companies closed into their respective billeting areas.

At 1100, 5 Feb billets had been obtained for the entire battalion and by 1500 all companies closed into their respective billeting areas.

The entire period from 6 Feb to 20 Feb was spent in the maintenance of personnel, vehicles, radios and weapons and a general preparation for our coming combat inoculation.

At 1200 8 Feb the Battalion was placed on a one-hr alert status and warning order for possible movement was received from CCB. Each day the movement was postponed due to the tactical situation along the Roer River. Every evening the Bn would completely stow their vehicles just in preparation for movement.

At 2200 18 Feb the march order for movement to vie POSTERHOLT, HOLLAND was received from CCB and at 1400 19 Feb the Field order and overlay showing the route of march was distributed to all units under our command. At 1430 the field order and the operations overlay was received from Combat Command giving us all of the details as to our role in the coming operation. We were to relieve elements of the British 7 AD and take up defensive positions along the Roer River with the mission of protecting the left flank of the Combat Command and maintaining contact with CCR on our left. For this operation the battalion (-A Co which was atchd to 36th Tk Bn) had the following atohments: Co C 36th Tk Bn; 1 plat Co B 809 TD Bn; 1 plat, Btry A AAA Bn (-1 section).

At 0555 21 Feb the Bn (-) plus attachments moved out and at 1030 the units closed into their respective areas, the Bn CP being located at REUTJE.

Phase II    (22 Feb - 27 Feb)

The entire 22 Feb was spent in preparing defensive positions and establishing observation Posts.

At 1045 24 Feb a 3 man 'B' Co patrol was sent to VOERSEL to determine the enemy strength in that vicinity. On the same day Lt MEECH's observation post 600 yards North of HOLST was forced to withdraw to his platoon area 1n HOLST due to very heavy artillery fire.

All along the defensive line we continually received indirect fire from both high velocity weapons and mortars. The Germans were indeed well acquainted with our area and were zeroed in on every critical landmark. Enemy patrols were continually observed to our front. It was assumed that their mission was that of a harassing nature.

At 2300 24 Feb it was decided, after the return of reconnaissance patrols from the vic of VOORSEL TRIEST, to take and hold both of these towns.

At dawn 25 Feb the 1st Plat Co B 49th (whioh had been the security force at PAARLO) moved out and took VOORSEL supported by fire of one Platoon Co C 36th Tk Bn. At 0845 the town was completely occupied without opposit1on. Having secured the town the supporting platoon of tanks were moved up and took firing positions, in VOORSEL to support the attack on TRIEST by the 2nd Platoon B 49th.

The attack of 2nd Plat B 49th on TRIEST was directly supported by one sec B Co 809 TD. At 0900 25 Feb the town was occupied with no opposition. The only casualties incurred in both the VOORSEL & TRIEST operations were the result of AT & AP mines, booby traps or artillery. There were no German PW's taken. The only personnel found in the towns were as follows: 17 civilians in VOORSEL, 42 civilians in TRIEST.

At 0930 Troop D 88th Rcn Sqdn was atchd to our organization. At 1000 one platoon was atchd to Co C 49th at St. ODILIENBERG; reinforcing the south western extremity of C Co's defensive zone. At 1400 one platoon was atchd to Co B 49th which relieved the 2nd Plat B Co at HOLST enabling them to occupy TRIEST in strength.

To reinforce the 1st and 2nd platoon B Co at VOORSEL & TRIEST one section of tks from C 36th was atchd to each. The towns were continually harassed by artillery fire.

During the 26th and 27th of Feb companies continued to hold their positions. At 1320 elms D Tr 88th Rcn moved into HOVERENBOL establishing liaison with the 58th AIBn on our left.

At 1330 troop Comdrs of the 17th Cav Gp were briefed by the Bn Ex 0 as to our positions. They were to take over our sector at 1700 27 Feb. At 2030 all of our troops were relieved by the 17th Cav Gp and the Bn prepared for movement to vic ARSBECK, GERMANY.

PHASE III    (28 Feb 45)

At 0145 28 Feb the Bn (-Co plus attachments (- Tr D 88th Rcn) moved out with the mission of securing ARSBECK. Upon arrival at ROGDEN, GERMANY the attack order was given and the advance guard for the Battalion, which consisted of Co B 49th and Co C 36th, plus 1 plat TD's, 1 Btry 399th AFA and 1 Sec Engrs, moved out. At 1500 28 Feb the town was taken without resistance. At 1600 our advance was stopped 1 mile North of ARSBEOK by an AT ditch. The companies billeted themselves in vic of the town and posted security.