INTERVIEW

Unit: Co C 58th Armd Inf Bn (Task Force Artman) CCR.
Source: Capt Paul Malarkey, CO, Co C 58th AIB.
Interviewer: Capt. Joseph Vasta.
Place and Date of Interview: 111300 may Billshausen, Germany.

On 29 March Company C was coming east on a road (5035) and turned at the first crossroads to go south. After passing the railroad tracks we turned left at the first intersection to go east again. We had reached the turn in the road (with the vehicles extended back to the first intersection) when the lead tank was hit by fire from a SP (75mm) gun that was placed at the bridge and was protecting the road block. The vehicle in which the reconnaissance platoon leader was riding was also hit but the platoon leader had jumped just an instant before the peep was hit. About that time, everyone started to bail out.

A tank dozer coming around the bend was set on fire by an SP gun (75) in the vicinity of (518332). We managed to drive this gun off but never actually spotted it. Captain Malarkey then noticed indirect fire coming in along the road and very accurately adjusted. There were large towers to their front (east) where the enemy could see the whole column. Two 88mm batteries had been reported in the Lochter Wald. There were also some flak guns in the woods firing time bursts. The third platoon under Lt. Benjamin Taylor formed behind the woods (see green patch) and brought fire on the small arms that was harassing them. The small arms fire ceased. Then the Germans put mortar fire on the platoon.

A reconnaissance was made to see if it was possible to cross the open ground without being under enemy observation. The air corps had destroyed and leveled everything in the area.

We took the next two platoons, backed all the vehicles off the road and got them under cover. Then, the first platoon went down the railroad (east into Buer Hassle). The trees offered a little protection. They reached the edge of the woods (green patch) when artillery and mortars began falling on them. It was necessary to lie low because no advancement could be made in the face of it. Several attempts were made to locate the source that was directing this fire but nothing could be seen. The entire support from the task force had been brought to bear against the enemy in an effort to knock out his observation but the fire could neither be located or stopped.

It was getting quite dark by that time and the attack had stalled. We put up a defensive line along the road (adjacent to the petrol factory) and remained there for the night.

Plans were made to have B Co go through and form in the dark. B Co jumped off the next morning and we followed them right up. In cleaning up the northeast section of the town, we engaged in some house to house fighting. The Krauts didn't put up much resistance as they were in the streets and couldn't see us. About 1300 hours, the town was cleared. We stopped at the northeast edge of Buer Hassel and held for the night.

On the morning of 10 April we left Wiehagen. It was a foggy morning and observation was absolutely nil. We took off cross country heading directly west. One platoon of tanks, leading, fanned out were followed by infantry in halftracks. The formation was tanks, halftracks, tanks, halftrack plus the anti-tank platoon. We crossed the first road and skirted the edge (south) of the woods. We got into Bausenhagen and received some small arms fire in the south edge of the town. We also received a little flanking fire from the north. We approached on the highest ground in the area and moved forward with the tanks and flank halftracks firing as they approached. There had been tanks in the town but they had to pull out because we had the high ground. We got into Bausehagen about 1100 hours. When some shooting would come from the town, the infantry would dismount and go in to take care of it. When Capt. Malarkey saw that this resistance didn't amount to much, he ordered everyone to mount again and we took off.

In leaving Bausenhagen, the vehicles had to leave in column formation because of the terrain. When they got just forward of the woods, they got up on the open ground to take up the original formation. They arrived at Ostburen at 1300 hours. The sun had come out by that time and we were getting a little mortar fire from both blanks. We entered the town and took about eight to ten prisoners. The tanks were paired up with the halftracks and they went on thru the town. As the tanks were approaching the town, they fired HE and WP and set some houses on fire. The ammo expended was well worth the results achieved.

About 1400 hours we hit the edge of the woods on both sides of the road from Ostburen to Frommern. We had been warned about the enemy's strength in the area in front of us. We still couldn't see what was in front of us because of the terrain. A platoon of tanks and a platoon of infantry went down to the left (south) and thru the woods between the roads. The tanks were on the western edge of the first patch of woods when they began to draw fire (direct anti-tank fire). After one tank was hit, they were ordered to withdraw because they were so exposed. Meanwhile, the infantry continued running until they had reached the west side of Frommern. When they got there, the platoon leader called his position.

The roads leading into the town were in small valleys and quite open. So, it was planned to attack directly to the front on the ground that although was also open, was much higher than the other ground. The approach came to a crest and then dipped into the town. Three platoons jumped off from in front while the other platoon coordinated by radio with the attack. Once they got to the crest, they were exposed to enemy observation. They attacked at 1730 hours and ran like hell until they came to the town, a distance of about 1,000 yards and plowed right on through the town. The enemy had been driven into the basements by the heavy artillery preparation and never saw the attack coming. Every house in the town was hit, cleaned out and the town cleared by 1900 hours. So complete was the surprise of the enemy that we encountered only a small amount of sniper fire in the way of resistance. In the town were three 88mm and two multiple 20mm guns which were still intact and had to be destroyed. We remained there for the night.

PAUL MALARKEY
Capt., Company Commander,
Company C, 58th Armd Inf Bn.