INTERVIEW

Major Austin E. Walker, Commanding Officer, and Major Donald Burr, S-3, 80th Tank Battalion, 11 March 1945, 1400 hours, Vinkrath, Germany, to Capt. Vasta.

On 26 February 1945 the 80th Tank Battalion was with CCR. When the 58th Armored Infantry Battalion jumped off at 0600 hours for the attack on Merum, the Heide and Hoverenbol Woods, they were supported by the 405th Field Artillary plus the 80th Tank Battalion (minus one company). The 80th Tank Battalion was under 405th Field Artillery control for indirect fire support with two medium tank companies and 1 assault gun platoon was in firing position in Maasbracht. The remaining company of the 80th Tank Battalion had been split into platoons and had been provided to the 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, one platoon to each infantry company.

Upon crossing the Roer River at Hilfarth, CCR proceeded north to Huckelhoven where they received orders to proceed still further north to Wegberg, thence northeast to the area east of Aldekerk (083166).

CCR advanced north as one unit through Rickelrath, Dulken, Boisheim, Flothend and Lobberich. At this point two task forces were formed. Task Force No. 1 advanced north into Hinsbeck and found that that town had already been cleared of the enemy. They then swung east into Gretrath. At the approach to the town there were about 25 mines in the road. Engineers were brought up and the mine field was cleared. Tank obstacles were not in position although they were ready to be placed. Task Force No, 1 entered Grefrath at 2000 hours 2 March 1945.

On the night of 2 March Major Walker, CO, 80th Tank Bn., attended a meeting of commanding officers at CCR headquarters and got his orders to move on the third of March along a route Mulhausen - Kempen - Bosch - St Hubert - Vinnbruck. They met no opposition until they arrived south of Vinnbruck where they encountered small-arms fire. They sent one platoon of tanks down the road and another one cross-country to the left flank, both supported by dismounted infantry.

The road into Vinnbruck crossed the Landwehr Canal which constituted an AT ditch eight deep and twelve feet wide. A tank dozer was sent forward and filled the ditch in two and one-half hours. During the time that the rest of Task Force No. 1 waited for this operation there was light artillery and mortar fire harassing the unit. The first tank had gone across and the rest were prepared to follow when they were notified that they should discontinue their advance and that CCR was returning to division reserve. This message was received at 1400 hours 3 March 1945.