80th TANK BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY
S-1 JOURNAL
1200 03 April 45 to 2400 04 April 45
Elsen, Germany
|
| 3 April 1945 |
| 1500 |
Meeting of all Co. Comdrs. |
| 1630 |
Task Force departed Elsen, Germany enroute to Hirschenberg, Germany (Overlay atchd to Journal) |
| 1845 |
Column halted approximately 4 miles east of Lippstadt. Mileage to this point 13.6. |
| 2010 |
S-2 called to CCR C.P. immediately (via radio) Road south and southwest of Lippstadt is mined. Mines believed to be on top of road. Have Capt. Schapiro contact me (Rec'd from S-2 CCR) |
| 2225 |
Task Force closed into New area (Lippstadt) enroute to Hirschberg, Germany. Established CP. |
| 4 April 1945 |
| |
Weather: Overcast and Cold. Overlay received from CCR. |
| 0600 |
Task Force Walker departed from Lippstadt, Germany. Order: 'B' - Inf, Engrs (1 Platoon), 'D' , Hq & Hq Co,. 'C' Co. |
| 0730 |
1 Platoon Co, 'C' 53rd Engrs, atchd to 80th T. B. |
| 0750 |
'D' Co. reports direct fire from 392-392.
Polish civilian stated there are 3 Royal Tiger Tanks in woods. |
| 0755 |
C.O. directs C.O. 'B' Co. to lay direct fire on Norddof (375-371. |
| 0800 |
C.O. calls for artillery on same town. |
| 0810 |
Assault platoon called in. Co Comdr 'B' Co. states about three or four German tanks in Norddof, says they may have hit four of his tanks. |
| 0815 |
Liason plane reports 3 tanks moving south from Norddof. |
| 0825 |
Enemy tank knocked out by 'B' Co., Co, 'A' 58th to go to next town dismounted and track down three enemy tanks. 'Islo', small town 7 kilometers north of Lingringen - Bridge blown and there are 17 Tiger Tanks defending from opposite bank. Three light enemy tanks playing a delaying action until reaching blown bridge then abandon light tanks and defend from tigers. |
| 0830 |
Enemy tank at 376-374 fired on. |
| 0850 |
Enemy Infantry dug in at 378-373. Waving white flag. Information from 405th AFA Bn. |
| 1045 |
Direct fire and artillery encountered in Norddof. Artillery spotted and fire laid on it. Lead tank of 'B' Company knocked out. |
| 1045 |
Assault Guns and Infantry brought up forward. |
| 1145 |
Two minutes artillery concentration laid on crossroads 375-369. Two tanks 'B' Company definitely knocked out. Commanding Officer requests air support and more Infantry. |
| 1150 |
C.O. requests air support on Norddof. Artillery laid three minute concentration on Norddof (398-362). Ceiling too low for heavy bombing. |
| 1250 |
Mortar Platoon brought fire on enemy tanks Norddof (398-362). |
| 1300 |
58th A.I.B. sends request for all available tanks and T.D.s to come forward. Preparation of artillery requested on Norddof (398-362). 7 more enemy tanks spotted there. |
| 1322 |
88th Rcn. states A.T. guns seen at 390-363. Number unknown. |
| 1550 |
'B' and 'A' - 58th jumped off for coordinated attack on woods at 385-370. |
| 1630 |
Enemy bazooka team opened fire, also included small arms, on 'D' Co. from woods 392-400. Machine Gun battle took place. 'D' Co. used two platoons to surround enemy and bring them out. Two bazooka teams (10 men each) destroyed. |
| 1730 |
'A' Co. 58th A.I.B. with direct support 'B' 80 assaulted and captured Ebbinghausen, Germany. Town consolidated and outposted by 'B' 80th, 1 Plat. 'C' Co. 809 T.D. Bn and A.T. Platoon 'A' 58th A.I.B. |
| 1830 |
Task Force Walker closed into new area Ebbinghausen, Germany (372-357). |
| 1835 |
Message to CCR. |
| 1845 |
Established C.P. |
| 1930 |
C.O. held meeting of Co. Comdrs. Discussed todays operations and action for tomorrow, also orientation. |
| 2230 |
Msg. From CCR via Ln. O. |
| 2245 |
Instructions given to C.O. Co. 'C'(verbal) |
| 2315 |
Co. 'C' plus 1 Section Engineers departs for Overhagen, Germany.
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