After Action Reports and Interviews
80th Tank Bn. - S-1 Report - Feb 6-18 1945
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HEADQUARTERS 80th TANK BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY

S-1 JOURNAL
0001 6 Feb 45 to 2400 18 Feb 45
Vilt, Holland

6 Feb 45
  C.O. leaves C.P. for Div. S-3 departs from CP for CCR for ren vic Heerlen, Holland and Aachen, Germany.
  Bn remained in same area. Performed maintenance. Overcast and cold.
7 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Performed maintenance. Rain and cold.
  S-3 departs from C.P. with Reconn Plt Ldr to meet S-3 CCR vic Gerlenkerchen, Germany.
  S-3 returns to C.P.
8 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Maint carried on throughout day. One tank driver from each Med, Co, departed to attend school for instr. On LVT driving at 9th Army Hq. Overcast and cold.
  Landing Vehicle Track School postponed until 11 Feb 45 per verbal instruction rec'd from Div.
9 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Maint performed during entire day. Cloudy and cold.
  Bn remained in same area. Performed maintenance throughout day. Cloudy and Cold. Schedules turned in by each Co Comdr for 11 February 1945.
10 Feb 45
  Sunday - Rain and Cold. Bn remained in same area Some maint carried on during the day. One Tank Driver from Co. A, B & C departed for 9th Army Hq to receive instructions in LVT driving, period - 11 - 13 inclusive.
11 Feb 45
  S-3 departs from C.P. for CCR.
S-3 returns to C.P. from CCR.
Msg rec'd from CCR via Ln. Officer.
Msg sent to 'D' Co. Rain and Cold.
12 Feb 45
  All Co Comdrs departed from CP with C.O. & S-3 to attend Sand Plot exercise at 53rd Engrs of possible future oper.
C.O. & S-3 and Co Comdrs return to C.P. Trng carried on as per schedules submitted by Co Comdrs. S-3 rec'd order - promoted to rank of Major.
13 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Maint. carried on all day. Trng as per schedule including repair of roads by Rcn. Plt., Indirect Fire problems and physical conditioning. No orders rec'd to date. Fair & Cold.
14 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Maint. carried on in all Cos. Trng schedules followed by all Cos., including Indirect Fire problems, physical conditioning, Radio instructions, orientation. Hq & Hq Co men fired rocket launcher rear of 88th Rcn area. New Tank Dozers put thru test in charge of Bn. Maint. Officer. A, C & D Cos. Each sent one tank driver to LVT School at 9th Army Hq. Fair & Moderate, No orders rec'd.
1800 S-3 periodic report & Daily Tactical Strength report sent to CCR.
15 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Overcast & Cold. Hq & Hq Co & Sv Co held gas mask inspection in morning. A,B,C, &D Cos. Held gas mask inspection at 1300. Vehicles, weapons and Radio maint. performed. Problems in indirect fire. Aircraft recognition classes held. Physical conditioning and dismounted road marches. No orders rec'd.
16 Feb 45
  Bn remained in same area. Fair and Cold. Trng carried on in Cos. Included Vehicle, Weapons & Radio maint., Dismounted road marches, physical conditioning, Indirect fire problems and aircraft recognition. New men rec'd & oriented insofar as this outfit is concerned. Sand Plot exercise attended by personnel from all Cos. At 53rd Engrs. No orders rec'd.
17 Feb 45
0930 Overcast & Cold. Bn, C.O. held meeting of all Co Comdrs - discussed possible action of this Bn. Maint performed all day. Trng carried on as per schedule, included physical conditioning, Indirect fire problems, dismounted road marches, orientation and Aircraft recognition.
18 Feb 45
  Sunday - Rain and Cold.
0700 C.O. departs from C.P. together with S-3 for CCR (Rcn Mission). Bn today preparing for possible movement.
Verbal warning order.
1015 C.O. & S-3 return to CP from CCR.
2045 Annex A. Meeting of Company Commanders.

ANNEX A MEETING OF COMPANY COMMANDERS
ROUTE: Valkenburg, left to Meerseen to main highway, right to Sittard, north through Susteren, north to the curve in road to extreme right. Take small road at junction on way to Maasbracht. Maasbracht is final destination.
ORDER OF MARCH:     80th - A, D, H, C, B, & SV.
I. P.: Road junction other side of Meerseen before hitting highway. 6.1 miles from Bn C.P. 'A' Co. reaches I.P. at 1130. Rate of march 10 mph. No halts. Total distance 27 miles.
NOTES: Vehicles will stay on roads. If necessary to halt, don't move onto shoulders, they are mined. On arrival at new area, vehicles will be hidden in buildings wherever possible. Camouflage nets will be used where buildings are not available. Battalion subject to artillery and aircraft fire. No lights to be used after dark at any time. No unnecessary firing at any time, Heavy enemy patrols at night infiltrate behind our front line for the purpose of capturing prisoners. If captured, give only NAME, RANK & SERIAL NUMBER. Do not associate with civilians.
 
CONVOY NUMBER - Y - 31.