8th Armored Division - After Action Reports and Interviews

After Action Reports and Interviews

80th Tank Bn. - S-1 Report - April 8-11 1945

80th TANK BATTALION APO 258, U. S. ARMY S-1 JOURNAL 1500 08 April 45 to 2000 11 April 45 Bremen, Germany
8 April 1945
1615	Artillery met, also small arms fire vicinity Oberense from direction Bremen.
1810	Objective (Bremen, Germany) (155-230) taken by Task Force Walker. 'C' Co. & 'A' - 58th A.I.B. consolidate position immediately.
1900	Artillery preparation and fire from 'B' Co. 80th put on town of Ruhne.
1915	Fire lifted from town. 'B' Co. moves into Ruhne without resistance.
2030	C.P. group(+) reached new area (180-253) Oberense, Germany. Map: Hamm, Sheet #97 8.4 miles.
2045	Resistance ceased in Bremen. 'C' Co. & A-58th to outpost on north side of Bremen. 'B' Co. holding Ruhne but to be relieved as soon as possible by 'A' 58th A.I.B. & 'C' Co. 80th Tk Bn.
2145	Msg sent to CCR - Location of C.P.
2230	'B' Co. relieved by A-58th & C-80th returns to billets at Oberense, Germany.
2300	S-3 joins C.O. at C.P. from CCR.
2400	C.O. & S-3 depart C.P. for CCR.
9 April 45
0230	C.O. & S-3 return to C.P. with overlay of operations for 9 April 1945.
0400	C.O. held meeting of all C.O.s and atchd units.
0730	C.P. grp. Departs Oberense, Germany.
0745	Tank fire met from Waltringen (13-23)
0825	'B' Co. in support from ridge to north of Waltringen. 58th Inf now on way in on foot.
0830	Waltringen, Germany occupied by 'A'-58th A.I.B. followed by 'B' Co. tanks from support position.
1400	Artillery still falling from across river. 3 minute concentration laid on 094-217 by our artillery.
1405	C.O. requests permission of C.O. CCR to pull troops back to Waltringen and shoot them through woods south of ridge and join right flank element on trail. Preparation of artillery also to be laid on Wiehagen. (not granted)
1530	Request for air support on Wickede.
1610	'A' 58th A.I.B. lost one H/T due to Artillery.
1730	Air gave support on enemy positions. Infantry unable to get into woods on right flank 10.0-12.5. 23.5-24.0 due to artillery and small arms.
1800	Permission granted by CCR for this TF less 'B' Co. & 2 Plts. 'A'-58th A.I.B. to move out of zone around north of woods and move toward Wickede on the main road from the N.E. 'B' Co. & 2 Plts. 'A' 58th A.I.B. to hold present positions & if possible, continue movement forward toward Wickede parallel with the River.
1815	Order to Co. Comdrs.
1845	Task Force moves to execute order issued (1815).
1945	Initial Phase order completed. Verbal instruction rec'd from C.O. CCR to hold present positions. Be prepared to advance to seize Wickede 10 0700 April 1945.
1950	Verbal instructions CCR given to Co. C.O.s. C.P. established at 10.8-24.8.
10 April 45
	Weather: Overcast & Cold
0700	Wickede, Germany (08-22) entered by 'A' 58th A.I.B. supported by 'D' 80th. Little resistance met (small arms) at present time. Dough still moving through town.
0730	Task Force Connell occupied Wickede without resistance. Order of march from Wickede: to Stulliach-Scheda - 'C' (+), 'A' 58th A.I.B., 'B'. C.P. grp., 'D' Co.
0745	Continued mission.
0920	C.O. reports one enemy tank 100 yards past factory at Stulliach-Scheda (07-22).
0921	Tank in flames, result of fire from 'C' Co.
1000	Head of column Bentrop. Artillery falling on our position. Coming in from vicinity Hohenheide. Liason planes up to find out just where artillery is coming from.
1005	Bentrop and Warmen occupied, continuing to Stentrop.
1010	Task Force receiving Mortar and long range 88mm fire.
1015	CCR puts in request for air support.
1125	C.O. 'B' Co. reports a rocket fired at one of our planes from vicinity 037-225.
1130	Three Mark V tanks pulling out of woods toward north at 047-220.
1140	'B' Co. knocked out one enemy tank.
1145	Direct fire laid on tanks (3) enemy in Stentrop (04-220).
1150	Small arms fire received by 'D' Company from across Ruhr River, probably from Echthausen, Germany. Troop movement observed on other side of river.
1200	'C' Company reports 2 out of 3 enemy tanks knocked out.
1205	Air support worked on Stentrop.
1235	Some high velocity coming in from across river onto our position.
1245	Task Force Connell reached Phase Line 'X'.
1335	Air support sent rockets, also strafed into columns across river.
1420	C.O. 'C' Company reports hit on his tank. No injuries. Artillery coming in pretty heavy.
1445	One enemy tank located at 035-221, 8 enemy tks, 3 trucks & 1 Blitz wagon seen by 'D' Co (072-187) town of 'Berge" across river. Air requested on them.
1800	C.O. 'D' Co. requests permission to fire at troop movement & possible tanks from Warmen to the south. Permission granted.
1815	'D' Co. reports one T.D. knocked out by fire from across Ruhr River.
1830	C.P. established (07.2-22.2).
1900	Message to C.O.s
11 April 45
	Weather: Overcast & Cold.
0515	Meeting of all Co. Comders by C.O.
0720	C.O. reports possible change in plans.
0810	C.O. returns to C.P. with change in mission.
0815	Lt. Col. Crittendon & Col Vesely arrive at C.P. Lt. Col. Crittendon assumes command of Bn.
0855	Msg from C.O. 58th A.I.B.
0900	Msg to Cos.
1200	Hohenheide fired on by artillery (031-210).
1350	Frondenberg taken, 'A'-58th A.I.B. supported from Hohenheide by 'B' & 'D' 80th Tk Bn. Little or no resistance encountered all day up to this time. Final objective extended.
1500	Task Force continues attack in zone.
1625	C.P. group departed Bentrop, Germany.
1725	C.P. group plus 'C' Co, moved to vic Schelk (026-225)
1915	Artillery falling all around & in Hohenheide. Coming from across the Ruhr River.

AAR index

HEADQUARTERS
80TH TANK BATTALION

MEETING OF COMPANY COMMANDERS - 13 1950 APRIL 1945

Cos. 'C', A-58th, Hq., 'B', Maint., Med, will go from here to Bausenhaugen. Tomorrow, 'D' will fall in behind 'B' Co. Route of March, Fromern. To Ostburener Heide, Reconn. to post road. Bausenhaugen will be the assembly point or position prior to road march east. 30 yards between vehicles, no distance between companies. Leave Bausenhaugen at 0600 14 April 1945 in order to hit I.P. 14 April 1945.

March for 14 April 1945: 'C' , 'A', Hq. 'B', 'D', Sv. Reconn. to lead ahead of 'C' with H/T. MP's and 88th will be road guides. I.P. - CR 188-270. From Bausenhaugen to I.P. - 7 miles or slightly better. 12 MPH, Halts - 15 minutes every even hour. One hour mess and refuel at 1200. 2 minutes between march units. Reconn Plat - (for their benefit) there will be 10 minutes between serials, 60 yards between vehicles.

CCR Order of March: 80th Tank Bn,. CCR Hq, & Hq. Co., 'C' 53rd Engrs, 405th FA Bn., 58th Inf. Lights to be used between Schlangen & Weser River only. All other driving will be cats eyes. Radios open but listening with least possible talking.

C. O. 80th Tk Bn

AAR index

HEADQUARTERS
80TH TANK BATTALION

MEETING OF COMPANY COMMANDERS - 21 1550 APRIL 1945

This Battalion will prepare to move to Goslar, Germany for the purpose of Occupation and Governing area. Screening will be carried on. Snipers and weapons still remain in area. All main roads to be screened by noon 22 April 1945. We will probably remain in that area from 1 week to 3 months.

Order of March: 'A', 'D', 'C', Hq., Sv., Maint.

Route of March: Danstedt, Heudebar, Langeln, Schmatzfeld, Veckenstedt, Stapelburg, Westerode, Schlewecke, Oker, Goslar.

Move at 1700. 12 MPH, 60 yards between vehicles, 1 or two minutes between companies, Reconn. Platoon will post roads.

I.P. - 'Y' at outer edge of town.

Company Commanders will report to Battalion C.P. immediately upon arrival for further instructions.

C. O. 80th Tk Bn