INTERVIEW

1st Lt. Robert E. Damon, Executive Officer, D Troop, 88th Rcn. Squadron, and 1st Sgt. Paul W. Posey, 1315 hours 14 March 1945, at Schliebeck, Germany to Lt. Carroll G. Kitts.

The first mission assigned to D Troop was to send a patrol on 25 Feb. into the area Melick - Hammerborf with a five-fold purpose:

1. To bring back a prisoner.
2. To bring back some enemy red and green field wire.
3. To determine the size of the enemy AT ditches in the area.
4. To determine the condition of the road Melick (792856) to Hammerhof (818851).
5. To investigate the condition of both sides of the Roer River.

1st Lt. Charles W. Bussert was sent on this patrol. They left their CP in Ohee (668808) at 2000 hours 25 Feb. and returned at 2230 hours. They crossed the Roer in assault boats and returned without casualty. All information desired was brought back by the patrol.

Troop D remained in Ohee under division control until 28 February when they moved south to Sittard, east to Germany through Geilenkirchen across the Roer at Hilfarth crossing at 0345 hours 28 Feb. They established their CP in Houen (967777) and remained there from the 28th until 1 March at 1430 hours when they marched north into Wegberg, thence east into Klinkum. Troop D led the column in this march with a platoon of tanks from Company F, 88th Rcn Squadron and one section of assault guns from Troop E, 88th Rcn Squadron. The troop CP was set up in Klinkum at 1530 hours 1 March.

Upon arriving there Troop D was assigned the mission of clearing the patch of woods to the immediate northwest of Klinkum in order to make it safe to bring up division headquarters the following morning. The woods were cleared by 1730 hours 1 March and Troop D rejoined their squadron (less A, B and C Troops) at 2330 hours in Golkrath.

The squadron (less A, B and C Troops) moved out immediately for Amern St. Georg and arrived there at 0300 hours 2 March. They again moved out for Wachtendonk (Corps Objective No. 23) but were forced to return to Amern St. Georg due to congestion on the roads caused by the 35th Infantry Division. The squadron remained in Amern St. Georg 2 March.

The squadron was next sent to Stenden and Troop D led the column but the march was made without incident, except for the taking of a few prisoners near Bruggen (917948). They arrived in Stenden 3 March.

The original left boundary of the 8th Armored Division ran generally southwest-northwest along a line 030150 - 060170 - 147197; the right boundary, long a line 140120 - 200180. At the time however, a change of boundaries was made and the right boundary was shifted so as to converge with the left one south of the Vluyn-busch woods (147197) and to follow a line running generally between 100120 and 147197. At this latter point the 8th Armored Division was to be pinched off. This change of boundary resulted in a "triangle of resistance", defined as indicated on the attached overlay and clearance of this triangle was made the responsibility of the 88th Rcn. Sqdrn.

Upon arriving in Stenden the platoons of Troop D were deployed as follows: the second platoon remained at the squadron CP in Stenden and the first and third platoon were sent northeast toward Schaephuysen. These two platoons were met by fire and hastily withdrew. It was planned to attack Schaephuysen the next morning with the first and third platoon supported by a platoon of tanks from Company F, 88th Rcn. Sqdrn. and a section of assault guns from Hq. Troop, 88th Rcn. Sqdrn. The attack went as planned and all resistance in Schaephuysen was reduced on the morning of the 4th of March. They then advanced north to Rheurdt then east clearing the Staatsforst (138185) and got as far as Rayen, where they were met by somewhat more determined resistance. The 35th Infantry Division which was operating with the 88th Rcn. Sqdrn. at this time took over and reduced Rayen. On the evening of the 4th, the troop CP was established in Saelhuysen (113166). They remained there on the 5th of March. The triangle was cleared.

The next mission assigned to the 88th Rcn. Sqdrn. was the clearing of the area bounded by Ossenberg - Budberg - Rheinberg - Orsey. Troop D was assigned the middle portion of this zone for clearance. The troop moved their CP from Saelhuysen to Schmidt (190232) and then to Horsmanhof (216244). From that point Troop D moved out to Budberg, Budberg-Eversael to the Rhine River and encountered no enemy except for scattered patrols which readily surrendered, in most instances. The entire area was cleared with only two casualties resulting in Troop D. On the 6th and 7th of March Troop D held outposts on the Rhine and was relieved by a battalion from the 75th Infantry division on the morning of 8 March.