HEADQUARTERS CCA
8th Armd Div
APO 258, U. S. Army

AFTER ACTION REPORT
April 45

1. Command Report goes here (when found).

HEADQUARTERS CCA
8th Armd Div
APO 258, U. S. Army

S-2 Intelligence Report
1 April 45 to 30 April 45

ENEMY SITUATION AT END OF PERIOD.
    1 - 12 April - Chief enemy units in contact with this Combat Command on 11 April 45 at end of operation vic UNNA A970260 were SS Signal Ersatz Bn 2 UNNA, 1 and 2 Bn 401 Volks Arty Corps and numerous Landesschutzen and Flak units. Enemy was being pushed into rapidly tightening pocket with escape routes open only to SW and SE. Special efforts were being made by enemy to keep his escape route open through FRONDENBERG B025195 on RUHR RIVER.
    20-30 April - Of the numerous elements encountered in the HARZ MOUNTAINS pocket the 1053 Regt of Potsdam Div and elements of 26 Volks Gren Div were the only units offering anything resembling coordinated defense. At close of period all units were surrendering in great numbers, offering only slight small arms resistance.

2. ENEMY OPERATIONS DURING PERIOD.
    1 - 12 April - In our advance W toward ERWITTE B420350 and Berge B4430 enemy attempted to delay us with blown bridges, road blocks covered by small arms fire and some AT guns, period in vic ERWITTE. HV weapons, some mortar and light artillery fire was received. Flak guns frequently employed.
    Enemy launched one light counterattack during period in vic SUTTROP B450170 against 194 Glider Regt.
    Enemy fought stubbornly vic UNNA to protect escape route toward FRONDENBERG B025195. 88s and numerous Flak guns disposed for defense against frontal attack from directly E UNNA. These were overrun in envelopment from SE.
    20 - 30 April - Only occasional small arms fire was encountered in cleanup of HARZ MOUNTAINS pocket. Some small groups may have disappeared to mountain hideouts but majority of opposition surrendered on 1st and 2nd day by clean-up. One Brigadier General, two Major Generals and one General of Infantry were amoung the 3,000 PWs taken in mountains in first few days of clean-up. 1695 PWs taken 21 April 45.

3. SECTION'S OPERATIONS
    No unusual difficulties encountered during period.

4. Weather and Terrain.
    Weather extremely favorble for armored operations throughout period 1 - 12 April. Scattered showers throughout period 20 - 30 April.
    Gently rolling terrain for operation 1 - 12 April. HARZ MOUNTAINS for period 20 - 30 April.

S/Larson
LARSON
S-2

HEADQUARTERS CCA
8th Armd Div
APO 258, U. S. Army

S-3 Operations Report
0001 1 Apr 45 to 2400 30 Apr 45

4. Operations for the period:

1 April 1945

Combat Command A began the month of April 1945 with the following troops prepared to cross the LIPPE R at DORSTEN, thence march to the N and E to vic of SELM. Hq & Hq Co CC A, 7 AAIBn, 18 Tk Bn, 398 AFA Bn, B Btry 473 AAA AW Bn, A Co 53 Engr Bn, A Co 78 Med Bn (-), A Co 809 TD Bn, plus Rcn Plat, Det 130 Ord Maint Bn.
    Effective on the relief by elements of the 95 Inf Div vic POLSUM, MARL, the CC withdrew, crossed the LIPPE R at DORSTEN approx 011430 April 45. No enemy encountered enroute.

2 April 1945

Departed SELM 020630, closed into new assembly area vic SENNE-LAGER 022230. Engaged no enemy enroute, however elements of CCB, leading serial, encountered some resistance.

3 April 1945

Composition of troops: TF POINIER 7 AIBn(-), A Co 18 Tk Bn, A Co 53 Engr Bn(-), A Co 809TD Bn(-). TF GOOGRICH: 18 TK Bn(-), A Co 7 AIBn, 3rd plat 53 Engr Bn, 3rd Plat A Co 809 TD Bn: direct control of CG CC A: Hq Co CC A, 398 AFA Bn, B Btry 473 AAA SW Bn, A Co 78 Med Bn(-), Det 130 Ord Maint Bn.
    Moved from assembly positions W thru CC B, beginning at 031600. TFP leading thru ELSEN, SALZKOTTEN, GESEKE, meeting stiff resistance at ERWITTE. A reported 100 or more enemy in the town offering reistance from advantage points. Positions consolidated prior to darkness, prepared to continue at dawn. TFG in positions prepared to support attack.
    Hq CC A CP in GESEKE.

4 April 1945

TFP defeated resistance at ERWITTE and by 1530 town was being cleared of enemy. Leading elements turned S in direction of ANROCHTE, encountering road block covered by fire on northern outskirts of town.
    TFG also going S in direction of BERGE, defeating enemy resistance and cleared town of enemy. Continued on in direction of ALTENRUTHEN, gaining objective with no further resistance.
    398 AFA Bn ahd two btrys in support of TFP. Remainder in general support.
    CC A holding line ERWITTE-BERGE, and MOHNE R line entire width of CC zone. Conditions of road block at ANROCHTE to be reconnoitered by patrols during the night.
    Hq CC A CP in EICHELOH.

5 April 1945

Mission of attacking W, with CC B on right, MOHNE R on left.
    TFP moved 0800 from vic BERGE thru ANROUCHE, to vic ROBRINGHAUSEN, there meeting and defeating resistance. Continuing to ALTENGESEKE, ALTENMELLRICH, again defeating resistance, elements moved into ALTENGESEKE approx 1600 for night. Other elements in coordinated attack on ALTENMELLRICH with elements of TFG.
    TFG moved 0800 from vic ALTENRUTHEN W to a RJ at approx B369236 without opposition. Elements of TFP turned at this point moving on ALTENMELLRICH in coordinated attack TFG. ALTENMELLRICH seized, resistance at RJ defeated, TFG moved to occupy towns of ENGELNPOTEN and ALTENMELLRICH during night.
    194 Glider Inf Regt(-) and 681 Glider FA Bn attached 051100 April 45.

6 April 1945

After TFP seized NEUENGESEKE and ENKESEN by 1100 and TFG had secured towns of BRULLINGSEN, ELLINGSEN and WAMEL by 1530, defeating stiff resistance during operations, CC B passed to the front from the right flank. CC a holding zone to boundry line, allowing CC B passage to the front without resistance.
    275 AFA Bn, 405 AFA Bn attached for general support.
    Elements 194 Glider Inf Regt(-) crossed MOHNE R approx 0800 in direction of KALLENHARDT. Very light opposition, town seized, allowing two bns to cross river. Continuing attack to SW on SUTTROP, counterattack received and repulsed. Reorganized thru the night, preparing to continue at daybreak. 681 Glider FA Bn in support.
    Hq CC A CP in HOINKHAUSEN.

7 April 1945

Composition of Task Forces changed by giving TFP one Plat of A Co 53 Engr Bn, and the remainder of the Engr Co to TFG.
    During days action TFP moved southward, taking towns of MULHEIM, BELECKE, and contacting elements of 194 Glider Inf Regt in WARSTEIN. Encountered resistance from road block vic N of BELECKE. Capitulation of enemy in town accomplished by sending captured PW to contact burgomeister. BELECKE entered 1345. Other elements holding N bank to MOHNE R from MULHEIM E to approx B470209.
    TFG captured towns of STOCKUM, VOLLINGHAUSEN, ALLAGEN, OBR BERGHEIM, and WESTENDORF with slight opposition. Mission to gain and hold line from B280218 to B379215 accomplished.
    194 Glider Inf Regt(-) captured SUTTROP and WARSTIEN encountering and defeating slight opposition in both towns.
    Four Bns of arty in support of all actions.

8 April 1945

CC A continued to hold river line in assigned zone.
    Hq CC a CP in KORBECKE.

9 April 1945

Reformation of troops: TFP: 7 AIBn(-), A Co 18 Tk Bn, one Plat 809 TD Bn(A Co); TFG: 18 Tk Bn(-), A Co 809 TD Bn(-); CC A: Hq Co CC A, 398 AFA Bn, A Co 78 Med Bn(-), B Btry 473 AAA AW Bn, 275 AFA Bn, Det 130 Ord Maint Bn.
    TFG cleared MOHNE-RUHR R pocket of enemy by 1700. Withdrew to vic HEWINGSEN.
    TFP in assembly area vic BUECKE.
    D Co 18 Tk Bn, A Co 53 Engr Bn, One plat A Co 809 TD Bn detached to 194 Glider Inf Regt.

10 April 1945

D Co 36 Tk Bn, B Co 53 Engr Bn, one Plat B Co 809 TD Bn attached from CC B.
    TFP moved from vic BUECKE at 0700 to vic BUDERICK prepared to pass thru CC B to the W.
    TFG secured OSTBUREN.
    CC A to launch attack on UNNA 110630 April 45. Troop formation:
    TFP: 7 AIBn(-), A Co 18 Tk Bn, A Co 809 TD Bn(-), one Plat B Co 809 TD Bn;
    TFG: 18 Tk Bn(-), A Co 7 AIBn, one Plat A Co 809 TD Bn, D Co 36 Tk Bn;
    CC A: Hq Co CC A, 398 AFA Bn, B Co 53 Engr Bn(-), A Co 78 Med Bn(-), Det 130 Ord Maint Bn.
    A Co 53 Engr Bn and D Co 18 Tk Bn , and one Plat 809 TD Bn returned from attachment to 17 Airborne Div.
    Hq CC A CP in BUDERICH.

11 April 1945

After a fifteen minute arty preparation on UNNA by five FA Bns, TFP began attack in zone 0630. Defeating enemy SA, PF fires, TFP entered town and began mopping up northern sector by 1030.
    TFG moved on UNNA in zone 0630. Enemy controlling high ground SW of UNNA, giving TFG a difficult obstacle. Air mission on high ground knocked out 11 enemy tanks and 8 motor transports. TFG continued attack in perfect tank and infantry employment, bowled over remaining resistance, entered S sector of UNNA approx 1100, began mopping up.
    Elements of CC B detached upon completion of operation against UNNA.
    CC A prepared to continue to W and SW.
    Hq CC A in LUNERN.

12 April 1945

TFP and TFG holding UNNA and area to the W, SW and S.
    Performing maintenance of radios and vehicles.
    275 AFA Bn detached to CC R.

13 April 1945

Relieved in zone by elements of the 95 Inf Div.
    CC A began move from vic UNNA to vic WOLFENBUTTEL. Enroute thru the night.

14 - 15 April 1945

Completed move to vic WOLFENBUTTEL.
    Began maintenance of vehicles and radios. Guarded vital installations in WOLFENBUTTEL and vic. Posted internal security for area.

16 - 18 April 1945

Attached XIX Corps for operations.
    Moved to vic SEEHAUSEN, closed by 171920 April 45.
    Unit CO's began route and terrain studies in preparation for future action.

19 April 1945

Moved to vic WERNIGERODE, closed by approx 2000. Mission to relieve elements 330 Inf Regt on road blocks by 200900 April 45, and to clear assigned areas zone of enemy.
    Plans for relief formulated night of 19 - 20 April 45.
    Hq CC A CP in WERNIGERODE.

20 April 1945

Troops: TFP: 7 AIBn, one Plat A Co 53 Engr Bn, D Co 18 Tk Bn;
    TFG: 18 Tk Bn(-), A Co 809 TD Bn, one Plat A Co 53 Engr Bn;
    CC A: Hq Co CC A, 398 AFA Bn, A Co 53 Engr Bn(-), A Co 78 Med Bn(-), A Tr 88 Cav Rcn Sq, B Btry 473 AAA AW Bn, Det 130 Ord Maint Bn.
    TFG relieved elements 330 Inf Regt on road blocks in zone by 1030. Outposted ILSENBURG, WERNIGERODE.
    TFP cleared woods in zone N of grid line 62, and gained high ground approx D170620. N flank of TFP screened by A Tr 88 Cav Rcn Sq.
    398 AFA Bn fired missions on call of TFP from vic SILSTEDT.

21 April 1945

Area for Occupation and Government assigned CC A.
    Continued mopping up in zone, taking approx 1200 PW's during day. Maintained road blocks. Prepared to occupy new area.
    398 AFA Bn, A Tr 88 Cav Rcn Sq, B Btry 473 AAA AW Bn, relieved to parent unit control.

22 April 1945

During this period units occupied and cleared zone of enemy personnel and material, encountering some resistance from sniper fire, and automatic weapons fire. Area patrolled, vital civilian and military installations guarded, road blocks maintained to prevent any further enemy action, and to establish traffic control/ Military Government installed throughout zone for control of civilian and displaced persons.

    Hq & Hq Co CC A CP in BAD LAUTERBERG.
    7 AIBn CP in HERZBERG.
    18 Tk Bn CP in BAD HERZBERG.
    809 TD Bn CP in ILSENBERG.

s/John R Sheridan
JOHN R. SHERIDAN
Major, Inf.,
S-3