INTERVIEW

Unit: Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division
Action: Roer-Rhine
Source: Captain Douglas P Stout, Asst S-3, Air, CCB
Interviewer: 1st Lt Howard L. Oleck
Place and Date of Interview: Lintfort, Germany, 1500, 8 March 1945

CAPTAIN DOUGLAS P. STOUT, Assistant S-3, Air and unit historian of CCB, 8th Armored Division AND MASTER SERGEANT PAUL V. FRANCIS, Operations Sergeant, Headquarters CCB, 8th Armored Division
TO: 1st Lt. Howard L. Oleck (Historical Officer)
AT: Linfort, Germany, 8 March 1945, 1500 hours

Forenote: Captain Stout and Sgt. Francis used the copies of After Action Reports and other daily journals to refresh their memories throughout the questioning in this joint interview.

On 22 February 1945 CCB of the 8th Armored Division had its CP in a monastery at Diergaards, Holland. They relieved the British 7th Armored Division in that sector. The day was uneventful although vigorous patrols were sent out in search of the enemy and in search of information. Small pockets of enemy troops were found within the sector south of the Roer River, some mine fields were located and an anti-tank ditch on the north bank of the Roer River was found to extend part way across the CCB front. Co. B of the 53d Engineer Battalion cleared lanes through the mine fields and dozed paths across the ditch.

Preliminary plans for the crossing of the Roer River near St. Odilienberg were made. The crossing was not to be made until a division order was received. Night probing of the immediate area to the front disclosed very little. On the 23d of February at 0245 a 16th Corps movement across the Roer River was supported by fire of the combat command's artillery and all its heavy weapons. An intense 45 minute barrage was laid down and thereafter, off and on during the day, fire missions were executed for the same purpose.

On 24 February nothing of note occurred and the unit rested.

On 25 February the 49th Armored Infantry Battalion sent patrols into Triest (k828839) and Voorsel (K819838). No opposition was found and one squad took each town. There were only a few scattered mines and booby traps which were cleared out by Co. B of the 53d Armored Engineer Battalion.

Task Force Van Houten (also referred to as Task Force 1 at that time) made preparations to attack Vlodrop with the assistance of the 312th Infantry Regiment which was to be on their right flank. As the attack contemplated movement through the zone of the 312th Infantry Regiment, close coordination appeared to be necessary and was sought.

Composition of Task Force Van Houten was:
36th Tank Battalion
A Co., 49th AIB
One platoon of Co. B, 809th TD Battalion
One platoon, Battery A, 473d AAA.

The attack of Vlodrop never materialized. The British had refused to attack it because there were about 200 civilians living in the town who refused to leave. It was believed by the British that they were sympathizers with the allied cause or people who could not bear to leave their home under any circumstance. The American command could not warn them of a forthcoming attack and still maintain the necessary secrecy regarding such a proposed attack. The situation was distasteful to the Americans as well as to the British.

On the 26th of February nothing of note developed.

On the 27th of February at 1430 CCB was ordered by headquarters, 8th Armored division to move to Hilfarth, Germany (K937723). The sector was taken over by elements of the 15th Cav. Group. The balance of the day was spent in preparation for movement.

On the 28th of February the advance guard moved out of Diergaards at 0145 in the direction of Hilfarth. While the column was enroute troops of other commands of the 35th Infantry Division who had a higher priority, began to infiltrate into the column with their vehicles. Before Hilfarth was reached the column was in a state of confusion with elements of both commands thoroughly mixed throughout the length of the road, especially at a narrow bridge entering Hilfarth. Great delay was occasioned by this. The confusion resulted from the fact that 16th Corps had ordered both units to move over the same road at the same time. Finally on order of 16th Corps, and in some cases on their own initiative, units of CCB pulled off the roads and permitted the 35th Infantry Division to proceed. CCB finally reached Hilfarth at about 1200. There orders were received from 16th Corps to take the town of Arsbeck. The column continued through Hilfarth in the following order: Task Force Rosebourough (also referred to as Task Force No. 2), leading followed by B Co. of the 53d Armored Engineer Battalion, 399th AFA Battalion, Task Force No. 1 and trains.

Task Force Rosebourough Compositions:
49th Armored Infantry Battalion (-)
Co. C, 36th Tank Battalion
One platoon of Co. B, 809th TD Battalion
One platoon, Battery A, 473d AAA

The column proceeded from Hilfarth through Gerbrath (K9348) without event. At 1300 Task Force Rosebourough was moving on Arsbeck along the single paved road in that direction. Resistance consisted only of small arms and some little mortar fire.

The column was barely underway when orders were received from the Commanding General of the 8th Armored Division to by-pass resistance, if possible, and to proceed to Ober Kruchten (K9490) at once.

Resistance being very light, the column proceeded to Arsbeck and took it at 1600 with hardly any resistance, went through the town and proceeded until it reached a blown bridge at K933848, just outside Arsbeck.

Co. B of the 53d Engineer Battalion went to work rebuilding the bridge at once.

In view of the division's apparent desire that the column proceed quickly, Col. Kimball asked the division for more engineers to expedite the bridge construction but did not received them. The bridge was finished and the combat command was ready to go but was informed that it should await orders from the 16th Corps.

On 1 March the CP was still at Arsbeck. Nothing of note occurred. Road reconnaissance on routes expected to be used was made.

On 2 March at 2255 a message was received from 8th Armored Division to move at 0200 of 3 March. Preparations for movement were begun immediately and Col. Kimball went to division and get the details of the proposed movement.

At 0010 a message was received from division postponing the move until 0900.

At 0350 message was received from division concealing the move entirely.

Early in the morning Col. Kimball returned with definite word of the next move, which was to go to Moers. It was planned that CCA would leave the division and CCB follow.

The move on Moers did not eventuate.

On 2 March the combat command moved again toward Wankum which was attacked from the south by CCB while CCA approached it simultaneously from the north. No resistance was met and the town was taken without a fight. Throughout this 2nd of March the CP of CCB was moving on the road, from 1100 when they left Arsbeck until the stop at Wankum.

On 3 March the division moved again at 1000 from Wankum to Aldekerk. Very little resistance was met and that only from snipers. About 50 prisoners were taken. The combat command closed into CP at Aldekerk at 1345.