HEADQUARTERS COMBAT COMMAND 'R'
8TH ARMORED DIVISION

4 March 1945

SUMMARY OF ACTION:   1 - 28 February 1945

1. Front lines at end of period: See overlay, inclosure #l.

2. Location of troops: See overlay, inclosure #1.

3. Information of Adjacent Units and Supporting Troops: At close of period, CCR consisted of the following units:

a. Task Team 80 - 80th Tk Ba (-), Trp 'C' 88th Cav Rcn Sq, Co 'B' 58th Armd Inf Bn, Co 'C' 53rd Armd Engrs Bn (-), Det Co 'C' 78th Med Bn.

b. Task Team 58 - 58th Armd Inf Bn (-), Co "B" 80th Tk Bn, Co "C" 809th TD Bn, Det 130th Ord Bn, Det Co "C" 78th Med Bn.

c. CCR Reserve - Co 'D' 80th Tk Bn with 1 Rifle Platoon of 58th Armd Inf Ba attached, 405th Armd FA Bn, 1 Platoon Btry 'C' 473rd AAA AW (Sp) Bn, Det Co 'C' 78th Med Bn.

CCR enroute to March Objective - GLADBACH, GERMANY. See overlay, inclosure

4. Operations:

1-2 Feb
    CCR composed of the following units: 80th Tk Bn, 58th Armd Inf Bn, 405th Armd FA Bn, 1 Platoon 473rd AAA, CCR Hq stationed at EPLY, FRANCE, was alerted to move to vicinity of HEER, HOLLAND, as a part of 8th Armored Division.

3-4 Feb
    Combat Command moved to and closed into billets in vicinity CADIER-EN-KEER, HOLLAND (K6149) 040400 Feb 1945 after completing a mounted march of approximately 270 miles.

5-17 Feb
    This period was spent at CADIER-EN-KEER, HOLLAND awaiting orders for future commitment. During this time snow camouflage was removed from all vehicles. Intensive training in weapons, maintenance, and dismounted road marches were performed by the units. Additional units attached consisted of Btry 'C' 473rd AAA, Co 'C' 809th TD Bn, Co 'C' 53rd Armd Engrs Bn, Co 'C' 130th Ord Bn, Co 'C' 78th Med Bn, Trp 'C' 88th Cav Rcn Sq, and 3rd Platoon Rcn Co 809th TD Bn. Highlights of training during this period was the visit of all officers and key non-coms to HOUTHEM, HOLLAND, where the 53rd Engrs Bp had prepared an exact replica in sand showing the area over which the Combat Command would probably operate. A major change in personnel of CCR took place on 15 Feb 45 when Hq & Hq Co 10th Armd Group was relieved from assignment to Third Army, assigned to Ninth Army and attached to 8th Armd Div; joining CCR at CADIER-EN-KEER, HOLLAND from HAGONDANGE, FRANCE and acting as Hq & Hq Co CCR.

18 Feb
    Combat Command was alerted for move to vicinity of BRACHTERBEEK, HOLLAND with mission of relieving from a defensive position the 1st Commando Brigade (Br).

19 Feb
    At 0758 first units of Combat Command crossed IP in CADIEB-EN-KEER and last unit closed vicinity BRACHTERBEEK, HOLLAND 191645 Feb 1945. CP of Hq & Hq Co CCR located in BRACHTERBEEK. Relief of 1st Commando Brigade (br /)accomplished by 1800 same day. 58th AIB designated by CO CCR to actually occupy front line positions, remaining units in close support. At approximately 191950 Feb 45 report was received from TOPEKA 2 that the Combat Command had drawn its first fire from the enemy. Approximately 10 rounds of artillery falling in the immediate sector of TOPEKA 'B'. VOCO CCR same day attached 'A' Co 80th Tk Bn, 'C' Co and 3rd Plat 809th TD Bn, and Trp 'C' 88th Cav Sq to 58th AIB.

20 Feb
    Received 5th Queens Liaison report, 131st Infantry Brigade Situation Report and Patrol Plans for night of 20-21 Feb 45. Canadian bombardier parachuted into CCR area after plane was disabled, walked to outpost of 'C' Co 58th AIB, was identified and evacuated through CCR CP on 210830.

21 Feb
    At 0910 letter received from Hq 8th Armd Div showing area of CCA and enemy situation and positions taken from POW. 211400 Feb 45, CCR was relieved from attached 7th Armd Div (Br). One assault gun of Hq Co 80th Tk Bn was attached to 405th Armd FA Bn at 1500, to fire direct fire at enemy OP at LINNE. Stopped firing at 1630 with little apparent effect. One assault gun from Hq Co 80th Tk Bn attached to Btry 'C' 405th Armd FA Bn to deliver harassing fire at targets of in triangle ROERMOND, LINNE, and ST. ODILIENBERG. 212230 Feb 45 'C' Co 53rd Armd Engr Bn relieved from attached CCR. 58th AIB had no activity other than uneventful patrols.

22 Feb
    88th Rcn Sqd relieved from attached 58th AIB and attached 80th Tk Bn on one (1) hour alert. Moved to vicinity KRUCHTEN (K70618465). 'C' Co 80th Tk Bn fired harassing mission in triangle ROERMOMD, LINNE, and ST. ODILIENBERG.

23 Feb
    At 0245, a 45 minute artillery preparation was fired in support of XVI Corps as part of ROER R Crossing, by 405th Armd FA Bn, all supporting weapons of 58th AIB and Assault Guns and Mortar Plat of 80th Tk Bn. They fired on specified targets within CCR Zone as part of preparation and then intermittent fire until 1000. Small arms fire was placed on any targets of opportunity. After daylight, a section of heavy machine guns from 'A', 'B', and 'C' companies of 58th AIB fired interdictory fire on suspected and known enemy positions. 'C' Co occupied three (3) houses to their immediate front just North of LINNE. No resistance. 'B', and 'C' companies of 80th Tk Bn attached to 405th Armd FA Bn, fired harassing fire in triangle ROERMOHD, LINNE, and ST. ODILIENBERG. At 1030, "C" Co reverted to 80th Tk Bn control and returned to bivouac area of same. 'A' Co still attached 58th AIB, fired direct missions during daylight hours in triangle ROERMOND, LINNE, and ST. ODILIENBERG.

24 Feb
    1st Platoon Btry 'A' 473 AAA relieved Btry 'C' 473 AAA at 0930. Btry 'C' 473 AAA relieved attached to 58th AIB. 80th Tk Bn Assault Gun Platoon continued harassing fire in triangle and 'A' company continued direct fire at targets of opportunity. Artillery supporting 58th AIB continued harassing fire. Patrols were dispatched to check size of AT ditch North of LINNE, on a general line to LEEROP, extending from the MAAS to the ROER. The ditch was found to be about 15 feet to 20 feet wide but depth could not be determined. A series of complex trenches was found in front of the ditch near LEEROP.

25 Feb
    7th AIB, Trp "A" 88th Rcn Sq, Co 'C' and 1st plat Co 'A' 53rd Armd Engrs Bn, and CWO, attached CCR. Mortar Platoon 80th Tk Bn delivered defensive fire for 'C' company 58th AIB at LINNE. Assault Gun Platoon continued original mission in triangle. 'A' company 80th Tk Bn relieved attached 58th AIB, and returned bivouac area 80th Tk Bn. 'D' company 80th Tk Bn attached 58th AIB at 0530. 1615 message from TORNADO to put Plan 'B' into effect. 58th AIB prepared for CCR attack, to begin at 260600. Mission was to clear enemy from triangle ROERMOKD, LINNE, and ST. ODILIENBERG (Plan 'B').

26 Feb
    Companies 'A' and 'D', and Mortar Platoon 80th Tk Bn remained attached 58th AIB. Assault Gun Platoon attached 405th Amid FA Bn. At 0545, artillery preparation by 405th Armd FA Bn started in accordance with plan, and all companies of 58th AIB crossed LD at 0600. 7th AIB was in reserve. One platoon tanks, one platoon TD's and one squad Engineers was with each company of 58th AIB. Advance was slowed by concertina wire and slight small arms fire. The AT ditch was found free of mines and under cover of smoke, 'C' company occupied a factory about 200 yards NE of the AT ditch, killing 20 enemy. After 'C' company had advanced beyond AT ditch, elements of 'C' company 53rd Armd Engr Bn immediately set to work cleaning road blocks on LINNE-ROERMOND Highway. The block consisted of a number of large trees that were felled across the highway, a crater 20 feet across and 12 feet deep, and both Teller and Schu mines. The trees were removed with the aid of a tank dozer and the crater bridged by moving up sections of treadway with a T32 Recovery Vehicle with special attachment designed for the purpose. The effective work of the Engrs made it possible for traffic to move along the highway in a very short time after the Assault Troops had passed. 'B' Co 58th AIB reached SPIELMANSHOF where the advance was stopped by machine gun and mortar fire from HEIDE WOODS. Artillery fire partially silenced this and a tank-infantry attack cleared HEIDE WOODS except for the NW tip. 'A' Co 58th AIB advanced about 2,500 yards and were pinned down by heavy mortar, machine gun, and artillery fire from E of ROER R. Forced to withdraw 1,000 yards to protection of woods.

27 Feb
    Companies 'A' and 'C' of 58th AIB remained in position while, Co 'B' attacked NW tip HEIDE WOODS at 0830, and cleared the weeds with no opposition. Commanding Officer-15th Cav Rcn Sqd reported to Commanding Officer-CCR, that his unit would relieve CCR. All units alerted to move upon completion of relief. Companies 'A' and 'D' 80th Tk Bn relieved from attached 58th AIB. 'B' Co 80th Tk Bn attached 58th AIB.

28 Feb
    Relief by 15th Cav Rcn Sqd was completed at 0130. CCR left BRACHTERBEEK, HOLLAND at 0405, crossed IP at 0430. Arrived vicinity WEGBERG, GERMANY 2345.