After Action Reports and Interviews
Combat Command R - February 1945
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HEADQUARTERS CCR
8th Armd Div
APO 258, U. S. Army

AFTER ACTION REPORT
FOR PERIOD 1 - 28 FEBRUARY 1945

Part I

COMMAND REPORT
February, 1945

PART II

I - ADMINISTRATION

II - INTELLIGENCE

III - OPERATIONS

IV - SUPPLY

Part III

REPORTS OF SUBORDINATE UNITS

1. 80th Tank Battalion

2. 58th Armored Infantry Battalion

3. Company 'C' - 53rd Engineer Battalion

4. Company 'C' - 78th Medical Battalion

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

COMMAND REPORT
February, 1945

  1. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

    Operations conducted during the period were defense of a sector and a reconnaissance in force to determine the strength of the enemy holding the sector. Both missions were accomplished and in a satisfactory manner.

  2. COMBAT EFFICIENCY:

    Combat efficiency of all units during the period was excellent.

  3. COMMENTS:

    This was the first action against the enemy in which any of the units had been employed. They relieved the 1st Commando Brigade (Br) and took over the defense of the sector in a highly commendable manner. The patrols sent out in the early stages of the action were inclined to be a little too cautious in their advance and a little careless on their return trip. It is considered advisable that patrols return by some route other that that on which they advance. This results in additional information being gained and prevents the possibility of ambush.

    In the attack made on 26 February 1945, it was obvious that the Company Commanders failed to take full advantage of the supporting weapons placed at their disposal. Covering fire by assault guns, mortars or tanks was not used, resulting in the advance of the infantry being slowed materially. This point must be stressed in all echelons of command. Some of the Company Commanders likewise failed to realize the advantage of the tank-infantry team in advancing against SA fire from automatic weapons. In one case, an infantry company was driven back in an attempt to cross some ground to take a woods, losing both men and time. After withdrawing and reorganizing as a tank-infantry team, the same ground as well as the woods was cleared of all enemy in a very short time with a minimum of casualties. This point must be brought forcibly to the attention of all infantry commanders that have tanks attached or supporting.

S/ R. J. Wallace,
R. J. Wallace
Colonel, Infantry,
Commanding



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

S-1 AFTER ACTION REPORT
February 1945

  1. Reinforcements during the period:

      58th AIB 80th Tk Bn Hq & Hq Co CCR Total    
    Officers 5 5 0 10
    Enlisted Men 107     63  3 173  

    On 10 February 1945, Hq & Hq Co 10th Armd Group with 17 Officers 1 Warrant Officer and 75 Enlisted Men having been assigned to Ninth U S Army was attached to CCR per VOCG Nineth U S Army and confirmed by General Order #4, 8th Armd Div dated 15 February 1945.

    Four Officers and 7 enlisted men from the group were placed on DS with XVI Corps to constitute an Armored Section. In addition, one Chaplain and enlisted assistant was placed on DS with Division Hq, and one Dental Officer and enlisted assistant was placed on DS with the 35th Inf Div, on Corps order.

    Three Enlisted Men from Division Hq Co and one enlisted man from the 80th Tank Bn have been retained on DS with Hq & Hq Co CCR, in order to balance the strength of the Combat Command Hq & Hq Co after the enlisted men for Corps Armored Sectionwere taken away.

    The balance of the Officers and enlisted men of the 10th Armored Group with the normal T/O strength of Officers and enlisted men of CCR constitute Hq & Hq Co CCR, making it equivalent in strength to the other two Combat Commands

  2. Officer and Enlisted Men gains and losses for the period:

        GAINS    
      58th AIB 80th Tk Bn Hq & Hq Co CCR Total
    Officers 5 5 0 10  
    Enlisted Men 107     63 3 173   
             
        LOSSES    
      58th AIB 80th Tk Bn Hq & Hq Co CCR Total
    Officers 11   2 0 13  
    Enlisted Men 112     15 18 145    

  3. Officer Promotions:

    Captain to Major      
    Donald F. Burr     O452321     Inf     80th Tank Bn
           
    1st Lt to Captain      
    Alfred E. Gardener     O527475     Inf     58th Armd Inf Bn
    Daniel E. Showalter, Jr.     O1016446     Inf     80th Tank Bn
           
    2nd Lt to 1st Lt      
    Norman E. Thompson     O1018463     Cav     80th Tank Bn
    William F. McQueen     O1018025     Cav     80th Tank Bn
    Eugene Gottesman     O1016789     Inf     80th Tank Bn
  4. Strength Return for End of Period:

      58th AIB 80th Tk Bn Hq & Hq Co CCR Total
    Officers 34   41   20   95  
    W. O. 3 3 1 7
    Enlisted Men 944     693     83   2720      
  5. Awards and Decorations for the Period: None.


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

S-2 INTELLIGENCE ANNEX - CCR
February 1945

February Hq. CCR stationed at EPLY, FRANCE. No contact with enemy. On 2-3 February moved to HEER, Holland. On arriving Division became a part of the XVI Corps reserve and CCR Headquarters was located in CADIER EN KEER. No contact.

18 February Hq. and Hq. Co. 10th Armored Group attached. Organization completed and preparation made for assignment. Enemy activity to this time was limited to occasional overhead planes observed and some German V1's seen or heard. None of these activities directly concerned the units of CCR.

19 February moved to vic BRACKTERBEEK(720847) taking over a sector held by the 1st Commando Brigade, 7th British Division. Enemy troops in contact were believed to be part of Regiment HUEBNER, strength and disposition unknown.

These troops were later found to be elements of German Air Force parachute troops undergoing some infantry training. Prisoners taken later said that they had been incorporated into the Parachute Division as part of 24 Regiment.

No enemy activity was noticed until 23 February. During this period the only response from the enemy was an occasional shell fired into our activity. Owing to the fact that our organization was (unreadable) list in the area, active patrolling was not started until 24 February when a patrol was sent out to determine the size and length of the anti-tank ditches to the front.

The first prisoners, who were brought in the 22 February, appeared to be deserters. They also asserted that HUEBNER had gone back the night before. The prisoners proved to be unfamiliar with common infantry slang and could not be considered first line fighting troops.

On the nights of 24-25 and 25-26 February patrols were sent out to determine the persence of the enemy. On the right flank little resistance was encountered, light resistance in the center and resistance from small arms and automatic weapons was encountered on the left flank. The situation regarding the enemy was still unknown so accordingly CCR was given the mission of a reconnaisance in force 26 February. By late afternoon the attack had secured the north eastern edge of HEIDE WOODS and forward elements were in contact all along the line. No enemy vehicles were observed and the only artillery observed was on the east side of the ROER RIVER. This artillery was very active when attempts to advance on our right flank were made, and some German anti-tank fire was effective in that area.

Late in the day 26 February CCR received the order to hold the line of HEIDE WOODS.

On 27 February, after minor mopping up operations in the center of the sector, we were relieved by the 15th Cavalry Group.

28 February CCR moved to vic WEGBERG, GERMANY, No contact with the enemy.


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

S-3 OPERATIONS
February 1945

  1. ENEMY SITUATION AT END OF PERIOD: No contact. The general main situation was the enemy being forced back across the ROER RIVER and CCR as part of the division was engaged in pursuit operations.

  2. ENEMY OPERATIONS DURING THE PERIOD: Light resistance was encountered in the area along the line LINNE(K745858) - ST. ODILIENBERG (K7884) from 19 February to 27 February. The enemy was not aggressive. Enemy operations were negative except for patrols 19-20 February and a few shells. Shells reported were mostly small caliber.

  3. SECTION OF OPERATIONS: In addition to the regular personnel of the section, there was attached an IPW interrogation team consisting of 1 officer and two enlisted men, one of which speaks German. There was also from time to time a CIC officer or agent and a MII enlisted man who contacted civilians. These various detachments were of considerable aid in uncovering information about defense works, mines, and questionable persons in the area in which operations were conducted.

  4. WEATHER AND TERRAIN: The weather for the month was mild, with temperature ranging from the high 20's to the high 40's. There was an average amount of light rain. The ground was flat and muddy during the early part of the period, but it dried up considerably about the time that CCR became operational. The terrain, being quite flat, offered good fields of view and of fire; although the area in the vicinity of LINNE had some wooded areas. In front of the LINNE area the ground was badly cut up with defense works, trenches, anti-tank ditches, wire, road blocks; and the nature of these was to prevent effective use of armor.