After Action Reports and Interviews
Combat Command R - Mar/Apr 1945
| Jan 45 | Feb 45 | Feb Ops 45 | Mar/Apr 45 | Apr 45 | May 45 | AAR index |

CCR

26 March 1945
1.   -  
2. G-3 Journal  
3. G-3 Report CCR: Enroute to assembly area vic Bruckhausen (A321346).
27 March
1. O/I #17 - CCR: Atk E fr Pr Assy area at H-hour (to be announced) along following axis: Kirchellen (A435344); Feldhausen (A470354); Scholven (A502338); Langenbochum (A570352); Recklinghausen (A630350); Ickern (A730330); Breethen (A820310); Lamen (A950330); Werwe (A997318); Kump (B088330); Berwicke (B203360). Seize and hold crossing over Rheinherne, Emscher-Zweigkanal Canal between A705345 and continue atk to cut road from Soest to Hamm.
2. G-3 Journal 0205 - Topay crossing - started at 0100.
0600 - CCR cleared bridge at 0545.
1043 - All units CCR closed in area 0900.
1610 - G-3 to CCR; One bn inf atchd.
3. G-3 Report CCR (A322360); Closed Pr area at 270900 Mar 45.
28 March
1.   -  
2. G-3 Journal 0940 - Ln 0 CCR elms encountering mines at Kirchellen (433342) at 0835. (Not so according to Co C Co, 58th AIB).
1135 - CCR - Ldg elms vic 432333.
1200 - CCR - Encountered 1 AT gun, considerable s/a and arty fire present location 100 meters S of Kirchellen. PW reports Pz are east edge of town.
1950 - G-3 to XVI C - CCR at 445315 and 445325.
2000 - Div Arty - Zweckel taken at 1840 by CCR.
2015 - CCR (msg) Request direct air support for tank column at 1600 - located 443330.
2040 - CCR - Rt flank unit now entering town at 4733. Left flank unit in vic 445350. Center unit 435343.
2050 - Div Arty - left and center forces CCR approaching 468352.
3. G-3 Report CCR (434343); Moved from assy position vic 322360 and passed thru elms 117 Inf Regt, 30 Inf Div and attacked east in Z.
4. For air support, see Div file.
29 March
1. 8 AD O/I #18 CCR: Continue atk to E along axis: Recklinghausen (A830350); Ickern (A730330); Breethen (A820310); Kamen (A950330); Werwe (A997318); Kump (B088330); Berwicke (B203360). Seize and hold crossings over Zweigkannal between A7135 and A680305 and continue atk to cut road fr Soest to Hamm.
2. G-3 Journal 0240 - Col Brooke to CCR - Phoned mag from Gen Divine to Col Wallace to push right on into town. (TF Humanoff into Dorsten).
0820 - CCR Elms had reached outskirts of Dorsten at 0800. We're continuing on into town.
0830 - CCR - TF Artman reptd in Feldhausen at 0830.
1030 - CCR - Ldg elms at 503338 - R also 2 warehouses in Zweckel, one containing ammo and the other food. Guards placed request relief. Div Arty reports CCR as of 1135 at 518338 (Fwd Elms)
3. G-3 Report CCR: (432340) Crossed LD 0430A in atk to Dorsten. Reached final obj and then proceeded with atk to E. Adv to present location against strong enemy resistance.
30 March
1. 8 AD O/I #19 CCR: Continues atk E in Z, be prepared to pass CCB thru on Div O. Release 1st Bn 290 Inf to 75 Inf Div upon relief by CCB.
2. G-3 Journal 0250 - CCR requested sq of planes for clm cover as soon as possible in AM.
0640 - CCR - TF Walker and Artman hopped off at 0630.
0700 - CCR Atk started as per plan.
0815 - CCR (mag) Enemy appears to have protective line E of canal in Zwaaw and Sp fire being received two tanks opposing.
0900 - CCR Artman 800 yds E of Red (phase line) - met c/a - repulsed.
1040 - CCR (mag) Ldg elms now 300 yds E of canal bridge now being c/a.
1445 - CCR Artman now located at 527343. Is going out in 2 columns. Walker behind Artman & Harrington behind Walker.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (A497347) Atk jumped off 0630 from E edge Scholven. Occupied Buer-Hassel and Bergmannsgluck at 1615. (Air used at Burr-Hassel)
4. For air support, see Div file.
31 March
1. 8 AD O/I #20 CCR will be relieved by RCT of 75 Inf Div in Z off as soon as possible. CCR will not mv fr pres location until relief is efftd
2. G-3 Journal 0500 - Artman jumped off reached obj at 0350 Kol - Bertlich.
0720 - CCR Atkd 0300 & secured town of Kol Lobetica 542350. Atkd E from that point 0600.
0830 - CCR (mag) Buer Hassel captured 0400 (30 March about noon.) Westerhold captured & secured 0700. TF Artman continues advances to E.
0953 - CCR - Fwd elms now 4000 yds from Recklingen - Hausen at 590352.
1119 - TF Walker now moving along road N of Artman.
1515 - CCR No chge - Walker & Artman still having dismounted actn.
1815 - CCR Fwd Elms TFH 577357 - TFW 578353 - TFA 581347. W & A are engaged in dismounted action.
2000 - G-3 to CCR - Pln F in effect - rogered for 2010 (Pull out and go east).
3. G-3 Report CCR: (A433350) Continued atk E in Z to positions at 580355 and 588367. Met heavy arty, HV weapons and SA fire.
1 April
1.   -  
2. G-3 Journal  
3. G-3 Report CCR: (A787426) Relieved by elms 75 Div, moved to assy area vic Selm (A8245).
2 April
1.   -  
2. G-3 Journal  
3. G-3 Report CCR: enroute to assy area at close of period.
3 April
1. 8 AD O/I #21 CCR: Mvs from present area at 031500B Apr 45 and atk S in Z (overlay). Maintain contact with First US Army. At following check points contact will be made: Paderborn - Geseke - Ruthen - Brilon.
2. G-3 Journal 0750 - CCR - Walker in Benfell - no resistance so far.
0912 - CCR - Maj Burbach rpts CCR secured Elson at 0830 today.
1059 - CCR - Closed in Bentfeld 507475.
1850 - CCR - Entering Lippstadt 1720. Clm stopped - can hear AW fire ahead.
3. G-3 Report CCR (Enroute): Moved from Selm to Lippstadt (B4242). Now enroute to Atk in right sector of Div Z.
4 April
1.   -  
2. G-3 Journal 0500 - CCR Ldg elms vic 400369 at 0415.
0820 - CCR Artman atkg Stirpe at 0630. Walker atks town 2500 yds SW Lippstadt. Patrolled that town during nite and found light resistance.
1110 - CCR TFA leas elms at Stirpe. Stopped by AT fire from Woods to W. TFW lead elms at 377376, receiving direct fire from town to s.
1200 - CCR Walker now at Nordorf.
1716 - CCR TFW atkg town at 372356. Inf entering town now.
1716 - CCR Stirpe and town 2500 yards NW now closed.
1820 - CCR Atkg Vollingham & Hornmieling
1825 - CCR TFW atkg 372355. TFA patrolling toward Vollingham.
2035 - CCR Walker atkg town at 538984. Inf entering town now.
2030 - CCR Vollingham cleared 1930.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B4137) Captured towns of Vollinghausen (B3933), Stirpe (B4036), Overhagen (B4040), Nordorf (B3738) and Ebbinghausen (B3736). Secured favorable position for continuation of atk.
5 April
1. 8 AD O/I #22 CCR: Prepare to pass CCB thru. When relieved, assemble in area indicated and revered to Div Res.
2. G-3 Journal 0415 - CCR - TFW cleared Ebbing. Patrolling to Horn, Meiling tonite.
1000 - CCR Msg - Schmerlecke secured 0915.
1200 - Burgomeisters 3 towns saw Col Wallace to surrender towns.
1320 - CCR TFW secured Horn 353353. TFA passing thru Klieve 385306.
1555 - CCR TFA reld bt CCA at 1430 and TFW reld by CCB by 1500.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B424418) Atk E in Z taking several towns reld at 1430 by CCB. Passed to Div Reserve.
6 April
1. . 8 AD O/I #23 CCR: Div Res.
2. G-3 Journal  
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B423416) Div Res. Continued maintenance of vehicles and rehabilitation of personnel.
7 April
1.   -  
2. G-3 Journal 2400 CCR - Your mission for 8 April. Seize & hold B and establish contact with Troop A 88th.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B267295) Moved from assembly area S of occupy positions. Rcn Plat 809 TD Bn released to Div control.
8 April
1. 8 AD O/I #24 CCR: Atk W in Z.
2. G-3 Journal 1225 - CCR (msg) Artman relieved by CCA at 1050 at Delecke.
1630 - CCR (msg) Walker in contact approaching town 155230. Receiving AT & SA fire. Artman in town 164210.
1644 - 36th Tk Bn attempting to take Werl, meeting hvy arty fire. Pushing on in.
2050 - CCR - TFW secured Breman & Parsit - advancing on Ruhne. Will patrol toward Waltringen tonite.
3. G-3 Report CCR: Atkd and occupied Niederense (B185215), Hoingen (B165210), Parsit (B157222), and Bremen (B155230).
9 April
1. 8 AD O/I #25 CCR: Continue Atk in Z.
2. G-3 Journal 1350 TFW at 115235 at 1130. Hvy resistance from tks & SP arty. Mines also encountered.
1715 - Col Burba rpts TF Artman thru Sehltuckingen. TFW on his left and 500 km behind. Mopping up and applying pressure on the towns to the S.
2250 - CCR - Hold towns of Wiehagen 2 km N by E. Captured 1 Tiger Tk. 235 PWs today - total 2100. Hvy resistance at Wiehagen. Line SE of Wiehagen to river.
2250 - CCR msg: Town right Schluckingen secured 1800. Wiehagen captured 2000. Now consolidating line.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B195242) Continued atk in Z taking towns of Waltringen and Schluckingen. Cleared woods at (B1024) Encountered hvy AT and Arty fire on left flank from vic Wickede and Echthausen. Prepared to continue atk at daylight.
10 April
1. 8 AD O/I #26 CCR: Continued atk in Z to Aim Line.
2. G-3 Journal 1630 - CCR 016228.
1950 - CCR - George had taken Frommern.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B050233) Continued atk and advanced in Z.
11 April
1. 8 AD O/I #27 CCR: continue atk to bd between 8 AD and TF Twaddle.
2. G-3 Journal 0900 - CCR to G-3 Air request from CCR - Knock out Br on flank at B024191.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (B004227) Attacked W in Z, capturing towns of Frondenberg and Langscheide and continued atk to the W on Div Order. At close of period had taken town of Billmerich and was preparing to continue atk at daylight
12 April
1. 8 AD O/I #28 CCR: Mop up En resistance in Z and secure S and W flanks Div area in sector.
2. G-3 Journal 1830 - CCR Msg: Col Crittendon (80th Tk) line extends along high ground from Holtom to Altendorf.
1842 - CCR Crittendon's opposition is tk SP and AT fire.
3. G-3 Report CCR (B004227) Advanced in Z and defend sector (overlay). 959 FA Bn (4.5) detached from Div and Ccr. 275 AFA Bn Atchd Ccr.
13 April
1. 8 AD O/I #29 (March Schedule)
2. G-3 Journal 1100 G-3 to CCR - Send inf patrols to part of your Z not yet cleared to assure there are no enemy tps present.
3. G-3 Report CCR: (C004227) Reld in Z by elms 95 Div. Moved out to new area vic Denstorf (X825097). Enroute at close of period.
14 April
1. 8 AD O/I #30 CCR: (1) Provide all-around security in assigned zone and clean out any by-passed enemy tps that may be left.
(2) Be responsible for administration and police of the following allied PW camps:
      Offlag #79 (9012)
      2014 British & American officers
      416 British EM
(3) Guard captured enemy airfields at 840140 and 925180.
20 April
1. 8 AD O/I #31 CCR: Mv 58 AIB to vic Athenstedt (D185760) in Div Res. Prepare to mv balance of CCR to vic Aspenstedt (D212757) in Div Res when relieved in present position by elms by 2 AD.