EXPERIENCES OF 2D LT MIKE P. COKINOS, FORWARD OBSERVER, "BATTLE OF NENNIG."

Wednesday, 24 January 1945 I spent with the platoon leaders of 'C' Company 7th Armored Infantry Battalion discussion their mission and the type of artillery fire that could be used in their operations. That night the order came for us to move to Nennig; I went ahead with my men and half-track and parked the track in Nennig to use it as a relay from my forward position to Berg. I went up forward with the infantry company commander to where the infantry battalion commander had his CP. I learned that the 7th Armored Infantry Battalion's mission was to secure the town of Berg and the high ground. Company 'C' was to be held in reserve until 'B' Company had secured the town of Berg.

I stayed with the battalion commander while 'C' company was back in reserve, along with the FOs of "B" Company which was making the assault. During the early morning fighting I went back to the aid station at the request of the battalion commander to bring up more aid men and litters to help evacuate the wounded. At this time of the morning our observation was poor due to the overcast weather and the mortar fire which pinned us down. We had fired a couple of missions by having the infantry platoon leader relay his sensings to us over his SCR 536. After 'B' Company had secured the second house we were subjected to mortar and machine gun fire. During the time "B" Company was taking the rest of the town of Berg, 'C' Company was forming around the first house to make an attack on the big chateau on the road.

In the meantime Lt McDowell had gone back to his track in Nennig to lay a wire line from our position. While he was gone, a mortar shell landed between the platoon leader of 'C' Company and we were discussing the coming attack. It knocked us both down, and he had to be carried back to the aid station. I returned to my radio and found that my FO crew had also been hit by mortar fire. I received a message from the infantry battalion commander to bring down all the HE that I could on the chateau which was a German strongpoint and OP. I fired on the German strongpoint for about an hour and a half. Then the battalion commander sent a message down to put a forty minute barrage of smoke on the strong point.

The infantry moved in and captured the strongpoint. Then we were asked if we could level an anti-tank ditch with artillery fire which we later proved that we could not do. As night closed in on us, the infantry battalion commander was hit in the leg by mortar fire, and as there were no aid men around I administered first aid to him. The Germans had begun to shell us with artillery, rockets and mortar fire. The battalion commander was lying in the open, and I covered him with my body and held a steel helmet over his face until aid came.

EXPERIENCES OF 1ST LT WILLIAM HANMER, FORWARD OBSERVER #1, 'BATTLE OF NENNIG'.

On 22 January 1945, I rejoined the 18th Tank Battalion as liaison officer and forward observer. At 240530 January 1945 I arrived at Nennig with Lt Col Goodrich, commanding officer, 18th Tank Battalion. The attack had started at 0500. The Colonel and I contacted Colonel Poinier, commanding officer, 7th Armd Inf Bn and FOs, and Lt McDowell, at the front lines then located at the last house in the northern part of Nennig. Darkness obscured observation. At 0630 Captain Scott, liaison officer with the infantry, and I proceeded back to the Combat Command's forward CP to locate our respective commanders. On our route we passed the lead M-4 tank of the tank platoon following the infantry. We had only passed it by approximately twenty-five yards when it hit a mine and started burning. After giving aid to the wounded, we returned to the CP. The remainder of the day was spend in Nennig closely following the action the infantry and awaiting the opportunity to employ tanks fully. Intermittent artillery fire hit Nennig throughout the day.

ON 25 January 1945, 'C' Company of the 18th was committed, but the full attack failed to materialize.

On 26 January 1945, 'A' Company, 18th Tank Battalion was committed and reached the first objective. Counter-attacks prevented their advance. In my attempt to secure observation to aid the attack, I was prevented from so doing for two hours by enemy artillery and mortar fire, in addition to snipers in the Berg area. At this time the situation was relieved, and I advanced to the first objective until I was on the heels of the lead company tank at 1400. Company 'A's advance was again halted to counter-attacks and terrain. I remained in the locality of the first objective until 1730. The interim was spent avoiding hostile artillery and mortar fire and securing observation points. At 1730 I was relieved by command and reported to the CP at Nennig for instructions.

On 27 January 1945 the attack started at 0900. At 1000 information of the progress of the attack was obscure; so I was sent forward to Nennig to report my observation and remain with the forward elements to supplement the observation of the assigned FO when needed. Terrain and enemy counter-attack prevented the advance of the tanks. An alternate route was then selected even though seven enemy tanks were assembling on the route to counter-attack. The enemy tank counter attack was stopped, and I observed four tanks in flames.

The alternate route led to a ridge overlooking the town of Sinz. At this ridge the tanks deployed and began shelling the town. In addition, artillery fire was concentrated there by Lt Druary, then assigned to "B" Company, the lead tank company. I still remained in the vicinity of the leading elements throughout the advance to this point. The artillery mission being fulfilled, I supplemented the tank firing with the 75mm on my tank. I fired at logical points of observation for the enemy, one being a church steeple which we destroyed.

In the interim, a tank to my right was knocked out by fire from our rear. At this alarm two other tanks and my own fired 75mm and MG shells into the woods at our rear. I spotted a tank and blasted it with four 75mm shells. The effect of burning was never noticed, but the action from our rear was suppressed. The entire action at the ridge had been under enemy artillery and mortar fired. To my immediate front doughboys from the 94th Infantry Division began retreating from the woods. The unknown cause to us was then treated by 75mm shells. The effect was unknown. At approximately 1700 'B' Company withdrew, and 'A' Company with Lt Ash, the assigned FO made its assault on the town proper. I withdrew with 'B' Company, and at darkness returned to the CP at Nennig for instructions. At 2000 I was relieved by Col Dawson and ordered to return to Hunting and await further instructions.