History - 49th A.I.B. - Company 'A'
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(Pages 23-24)

The patrol succeeded, without a single casualty, in locating a few gun installations and investigating the extent of the minefield. The 3rd platoon opened the second act by sending out a combat night patrol of twenty-six men under the guidance of Lieutenant Fruehwirth. Mission of this patrol was threefold namely: to take prisoners, further determine the extent of the minefield, and locate enemy defenses. The patrol was a success as not a man was lost and the mission accomplished. The number of prisoners taken totaled seven, six privates and a feldwebel. These were the first of many prisoners taken by C. C. B. It was on this patrol Pvt. Villareal distinguished himself and won his first Bronze Star Award.

The second platoon also had its curtain calls, first, when the fifth squad was alerted by an enemy patrol and succeeded in turning it back to the tune of two thirty caliber machine guns. Second, when the platoon under Lieutenant Blansett started a flank attack on the village of Vlodrop on the 26th of February. They moved out toward Vlodrop at 1500 hours and encountered a concentration of enemy artillery fire at 1700 hours. Here the platoon dug in and the tanks following, fired their artillery on call from Lieutenant Blansett who was acting as forward observer. Here Company 'A' received its first casualties, all of which were caused by booby traps placed in the woods on the outskirts of the town. The platoon remained here for the night and was relieved by the 17th Cavalry the following evening after sweating out a day highlighted by intermittent enemy artillery fire.

We moved out of Posterholt about 0100 hours, February 28th. During the rest of the night and all the following day we were on the march. Sometime during the day we crossed a tiny' stream which, to our amazement, was later identified as the Roer River.

About 1000 hours the company arrived at the outskirts of Wassenburg, Germany, expecting to billet in houses. We discovered, however, that we were in the 35th Division's area and were forced to spend the night by the side of the road. All the next day was spent in the rain. Most of us went exploring and we discovered some German pillboxes, which gave us our first chance to inspect the German defensive positions. We also sampled some abandoned Kraut field rations and the general opinion was that they were very much inferior to our own.

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Late in the afternoon, the company moved back into town for a night's sleep in houses. Here was our first chance to investigate unbattered houses. Before nightfall, we had collected feather quilts, dishes, and a few personal souvenirs. There are rumors that Gillcrist invaded the local bank and returned with his pockets full of one hundred million Reichsmark notes. Before long every house was quiet, as everyone tried to grab a few hours sleep before moving again.

Early on the morning of March 2nd, we climbed into our vehicles and started off again. About 1500 hours the convoy was held up outside of Herongen, by a road block. As the column moved slowly toward town, we watched mortar shells 'Zero in' on the road. To our surprise, the shells continued to drop after we entered the town. It seems that they weren't American mortars after all. In the center of town, the track of the third squad of the first platoon hit a mine, and the driver was wounded by shrapnel. The rest of the squad piled on other tracks and continued the march.

At nightfall the company halted on the roadside to await the construction of a new bridge.

Next morning 'A' company took and secured its first objective -- Wachendonk, taking approximately thirty prisoners. About 1030 hours we left town, and with the 36th' Tank Battalion, moved to the town of Aldekirk. For the second time in one day, a German town fell to the two elements. We billeted in houses' and once again went looking for souvenirs. Everything from beef to cognac was discovered, and brought back to the billets.

These were the first houses we had been in that were occupied by German civilians. Goebbel's propaganda was very helpful, for it had made the people so afraid of us, that they obeyed our slightest wishes. We had only to ask for something, and the whole family bustled off to accommodate us.

With the exception of a little guard, we slept the whole night. We used the next day to wash up, and continue our exploring. Just before midnight the order came through to prepare to move. All the equipment was thrown in the tracks and we sat back to wait. At day break, 'A' Company followed 'B' and 'C' Company's of the 49th and elements of the 36th Tank Battalion, as they took the town of Lintfort. After the town was secured, we passed through them, objective 'The Rhine'!

At 1400 hours, 5th of March 1945, the column was as follows: 'A' Company, 36th Tank Bn. with our 1st platoon attached, 'A' Company, 49th A. I. B., Hq. and Hq. Company 36th Tank Bn.; 'B' Company, 36th Tank Bn., and "D" Company 36th Tank Bn. 'A' Company, of the 49th moved rapidly in vehicles approaching the left flank of Rheinberg. Advanced reports stated that the only probable enemy resistance would be sniper fire as in the two previous towns. Turning on to a road leading to the left flank of the town, the second platoon under Lieutenant Blansett, followed by the third platoon, acted as the advance guard while the first platoon was far ahead as the point. The ensuing actions of each platoon were so complete and important themselves, they will be described individually.


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