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629TH TANK DESTH)YER BATTALION Oc+ APO 230 US ABliY

6 No~ember 1944

Su13JECT After Action Repoz1

TO The Adjutant General War Department Washington D C

lHRU Commanding General 2d Infantry Division AFO 2 U S Army

1 Transmitted herewith is After Action Report for the period of October 1944

GLENN OOLE Lt Col Inf (TO) Commanding

Incl 1 - Resume of Operations bull 2 ~ After Action Repo~t

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RESTI~iCTm )

HEADQUAR1ERS 629JH TANK DlSTROlliR rlAlTALIOamp

APO 230 us AR1Y

I

RESU1E Or OPERArIOl~S

At the begirming of this period the battalion las u t to cieci to tle 20th Infantry Division whose front line sector extended fron Dasburgrenbull anl (P 8363) north to rirandschcid G-ermany (p 9807) lhe iirin- cc-panics e~cn with a reconnaissance -latoon were supporting tile respective Coroat CorL~1cS tiving direct fire support to the infcntry units dna in(irect lire al~Dort to the artillery depenuing on the particuiar actor ciJjnJ~ Gn( Sei~fmiddotEci L1e

lhe cOlJpanies of the battalion reved north ~iti the ~ivisi0n or 4 middotmiddotI~c 5 October to the vicinit of El3enborr Bel[~iur ihen ~re i)ivi~ion front exshytended from coorcirutcs 020700 0 020000 Co~~nie[ rl n(i C ~middotocd middotti L- bullbull (ir respective Combat Cormancls in lalllling ell cetlils Ior triO ~C-VC bull ~n 1 so~ fortifications in th~t sector Ail personnel knev all etpil 01 tr ~ c--middot~ion HOlever the uttacl lts calleuroci 0_1 All firing COJPCiELmiddot imiddotc un or-t(d cae artillery units -ith ircL(ct fire for the reiinlt-Y 0 iw~L n 1 location

On 2( October 19U il b~ttL2middotmiddot~I O(l icrti1 l nOlmiddotth iil -l Lr

to the vicil or ll~ middottnue ~(rr[alY ihere tne uivL cr 1~~middotC ~te~ccci

from coordinates 01535G to 000280 lhe firinc cop~nie3 ent ino ~eil positions Detail reconnaissance ilS iQue by the CO~ipltnes 101 inciirect fire positions to support the aivision urtillery units Tile rec)nlissClnce plashytoons recormoitered the area ont-he north or left sector ror routes and G~ positions for protection against any enemy arrored tiuUt fror] lhe vicnitmiddot east of Aachen Genniny ~lso for routes to the southest

The BJttalion VIampS relieveci fro attaCilllcnt to V COTS ~rCl -ne 28th Infantry Division on 30 Cctober 194L~ and subsecuen~ly attaci1CQ 0 nIl Corps and the 2d Infantr Division he bttcr ocillG in he vicinity ai St Vitil Belgium The battalion COllpleted the llove on )0 Cctober 19h middotth iie i-i-rlpound corpanies occupying indirect firing positions on the ciivisLcn ~rcnt fro coordinates 069038 to 910745

During the period two pillboxes Yere badly darled and 597 indirect fire missions were fired expending a total of 48Z1 rOlnns oi ~iwrl tion

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RESTI~iCTm )

HEADQUAR1ERS 629JH TANK DlSTROlliR rlAlTALIOamp

APO 230 us AR1Y

I

RESU1E Or OPERArIOl~S

At the begirming of this period the battalion las u t to cieci to tle 20th Infantry Division whose front line sector extended fron Dasburgrenbull anl (P 8363) north to rirandschcid G-ermany (p 9807) lhe iirin- cc-panics e~cn with a reconnaissance -latoon were supporting tile respective Coroat CorL~1cS tiving direct fire support to the infcntry units dna in(irect lire al~Dort to the artillery depenuing on the particuiar actor ciJjnJ~ Gn( Sei~fmiddotEci L1e

lhe cOlJpanies of the battalion reved north ~iti the ~ivisi0n or 4 middotmiddotI~c 5 October to the vicinit of El3enborr Bel[~iur ihen ~re i)ivi~ion front exshytended from coorcirutcs 020700 0 020000 Co~~nie[ rl n(i C ~middotocd middotti L- bullbull (ir respective Combat Cormancls in lalllling ell cetlils Ior triO ~C-VC bull ~n 1 so~ fortifications in th~t sector Ail personnel knev all etpil 01 tr ~ c--middot~ion HOlever the uttacl lts calleuroci 0_1 All firing COJPCiELmiddot imiddotc un or-t(d cae artillery units -ith ircL(ct fire for the reiinlt-Y 0 iw~L n 1 location

On 2( October 19U il b~ttL2middotmiddot~I O(l icrti1 l nOlmiddotth iil -l Lr

to the vicil or ll~ middottnue ~(rr[alY ihere tne uivL cr 1~~middotC ~te~ccci

from coordinates 01535G to 000280 lhe firinc cop~nie3 ent ino ~eil positions Detail reconnaissance ilS iQue by the CO~ipltnes 101 inciirect fire positions to support the aivision urtillery units Tile rec)nlissClnce plashytoons recormoitered the area ont-he north or left sector ror routes and G~ positions for protection against any enemy arrored tiuUt fror] lhe vicnitmiddot east of Aachen Genniny ~lso for routes to the southest

The BJttalion VIampS relieveci fro attaCilllcnt to V COTS ~rCl -ne 28th Infantry Division on 30 Cctober 194L~ and subsecuen~ly attaci1CQ 0 nIl Corps and the 2d Infantr Division he bttcr ocillG in he vicinity ai St Vitil Belgium The battalion COllpleted the llove on )0 Cctober 19h middotth iie i-i-rlpound corpanies occupying indirect firing positions on the ciivisLcn ~rcnt fro coordinates 069038 to 910745

During the period two pillboxes Yere badly darled and 597 indirect fire missions were fired expending a total of 48Z1 rOlnns oi ~iwrl tion

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f~m CTED 6291lI TANK DiSTllOlER BATTALION

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APe 230 US ARMY

AFTER ACTION BEfORT

1 BNElY SITUATION Feriod 1 October 1944 to 5 0 ctober 1944bull

a Units in Contact Eneny forces on our northern flank (left) consisted of the

78th Infantry Battalion the 1030th Security Battalion the 2nd Company F A Ds Reich and an Infantry Fortress Battalion On our inunediate front were3 cOll~panies of the 36th Marsch Battalion the Panzer Ren Battalion Das Reich and the 3rdBattalion of the Regiment Der Fuhrer These units were part of the 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Division

The oes Battalion of the Heg~ent K Wegelin 273rd Antiaircraft nit 1 conpapy of the Combat Team Fleckenstein 2nd Panzer Ren Battalion and

the 304th Panzer Grenadier Regiment of the 2nd Panzer Division occuDied DOsitions on our right or southern flank bull

b There riere no eneruy reserves locatedin a sector vmere they could be used to effect our ndssion or situation

c Enemy activity VTas confined to small scale patrol activity durine the hours of darkness and harassing artillery fire on the roads used by our v~hicles

d All companies and battalions Iere under strength having about one half their authorized strength A snmll number of replacements had been received 1orale from observance of PW s was fair The enemy conshytrolled the high ground to our front and had observation of our IlOVements in clear weather~ 1ost of our front line positions were ImOim by the enelllY

e Plans open to the enemy for attack vlere confined to patrols at night Their high eround was defended from pillboxes and trlinches also by dug-in antitank euns All routes of approach to their positions were covered by direct fire or by observed artillery fi~e

Per~od 6 October 1944 to 26 October 1944

a Units in Contact Enemy forces on our northern (left) flank and inmediate

front consisted of the 77th Infantry Replacement Battalion and the 412th InfantrJ Training Battalion operating under the KG Von Rochow Regiment On our southern flank v-as the 276th Infantry Battalion under the 276th Infantry aegiment

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RESTamp1CTED bull

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CESliiClW Both the Von Rochow Regiment and 276th Infantry Regiment operated as a part of the 526th Infantry Training Division

b The only reserve was the 1st company of the 412th Infantry Training Battalion which was later moved up to the line to replace the 1st company of the 276th Infantry Battalion Thus the boundary between the 412th Battalion and 276th Battalion was moved south approximately 2000 meters

c The enemy directed light artillery fire on roads used by our vehicles Small scale patrols were sent out during darkness

d The estimated total strength of the units in contact was 1500 men including reserves Their morale was just fair The officers nad to use ~eprisals to keep their rlen from deserting The men were told that our negro troops would slit their throats if they surrendered

e The enemy was capable of launching a counterattack streneth not in excess of one battalion in the direction of F0209 and F0206 Small nieht patrols were used for limited objectives The terrain to our front was favorable for the enemy to defend from pillboxes and prepared fortifications

Period 27 October 191~ to 31 October 1944

a Units in Contact On our northern flank enemy forces consisted of the 275th

I A~ Repoundiment 20th GAF Fortress Battalion 3rd Battalion of 943rd Infantry Regiment and 496th Infantry Regiment formine the 275th Infantry Divisionbull To our ~lmediate front opposing forces included the 275th Fusilier Battalion 16th Panzer Engineer Battalion 5th GAF Fortr~ss Battalion l412th Fortress Battashylion 275th Eneineer Battalion KG Trier 328th Infantry Battalion 24th GAF Fortress Battalion and 73rd Engineer Battalion These units are under the 275th Infantry Division On our southern (right) flank there was the 1st Battalion of the 1055th InfantI~ Regiment 9th GAF Fortress Battalion and 2nd Battalion of the l055th Infantry Hegiment all a part of the 89th Infantry Divisionbull

b There were no enemy reserves that could effect our rnissioh c The enemy was defending his positions- from both concrete forts

and open fortifications qll along the line Our forward roads were subjected to harassing artillery and mortar fire Small patrols were sent into our lines during the hours of darkness No aggressive action was taken by the enemy and there was no indication of reinforcements d The estimated combined strength of the regiments and battalions mentioned above is approximately 6300 men The food and water shortage made IlJOra1e poor lhe enemy had no knovledge of our situation

e Enemy forces were not adequate enough for an attack1 and there were no reserves to use for a counterattack One plan open to the enemy was to use patrols at night and get infonnation about our unitS as to strength and nosition The enemy intended to defend his high groundmiddot frQlll cover positions and had routes of approach covered by fire ~ome routes were also mined

For disposition of enemy units see attached overlays

- 2 - 1RfSTRICJlD bull __ bull ~w I _ _ _~

HEADQUARTERS 629JH TANK DFSTROTtili BA~TA1ION

lPO 230 u bull s Af(ly

2 OWN SITUATION~

a On 1 October 1944 the 28th Infantry Divisions front line covered the sector from Dasburg Germany (p (55622) lortl1 to 8rsnscheiu Gcrf131Y (p 983813) The firing companies of this battalion nere supporti11i~ the combat teams of the oivision on that front COLpanr A -1 th the ll0th COlOd t Team Company B vrith the l12th Coubat leml and Corupan C ith vl~e lOCjtf Collbat Teal On the 3rd 4th and 5th of Octooer 19) the bttalion oved north to vicinity of CpoundlLP Elsenborn BelGium (K 905085) vhere the fir~n companies again supported the regimental combat teams Cornny S in sUJshyport of the 112th Combat Team on the southern fhnk ano ConJr C surshy~rting the 109th on the northern flcmk ltoIlP~ry A initialiy supported one battalion of the 110th Combat Teorn in a diversionary ~ttac to the north and east The irurediate aivision front etei~ded froI K 023032 north to K 035700 On the 26th October 1944 the batblion OVCcl north i ttl LrlEshy

28th Infantry Division occupying positions in vicinit~ ai lullrtshutte GermalV ~K 030342) the division front extencing from F CO)22C to Cl~35(j Thi~ unit was relieved frOLl attachIimiddot~nt to V Corps and ~8ti1 I~dcn-r- ]ivisioL on 30 October lnd attached to the VII CorJs 2nd 20 Inicmiddotntry JivLion ith headnURrters at st Vith BelCiwn (p 8553(0) The front lines 0 middot je 20 Infantry Division e)tended from P 910745 north LO L C89038

b Ihe bottalion Cf Yins located at the follOifl~ r)h CC3 lI~ Loe

liionth 1 Octooer to 5 October 191 in vicinit of W~Lcrdre Lueomiddot)ur (p 785t1) 5 October to 25 ( ct-ooer 1914 at C2S~ iLcnoon Be iu (i SltC-G~2r) 25 October to 30 October 19U t tlartsbutte GerLny 0 Slt2Sn))( _G 31 October 191L at Andler b(dlum (p 9069(6) bull

c Durinpound this period Lhe llllf1[ colp~nies 00 in CiOSC COOl irishy

tion hith the front line iniintrr units rurris1in~ UiCCL c C -=~~ red supporting 2nd reinforcing the iires of Dvi~iowl idd Ai~ll~~r llS

ieconnaissQnce CoIJpany under bltlttclion control crolJcd ~cconnsmiddot ~ce rUssons for the firil1[ cOI~anies securiI- iniOrr3tion on lods oYives and possio1e oircct ond iniirect fire osiLols

d DuriI1pound the period frOE 1 C ctobe 19i~+ Co 5 ( cob8r =~hJT()~~1=middot A ~rith the llOth Infantry orb~~t Tc3i iu~nishcd ciect asset a1 ~~~ 0rt and ~nti-rech~l1izc -1 protection in twir 0l-erlion~ in viciriit~ oi L=- Gerrny Corpon J reiruorceu tlc ries of t[-e lGth A li_n~ ~2Oshy

sill[ ission~ on GeurorTn ~ositions n viciniti o~ Kc~i CO~ ~ C middot C-~ one platoon ina rovinpound [WI asscnLent cnc one ~lJcJn~ ili(ct ~~e0shysiticns su~porIJ t1C l()()trl InfurLryr vldLit~ c SiL __ ~-

I o

CESliiClW Both the Von Rochow Regiment and 276th Infantry Regiment operated as a part of the 526th Infantry Training Division

b The only reserve was the 1st company of the 412th Infantry Training Battalion which was later moved up to the line to replace the 1st company of the 276th Infantry Battalion Thus the boundary between the 412th Battalion and 276th Battalion was moved south approximately 2000 meters

c The enemy directed light artillery fire on roads used by our vehicles Small scale patrols were sent out during darkness

d The estimated total strength of the units in contact was 1500 men including reserves Their morale was just fair The officers nad to use ~eprisals to keep their rlen from deserting The men were told that our negro troops would slit their throats if they surrendered

e The enemy was capable of launching a counterattack streneth not in excess of one battalion in the direction of F0209 and F0206 Small nieht patrols were used for limited objectives The terrain to our front was favorable for the enemy to defend from pillboxes and prepared fortifications

Period 27 October 191~ to 31 October 1944

a Units in Contact On our northern flank enemy forces consisted of the 275th

I A~ Repoundiment 20th GAF Fortress Battalion 3rd Battalion of 943rd Infantry Regiment and 496th Infantry Regiment formine the 275th Infantry Divisionbull To our ~lmediate front opposing forces included the 275th Fusilier Battalion 16th Panzer Engineer Battalion 5th GAF Fortr~ss Battalion l412th Fortress Battashylion 275th Eneineer Battalion KG Trier 328th Infantry Battalion 24th GAF Fortress Battalion and 73rd Engineer Battalion These units are under the 275th Infantry Division On our southern (right) flank there was the 1st Battalion of the 1055th InfantI~ Regiment 9th GAF Fortress Battalion and 2nd Battalion of the l055th Infantry Hegiment all a part of the 89th Infantry Divisionbull

b There were no enemy reserves that could effect our rnissioh c The enemy was defending his positions- from both concrete forts

and open fortifications qll along the line Our forward roads were subjected to harassing artillery and mortar fire Small patrols were sent into our lines during the hours of darkness No aggressive action was taken by the enemy and there was no indication of reinforcements d The estimated combined strength of the regiments and battalions mentioned above is approximately 6300 men The food and water shortage made IlJOra1e poor lhe enemy had no knovledge of our situation

e Enemy forces were not adequate enough for an attack1 and there were no reserves to use for a counterattack One plan open to the enemy was to use patrols at night and get infonnation about our unitS as to strength and nosition The enemy intended to defend his high groundmiddot frQlll cover positions and had routes of approach covered by fire ~ome routes were also mined

For disposition of enemy units see attached overlays

- 2 - 1RfSTRICJlD bull __ bull ~w I _ _ _~

HEADQUARTERS 629JH TANK DFSTROTtili BA~TA1ION

lPO 230 u bull s Af(ly

2 OWN SITUATION~

a On 1 October 1944 the 28th Infantry Divisions front line covered the sector from Dasburg Germany (p (55622) lortl1 to 8rsnscheiu Gcrf131Y (p 983813) The firing companies of this battalion nere supporti11i~ the combat teams of the oivision on that front COLpanr A -1 th the ll0th COlOd t Team Company B vrith the l12th Coubat leml and Corupan C ith vl~e lOCjtf Collbat Teal On the 3rd 4th and 5th of Octooer 19) the bttalion oved north to vicinity of CpoundlLP Elsenborn BelGium (K 905085) vhere the fir~n companies again supported the regimental combat teams Cornny S in sUJshyport of the 112th Combat Team on the southern fhnk ano ConJr C surshy~rting the 109th on the northern flcmk ltoIlP~ry A initialiy supported one battalion of the 110th Combat Teorn in a diversionary ~ttac to the north and east The irurediate aivision front etei~ded froI K 023032 north to K 035700 On the 26th October 1944 the batblion OVCcl north i ttl LrlEshy

28th Infantry Division occupying positions in vicinit~ ai lullrtshutte GermalV ~K 030342) the division front extencing from F CO)22C to Cl~35(j Thi~ unit was relieved frOLl attachIimiddot~nt to V Corps and ~8ti1 I~dcn-r- ]ivisioL on 30 October lnd attached to the VII CorJs 2nd 20 Inicmiddotntry JivLion ith headnURrters at st Vith BelCiwn (p 8553(0) The front lines 0 middot je 20 Infantry Division e)tended from P 910745 north LO L C89038

b Ihe bottalion Cf Yins located at the follOifl~ r)h CC3 lI~ Loe

liionth 1 Octooer to 5 October 191 in vicinit of W~Lcrdre Lueomiddot)ur (p 785t1) 5 October to 25 ( ct-ooer 1914 at C2S~ iLcnoon Be iu (i SltC-G~2r) 25 October to 30 October 19U t tlartsbutte GerLny 0 Slt2Sn))( _G 31 October 191L at Andler b(dlum (p 9069(6) bull

c Durinpound this period Lhe llllf1[ colp~nies 00 in CiOSC COOl irishy

tion hith the front line iniintrr units rurris1in~ UiCCL c C -=~~ red supporting 2nd reinforcing the iires of Dvi~iowl idd Ai~ll~~r llS

ieconnaissQnce CoIJpany under bltlttclion control crolJcd ~cconnsmiddot ~ce rUssons for the firil1[ cOI~anies securiI- iniOrr3tion on lods oYives and possio1e oircct ond iniirect fire osiLols

d DuriI1pound the period frOE 1 C ctobe 19i~+ Co 5 ( cob8r =~hJT()~~1=middot A ~rith the llOth Infantry orb~~t Tc3i iu~nishcd ciect asset a1 ~~~ 0rt and ~nti-rech~l1izc -1 protection in twir 0l-erlion~ in viciriit~ oi L=- Gerrny Corpon J reiruorceu tlc ries of t[-e lGth A li_n~ ~2Oshy

sill[ ission~ on GeurorTn ~ositions n viciniti o~ Kc~i CO~ ~ C middot C-~ one platoon ina rovinpound [WI asscnLent cnc one ~lJcJn~ ili(ct ~~e0shysiticns su~porIJ t1C l()()trl InfurLryr vldLit~ c SiL __ ~-

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HEADQUARTERS 629JH TANK DFSTROTtili BA~TA1ION

lPO 230 u bull s Af(ly

2 OWN SITUATION~

a On 1 October 1944 the 28th Infantry Divisions front line covered the sector from Dasburg Germany (p (55622) lortl1 to 8rsnscheiu Gcrf131Y (p 983813) The firing companies of this battalion nere supporti11i~ the combat teams of the oivision on that front COLpanr A -1 th the ll0th COlOd t Team Company B vrith the l12th Coubat leml and Corupan C ith vl~e lOCjtf Collbat Teal On the 3rd 4th and 5th of Octooer 19) the bttalion oved north to vicinity of CpoundlLP Elsenborn BelGium (K 905085) vhere the fir~n companies again supported the regimental combat teams Cornny S in sUJshyport of the 112th Combat Team on the southern fhnk ano ConJr C surshy~rting the 109th on the northern flcmk ltoIlP~ry A initialiy supported one battalion of the 110th Combat Teorn in a diversionary ~ttac to the north and east The irurediate aivision front etei~ded froI K 023032 north to K 035700 On the 26th October 1944 the batblion OVCcl north i ttl LrlEshy

28th Infantry Division occupying positions in vicinit~ ai lullrtshutte GermalV ~K 030342) the division front extencing from F CO)22C to Cl~35(j Thi~ unit was relieved frOLl attachIimiddot~nt to V Corps and ~8ti1 I~dcn-r- ]ivisioL on 30 October lnd attached to the VII CorJs 2nd 20 Inicmiddotntry JivLion ith headnURrters at st Vith BelCiwn (p 8553(0) The front lines 0 middot je 20 Infantry Division e)tended from P 910745 north LO L C89038

b Ihe bottalion Cf Yins located at the follOifl~ r)h CC3 lI~ Loe

liionth 1 Octooer to 5 October 191 in vicinit of W~Lcrdre Lueomiddot)ur (p 785t1) 5 October to 25 ( ct-ooer 1914 at C2S~ iLcnoon Be iu (i SltC-G~2r) 25 October to 30 October 19U t tlartsbutte GerLny 0 Slt2Sn))( _G 31 October 191L at Andler b(dlum (p 9069(6) bull

c Durinpound this period Lhe llllf1[ colp~nies 00 in CiOSC COOl irishy

tion hith the front line iniintrr units rurris1in~ UiCCL c C -=~~ red supporting 2nd reinforcing the iires of Dvi~iowl idd Ai~ll~~r llS

ieconnaissQnce CoIJpany under bltlttclion control crolJcd ~cconnsmiddot ~ce rUssons for the firil1[ cOI~anies securiI- iniOrr3tion on lods oYives and possio1e oircct ond iniirect fire osiLols

d DuriI1pound the period frOE 1 C ctobe 19i~+ Co 5 ( cob8r =~hJT()~~1=middot A ~rith the llOth Infantry orb~~t Tc3i iu~nishcd ciect asset a1 ~~~ 0rt and ~nti-rech~l1izc -1 protection in twir 0l-erlion~ in viciriit~ oi L=- Gerrny Corpon J reiruorceu tlc ries of t[-e lGth A li_n~ ~2Oshy

sill[ ission~ on GeurorTn ~ositions n viciniti o~ Kc~i CO~ ~ C middot C-~ one platoon ina rovinpound [WI asscnLent cnc one ~lJcJn~ ili(ct ~~e0shysiticns su~porIJ t1C l()()trl InfurLryr vldLit~ c SiL __ ~-

I o

RESTRICTED During the period 5 October 1941 to 25 October 1941bullbull CoLnics s C _ portill6 the llZth and l09th COL1bltt Tearls rcsrectivel conduct au -middotcC reconnaissance of Sicffried Line osiLions in ~he ciJ~e~vl cOicbt --~cfls sectors and farJliarized nll necessary persormel ith Ue 100 tr~ -ct they were to takemder iile in su)ort of the irucntlr in tilCil c01te~-1__8d

attack The plans of the Coriolt Cornnd vele to att-lc~lt in coluJ1 of j-~10n on an extremely narrow front to secure initcl b-e-k-ilou 2011-(s Lo (-3shytions were carefully reconnoitered 2nd re2Jceo ell in dv~lce 8n was to secure the rlllte to varou illooxes not2f~ri1[ 2 0 t tor oi 1 i~ - SP 5 of the r811(e ~nd loc2tion t nhich time the SF b5 s oula Iire uict fire on these installations Corp8l7 A inici[lly StllOltcG une oattaljor of the llOth Infantry in their diversionary attack Lilr01lpoundh ll1C cavlr~ SCleen

on the divisions north flank afterHarcis revertinr to the uission of renshyforcing the fires of the 10fth F A Company A ~-s sined a riC3s~on of reinforcing the fhe of a raedilun o A battalion and to reconnoiter nci familarize persormel with direct fire --ositions on the rint soutn-lclt nc-th flank of the division to repel hostile counterattacks lith gtlllor ~raining was conducted by B amp C Coapanies with Infantry writs showirl-- them cltpabili ties and limitations of SF Tank Destroyer neapons neconnaissance COj~)~ny made route recormaissance of tne area for use prilnarily by COL1l-any A J1rin~ the period 25 October to 30 October 1944 the firing ccnpanies recormoitered inqirect fire positions toreinforce the 28th Infantry Divisions fLes Units were to operate under the control of the loath F A hlch ras to provice observation and target assignments for the three writs In ampeidition Companies A Band C were to estnblish and L8intain liaison ith Lite 112th 110th and l09th Combat leaJl1S respectively in oreier to koep able~_ 2t of the situation and in order to advise the COllpany Conunanders on po~sible eJ10~1ient of their units as the telrain and tacticcl situ~tion recuir~d IrUtl ciirect lire support of the inf-1ntry via s not contelJlplated nuE to~ile nature of terran Reconnaissance COIIpany reconnoitered ltr-ea 10 est alone the avi~~C froTt rd north chartine )ossiblle routes to over whiah to move trcck-lilJmiddotinpound vehicles and direct fire eun positions to counterattack enc~y armored thrusts On 30 October and 31 October 1944 the battalion oved from an a~sembly position in vicinity of llulartshutte Germany lK 928341) to indirect fire ositions in support of the 2d Divisions light artillery battalions COimy A in support of the 15th F A with one platoon available to the 9th Infcmtry 101 n~ -urcct fire missions they Illly h[lve in their sector COIlpany B in SU)lort of the 37th F A bull dth one platoon available to the 23ru Infsntry nd Coupcmy C in supshyport of the 38th F A llith one platoon available for ciirl)ct rirt~ 1i3SiOlls in the 38th Infantry RegiJnental sector Indirect fire llositions ere occupied and organized by the firing copanies iontact was made lith the infantry regiments concerning use of the platoon raade Lvailable to then on call

e All combat vehicle losses nave been replaced All key p~rsonnel losses replaced Morale excellent Combat efficiency excellent

f During the period 1 October to 5 October 1944 damages ere imlicLcd upon the enemy positions in the Siegfried Line two pillboxes beil1 heVily damaged one of which according to reports received from friendly pnlols

RESTRICTED was filled ldth enemy dead upon their exami~tion Unknown number ot dead caused by direct fire on enemy persoonel was observed throughout this eotor Eighty-eight indirect fire harassing niissions were fired with a total aIIIIIlQshy

middotnition expenditure of 612 rounds During this period roving gWl tactics ~ere employed against enemyoositions firing from positionsmiddot on sevenig Hill into German positions and installations on Kopp or Hill 515 German Barracksmiddot in this area Were destroyed to the extent of making them untenable fOr troops It was found that by indirect firo precision adjustment on pillbox installashytions at distapces up to 5000 to 6000 yards considerable damage was effected by adjustment with HE and switching to TI05 fuze when registration was completshyed and firing for effect commenced 5 October to 25 October 1944 intense preparations resUlted in all personnel being thoroughly familiarized ~th the parts they v~re to take in the attack of the Siegfried Line east of Elsenborn with gunners and gun commanders thoroughly familiar with precise targets to I

be fired on and well rehearsed in the signals indicating lifting fird Trainshying by infantry and tank destroyer units in forming assault temas resulted in complete understandine by each individual of his part in the operation This thorough preparation for the attack resulted in complete confidence of the unit in their ability to perform the tasks assigned to them Harassing fires reinforcine the 28th Division Artillery resulted in the expenditure ot 4215 rounds of amrnunition in 509 harassing missions completedmiddot It was found during this firing that the accuracy of the 3-inch gun aided forward observers and OPts in taking under fire pin-point targets using a minimum of ammunition with excellent effect being secured Artillery forward observers wer~ very enthusi~stic ith the accuracy of the fire delivered by the units in indirect fire ~ositions From the 25th October to 30th October 1944 after rnoving to new positions in vicinity of Llulartshutte Gennany (K 928341) units conducted Lntense reconnaissance to locate indirect fire )ositions Liaison was esshytab~ished with the Regimental Combat Teams by the firine companies in ordermiddot to insure complete understanding between all froces and to make possible an effective Dove fro~ indirect fire positions to direct fire support of infantry unit s requiring such support (ompany-C had conpleted movement into indirect fire positions and position survey was completed prior to relief of attachment to the ~8th Infantry Division and V Corps of this unit On the 30th of October 1944 the battalion moved from the asselIlbly position in vicinity of lulartshutte Germany (Ie 928341) tq indirect fire positions selected in coorshydination witn the 2d Infantry Divisions lieht F A battalion commanders in the st Vith sector Complete organization and oCCupat~on of positions reshysulted in units being prvpared to fire missions given them on 31 October 1944shyCompanies B and C made arrangements with the 23rd anci 38th Infantry t(egimental Combat Team Comrnnnders for the employment of one platoon in each regimental sector to be used as roving gun position Reconnaissance of concealed routes of approach and comprete familiarization of personnel with targets to be fired upon was made on the 31st October 1944 Arrangements for 50 rounds HE ammunition per gun had been made by light field artillery units to be delivered to units upon arrival at gun positions

------_--------_ shy~

~lEST~-~~Li UJ HEADQUARTERS

629nI TANK DESTROYER BATTALION APO 230 US ARMY

AFTER ACTION ruroRT

3 ADMIlUSTRATlVE

Casualty Replacement amp Prisoner Annex 1-31 October 1944

WIA KIA MIA N-BC REPLACEllrENTS PRIsONERS 0 bull 0 w 0 ~l) ELi 0 ~ ar 0 0 Eli 0 t) ampt 0 YO W

1 -None None None 1 0 0 None

n n n2 0 0 0 n 3 n II 2 0 1 II II II II4 1 0 0 bull 5 II 0 0 0 n 6 II II 0 0 1 II 7 II 0 0 0 n 8 If n 0 0 0 n 9 If n II 1 0 0 abull

10 n n n 0 0 0 n 11 n If If 0 1 0 If

n 012 n 0 15 a n II II n13 0 0 0 n n n14 2 0 0 bull

15 bull bull 1 0 1 II n II II16 1 0 0 n

-17 II If If 0 0 0 n n II18 n 1 0 0 0 n

If II 019 3 0 If If II n20 0 1 0 n n 0 0 n21 0

22 If If 0 0 0 n II 1 0 0 If23 n II

If II n 0 n24 0 0 n n n 0 It25 0 0

26 If II n 0 0 0 n

Zl n n 0 0 0 n 28 n n II 0 0 0 It

n If~ 1 0 0 n n middotIt 0 0 030 n n II n31 0 middot0 0

TOTAL None None None I 14 2 18 None

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3 ADyenDiIsTBATlVE (continued)

At the beginning of period covered by report battalion VIas 17 Enlisted Wen and 1 Officer understrength During the rllORth of October 1944 18 Enlisted Men and 20tficer replacements were reshyceived At the close of the period battalion was 7 Enlisted Men understrength due to evacuation ot non-battle casU2lties Reshyquisitions for tank destroyer replacements were filled by 9 taQk destroer Bnllsted Ken assigned trom replacement pool 2 Tank destroyer Enlisted Ken transferred from 28th Infantry Division 7 casual tank destroyer Enlisted Men returning to duty (Members ot this unit previously ~vacuated tilrough nledical charmels ~d subsequently dropped from rolls of battalion)

Commanding Officers during period covered by this report (no changes during period)

Bn Clldr Lt Col Glenn Cole CO Hq Co Capt Francis H Dobbins C o Co A Capt Charles M GrimshnVI C o Co B Capt Edwin H Stewart C o Co C Capt Edward A Ryan C ( Rcn Co Capt Harry L Harris C o ~ed Det Capt Domenico A Savoia

- 7 shyRpoundsrrmn -- P

3 AD1INISTRATIVE (continued)

All supplies with the exception of ordnance su~yp1ies were drawn tOUb~1 the 28th Infantr7 JliYision SUFply Officer I3jor itcls of ordnance equilyeniient were handled through V Corps Ordnance rvo 1-8 vehicles were receiveci on Zl October 1944 from the 526th Ordnance Conpany on allocation frOtl V CoPps On 29 October 1944 eleven (11) motor cycles ore turned in to the 257th Orclna1ce Company Uotorcycles are not used by this organization due to the tactic~ situation and the muddy condition of the roads TO 18-25 and COJlponents ltated 15 llarch 1944 authorize i-ton vehicles instead of lllotorcycles These authorshyized t-ton vehicles have not yet been made available

Three )[-8 vehicles were received from the 526th Ordnance C)j(ipanr- on 30 09tober 1944 on V Corps allocation Tvlaquogt half-tracks (1-2) which YleIe substitutes for lL-8s fonnerly turned in on V Corps order were turned in to ordnance on 30 October 1944

Injectors for the diesel motors on the U-lO have not been available for sane time The lack of new injectors is becoming critical in the maintenance of our U-10Is

All directives issued by higher headquarters in resard to requisitions

for anti-fr~ze solution have been complied withe ~o date no anti-freeze has been received

Ihe gas ~d oil supply and the basic load of ammunition is replenished daily as requirect by the situation

Roada usedmiddot by the organization supply vehicles are generally good except in t natlter when they are somewhat slippery due to being covered with mud

~~cdGLENN OOLE Lt Col Inf (TD) Commanding

IIESTIUCJEIJ -8 -

t bull I to ttbd Pi _ $ rttthht 05 -0shy

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i 1

3 ADyenDiIsTBATlVE (continued)

At the beginning of period covered by report battalion VIas 17 Enlisted Wen and 1 Officer understrength During the rllORth of October 1944 18 Enlisted Men and 20tficer replacements were reshyceived At the close of the period battalion was 7 Enlisted Men understrength due to evacuation ot non-battle casU2lties Reshyquisitions for tank destroyer replacements were filled by 9 taQk destroer Bnllsted Ken assigned trom replacement pool 2 Tank destroyer Enlisted Ken transferred from 28th Infantry Division 7 casual tank destroyer Enlisted Men returning to duty (Members ot this unit previously ~vacuated tilrough nledical charmels ~d subsequently dropped from rolls of battalion)

Commanding Officers during period covered by this report (no changes during period)

Bn Clldr Lt Col Glenn Cole CO Hq Co Capt Francis H Dobbins C o Co A Capt Charles M GrimshnVI C o Co B Capt Edwin H Stewart C o Co C Capt Edward A Ryan C ( Rcn Co Capt Harry L Harris C o ~ed Det Capt Domenico A Savoia

- 7 shyRpoundsrrmn -- P

3 AD1INISTRATIVE (continued)

All supplies with the exception of ordnance su~yp1ies were drawn tOUb~1 the 28th Infantr7 JliYision SUFply Officer I3jor itcls of ordnance equilyeniient were handled through V Corps Ordnance rvo 1-8 vehicles were receiveci on Zl October 1944 from the 526th Ordnance Conpany on allocation frOtl V CoPps On 29 October 1944 eleven (11) motor cycles ore turned in to the 257th Orclna1ce Company Uotorcycles are not used by this organization due to the tactic~ situation and the muddy condition of the roads TO 18-25 and COJlponents ltated 15 llarch 1944 authorize i-ton vehicles instead of lllotorcycles These authorshyized t-ton vehicles have not yet been made available

Three )[-8 vehicles were received from the 526th Ordnance C)j(ipanr- on 30 09tober 1944 on V Corps allocation Tvlaquogt half-tracks (1-2) which YleIe substitutes for lL-8s fonnerly turned in on V Corps order were turned in to ordnance on 30 October 1944

Injectors for the diesel motors on the U-lO have not been available for sane time The lack of new injectors is becoming critical in the maintenance of our U-10Is

All directives issued by higher headquarters in resard to requisitions

for anti-fr~ze solution have been complied withe ~o date no anti-freeze has been received

Ihe gas ~d oil supply and the basic load of ammunition is replenished daily as requirect by the situation

Roada usedmiddot by the organization supply vehicles are generally good except in t natlter when they are somewhat slippery due to being covered with mud

~~cdGLENN OOLE Lt Col Inf (TD) Commanding

IIESTIUCJEIJ -8 -

t bull I to ttbd Pi _ $ rttthht 05 -0shy

3 AD1INISTRATIVE (continued)

All supplies with the exception of ordnance su~yp1ies were drawn tOUb~1 the 28th Infantr7 JliYision SUFply Officer I3jor itcls of ordnance equilyeniient were handled through V Corps Ordnance rvo 1-8 vehicles were receiveci on Zl October 1944 from the 526th Ordnance Conpany on allocation frOtl V CoPps On 29 October 1944 eleven (11) motor cycles ore turned in to the 257th Orclna1ce Company Uotorcycles are not used by this organization due to the tactic~ situation and the muddy condition of the roads TO 18-25 and COJlponents ltated 15 llarch 1944 authorize i-ton vehicles instead of lllotorcycles These authorshyized t-ton vehicles have not yet been made available

Three )[-8 vehicles were received from the 526th Ordnance C)j(ipanr- on 30 09tober 1944 on V Corps allocation Tvlaquogt half-tracks (1-2) which YleIe substitutes for lL-8s fonnerly turned in on V Corps order were turned in to ordnance on 30 October 1944

Injectors for the diesel motors on the U-lO have not been available for sane time The lack of new injectors is becoming critical in the maintenance of our U-10Is

All directives issued by higher headquarters in resard to requisitions

for anti-fr~ze solution have been complied withe ~o date no anti-freeze has been received

Ihe gas ~d oil supply and the basic load of ammunition is replenished daily as requirect by the situation

Roada usedmiddot by the organization supply vehicles are generally good except in t natlter when they are somewhat slippery due to being covered with mud

~~cdGLENN OOLE Lt Col Inf (TD) Commanding

IIESTIUCJEIJ -8 -

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