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125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (September 1944) Help

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by HistoryMax, Dec 16, 2022.

  1. HistoryMax

    HistoryMax New Member

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    Hello everyone,

    Does anyone have the daily reports of the 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron on September 3 and 4, 1944?

    According to my research, this unit liberated my village (Ramegnies-Chin) on September 3, 1944 in Belgium and posted armed vehicles there one evening.

    Thank you in advance,
     
    HistoryMax, Dec 16, 2022
    #1
  2. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I don't have anything on the 125th for the days you requested. I research the 30th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop/30thID and they crossed paths with the 125th from time to time.

    I suspect what you are looking for are the After Action Reports, which would give somewhat of a day by day history of the unit.

    Research the 113th Cavalry Group. The 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (CRS) was one unit attached to the group, along the the 113th CRS. A group was roughly analogous to a regiment, while a squadron was roughly battalion sized.

    Also, you can research the 30th Infantry Division (ID) and XIX Corps. The 125th CRS was attached and/or close by these formations in the drive across France and Belgium.

    See this link: Cavalry Histories

    See also this: https://www.archive.teanecklibrary.org/WWII/Donlan/113 cavalry.pdf

    On an aside, the 30th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (M) of the 30th ID was expecting to link up with the 125th CRS outside Gaurain-Ramecroix the night of 2 September, but they were held up. The HQ platoon of the 30th CRT established a roadblock at the the intersection of The Grand Way and Rue d'Antoing and was waiting on the 125th to come from toward Tournai. Around 11:30pm, HQ/30 CRT heard vehicles to the west, headed in their direction and assumed the vehicles were the from the 125th CRS.
    They weren't.
    Apparently it was Germans and in the ensuing close quarters dogfight, the HQ platoon was shot up badly, losing 3 killed and 6 wounded, including the commanding officer and several vehicles.
     
    Slipdigit, Dec 29, 2022
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  3. JC Holman

    JC Holman New Member

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    Hi History Max,

    I just found the Daily Reports for the 125th at the National Archives in College Park, MD. My wife's grandfather, who passed away many years before I met her, was PFC William G Joseph of Troop A. I'm pretty sure he was a replacement and was not in your town when it was liberated but here is what I have for you for the 3rd and 4th of September:

    3 Sep 44:
    (CP, one (1) mile SW of Tournai, 950377). The Troops entered Tournai early in the morning without resistance until the N edge of the city where small arms fire was encountered. The enemy had pulled out during the night under out fire which knocked out several guns and horse drawn trains. The Belgians were butchering the horses when the column was moving through the city. Our Reconn elements advanced N and seized the high ground N of Tournai. Reconnaissance was carried out approximately six (6) miles to the front in the Sq sector. Contact with the British was made on the right while they were moving toward Brussels.

    4 Sep 44:
    (Same location, 946378). The Squadron was relieved from duty with 30th Inf Div and moved to new location SE of Tournai (995245). Received new mission at 2200.

    I hope this helps you.

    All the best,
    John
     
    JC Holman, Jul 3, 2024 at 10:59 AM
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