30th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mech) Timeline

22 February to 24 February 1945

AAR:

"No Change."

Journal:

"Troop still at Lurken. Forty men and one officer at Division. Radio silence still in effect."

T/4 Patrick J. Gibbons was awarded the Bronze Star medal.

 

23 February 1945

Journal:

"At 0800 the Troop went off radio silence."

The Roer River was crossed this day by the 21st Army Group.

 

24 February 1945

AAR:

"Officer and forty enlisted men detailed as security guard for Division Headquarters, returned to organization. Troop moved from Lurken Germany to Lamersdorf Germany."

Lamersdorf is still on the west side of the Roer River, a couple of miles back from river . I'm guessing they needed the space closer to the river for follow-on units.

Journal:

"At 0700 the Commanding Officer goes to Niederzier for the purpose of a quartering Party [sic]. At 1100 the Troop moves to Niederzier and is attached to the 120th Inf Regt."

Niederzier is just across the Roer, about 3-4 miles south of Julich.

 

25 February 1945

AAR:

"Troop given mission at 1100 to move to and outpost town of Niederzier Germany (105550 Julich). Platoons completed move at 1200. beginning at 1800 hourly patrols were run to Frentzerhof (121555 Julich) to contact unit on our right. These dismounted patrols were continued throughout the night."

Journal:

At 1200 the Troop recieved [sic] the mission of out-posting the town of Nierderzier with road blocks and 109553, 112552, 111549, 109547, 108547 and 107543 with listening posts 100 yds in front of the positions. at 1245 this mission was completed. at 1630 Troop recieved [sic] mission of sending hourly patrols between 112552 and 121555 to contact the 4th Cavalry."

 

26 February 1945

AAR:

"At 1000 a mounted patrol was sent to check the woods around the area 110580 to 117576 (Julich) and north to Steinstrauss. Entire area was found clear of the enemy. At 1630 a patrol was sent to contact roadblocks held by friendly forces at 118576 and 112559."

Journal:

"The Troop C.P. remains the same at 102549. At 1200 the hourly patrol to 121555 was discontinued. At 1100 a motorized patrol left Niederzier porceded [sic] to Hamback then northeast to 101583 then ESE to New Hamback at 117575 the [sic] north to Steninstrass. No sign of enemy Infiltration was seen. Laision [sic] Officer arrived and the 1st platoon was given mission of a roadblock by fire at New Hamback. the second platoon was given same mission at Wedenhof. At 1100 the Troop was attached to the 125th Cav. Sqd."

Any idea what "roadblock by fire" means? Are they not necessarily physically impeding traffic flow, but rather are keeping the roadway under fire from a remote location, thus preventing traffic?

 

27 February 1945

AAR:

"3rd Platoon received mission of establishing road-blocks at 117617 and 122617 (Julich). 2nd Platoon established road-block at 111559. 1st Platoon established road-block at 121681. AT 2230 1st Platoon was ordered to move to Oberembi 120628, leave their vehicles and proceed dismounted as security for friendly tanks located at 114647. Platoon remained in that position throughout the night."

Journal:

"The Troop C.P. is at 122607. The 3rd platoon has a roadblock by fire. The 1st section is at 117617, and the 2nd section at 122617. The 2nd platoon has the same mission at 111559 and the 1st platoon is located at 121581. At 2230 the 1st platoon moved from that position to Oberembi 130628 and left vehicles at that point under guard and proceded [sic] dismounted to 133647 as security for tanks. The platoon remained there overnight. At 1630 the Troop moved from Niederzied to Lick. Periodic report sent to Division at 2100."

 

28 February 1945

AAR:

"Troop ordered to move to Niederembt Germany, relieve unit there and outpost the town with strongpoints. Platoons in position at 1700. At 2100 four crews of five men each were sent as security for emplaced [sic] tank-destroyer guns set up along the line 160642 to 167643 (Julich)"

Journal:

"The Troop is still attached to 125th Cav. Squadron. At 1100 the Commanding Officer received the mission thru the 125th Cav. Laision [sic] Officer to place strong points around the town of Niederembt. At 1900 the Troop had set up in the town. Strong points were in position at 158637, 159632, 162644, 166635, 169638, 162639 and 169637. At 2200 twenty men were assigned to the TD's [tank destroyers] for security around the guns on the high ground at 172647."

1Lt Chester H. Prentice was awarded the Silver Star.

 

1 Mar 1945

AAR:

"Troop attached to the 125th Cavalry Squadron. Outposts and strongpoints established on 28 February 1945, around the town of Niederembt Germany, still being maintained. Four crews of 5 men each are providing security for emplaced tank-destroyer guns set up along the line 160642 to 167642 (Julich Map)."
Journal:

"Troop attached to the 125th Cavalry Squadron. The Troop C.P. is located at Niederembt (159635). The Troops [sic] present missions is outposting the town of Niederembt. Roadblocks by fire are in place 158637, 159632, 162633, 166635, 169638, 162639, and 169637. Twenty men are still in position acting as security for TD guns on the high ground at 172647. At 1700 the Laision [sic] Officer arrived with daily report from Division and notified the Commanding Officer that the Troop would be relieved from attachment to the 125th Cavalry Squadron at 1500 on March 2nd and would be attached to the 119th Inf. Periodic Report sent to Division at 2100."

 

2 March 1945

AAR:

"Missions of previous day continued until 1400. At 1400 Troop moved from Niederembt to Bedburg Germany, relieving the 3rd Bn. of the 117th Infantry, whose mission was defense of that area. Troop was attached to the 119th Infantry and in turn, had two platoons of the 801st Tank-destroyers attached to the troop. 1st Platoon established strongpoints around the area of Lipp Germany. 2nd Platoon at main cross-roads in town of Bedburg and 3rd Platoon at Blerichen. At 1900, 2nd Platoon captured one prisoner."

Journal:

"Troop continued on same mission. At 0900 the platoons were notified by runner to be ready to move at 1500. At 1400 the Troop left Niederembt arrived Bedburg (184663 at 1445 and relieved the 3rd Bn. 117th Inf. At 1500 the Troop was attached to the 119th Inf. and in turn two platoons of the 801st Tank-destroyers were attached to the Troop. At 1515 the Troop had set up and is now outposting the own of Bedburg, west of the Erft Canal. Roadblocks were establsihed at 179671, 184667, 185658, 185656."

 

3 March 1945

AAR:

"Troop relieved of missions and attachement [sic] to 119th Infantry and assembled. Awaiting orders for new mission."

PFC Stanley S. Kasprzak was awarded the Bronze Star medal.

 

4 March 1945

AAR:

"Troop moved from Bedburg Germany to Aldenhoven Germany. Troop in Division reserve awaiting orders."

Journal:

"2325 - Report of German paratroopers in 2nd Armored area, also information sabateurs [sic] infiltrating our lines."

 

5 March 1945

AAR:

"No change."

 

6 March 1945

AAR:

"Troop moved to Kirchoven. No missions assigned."

The Journal has gotten a bit detailed than in previous entries, but most of is concerns administrative aspects of the S-3 section.

 

7 March to 13 March 1945

AAR:

"Troop in Division reserve. Fixed training schedule is being carried out."

Journal:

"At 1300 a moving picture on non-fraternization was showen [sic] to the Troop."

 

13 March 1945

"Troop moved from Kirchoven Germany to Alpon [Alpen] Gemany, Sheet A17, 153317 (Wesel Map). 1st Platoon established CP and outposts at 193337, 213390, 200375. 2nd Platoon established CP and Outposts at 200306, 199303, 206309. 3rd Platoon established CP and outposts at 213283, 252306, 202351. Object of outposts was for observing across Rhine River for informational purposes."

The Journal restated the AAR, but with times added.

 

14 March to 24 March 1945

"No change in missions. Observations [sic] posts were maintained and Troop Headquarters acted as a reception station in preparation for the Divisions arrival. Drivers were furnished for transportation for visiting officers between airport and observation posts. Daily reports were sent direct from observation posts to Division G-2 Section. On 18 March 1945, Division Headquarters moved into Troop Headquarters area and Troop Headquarters moved from Alpon Germany to Rhineburg Germany."


I have an audio recording of Capt. James Hume talking to a reporter for the Army Hour on the eve of the Rhine crossing. He answers the reporter's questions but says nothing of real value, no doubt due to the need for security. He sounded very tired, as I suppose he was.

 

24 March 1945

AAR:

"Troop relieved and observation posts were called in. Troop assembled in Rhineburg. Nine M-8 vehicles were sent to traffic control center in Broth to assist handling traffic crossing the Rhine River."

Journal:

"At 0200 troops are to jump off. O.P's [sic] are to remain in position until troops are across and out of sight. At 0300 radio silence was broken."

"0730 Disregard all previous instruction. Pull in all O.P's [sic] and send five radios to traffic control center and Broth."

"Troop assembled in Rheinberg [sic] and nine M-8 were assigned to traffic control center at Broth."

 

25 March 1945

"An observation post was established at 203372 (Wesel Map) for the purpose of over-looking the situation. Prime Minister Churchill, Field Marshal Montgomery, General Eisenhower, Lt. General Bradley, and Lt. General Simpson arrived at observation post. observed military operations and departed at 1400. 1st Platoon was relieved from post and returned to headquarters."

Nothing significant in the Journal.

Mr. Sanford says he remembers this group being escorted by the troop, but he did not see the leaders while they were there.

 

25 March 1945

AAR:

"At 0930 Troop moved from Rhineburg Germany to Hunxe Germany. A37 332388 (Duisburg). Platoons assigned mission of protecting Divisions [sic] left flank. Strongpoints were established at 343393, 350393, 356397, 363400, 368404, and 375410, (Duisburg). At 1700 a 3-man patrol was sent across the canal and river to contact friendly forces on our left. Patrol observed approximately 15 enemy soldiers digging in, in vicinity of 340405; contact was made with friendly forces in Krudenburg. Patrol returned at 1830. At 2200 a mounted patrol patrolled road between Hunxe and point 375410 (Duisburg)."

Journal:

"The troop left Rheinburg [sic] at 1100 and crossed Rhine River and proceded [sic] to the vicinity of Hunxe (332388). Troop arrived at 1345."
...

"At 1700 a patrol was sent to Krudenber (323396) to check with airborne troops as to local situation."

"At 1715 the Commanding Officer notified the platoons by messenger that all roadblocks would send patrols hourly from the roadblocks north to the island bounded by the canal to check for enemy infiltration."

"Bridges leading to town of Krudenburg are out. Engineers tried to cross and drew small arms fire. Enemy digging in on our right front and column on foot withdrawing east."

Friendly units will move across the 2nd and 3rd platoons immediate front to 36 grid line starting at 2000 moving from West to East."

Mr. Sanford stated that his section crossed the river around noon and moved inland a short ways before stopping for further orders. They had exited their vehicles and were standing around in a small groups, talking to each other. Three artillery shells landed around them, one only about 10 feet from Mr. Sanford. The ground was wet from the recent rains and the shells buried themselves deep into the muddy dirt. They but did not explode but left a plume of steam visible from the holes. If the shells had exploded, Mr. Sanford is certain that most of the men in his group would have been killed or severely wounded. They immediately moved to a different location.

 

27 March 1945

AAR:

"At 0800 one section of 3rd Platoon was sent to maintain liaison with the 507th Parachute Bn on our left. At 1100 platoons assembled in vicinity of Hunxe Germany pending new mission. At 1215 platoons moved across the Lippe Canal and relieved 1st Bn. 290th Infantry [75th ID]. relief was completed by 1300 with strongpoints established at 337403, 343405, 347405, 348403 353403, 353406 and 356406 (Duisburg). Strongpoints formed and arc of security defense with last strongpoint (356406 meeting company C on the left flank of the 119th Infantry [30th ID]. Mounted and dismounted patrol was sent beyond strongpoints to 379417 to check that area for possible dug-in enemy. Area reported clear."

Journal:

"At 1100 roadblocks were withdrawn and the Troop relieved the 1st Bn 290th Inf."
"1300 - Company C of the 119th Inf holds line from 358411 to 367413 to 367411. Troop is still tied with their left flank."
"1445 - Airborne units crossed our front at 353415 at 1415, moving East."
"2115 - "507th Regt. C.P. at 345425, line extends from approximately 352440, will reach objective tonight, with is road 400440 to 395422."