HEADQUARTERS - 18TH TANK BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY
SUBJECT: Summary of Operations 24th to 28th Jan 45
TO: Commanding General, Combat Command 'A'
Assault Gun Platoon
Tuesday, 23 of Jan 1945 at 2000 the Assault Gun Platoon moved up to Wies, arriving at 0500 hours, Wednesday the 24th. Platoon was shelled in the center of Wies, where they took up positions until committed at 0830 hours on the 24th of Jan. The mission of the Platoon was to support the 94th Inf in its attack on the chateau at Wies. It took up positions on the south side of Wies and fired approximately 180 rounds on the chateau. To avoid counter-fire, the platoon maneuvered continuously all day. At one stage, the platoon shifted fire to aid the advance of the infantry to the north side of Berg across the highway to the chateau proper. At 1700, the platoon ceased fire and withdrew to the center of Wies, where it took up position to defend the north side of Wies for the night. Thursday the 25th, the platoon was not committed; the 94th Inf carrying out the attack on Berg. The platoon remained in Wies. Friday, 26th of Jan 45, at 0500 hours, the platoon moved to join 'A' Company to support its movement to the high ground to the north and east of Nennig. The platoon fired approximately 40 rounds and withdrew at 1600 hours. When relieved by 'B' Company, the platoon marched to Bierck and remained there Friday night. Saturday at 1300, the platoon was committed to reserve with about 1800 rounds Cal .30 and withdrew at 1800, to take up position north and east of Nennig until Sunday the 28thm 0100. The platoon then marched to Kerling and arrived there at 0200, 28th of Jan 45.
SUMMARY: (24 of Jan 45)
Losses: Vehicles:
Personnel:
No casualties
Effects on the enemy:
2 tanks knocked out
60 Infantry killed or wounded.
AAR index
Battalion Medical Detachment
HEADQUARTERS 18TH TANK BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY
SUBJECT: Summary of Operations 26th to 28th Jan 45
TO: Commanding General, Combat Command 'A'
Battalion Medical Detachment
The Medical Detachment left Petite-Hettange with Co 'A' at 0500 Jan 25, stopped at Bierch until 0730 when called into Nennig by the Battalion S-3 to saaist the Medical Detachment of the 7th Armored Infantry Battalion. Our two ambulances were immediately turned over to them for the evacuation of casualties. The Battalion Aid Station was opened at 0815. The first casualty treated was Capt (Paul R.) Halderson, Co Commander of Co 'C' 18th Tank Bn. Reports came in that a number of men had become casualties about 250 yards from the Aid Station due to heavy enemy mortar fire. Lt. (Nathan M.) Jaret, MC, Cpl (Elbert P.) Ackley, Pfc's (John C.) Hicks and (Elmer W.) Smith went forward and succeeded in bringing them in. Casualties kept coming in carried by our peeps but they were all infantrymen as the peeps were not permitted beyond the infantry forward lines. The second day brought an increase in casualties as our location became better known, but as before, practically all our casualties were infantrymen of the 7th Armored Infantry Battalion and the 94th Infantry Division. At 0830 27 Jan 45 we were promised the use of a half track which arrived and began evacuating casualties at 1030. The Battalion Commander visited the Aid Station at 2130 27 Jan 45 instructing us to close down when convenient as the Battalion was pulling out, but we had received information that there were a large number of casualties at Sinz and therefore prepared to evacuate them. Lt.(Raymond) St. Germain, MAC, took the half track to Sinz and personally went from house to house searching for casualties despite the presence of enemy troops. Two trips were made and 25 men were evacuated including Sgt (George) Dunn of the 18th Tank Bn. Treatment and evacuation to the rear was completed by 0550 28 Jan 45. The Battalion Aid Station was closed at 0700 28 Jan 45 and the Detachment returned to Metrich.
The total casualties treated was 151 and the units affected were the 18th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Infantry Battalion and regiments of the 94th Division.
The enlisted personnel of the Detachment, including the attached ambulance crew of the 78th Medical Battalion, were efficient in the treatment of casualties, persistent and courageous in their attempts of the evacuation of casualties, and despite being under fire for the first time, performed a job well done with Sgt (Charles) Hiller, Cpl (Jack E.) Hitz, Cpl (Elbert P.) Ackley and Pfc (Earl R.) Novak doing especially fine work.
SUMMARY:
Losses: Personnel
1 wounded, returned to full duty.
Personnel processed:
151 casualties
AAR index
Battalion Mortar Platoon
HEADQUARTERS 18TH TANK BATTALION
APO 258, U. S. ARMY
SUBJECT: Summary of Operations 26th to 28th Jan 45
TO: Commanding General, Combat Command 'A'
Battalion Mortar Platoon
The platoon was committed to reserve with 'A' Company on the 25th of Jan 45 at Sierck. Friday at 0600 the platoon moved to the vicinity of Nennig with Company 'A'. At 1000. The platoon attempted to take up position in a draw east of the chateau in Wies, but after dismounted reconnaissance at 1100, it was found impossible to go into position because of small arms, mortar and artillery fire. At 1800 the platoon returned to Nennig and was then ordered to the vicinity of the Bn CP in Besch.
SUMMARY: No casualties
No action against enemy
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