It was here Lt. Ryan was hit. In attempting to get forward, his armored car had bogged down next to a burning tank. They were pinned down by machine gun fire. Lt. Ryan was hit and killed almost instantly. Pfc. Kowalczyk was struck in the arm by a ricochet, and after this, loaded and fired his 37mm three or four times by himself, into the machine gun nest. Cpl. Healy, under fire, dismounted from his car, hooked a cable to Lt. Ryan's car, and pulled it loose, returning the vehicle to the assembly area where Lt. Ryan was placed in an ambulance. As the Platoon was attempting to reorganize it was found that Pfc. Denend and Pvt. Marino were missing. They both had been shot in the leg. Cpl. Healy went back and got them out.

Later in the evening with some help from the second Platoon and a tank from the 49th, the First Platoon captured a number of prisoners. The First Platoon pulled back to reorganize and the Third Platoon was left as flank guard.

It seems fitting to mention here again the high esteem in which Lt. Ryan was held by all his men from the moment they first saw combat in Posterholt. This added much to the sadness and regret felt by the whole Troop at his death during the struggle near Rhineburg.

Similarly the Troop felt the loss of Cpl. McConnell who was admired and respected by each man.

During this battle engagement near Rhineburg, part of Headquarters Platoon was also actively involved. The Platoon armored cars were close on the heels of the first Platoon. The lead car in which were Pvts. Stasheski, Bubalo, Brennan and Stott, had a narrow escape when a German soldier threw a potato masher which exploded under the rear of the vehicle, forcing the car into the ditch along side of the road. After this the Germans opened up with small arms and machine gun fire all along the column. When the order came to withdraw, a second armored car of Headquarters Platoon, whose crew consisted of T/5's Pohlman, Frey and Gore and Pfc. Warner, moved into an exposed position, and set up a base of fire which facilitated the withdrawal of Stott's car, the rest of Headquarters Platoon in this action, and all of the First Platoon. Both Headquarters' armored cars had been successful in bringing effective fire upon the enemy in this engagement.

After this day, the toughest the Troop ever had, everyone was exhausted, dirty, and sadly and realistically sobered. Supply, which was back in Lintfort, brought up ammunition, gasoline and rations to the area where the Troop was assembled. It was a grim and chilly night that followed. The vehicles were dispersed and arranged in a muddy field within a circle of tanks for protection and fire power. The guns on all vehicles were manned and the men got what little sleep they could in or near their vehicles.

The next day, the 6th, was comparatively quiet and the rest of the Troop moved up to the point on the road to Rhineburg to which the Third Platoon had advanced. The kitchen moved up and fed the men a hot breakfast considerably added to by dozens of confiscated German eggs. By night the Troop was settled in and about several farm buildings and getting some much needed rest.

Supply had moved over near CCB's S-4 in Lintfort to become familiar with sources of Supply and to be replenished. The next day, the 7th, while the balance of the Troop still rested, Supply spent the day collecting ammunition, gasoline, C and K rations (ours having been exhausted) and then moved out of town to join the Troop on the road to Rhineburg. Supply lines had already grown long and it was necessary to go back into Holland to get gasoline.

By nightfall the Troop was again together for the first time in several days. What was to come next none of us knew. There were many rumors as to what had happened ahead of us, along the Rhine and what our next role was to be. Grim tales came back from the front as vehicles returning were halted temporarily where we rested. Tanks of the 36th had suffered severe casualties as had the 49th Infantry. There was considerable artillery fire directed ahead of us, particularly at night. The day of the 8th was spent in the same location and opportunity was given for Supply to replace many articles of clothing and equipment lost or destroyed in combat. Also by a stroke of good luck and quick thinking, Cpl. Tipton was able to more than replenish our stock of C and K rations. At the end of the day we were still waiting for the next move.

Going back to the early morning, following the day and evening we suffered our first casualties, Capt. Stone received information we were attached as reconnaissance for Task Force Murray of the 35th Infantry Division. The Troop was to reconnoiter two routes from Rhineburg, northwest and then northeast to Wessel, for crossing the Rhine. Starting of the mission was held up because of a cratered bridge. Infantry had crossed the bridge and were engaged in a fight 400 yards the other side. A tank and infantry battle was raging all along the way from Rhineburg. This lasted five days, during which time we were held in the assembly area along the highway to Rhineburg, a mile or so south of the town. We remained here through March 10, receiving occasional shots and periodic artillery fire. On Sunday the 11th we moved out, but in quite a different direction from that expected. We had been relieved at midnight the 10th, by the 75th Infantry.

Sunday, March 11

None of us knew exactly what the story was when we moved out this Sunday morning. We were told we were relieved and that we were going, 'Back'. We retraced some of our recent route, used when advancing, went through Aldekerk and then back toward the border of Holland. Twice during the afternoon we were in Holland, in Venlo, a city of some size and charm. The people were delightful and apparently most happy at being recently rid of the Germans. The streets were full of old and young and most everyone .was patriotically wearing orange, either a ribbon or some part of their clothing. This section was full of troops, both English and American, and there seemed little or no room for us. Many of the houses and other buildings were badly damaged. This seemed to have little effect on the gaiety of the people as they smiled, waved and shouted at us. It was a refreshing change after Germany. We did not stay in Holland however, and later in the day came to a halt in a German town called Grefrath. We stopped in a neat narrow street, lined with simple but attractive brick houses, and had a much needed supper. Civilians were moved out of many of the houses so the Troop had ample quarters in which to spread and stretch out. It looked as if we were going to have a chance to rest, reorganize and get cleaned up.

Monday, March 12 - Grefrath

This day was spent uneventfully, most of the men taking advantage of some time for washing clothes or getting them washed, and bathing and shaving. By evening a remarkably respectable looking group of soldiers appeared for supper. Time also was taken for cleaning vehicles, guns and equipment. In the evening the men enjoyed a movie for the first time in many weeks.

Tuesday, March 13

This day was much like the day before. More time was given for the cleaning and maintenance of vehicles and equipment. Col. Harrington visited and inspected our area and was complimentary in finding all in order. We also had a medical inspection.

During the day six replacements arrived for the men we lost during combat in the Lintfort-Rhineburg area. The first letter of one's last name seems to bear much weight in the fate and destination of one's life in the Army as five of these men apparently came to "B" Troop through alphabetical sequence, their names being Bragg, then Del Turco, De Pinto, De Nardo, Doran and Eldridge, the last five having been in the Army only five months.

Pfc. Denend was released from the hospital on this day and returned to the Troop. Everyone was glad to see him back and learn that he had not been seriously wounded. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Wednesday, March 14

Another day for continued maintenance and reorganization. So far little or no time had been given for any rest or relaxation which the men had hoped they might get. It seemed that this interlude might be mainly for the purpose of reorganizing and replacement. During the day the duffle and barracks bags and boxes of excess equipment stored back in France, arrived, and opportunity was given the men to resort and assemble the necessary clothing and equipment for the next move. In the afternoon both Protestant and Catholic services were held near our area. After supper, at 2015 all our vehicles with car commanders and drivers took their place in a convoy which made a march for the purpose of crossing a pontoon treadway bridge in blackout. It was a clear but dark night and after traveling a few miles with lights on the first few minutes under complete blackout were very difficult. Shortly however, as we became accustomed to the darkness. enough could be seen so that crossing the long bridge was made without any trouble. MP's along the route and luminous markers helped not only in crossing the bridge itself but also in negotiating the rough, uneven and winding approaches. After hitting hard road where we again were allowed lights, through some mixup the MP's directed us on the route back to Grefrath before our turn, so we fortunately arrived in our area at the comparatively early hour of 2230. In no time the vehicles were put away for the night, the lights out and the Troop was in bed.

Thursday, March 15

The men listed below were promoted as follows:
1st Sgt. Smith T/4 Pohlman
Sgt. Healy T/5 Rine
Cpl. Buschman T/5 Layton
Cpl. Denend T/5 Perillo
Pfc.'s Allmon, Bell, Boyce, Brennan, Da Ponte, Griswold, Guglielmi, Koopman, Miller, Nietz, Pappas, Pershing, Stasheski, Stodgehill, Turner, Van Amber and Wright.

The day was uneventful. We were told that on Friday a training schedule would begin and that working hours would be from 0800 to 1200 and 1300 to 1700. Maintenance continued to be busy repairing vehicles. All of them had taken considerable punishment, but we were fortunate in not having lost any in combat.

Friday, March 16

Here we were back to an early hour for arising, seven o'clock breakfast, and training and classes beginning at eight. Many of the Troop went to mine school in the morning. During the afternoon it was made possible for a lucky few to go to a town in Holland and hear Lily Pons sing. Those who appreciated serious music thought her marvelous.

Another one of our casualties, Pvt. Bubalo, returned from the hospital. He came back with the Purple Heart. During the evening there was a welcome indication of possible spring. The men were ordered to turn in their shoe-pacs. Perhaps the occasional yellow or purple crocus seen in some gardens and yards and the little white flowers like our snow-drops, really were telling the truth.