Wednesday, March 28 - Frederichs Feld

This day was spent mostly in waiting, although we did move some. In the morning we left the little cluster of houses where we had spent the night. and progressed a mile or two in the general eastern direction where everything was moving. At a point where hundreds of vehicles of all types were collecting, waiting or moving out, we pulled off the road into a field and spent a good part of the day. In the afternoon we moved to a farm area somewhat removed from the main highway. Here we spent the night with Headquarters Platoon established in and amongst the barns and stables on a farm, and the Recon Platoons dispersed in and near some neighboring woods.

During this period of waiting, when none of the men knew what was coming next, the general atmosphere, and the attitude of all, was remarkable. It would have been an excellent picture for many civilians at home to have seen. Some of the men rested, others worked on their vehicles or equipment, while still others played ball or gathered in groups and talked, joked, or sang. With all the confusion of the surrounding area, overrun with vehicles and troops moving up, and the din and noise of artillery fire, and our being in that uncertain position called 'reserve' while CCA and CCR were forward, one could definitely apply that trite and overworked term, 'Morale Excellent'.

Constant reports and rumors came to us as to progress ahead. Apparently all was going well with the other Armies, but the NINTH'S activity was blacked out. It was plain to see that the Germans had left this area hastily and from the shattered condition of most buildings and the torn up terrain, one sensed the terrific concentration of fire power they had received.

On this day we lost two more men. Pfc. Da Ponte received an eye injury from a tree branch and T/15 Bartos became ill from what was thought might be appendicitis. They were taken to a hospita1.

The Division's objective was Hamm and as CCB was in reserve, our duties were to follow CCR and remain ready for any break through or call to action.

Thursday. March 29 - Kirchhellen

We spent the morning at the farm area where we had spent the night, but after an early lunch we were on the move again. The distance traveled was not far and we continued generally east to a position near Kirchhellen where CCR had run into stiff opposition. Everything was torn up and not a building remained undamaged. Along the route approaching this area we passed elaborate fortifications and dug in positions, particularly in the thickly wooded sections. All had been hurriedly evacuated and in many instances not even completed. On every side was destruction showing the intensity of our assault. We spent the night in Kirchhellen, many of the men sleeping in holes in the ground or cellars because so little remained of the buildings. It was cold and there was mist with some rain so any shelter was welcome.

Friday, March 30 - Kirchhellen

We moved again to a new location in the same general area. Part of the Troop found shelter in the battered remains of one large house while the remainder moved into smaller houses about a mile away. We were still waiting, attached to CCB in reserve. This was the noisiest position we had yet been in as we were surrounded by artillery. During the evening several German planes flew over but rapidly left as anti-aircraft fire about us was so active and thick.

Midst all the din and noise of war one could hear the church bells in a nearby village. It was Good Friday.

Pvt. Feld, whom we lost in England, returned to the Troop on this day. On this day part of the Third Platoon was out on route reconnaissance. This patrol included Lt. Collins. Sgts. Oliviero and Schaad. T/5 Carceo. Pfcs. Luttenton and Pappas and Pvt. Parker. A mined road was discovered and reported. The patrol pushed on beyond enemy lines, northwest of Polsum where CCR was needing resistance, and was then called back by Major Burbank. The men then rejoined the Troop near Kirchhellen.

The Eighth Division was meeting the most stubborn opposition offered along the western front at this stage of the great offensive.

Saturday, March 31 - En-route from Kirchhellen

We received orders to move from our location in the NINTH ARMY bridgehead to a new position in the BRITISH SECOND ARMY bridgehead and proceed inland following the Second Armored's drive. We moved out in the afternoon and near Gladbeck saw a perfect illustration of what the Allied air and fire power had done to German Industry. Our route passed half way around what was left of a tremendous chemical plant. It was nothing but a tangled mass of charred and twisted wreckage. It could have been a refinery or a synthetic rubber plant, but it was difficult to tell from what remained. By night we had reached a little town named Hassel and were preparing to spend the night when the order came to move on. We traveled the rest of the night, crossed the Lippe canal, passed through Dorsten and came to a halt on Easter Morning in the town of Selm.

Pfc. Da Ponte returned to the Troop after having his eye injury treated.

Sunday, April 1 - Selm (Easter Sunday)

After spending part of Easter Sunday in this town, the men having had time to wash, shave, and rest a bit, word came that we were again in the Squadron and that we would move out in the afternoon. This we did, traveling East again, and after a rapid and rough all night march we reached Delbruck. En-route Vollmer, Swain and Jordan met with an accident in which their peep hit the wreckage of several knocked out German vehicles and turned over. The column had become separated and the peep was moving rapidly down the super highway attempting to locate the vehicles ahead. It was a dark night and we of course were traveling under blackout. Vollmer and Swain suffered bruises, cuts, and back injuries and were evacuated to a hospital. Jordan escaped injury. We also lost our gasoline trailer, which broke down under its considerable overload. Fortunately Squadron maintenance picked it up, repaired it, and we had it back a few days later. This area through which we had passed was occupied by the 116th Panzar Division, one of Germany's best. The Squadron stopped for a few hours in a little town northwest of Boren. While we were outside of the town, on the autobahn, we received an intelligence report that the 116th Panzar Division was to assemble at Boren that night. This made them our uncomfortably close neighbor.

At Selm, before we left, Pfc. Fipphen returned to the Troop from his recent illness.

Monday, April 2 - Delbruck

After stopping in Delbruck, a town of some size, we were passed by Infantry and many tanks moving on to Paderborn, where there was stiff opposition. Countless prisoners were brought into Delbruck. Troop Headquarters was established and billets obtained in comfortable houses on one of the main streets.

The First Platoon was given a screening mission in the vicinity of Bentfeld, Elsen, Scharmede and Thiile. Several prisoners were taken but apparently they were stragglers.

The Third Platoon was sent on a reconnaissance mission towards Paderborn. The towns of Kirchboke, Ringboke, Heitwinkel and Thiile were cleared without opposition. Along the route at Scharmede they ran up against 25 Germans including a 1st and 2nd Lt. of the 116th Panzar Division a1l of whom were captured and from whom it was learned that 20 enemy tanks and some 300 men were in the vicinity. It was impossible to enter the town of Nehaus, which the Platoon had intended to do, as the town was under Artillery fire and garrisoned by a battalion of SS men, (this latter bit of information was gained later).

The Platoon returned to Delbruck and joined the Troop for the night.

Tuesday, April 3 - Delbruck to Bochenforde

We moved out in the morning under cold, intermittent showers, going generally south, away from Paderborn, towards and through Geseke. There were many stops. Our route then turned west through Stormede. We ran into elements of the FIRST ARMY in this area. We spent the night in Bochenforde where the Troop was billeted in the faded grandeur of an old mansion which had been turned into several inconvenient apartments.

It seemed we were headed back to help in cleaning out and closing in the area around the Ruhr industrial section, a pocket having been formed by the link up of the FIRST and NINTH ARMIES near Paderborn

The First Platoon had moved into Bochenforde ahead of the rest of the Troop. It was occupied by friendly Troops who expected an armored attack. No enemy was sighted although during the afternoon artillery fire fell close by.

The Third Platoon outposted the town at night with the aid of 'F' Company.

Wednesday, April 4 - Menzel

The Troop moved to Menzel on route reconnaissance and met no real resistance. Headquarters arrived in Menzel during the early afternoon.

The First Platoon traveling south passed through many towns and villages, several of which were occupied by troops of the FIRST ARMY. Shortly after noon they approached Drewer from which it had been reported the enemy had been sending patrols. After having moved cautiously to a point of observation, and being satisfied it was safe to proceed. the Platoon was ordered by Lt. O'Heron to move into town. It was deserted of enemy troops which the civilians reported had left the previous day. Outposts were set up and the Platoon remained there that night, feeling a bit jittery in spite of three medium tanks being brought in for support.

The Third Platoon en-route to Menzel cleared the town of Eikeloh and Westereiden and then joined the 18th Tank Battalion which was working south towards Nettelstadt. They rolled through the town and on to Menzel. Here the Troop was billeted for the night. The Third Platoon however, was sent to outpost the woods west of Nettelstadt. Earlier Lt. Collins' section had picked up five prisoners emerging from these woods.

Thursday, April 5 - Menzel to Waldhausen

After leaving Menzel and passing through several towns we began to see the first of what was to become a thing of overwhelming significance. Hundreds of Russian war prisoners had been freed in this area and were literally everywhere. All the races, types, and ages of that vast country were represented. The towns, country roads and fields were overrun with them. One could see the growing problem that in a few days the whole world was to be talking about: that of feeding, clothing and caring for all the war and labor prisoners until they could be repatriated. Already they were looting the hen houses and butchering the sheep, cattle and horses. Groups of them could be seen along the road cutting up and arguing over each piece of a slaughtered animal. Their gratitude at being liberated was moving and inspiring but in many cases pitiful. It must be admitted here that we were not completely guiltless in looting hen houses.

Part of the day Headquarters spent in a little village which was swarming with Russians. The Recon Platoons were out on missions.

There was considerable artillery fire from positions all about us. The Kitchen and Maintenance played a part in the battle when Dittmar and Attanucci found a German soldier in a barn and brought him in.