The First Platoon while out, captured two prisoners at Mellrich who were guarding foreign slave laborers. Later they joined the Troop at Waldhausen only to be ordered out to set up an outpost covering the town of Mulheim which was suspected of containing a company of enemy Infantry and a number of tanks. Sounds of tracks vehicles could be heard during the night, coming from the village, but no attack was attempted. Apparently the Jerries were retreating with their tanks.

It was on this day that the Third Platoon suffered a serious loss in a heated engagement. After having captured 55 Germans and freeing some 300 Russians, they outposted a cross roads northeast of Waldhausen until the 18th Tank Bn. moved in behind. They were sent to reconnoiter to the north and east and after proceeding about a mile were fired on by two tanks and some flak guns. The Platoon was in trouble from then on. The 1st section moved quickly to a group of buildings and some trees on high ground to the east, while the 2nd and 3rd sections were caught in an open stretch of road and exposed to everything the Germans could fire at them with their flak guns, mortars and 88's. Sgt. Oliviero's armored car was hit just to the rear of the driver's compartment on the left side by the last of three rounds, the first of which took a box off of the turret.

Miraculously the car was not blown up but pieces of shrapnel caused the death of T/5 Fishman the driver, and radio operator T/4 Wolfschag. T/5 Rine and Sgt. Oliviero, both in the turret, were unharmed, and dismounting, took more effective and protected positions. During this engagement Sgt. Tipton's armored car driver T/5 Bayliff, became a casualty because of combat exhaustion, and under fire Sgt. Tipton moved his car to a safer position. From the 1st section's position T/4 Powers was able to fire 40 rounds of 37, effectively, on the flak guns and a mortar battery before 88's were directed on his armored car, forcing it to be moved to an alternate position. Mortars were set up by Pfc. Pappas and Pvt. Marable and observed by Sgt. Schaad. Enemy fire was falling all about and the nearby buildings were being blasted by 88's.

In the exposed position where the 2nd and 3rd sections were trapped, and where the armored car had been knocked out, Cpl. Stone's peep was hit by a 40 mm projectile which crippled the vehicle by bursting its crankcase. No one was injured as the vehicle was unoccupied at the moment. Cpl. Stone took the chance of moving his disabled vehicle to safety and was successful.

The Platoon, not being able to knock out the enemy guns, was able to reassemble and withdraw under heavy fire, without further casualties. Protecting cover was given by the 18th Tank Bn. which had pulled into position and was now engaging the enemy. As a result of the battle one enemy tank was knocked out, another crippled, some mortars put out of action, two flak guns taken out, and a number of Germans killed.

Sgt. Oliviero, Sgt. Tipton, T/4 Powers, T/5 Rine, T/5 Grever and T/5 Carceo were recommended for meritorious awards by Lt. Collins for their actions during the engagement which resulted in the regrettable loss of T/4 Wolfschlag and T/5 Fishman. The evacuation of T/5 Bayliff, after his having been taken with battle fatigue, was made possible through the efforts of T/5 Cooperman and T/5 Beam, who under fire, moved him to a vehicle and drove him to safety. For this they were recommended for awards and received Bronze Stars some time after those presented to the previously listed men.

At the end of this difficult day the Troop assembled in Waldhausen and spent the night.

Friday, April 6 - Waldhausen

Having spent the night in this little town, Headquarters moved out to a farm area a mile or so away and waited for the balance of the day. It was here a peculiarly knotty international problem came up. The family on one farm tearfully begged the Americans to protect them from some Russians who were looting their hen house and stables. The Germans received little cooperation and the reasons were explained in no uncertain terms.

The three Recon Platoons were out reconnoitering routes and outposting Mulheim, Westondorf and Beulling. Stiff resistance was being encountered near us.

The 1st Platoon in extending their reconnaissance operations farther west were forced to withdraw when 150 Germans who were alleged to have asked to surrender, resisted fiercely the approach of our Infantry and Tanks.

The 3rd Platoon moved out towards Mulheim and took a position on high ground overlooking this town and nearby Sichtigvor. Much enemy activity was observed. An English speaking German prisoner who was with us at the time, having been captured in this area, informed Lt. Collins that the remainder of his Company was in Sichtigvor. Lt. Collins asked for volunteers to accompany him into the town. Sgt. Oliviero, T/4 Powers, Pvt. Parker and Lt. Halfich of the attached Assault Guns, plus our German prisoner, joined him and the little group moved south to the Mohne River, crossed on an improvised plank bridge and entered the town. Twenty-five fully armed Germans some distance away, began advancing towards them. The patrol took a position in a nearby brick house. Our German prisoner was then sent to tell the commanding officer of the oncoming Germans that Lt. Collins wished to speak to him. After some time he came forward and was asked to surrender. He refused both as a soldier and because he saw no reason for a Company to surrender to five Americans. Even after convincing talk of our strength in the vicinity, and the Germans' increasing losses and weakening, he held out. After some quick thinking Lt. Collins convinced him the mission was peaceful and that he should accompany our men back across the river to our lines and then return safely to his men. Our German prisoner was then sent to the enemy Company informing them that their officer had surrendered, that they should discard their arms and also cross to the American lines. This clever ruse was successful and they complied, much to the astonishment of their officer. After they were taken prisoners, the German Officer was allowed to return to his lines.

At the end of the day the Troop was back in Waldhausen where we spent the night. The weather was cold and rainy and we were eating C and K rations. There was no water or light in this area as power came from Dortmund which we were told was 'kaput'.

Saturday, April 7 - Waldhausen to Bergede

We arose to the welcome change of bright sunshine and moved to a little town north of Echtrop named Bergede. Here Headquarters was established on a neat little street whose main building was what the English would call the village pub. Some of the men were billeted here and the rest in neighboring houses. By evening the 'nickelodeon' was going full blast and the wine cellar had been somewhat liberated. Nearby was a prison barracks for French laborers. Investigation showed they had been well cared for as compared to Russian, Polish, English and American prisoners.

On this day the 2nd and 3rd Platoons outposted main roads south to the towns of Belecke and Bergleim. These outposts were north of the Belecke Waldo, a thick woods which was being cleared by the 17th Airborne driving from east to west. Our men were to keep the flank of the Division protected and take all the Germans forced out of the woods by the Airborne. This was done by the Platoon's operating in sections, taking areas of equal size to cover.

Sunday, April 8 - Volbringen

On this day the Troop suffered its most severe loss since being in combat. We had moved to a town named Volbringen which was in a particularly hot area. The enemy was camped in the town beyond, limiting our reconnaissance operations, and tanks were reported ahead. Two sections of the 2nd Platoon under Lt. Smith had been screening neighboring towns and villages, taking prisoners and collecting and destroying enemy equipment of military value. In Berlingsen they were assembled in and near a typical courtyard, carrying on this procedure. Opening on the courtyard was a small building which contained, among other things, eight German mines. These had been brought there earlier in the day when weapons and ammunition were being collected. Two of our peeps and one armored car were parked near the building. A number of our men were in and about these vehicles which were being loaded with the confiscated items. Others were more removed, from the center of the courtyard on through the entrance. Lt. Smith and T/5 Gutziet were interrogating three German prisoners in the courtyard.

Apparently one of the Russians or Poles who were about and wanting to help, attempted to move the mines. They were set off and the terrific explosion and fire that followed resulted in the death and injury of 30 or more of those in the immediate vicinity, including civilians, prisoners and our men. Our losses were as follows: Killed: Fipphen, Boyer, P. L. Smith, Stotts and Nelson. Seriously injured requiring evacuation to a hospital: Taymon, Tally, Feld, Katz and Swinson. Injured but able to carryon in the most difficult task of administering aid and treatment: Lt. Smith, Gutgiet, Hanks, Schmiedeler and Pilcher. The fire destroyed everything near the explosion, and it, with the continued bursting of various types of ammunition, made some of the rescue work impossible. Diltz, also injured, remained near the armored car which was somewhat removed, to operate the radio, and called the medics and ambulances while guarding the three German prisoners who had also been wounded. Pilcher shot holes in the gas cans on the burning peeps to prevent their exploding. Schmiedeler and Pilcher drove through the area of exploding ammunition to meet and guide the ambulances to the injured and dying. Because of the cool-headed and heroic actions of the rest of the men taking part in moving and caring for the injured, Lt. Smith recommended all for meritorious awards. The two peeps were complete losses but only the stowage on the armored car was destroyed as Sgt. Schmiedeler drove it away from the fire.

Troop Headquarters remained in Volbringen for the night. Each man was shocked and saddened by the day's tragedy. The remainder of the 2nd Platoon and part of the 3rd Platoon were ordered back to guard Division Trains and get a little rest. This rest never materialized as shortly after, the order came to rejoin the Troop at Werl.

The Troop was ordered to Werl at 0330 in the morning, to move through CCB at 0330 and lead the attack on Unna, beyond Werl. We arose at the early hour of 0400 and started out shortly afterwards. We traveled north and west to Werl and part of the Troop spent most of the morning along the main street leading into town. The city was badly damaged and the streets were filled with liberated Russians and Poles, who were laden down with food and clothing they had looted from the stores and shops.

On this day we were working with CCB, and the 1st Platoon, with a platoon of light tanks attached, was given the mission of taking the town of Haltum, in order to secure the right flank of CCB's main drive. The town was taken by midmorning against no opposition. The Troop moved in to the town a little later and here we had lunch.

In the afternoon the 1st Platoon moved out to act as radio liaison for CCB. Lt. O'Heron's section and Sgt. Ackerman's section were to operate with the 137th Infantry and Sgt. Heely's section remained with CCB Headquarters.

The Troop was ordered back to Gerlingen for a much needed, so-called rest, and moved out from Haltum during the latter part of the afternoon.