The 1st Platoon was screening an area northeast of Hedersleben which included eight towns. Sgt. Ackerman's section located a small ammunition dump which was reported, and destroyed the next day by the Engineers. In the 3rd Platoon area a Pole informed them that in a barn not far away a number of German soldiers were hidden. Cpls. Eberly and Stone, T/5's Beam and Cooperman, Pfcs. Young and' Boyce and Pvt. DiNardo set out to investigate and found the barn apparently unoccupied. T/5 Cooperman had a hunch and let go with a pistol into the ceiling. Immediately from above came a series of 'komerads' and nine SS men came out with their hands held high. They had hidden in a small cubicle in the loft which had been overlooked when the building was checked.

While we were operating in this area with our CP in Hedersieben, CCB had moved into and taken Blankenburg on April 20th, and had captured more than 1500 prisoners.

Saturday, April 21 - Blankenburg - Osterwiek

We left Hedersleben in the early morning and moved to Blankenburg in the Harz Mountains, from which the Germans had finally withdrawn after stubborn resistance. Many sections of the town had been demolished and fires were still burning in these areas. Our Troop climbed up winding, steep streets to one of the highest parts of the city and moved into several comfortable houses which showed indications of having recently been occupied by German troops. Scattered about the grounds of the largest house were many pieces of German equipment, including several vehicles. The best of these, discovered by Stott, was a new 1 1/2 ton Ford truck which completely filled Supply's long felt need for a vehicle lighter and more practical than a half-track, to be used in hauling rations, gasoline, water and various equipment. We, therefore, took it with us and put it to work at once.

During the afternoon we were informed we would leave CCB and again rejoin Squadron. CCB's latest operation was finished and Task Force Stone's mission was completed. We moved out late in the afternoon to a little town named Luttgenrode, near Osterweik, where Squadron was located.

Sunday, April 22 - Gieboldehausen

We arose at the early hour of 0445 but did not move out until 0700. We were again with Squadron and we traveled southwest for about 40 miles to a little town named Gieboldehausen. Our mission here was to occupy and govern the town and an area about it. We settled on and near a street along the railroad, somewhat removed from the center of town. The Platoons moved into a number of fairly comfortable little houses and Supply and the Kitchen established quarters in the railroad station which adapted itself perfectly for their purposes.

Monday, April 23 - Gieboldehausen

In addition to occupying and governing this town we were also given missions which consisted of screening nearby woods and fields, searching and investigating adjacent towns settlements, and generally keeping our eyes open and ears open for any dangerous or suspicious civilians or members of the German armed forces. Fitted into this, time was made for cleaning and maintenance of vehicles, equipment, etc. and Supply was given an opportunity to take inventory of much it was carrying, distribute some needed items to the men, and find out what clothing and equipment was needed to replace that worn out and lost in combat.

T/5 Sjaarda was made Platoon Sgt. of Headquarters Platoon.

Tuesday, April 24 - Gieboldehausen

Shortly after our arrival, two Polish labor prisoners attached themselves to the Kitchen as permanent KP's and Supply acquired two young Russian labor prisoners who willingly helped in every way. These expressions of appreciation from our allies were encouraging even though we understood their need for every bit of help and hand out we could give them.

Wednesday, April 25 - Gieboldehausen

Capt. Stone spoke to the Troop this morning, explaining our mission of occupying and governing the village and surrounding area, and complimenting and congratulating the men on their actions in combat thus far. He announced the good news that soon passes and furloughs would begin.

On this day the following men were notified of promotions by Special Orders dated April 23. 1945.
To be Staff SergeantTo be Corporal
Sgt. Jack J. AckermanPfc. Reed H. Hanks
Sgt. Albert M. OlivieroPfc. Hathaway Turner
Pvt. Gene Wilkerson

To be SergeantTo be Technician Fifth Grade
Cpl. Henry J. BuschmanPfc. Jack J. Cooperman
T/5 Gerald J. SjaardaPfc. Joseph J. DaPonte
Pfc. Charles R. VanAmber

To be Technician Fourth Grade
Pfc. Donald A. Pilcher
Pvt. Alan B. Stott
T/5 WilJiam E. Grever
Pvt. Stanley A. Stasheski

Thursday, April 26 - Gieboldehausen

This day, as many others in Gieboldehausen, passed without unusual incident. During our stay here Maintenance was continuously busy working on our vehicles which had gone through so much strain during combat. They were working under difficulties as no suitable spot could be found in or near our area for them to set up a shop, and the weather was mostly cold and rainy. Our liberated Ford truck was painted OD and marked properly. It entered a busy life of usefulness, being constantly on the go for all kinds of errands. The bus was overhauled and put in good condition. In the evening there was a USO show in Northeim, a city not far away from our village. Our bus and new truck took some men in, and all who went pronounced it a rare treat. Thus far we had had little or no entertainment, being up front and constantly on the move.

Friday, April 27 - Gieboldehausen

Another day spent more or less in regular routine. During our stay here, every day many civilians were coming to our CP with countless problems. This kept Capt. Stone continuously occupied in addition to his regular responsibilities, and increased the duties of our two best German linguists, T/5 Gore and T/5 Gutziet. Our governing this area seemed to embrace all the civilians personal problems as well as military control and maintaining law and order.

Saturday, April 28 - Gieboldehausen

The day the world had awaited, ever since Germany was entered by Allied troops, had arrived. The Americans moving from the west had joined the Russians moving from the east. At last the beginning of the end, in Germany itself, seemed near at hand.

The Troop was called out on a special mission. One hundred and fifty Germans were reported in thick woods near us. All three Recon Platoons as well as most of Headquarters were used on this mission and they operated as dismounted troops. Usually an Infantry Bn. would be used for a job such as this. No enemy soldiers or equipment of any importance were discovered.

The Troop was called out on a special mission. One hundred and fifty Germans were reported in thick woods near us. All three Recon Platoons as well as most of Headquarters were used on this mission and they operated as dismounted troops. Usually an Infantry Bn. would be used for a job such as this. No enemy soldiers or equipment of any importance were discovered.

Pvt. Peruzzi was evacuated to a hospital because of an accident resulting in his being shot in the hand.

Sunday, April 29 - Gieboldehausen

Although Sunday, the day was much as any other, the Troop was again called out to investigate the same woods as the day before. Still no Germans were found, so in the middle of the afternoon our men returned.

Monday, April 30 - Gieboldehausen

The month was finished with a day of no unusual activity in the Troop, but there was certain suspense in the air as the end of the war in Germany seemed close at hand. It seemed our actual part had been completed about a week before.

Friday, May 1- Gieboldehausen

On this day came the unconfirmed newscast telling of Hitler's death and Admiral Doenitz succeeding him. This news, lacking authority, left everyone strangely unaffected. Our immediate concern seemed to be an order which had just come down from Squadron, saying the men would carry only American weapons. During our weeks in combat most every man had picked up in one way or another some kind of side arm, usually of foreign make. As a result there had been several accidental discharges of weapons with which the men were not familiar, and in a few instances, some injuries. This order was received with considerable grumbling and ill feeling because the carelessness or ignorance of a few made everyone unable to use or carry weapons, many of which had been obtained at considerable risk or expense.

Pfc. Vollmer returned to the Troop, having recovered from the serious accident in which his peep was involved, on our way to Delbruck.

Wednesday, May 2- Gieboldehausen

In the comparative quiet of our present location each man anxiously awaited news from the various fronts where the war was still active. On this day the radio informed us of three momentous events:
1. All German Forces in Italy Surrendered. This action involved over one million men.
2. Berlin fell.
3. Hitler and Goebbels were reported as suicides.

The dates given in this Diary, pertaining to the rapidly mounting events attending the closing days of the war, are the dates on which the news reached us, which in some cases are not the dates of the actual occurrences.

During this period the first men to get furloughs and passes were away. Pfc. Koopman was on the Riviera enjoying a furlough, and Lt. Smith, Pfc. Luttenton and T/5 Paulson were in Paris on pass.

Thursday, May 3 - Gieboldehausen

With the allied path from east to west all across Germany rapidly widening, evacuation of war and labor prisoners had already begun. From our area alone over 200 Russians, mostly women, were taken to Northeim on this day to board trains for home. Three of our half-tracks. our kitchen truck, our recently acquired bus and the new German Ford truck all took part in moving these homeward bound people to Northeim. The Ford was also used on several other days for this work in nearby areas.

Friday, May 4 - Gieboldehausen

By 2300 news was received that practically all German held territory had surrendered, the latest news telling of Holland and Denmark's final liberation.

Saturday, May 5 - Gieboldehausen

This day was much as the past few. News was still coming to us by radio, telling of the Allies' increasing successes and the Germans giving up and leaving their last few strongholds.