support of CC "R". Both Task Force Hogan and Task Force Richardson attacked east through Altcnkirchen and by 1000 hours the second objective had been secured. Both task forces of CC "B" followed CC "A" closely and for the night the task forces were coiled ready to send reconnaissance in force through Task Force Doan east to Marburg. At 2100 hours the battalion received word to contact CC "B " and that the battalion would revert to direct support of CC "B ". Captain Carney reported to Task Force Welborn as liaison officer with Second Lieutenant Arnold and First Lieutenant Plummer as forward observers. The 83rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion was to reinforce the fires of this battalion during the coming operation.
Batteries B and C displaced forward to support the attack of CC "R" at 0100 hours, and closed in position zoo yards northeast of Rettersen. Light harassing fire was received in the positions southeast of Kircheib at 0730 hours before the remainder of the battalion displaced forward. There were no casualties resulting from this fire. At 0830 hours Battery A and Headquarters Battery displaced forward and joined the battalion northeast of Rettersen at 0910 hours. At 1030 hours the battalion displaced forward. The battalion received moderate harassing fire on the main road just northwest of Altenkirchen. No vehicles were hit and no casualties were inflicted. The battalion moved on through Altenkirchen and continued on the road. The battalion was still on the road at 2400.
  • 28 March 1945
    CC "B" crossed the Dill River in the vicinity of Herborn and advanced rapidly against no resistance. By 103 5 hours Task Force Lovelady had reached Marburg. The enemy garrison offered only light resistance which was quickly overcome. The task forces advanced east and for the night were coiled about 2000 yards east of Romershausen. The battalion closed in positions at 0130 in the vicinity of Roth with Task Force Welborn. At o8oo hours Battery A displaced with the task force as the lead battery and the remainder of the battalion joined the task force column by 0900 hours. At 1310 hours the battalion coiled 300 yards southeast of Romershausen. About 1600 hours the battalion displaced forward and coiled for the night at 1700 hours with the task force about 2,000 yards east of Romershausen. Late in the evening word was received that the Third Armored Division was to attack to the north 29 0700 March 1945 with the objective Paderborn.
    You'd think we were coming through France and Belgium, the way the kids waved and the people smiled at us. Maybe they think we're the Wehrmacbt! Can't trust them though. Lord, I thought we'd never break out around Kircbeib. Guess the 1st Division is fighting like bell 50 miles behind us. Good to be with them again. Sure wish 1 could have gotten some pictures of those little towns. Pretty country, reminds me of back home in Pennsylvania.

  • 29 March 1945
    CC" B " advanced rapidly throughout the day. Pockets of resistance were encountered which fought stubbornly, but largely the opposition was sporadic and ineffectual. The division advanced approximately 102 miles during the day's operations.

    The battalion displaced with the CC "B" column at 0815 hours and advanced rapidly. The battalion coiled with the CC "B" column at o815 hours and advanced rapidly. The battalion coiled with Task Force Welborn just south of Lengefeld at 1435 hours. At 161o hours the battalion displaced with the task force and at 1745 hours coiled for the night the night with Task Force Welborn in the vicinity of Nieder-Marsburg. The battalion did not fire this date. All opposition to the task force was crushed by machine gun and tank fire.

  • 30 Mach, 1945
    Task Force Welborn attacked at 0700 hours initially against sporadic resistance. During the afternoon in the vicinity of Ettlyn strong dug in infantry positions were encountered. This opposition consisted of infantry and bazooka teams. Some tanks were also encountered. At about 1900 hours Task Force Welborn column was attacked by several Mark V tanks. Nine medium tanks and 21 half-tracks were knocked out. Two peeps from this battalion were shot up and completely destroyed. The peep in which Lieutenant Colonel Garton was riding was shot up but the driver and Colonel Garton managed to escape and got to safety to the 54th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. First Lieutenant Plummer was wounded in this attack. Corporal Roland L. Mniece and Technician Fifth Grade Hubert E. Horton stayed with him and carried him back through
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