45

The battalion remained in position one mile northeast of Lingenau in direct support of CCB. Sv Btry Sv Btry was in position just north of Tornau conducting normal maintenance and supply functions. The battalion fired 18 missions this date: 7 on counter-attacks against the bridgehead, 5 on infantry, 1 preparation, 1 on an OP, 1 on guns, 1 on a town, and 2 registrations. Total rounds expended this date-857. This date the 67th Armd FA Bn was released from the 391st FA Groupment and the 83rd Armd FA Bn was assigned to the groupment. This battalion was to reinforce the fires of the 391st Armd FA Bn. 17 April 1945-TF Welborn continued to secure the bridgehead over the Mulde River and construction of a treadway bridge continued until 1845 hours when orders were issued to discontinue construction of the bridge and withdraw the bridgehead forces. At 0900 hours a battle group from TF Welborn was dispatched to aid TF Lovelady secure Torten and the road junction west of town.
TF Lovelady had an attack against his CP and Service elements in Thurland by 150 enemy infantry with bazookas and automatic weapons at 0130 hours. Severe house to house fighting resulted and the enemy occupied the town. During the counter-attack, the BC party of Btry A, which was acting as Liaison with this task force, was forced to abandon the half track. Three members of the crew were missing all day but managed to work their way thru the woods to friendly elements during the night. Communication with FO 3, 2nd Lieutenant Eldridge, was lost and lie could not be contacted until late in the evening. Service Battery of this battalion located just north of Tornau prepared to fight it out with the attacking enemy infantry who had overrun TF Lovelady's CP. The attack died out before it reached this point. TF Lovelady attacked in the early evening and retook the town of Thurland.
The battalion remained in position 1 mile northeast of Lingenau to give direct support to CC "B". The battalion fired 20 missions this date: 5 on counterattacks, 7 on infantry, 3 smoke missions to mark targets for fighter bombers, 1 on A town, 3 on guns, and 1 harassing mission. Total rounds expended this date-771.

18 April 1945
CC "B" maintained defensive positions from Torten to Rodgen. TF Welborn withdrew his bridgehead forces to the west side of the Mulde River under cover of darkness in the early morning. Patrols moving from Torten to contact elements of CC Doan received heavy anti-tank and small arms fire and were unable to effect contact.
The battalion remained in position one mile northeast of Lingenau and fired close support missions for CC "B". The battalion fired 16 missions this date: 1 on an OP, 4 on towns, 2 smoke missions to mark targets for fighter bombers, 6 on infantry, 1 on tanks, and 2 registrations. Total rounds expended this date-586.
In the morning the anti-aircraft unit attached to Hq Btry captured 8 prisoners in the woods near the battery. Sv Btry remained in position just north of Tornau and conducted normal maintenance and supply duties.

19 April 1945
CCB continued to operate patrols within this sector. TF Welborn attacked north to seize the crossroad north of Torton. Moderate resistance from artillery small arms and bazooka fire was encountered. Roadblocks were set up in the vicinity of the crossroad and maintained throughout the night. The battalion remained in position northeast of Lingenau and fired direct support missions for CCB.
The battalion fired 9 missions this date: 2 smoke concentrations, 1 on an OP, 2 on infantry, 2 harassing missions, and 2 registrations. Total rounds upended this date-458. Smoke missions were fired to mark target for P-3 8's which bombed the bridge across the Mulde at Raghun. 2nd Lt. Nlerritt and 2nd Lt. Eldridge, FO's, were relieved and returned to the battalion for maintenance of the tanks.

20 April 1945
TF Wellborn continued to push throughout the night and early morning against small arms, artillery and mortar fire and by 1000 hours had secured the critical enemy strong point. A combat patrol swept towns in the southern part of the division. No resistance was encountered and about 80 PV's were captured. Operations Memorandum 47, Hq 3rd Armored Division, 20 April 1945, ordered the 3rd Armored Division to attack 21 April to seize and secure Dessau and also to continue to secure the west bank of the Mulde River in the division zone. The battalion remained in position northeast of Lingenau and fired direct support missions for CCB. The battalion fired 11 missions this date: 4 on infantry, 2 on vehicles, 1 on a house, 1 on mortars, 1 harassing mission, and 2 registrations. Mortar position was reported neutralized. Missions on infantry were reported very effective. Total rounds expended - 566.