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On December 1, 1944, the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized less Troop C, reinforced by Co. A, 635th Tank Destroyer Bn (T), 4th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized, and 3rd Platoon, Co. B, 297 Engineers Bn (Combat) had the mission of forming a moving counterreconnaissance screen between the 8th, 12th, and 22nd Infantry Regiments of the 4th Division.
In the morning the Squadron dispositions were as follows: Troop A platoons were at F040371, F038365, F045376, Troop B platoons were at F043402, F035398, 4th Reconnaissance Troop held F048414. The Tank Destroyers were in position at K989355, K989381, K992385, K995389. Troop E was in position at K986388 and ready to support Troops A and B by fire. The Squadron Command Post was at K987380 (In the HURTGEN FOREST East of ZWEIFALL, GERMANY). The Squadron rear echelon remained in the vicinity of EUPEN, BELGIUM.
Troops A and B received artillery fire between 0600 and 0800. B Troop CP moved at 1030 to vicinity F048408 where they received a heavy concentration of artillery fire. A platoon from B Troop reached F052404 and reported the 12th Infantry engaged in a fire fight with the enemy. They moved three armored cars to that point, dug in, and supported the Infantry. Troop A dispositions remained unchanged during the day.
The following day Troop B received heavy artillery fire at F033405 during the hours 0700 to 0800. Third Platoon Troop B moved out and contacted enemy at F055405. They engaged and contained the enemy force until forced to withdraw, by heavy artillery fire, to F049409. At 1430 the same platoon advanced again and contacted the enemy at F055407 where they killed one enemy and again withdrew because of heavy artillery fire falling in the vicinity of F055406. In the afternoon Troop C reverted to Squadron control and relieved Troop A which took over duties as VII Corps Security Guard. By night Troop B had it's First Platoon at F056405, Second Platoon at F053405, and Third Platoon at F049409. The Tank Destroyers advanced one platoon to F040410.
On December 3rd the Squadron CP moved from K980370 at 1100 and arrived at F032413 at 1200. Distance traveled, 6 miles. Troop E moved to vicinity of the Squadron CP. The Second Platoon of Troop B engaged in a fire fight 500 yards South of FO62409 at 1125. The Third Platoon of Troop B moved to FO51410 where they had observation on DÜREN, GERMANY. They were strafed by 9 enemy ME 109's between 1300 and 1400. A 4th Reconnaissance Troop platoon contacted enemy at FO52416 and another platoon reached FO49419 at 1315 where they received mortar fire. Troop C moved it's CP to FO40411 and one platoon reached FO54414 at 1550 and reported an enemy machine gun at FO51411. Another platoon went into position at FO50410.
The next day the 4th Reconnaissance Troop captured two prisoners in the vicinity of FO47417. Troop B relieved L Company, 8th Infantry by 1150. The other two platoons of Troop B relieved I Company, 12th Infantry at FO54402. Later in the day they were forced to move to FO47407 because of intense artillery fire. During the afternoon the 4th Reconnaissance Troop moved one platoon to FO56421 and another reached FO57417. Troop C established a line with two platoons from FO57410 to FO54414. At 1315 the Squadron CP moved to a new location at SCHEVENHUTTE, GERMANY, arriving there after traveling 2.5 miles.
At 0245 December 5th the Tank Destroyer CP was heavily shelled with six casualties resulting. During the daylight hours our units were instructed to improve their positions and contact friendly units on their flanks. Elements of I Company, 12 Infantry were relieved by Troop B at FO59408. L Company, 12th Infantry relieved a platoon of Troop B at FO54433. The balance of the day was spent patrolling.
The following day, December 6th, Troops B and C continued to send patrols to their flanks to contact friendly units. One patrol from Troop C encountered sniper fire while another from Troop B encountered enemy small arms fire in the vicinity of FO65404. Troops B, C, and F Company, and the 4th Reconnaissance Troop received enemy artillery fire in their areas during the day and night which caused casualties.
At 0800 December 7th, Field Order No. 32 was issued, the mission of the Squadron being to maintain a counterreconnaissance screen to cover the gap between the 12th and 6th Infantry Regiments until the Infantry was relieved by elements of the 83rd Infantry
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Division. The Squadron was detached from the 4th Infantry Division and attached to the 63rd Infantry Division. The 4th Reconnaissance Troop was detached from Squadron control and replaced by the 63rd Reconnaissance Troop. The 3rd Platoon, Company B, 297th Combat Engineer Battalion was detached and replaced by Company C (less one platoon) 297th Engineer Battalion.
Under a provision of Headquarters ETOUSA for "Return of Personnel to the United States for Rehabilitation, Recuperation, and Recovery", the following enlisted men were sent on detached service from the Squadron, S/Sgt Richard R. McGown, Troop A, S/Sgt William M. Moll, Troop C, Sgt Hershell L. Ray, Troop C, Tec 4 Janes E. Dean, Troop B, Pfc Lincoln Young, Troop A, Tec 5 Vern J. Olson, Company F, Pfc Russell J. Tripplett, Troop B.
The relief of the 4th Reconnaissance Troop by the 63rd Reconnaissance Troop was completed by 1600 with the 63rd Reconnaissance Troop in position at F053415 and F053518. Troops B and C spent the day patrolling and reported sporadic artillery fire. The activity of the troops December 8th was confined to patrolling to the front and laterally. There was sporadic enemy artillery fire reported. The following day Troop A was relieved from VII Cops's security guard and attached to the 759th Tank Battalion. The Reconnaissance Troops continued patrolling and reported enemy at F069415, F067414, and F064421.
On December 10th the 63rd Infantry Division attacked at 0630. The mission of the Squadron was to maintain contact between the 330th and 331st Infantry Regiments. The 63rd Division captured GEY and STRASSE later in the day. Troop B positions were heavily shelled by mortar and artillery during the day. Troop E continued fire support missions for the Reconnaissance Troops.
December 11th found no change in the Squadron mission. Patrols from the Reconnaissance Troops continued patrolling to their flanks and maintained contact with friendly units. Enemy aircraft were active over the area at 1730 and dropped flares. During the night Troop C positions were shelled.
On December 12th the troops continued patrolling and patrols from Troop C contact-
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ed enemy in the vicinity of F060413. Fire was exchanged with the enemy who withdrew. Troop E fired interdictory fires in support of the 330th Infantry, which was being counterattacked East of GEY, all afternoon. They also fired in support of Troop C at F060413. There was sporadic artillery fire in the Squadron area during the day and that night the Tank Destroyers, having placed one platoon in battery for indirect fire purposes, fired a harassing mission on cross roads and road junctions in the vicinity of BIRGEL, GERMANY.
The morning of December 13th the 329th and 331st Infantry Regiments attacked. The Squadron mission was to maintain contact with flanking unit and fill gaps which developed. This contact was maintained continuously all day. A Troop C patrol contacted enemy at F059408 and drew machine gun and small arms fire. They withdrew and later reported mortar fire in the area they had vacated. Troop C received 47 rounds of artillery and mortar fire in vicinity of F057408 during the day and evening.
The VII Corps attacked at 0630 December 14th with the 83rd and 9th Infantry Divisions and the 3rd and 5th Armored Divisions. The Squadron mission remained the same with the troops continuing to patrol. A Troop C patrol contacted enemy at F061413. A Troop B patrol received fire from enemy machine gun at F059421, withdrew, and returned to the same position later in the day to find that the enemy had withdrawn. By nightfall the troop dispositions were as follows: Troop B, one platoon each at F056411 and F058407, Troop C, with platoons at F064419 and F057417. The 83rd Reconnaissance Troop had two platoons at F064423. F Company had one platoon of tanks at F057407. The next day was rather quiet with no enemy contact reported by our patrols and no enemy artillery fire reported in the Squadron area. Our patrols to the East reported evidences that the enemy had withdrawn hastily. The enemy artillery and heavy weapons had apparently withdrawn to the East bank of the ROER RIVER.
December 16th found the Reconnaissance Troops checking roads and trails in the Squadron sector. A road block was found by Troop B at F073409 and mines were located at F061412. A Troop B patrol received direct fire from an enemy anti-tank gun located
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in the vicinity F075414 which our Infantry later destroyed.
Enemy air activity increased in the VII Corps zone December 17th and as a result of reports of parachutists landings the mission for the Squadron for the day was to check the Squadron sector for enemy paratroopers. All troops reported information negative. (See Field Order No. 33.)
At 0800 December 18th the Squadron mission was completed and the unit was detached from the 83rd Division and reverted to control of the 4th Cavalry Group. Troops B, C, and E moved to BRAND to clean up and rest. The Squadron CP and the Engineers remained at SCHEVENHUTTE. The Tank Destroyers were in VICHT and F Company was in the vicinity of K995409. Enemy aircraft were active during the morning and one man in the rear echelon was killed by falling flak.
The next day the Squadron received a new mission and Field Order No. 34 and overlay were issued. The mission was to attack and seize OBERMAUBACH, held by an estimated battalion of enemy Infantry. This involved reducing a trench system on the high ground Northwest of the town before an attack on the town could be launched.
December 20th the Squadron Command Post moved from SCHEVENHUTTE and arrived in the vicinity of F030380 at 1445, then moved an advance CP to GROSSHAU and left a rear CP at F030380. Distance traveled was 7 miles. December 21st Troops B and C commenced the attack dismounted at 0730. Troop B captured objective I and Troop C moved through the Troop B positions and overran an enemy trench system, being led in a bayonet charge by Captain Barrett C. Dillow. Objective II was captured and both Troops were preparing the attack on the town itself when orders were received that the 121st Infantry Regiment would take over our mission and that the relief would start at about 1700. The relief was finally effected early the following morning and the Squadron was ordered verbally by the Group Commander to prepare for a march to the vicinity of MARCHE, BELGIUM to an assembly area. No more details were given. In the attack on OBERMAUBACH, the following officers became casualties: 2nd Lt William F. Ketchum, killed in action, 1st Lt Kenneth
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F. Thompson and 2nd Lt Frederick T. Meinken, wounded in action. Three Enlisted Men were killed and three were wounded.
By 1100 December 22nd the entire Squadron, Troop A having reverted to Squadron control, was assembled in the woods West of GROSSHAU, GERMANY, prepared to move out at 1200. At 1245 the Squadron left the vicinity of GROSSHAU under radio silence and the leading elements arrived in the vicinity of SINSIN, BELGIUM at 2350 after having traveled 80 miles and coiled for the night.
Radio silence was broken at about 1300 December 23rd when Military Police brought in a prisoner, captured in the vicinity of HAVERSIN, who was acting as a guide for a battalion of the 304th Panzer Grenadiers. The enemy was reported assembled in the woods in the vicinity P2165. The Squadron was immediately alerted and established a counter-reconnaissance screen on the high ground East of HAVERSIN. No enemy contact was reported. During the afternoon friendly aircraft were active over HAVERSIN.
Field Order No. 35 was issued but this mission was changed by issuance of Field Order No. 36. Troop A reinforced by one platoon Troop E, one platoon Company F, one platoon Company A, 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion, attached was ordered to attack, seize, and hold the town of HUMAIN. The balance of the Squadron was to screen and reconnoiter in the assigned zone, maintain contact with the enemy, and screen the assembly area of Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Division. At 1530 Captain Brooks O. Norman relieved Captain John S. Chapin as the Commanding Officer of Troop A.
Task Force Norman (Troop A and attachments) seized HUMAIN at 2230 without resistance. One enemy tank (Mark V), one half-track, and one truck abandoned and booby-trapped by the enemy were destroyed by our force. No enemy contact was reported by the balance of the Squadron.
Christmas day at 0530 Troop A was driven from HUMAIN by four enemy Panther and Tiger Tanks accompanied by at least one hundred enemy Infantry. Two enemy tanks were destroyed by the Tank Destroyers before withdrawing. Task Force Norman withdrew to AYE loosing one Armored Car, four one-quarter ton trucks, and three TD guns. Lt Thompson
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personally secured the firing mechanisms from two of the guns before leaving. During the afternoon Captain Barrett C. Dillow entered HUMAIN with two Armored Cars on reconnaissance to determine the enemy strength. He received small arms fire and returned the enemy fire until he reached the center of town where he was wounded. He returned to the vicinity of AYE and reported about 200-300 enemy Infantry in town accompanied by three Mark VI tanks. He was evacuated and 1st Lt George Allen assumed command of Troop C. The Squadron CP moved to AYE. The Squadron was reinforced by Company G, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, one platoon self-propelled Tank Destroyers, and one Company of Light Tanks, with the Group Commander in personal command of the complete task force. Personnel of Troops A, B, and C were dismounted from their vehicles, Bazooka teams organized, and plans were made to mount the personnel on the tanks and attack HUMAIN. The tanks moved out for HUMAIN at 1600 but were unable to take the town. Bazooka teams went forward and one enemy tank was destroyed by the third platoon of Troop B. Repeated trys by Bazooka teams, Medium Tanks, and TD's were unsuccessful in penetrating the town.
The town remained in enemy hands and at 0200 December 26th the personnel of Troops B and C were taken off the tanks and remounted their vehicles, reestablishing road blocks at P222837, P234838, and P233839. Troop C had one platoon at P241809 acting as local security for a platoon of Medium tanks. Troop A remained with Company G, 66th Armored Regiment in the vicinity of P252828. Enemy vehicles were reported moving to the West through HUMAIN at 0600. Troops A and C established OP's at P240808 and P237828, respectively. Troop B patrolled to the South but gained no observation due to poor visibility. Plans were made for Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Division to attack HUMAIN at 0800 December 27th with the Squadron having the mission of protecting the rear and left flank of the armor. Enemy aircraft were active over the Squadron sector from 2000 to 2100. No bombs were dropped in our area.
The following morning the attack by Combat Command A commenced at 0800. Our units held their positions, as per their assigned mission. As the attack proceeded Troops B and C were pulled out of their positions at 1845 to prepare for a new mission. Troop A
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remained in position as security for the Tank Destroyers. At 2030 Troop C was sent out dismounted as local security for the Medium tanks which were in position from P240807 to P253813. HUMAIN was cleared of enemy by the following morning.
At 2100 Field Order No. 37 and attached overlay was issued. By 0730 December 28th all troops were assembled in the vicinity of AYE having completed their mission. The new mission of the Squadron, reinforced by Company A, 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the first platoon, Company C, 297th Combat Engineer Battalion, was to move to the vicinity of BOIS DE FAMENNE via HOGNE-HAVERSIN-BRIQUEMONT, then reconnoiter to the South in the assigned zone (See Field Order No. 37 and attached overlay). Troops B and C abreast, to the line of the L'HOMME-LESSE RIVERS, and establish a counterreconnaissance screen. At 1000 the Squadron moved out on the march to BOIS DE FAMENNE. Icy roads made this a rather hazardous operation, especially for the steel tracked vehicles. Troops B and C reached BOIS DE FAMENNE and reconnoitered South in their assigned zones.
Enemy mines which were discovered at P176790, P169778, and on the road North of EPRAVE slowed up their advance. Troop B contacted three enemy in a captured American half-track at P198772 and recaptured the vehicle when the enemy fled. Troops B and C advanced to the river line and found all bridges blown with a ford waist deep in the vicinity of P148748. A counter-reconnaissance screen was then established in the Squadron zone along the river line in the vicinity of EPRAVE. Troop E went into position at P152787 and registered at 1650. The forward echelon with the balance of the Squadron arrived at the CHATEAU DE BOIS EPRAVE, P160769 at 1530. The Squadron was supported by Medium tanks of Company E, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. No enemy activity was reported during the night.
At 0015 December 29th Troop B reported small arms and artillery fire to their front in the vicinity of ROCHEFORT. An enemy three man patrol was fired on by a guard in the Squadron CP area at 0400 and Troops B and C reported a patrol, believed to be the same one, at about 0800. One platoon of F Company tanks reinforced Troop B at P192763 and another took up a position at the railroad bridge in the vicinity of P165758. The Squadron
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The Squadron prepared to be relieved by British forces the following day.
The next day the relief by the British was accomplished at 1725 and the Squadron was notified by the 4th Cavalry Group that it was relieved as of 1825 and plans were made to move to an assembly area next morning.
December 31st the Squadron went into reserve and moved to an assembly area as per attached march order. The Squadron Command Post moved from BOIS DE FAMENAE at 1045 and arrived at the vicinity of P232890 at 1315, having traveled 12.4 miles over extremely icy and slippery roads. The end of the year found the entire Squadron in billets awaiting a new mission.
The Squadron during the year of 1944: destroyed approximately 1605 Germans, and captured 931 Germans.
The Squadron during the year of 1944 suffered the following losses:
KIA - 83 ; WIA - 321 ; MIA - 0 .