The 71st armored field artillery battalion in europe 1944 1945 Personal Journal of Major Herman R. Smith Jr

COPY OF LETTER

HDQ 9 US ARMY

To: Maj Gen Alvin C Gillem Jr

CG XIII Corps APO 463

1. It is a matter of extreme pride to me that the XIII Corps received its first operational misson on the continent from this Hdq. It has been a matter of continuing pleasure on my part to note the splendid manner in which you have performed successive missions to build up an imposing record that represents an important chapter in the history of the Ninth Army.

2. Naturally in the crossing of the Rhine and the subsequent operations to the Eastward mark the high point in Ninth Army’s record to date. Thus it is that I take this opportunity to express my commend-ation of the work performed by the XIII Corps during its association with the 9^th Army.

3. The necessity for clearing the large area between the Roer and the Rhine prior to crossing the Rhine, gave the Army opportunity to mount its first fully coodinated major offensive - operation “Grenade”. The manner in which your Corps executed its assigned mission in this operation was gratifying indeed. With time table precision your command seized its successive objectives, turned the enemy out of his well prepared positions in your zone and expeditiously eliminated remaining pockets of hostile resistance. Most noteworthy was the skillful use of maneuver which was employed first to achieve surprise and subsequently to exploit the enemy’s disorganization.

4. With reference to the operations East of the Rhine, I am cognizant of the difficult and complex problems faced by you in the task of assembling your command on the far shore of the Rhine in order to extend operations to the Eastward. I was particularly impressed with the smoothness and precision in which your troop build up was accomplished and promptly integrated into the Army’s advance. Equally gratifying to me was the rapidity with which you assumed your zone of action and the power and speed with which your command pressed the attack to over run hostile resistance, seize vital objectives and protect the Army’s North flank. In the latter connection I am mindful of your successful cooperation with the Second British Army.

5. It provides me with a sense of sincere pleasure to have this opportunity of expressing my commendation of the XIII Corps upon this and past successes and of my deep appreciation of your assistance and cooperation. It is my desire that you communicate these remarks to the Officers and Men of your command together with my thanks for their individual contributions.

Signed: W.H.Simpson

Lt Gen USA Cmdg

16 April 45

1. The attached letter was received this date by the CG XIII Corps from the CG 9^th US Army.

2. The comnmendation contained in this letter by the CG 9^th US Army, is the direct result of inspiring leadership and capable planning on the part of Commanders and Staffs, the energetic execution of assigned missions by units, and the high quality of individual soldier-ly skill displayed by the Non-commissioned Officers and men of all units comprising this Corps.

3. It is a great pleasure and privilage to be associated with such outstanding organizations as those included in the XIII Corps.

Signed: A.C.Gillem

Maj Gen Cmdg

1^st Ind.

Hdq 5^th AD 23 April 45

TO: Unit and Organization Commanders, 5^th Armored Division and attached Units.

1. While the 5^th Armored Division is not mentioned in the letter from the Army Commander, it is evident that parts of the letter refer especially to our operations.

2. It gives me great pleasure to find that we, a part of a larger team, have done our part so well as to earn the commendation of both the Corps and Army Commanders. Every man in this Division may well feel a sense of pride, as I do, in our achievements, both as a Division and a part of the 9^th Army.

Signed: Lunsford E. Oliver

Major General USA Commanding

8 MAY 45

9 MAY 45

10 MAY 45

Bn moved out at 0830 under the Exec in order Hq,A,B,C,Sv. Bn CO and BCs left at the same time but by another route. Bn followed 387 AAAW in the march column. At 2230 Bn closed in position in 5 villages; Hq in Ershausen, A in Effelder, B in Geismar, C in Kella and Sv in Kullstedt. Bn marched 142 miles. We are under Div Arty control and the Division is now in VII Corps. Duties and mission are unknown.

11 MAY 45

Obtained meager information from Div Arty as to our mission. We are supposed to occupy and be responsible for an area comprising of 32 towns and provide the security for such. We have little or no Military Gov’t function as that end is being handled by their personnel. Most of the day was spent in getting settled down in our billets, washing clothes and reconnoitering our entire area. This is a section of German Saxony and the largest close town is Mulhausen.

12 MAY 45

War Dept. announced its new point system relative to discharge of personnel. This Bn has approx 22% of its men and 50% of its Officers qualified by having 85 points or more to their credit. At 1530 Div Arty gave us 5 security targets on which we are to post a 24 hr guard until relieved by Division. Bn put out roving security road blocks and road patrols. Informed that today is “R Day”; we don’t know the meaning.

Copy of personal letter to the Div CG from CG XIII Corps

dtd 7 May 1945

Hdq XIII Corps

Office of CG

Dear General Oliver:

Upon the termination of the recent attachment of the 5^th Armd Div to XIII Corps, I wish to convey to you, and through you to the members of your Command, my complete satisfaction for the service rendered by the 5^th Armd Div incident to that attachment.

The planning and enegetic and efficient execution of all tactical and technical plans by the 5^th Armd Div during the advance to the Elbe River contributed greatly to the successful accomplishment of all Corps missions.

The willing cooperation by you, your staff and your Commanders with this Hdq, and with other units of the Corps and elements of the British Army of Liberation, was outstanding.

Personally, and on behalf of the staff of this Hdq, I wish to express my deep appreciation to you, your Commanders and troops for your cheerful response and successful execution of all directives and missions assigned your Division.

I trust that the XIII Corps may be fortunate enough to include the 5^th Armd Div in future operations.

Sincerely,

Signed: A.C.Gillem Jr

Major Gen US Army Cmdg

13 MAY 45

At 0830 Bn received pass quota of 10 EM and l Officer for Brussels; to leave on the 15^th. Each Officer and man is to be classified and rated prior to 15 May 45. Usual duties of maintenance, training and our special security duties.

14 MAY 45

Bn received quota of 1 Officer and 13 EM for rotation to the States. Usual garrison duties. Bn opened a tavern in each Btry town for Bn personnel. Kraut beer is nearly like our American beer. What a break over the English beer and bitters. Bn captured 8 German soldiers coming from Hanover.

15 MAY 45

Usual duties. Bn CO attended a 1100 meeting at Div Arty. Bn Exec selected for rotation to the States.

16 MAY 45