The 71st armored field artillery battalion in europe 1944 1945 Personal Journal of Major Herman R. Smith Jr
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4 SEPT 44 At 0455 135 mixed German foot troops ran into Hq Btry area and all were taken prisoner. At the same time Sv Btry took 18 prisoners. CCB’s PW cage was overflowing with prisoners with more coming in every hour. At 1015 Bn moved out in the order A,B,C,Hq,Sv. This unit to support CCB in an attack to the South - vicinity of Sedan. Bn closed in position at 2022 1/4 mile W of La Remange. Unit marched 93 miles. 5 SEPT 44 Received march order and overlay from CCB. We are to support CCR’s crossing of the Meuse River near Sedan. Bn moved out at 1615 in the order Bn Co, BC parties, A,FDC,C,B,Hq,Sv and, after marching 22 miles closed in position at 1915 1200 yards SW of Singley. 6 SEPT 44 In position all day awaiting the arrival of our trains. Gasoline supply exhausted - only enough for 20 miles. Unit performing necessary maintenance and care of equipment. 7 SEPT 44 Trains arrived at noon with gasoline for 150 miles. At 1545 orders arrived from Div Arty directing this unit to move in order to reinforce the 95th Armd FA Bn. At 1645 Bn moved out under exec in order A,B,C,Hq, Sv and crossed the Meuse River on the engineer pontoon bridge in Sedan and closed in position 300 yds E of Givonne at 1920. Bn marched 27 miles. So far have marched 711.4 miles in combat. 8 SEPT 44 CCR column moved out at 1100 but made slow progress on account of demolitions, obstacles, mined areas and road blocks. 71st to leap-frog with 95th AFA Bn. Bn moved out at 1555 in the order C,B,A,Hq,Sv. The FDC was on ahead with the Bn Co and BC parties. Bn entered Belgium through the Bois De Pure Forest between Messincourt and Chassepierre, Belgium and closed in position at 1830 1000 yds W. of Pinard S of the Semois River. Marched 22 miles after relieving the 28th Inf Div. Bn registered and fired two time concentrations. 9 SEPT 44 Bn Co, BC Parties and FDC moved out at 0855 followed by the Bn at 0900 in the order C,B,A,Hq,Sv. At 1035 the Bn closed in position 1500 yds E of Tintigny - marched 8 miles. Survey complete and Bn registered by Air OP at 1150. The column was held up by a blown bridge and mined bridge approaches. Bn Co, BC parties and FDC moved out at 1400 followed at 1410 by the Bn in order A,B,C,Hq,Sv and closed in position at 1605 400 yds SW of Habay La Neuve. Marched 8 miles. Bn moved out at 1745 in order C,B,A,HQ,Sv. Bn Co, BC parties and FDC left at 1645. Bn crossed border into Luxemburg at 1912 and closed in position 400 yds S. of Huttange Luxemburg at 1950. Bn marched 4 miles. Bn registered at 1947 and fired interdiction and harassing fires throughout the night. All roads to the N, S, and E were interdicted. Bn expended 154 rounds. 10 SEPT 44 A Btry moved out at 0820 as part of the advance guard of CCR. They followed married B. Bn Co, BC parties and FDC moved out at 0900 followed by the Bn under the Exec in the order B,C,Hq,Sv. At 1100 A Btry in position 1/2 mile N of Mersch and Bn closed in same area at 1130 after marching 10 miles. The bridge across the Saur River in Mersch was blown just as CCR’s advance guard entered the town. Bn registered by Air OP and fired 8 Bn concentrations. Expended 264 rounds. Many foot Inf and horses were killed and dispersed. Many horse drawn vehicles were destroyed along with several automotive vehicles and guns. The Air Corps also had a field day attacking the retreating German columns as they raced E to the “Fatherland”. Bn moved out by Btry at 1537 and crossed the newly planked RR bridge in Mersch. Bn closed in temporary bivouac area 400 yds N of Beringen at 1755. Marched 3 miles. At 1820 the Bn moved out in the order BC parties, A,B,C,Hq,Sv and closed in position 2000 yds SW of Stegan and 1500 yds NW of Schrondweiler at 1937. Marched 5 miles. 11 SEPT 44 Bn relieved from reinforcing 95th AFA and now to support CCB. At 1245 the Bn Co, Surv O, Bc Parties and FDC moved out followed by Exec with the Bn. Bn departed at 1310 moved cross country to Stegan and closed in position 1000 yds S of Hoscheid at 1502. Bn marched 16 miles, went by the Brandenburg castle in the Brandenburg pass. Bn registered by Air OP at 1630. B Btry 71st AFA was the first Arty unit to fire onto German soil. Bn fired interdiction and harassing missions throughout the night and expended 230 rounds. 12 SEPT 44 On Sept 10th Col John T Cole, Commander of CCB, and a group of officers from his staff, along with Capt R A Rowlands, our Ln Officer to CCB walked through and examined most of the Siegfried line pill boxes in our area. Bn fired 60 rounds on harassing and interdiction missions. 13 SEPT 44 From 0925 to 1800 Bn fired concentrations on German border positions and local strong points. Expended 462 rounds. At 1355 Bn Co and BC parties went forward on reconnaisance and returned at 1520. Bn displaced by Btry and B moved out at 1900. At 2000, Bn less Sv Btry was closed in position 1500 yds W of Walsdorf. Marched 8 miles. 14 SEPT 44 Bn Co left at 0830 for unit Commander’s meeting at CCB and returned at 1000. CCB and CCR attached to Corps and will attack E at once. CCB on a 2 hour march alert. Fired concentrations on enemy counterattack in the vicinity of Stoltzenburg and Kleppenhousen. Expended 520 rounds. Weather rainy and foggy. 15 SEPT 44 Performing normal bivouac duties of maintenance and care of equipment. Three Bn FOs are out keeping German installations of the Seigfreid line under surveilance. Fired a few missions on call for Div Arty and expended 133 rounds. We are still on a Corps 2 hour alert. Weather rainy and foggy. 16 SEPT 44 Bn Co left at 0945 for CCB unit Commanders meeting and returned at 1050. CCB now released from Corps reserve and will reinforce CCR of the 5th AD which is now in Germany. Bn moved out at 1200 in order Bn Co, BC Parties, FDC, A,B,C,Hq. Sv Btry will march with CCB trains. 1315 - fire mission - Exec ordered C Btry into position 1 mile SE of Bastendorf and at the same time A & B occupied positions 600 yds N of Reisdorf. No rounds were fired from these positions and the Bn immediately displaced under the Exec to positions l mile N of Mostroff and closed at 1400. Unit marched 9 miles. Unit was served coffee and do-nuts in this position by a Red Cross Club Mobile. At 1625 Bn Co, Surv O, BC Parties, and FDC moved out followed by the Bn at 1645 in the order A,B,C,Hq. At 1730 Bn crossed a pontoon bridge into Germany at Wallendorf and passed through the outer defenses of the Siegfried line. Bn closed in position 400 yds SE of Hommerdigen at 1830 after marching 9 miles. Bn registered by Air OP at 1915 and fired interdiction and harassing fires throughout the night. 115 rounds were expended. Report from CCB indicated that this Bn has inflicted the following confirmed losses on the enemy during the period 6 Aug44 - 15 Sept 44. Six 88mm AAAT guns, 2 SP 88mm AT guns, 41 unarmored vehicles, 3 ammunition carriers, l armored half track, 3 MK V tanks, l Company of personnel and 7 machine guns. Bn expended 7270 rounds of 105mm ammunition during the same period. 17 SEPT 44 At 0300 hours, time was set back one hour by the British. Bn Was shelled throughout the day and night by 150mm howitzers and multiple rocket launchers (called Nebelwerfers). Approximately 200 rounds landed in the Bn CP area (150 x 150 yds). Unit and CC were cut off several times at Neidersgegen and Wallendorf. Bn fired in 4 different directions at once and many times 4 missions were going thru our FDC at the same time. Lt Henschell, A Btry RO, was wounded and evacuated. Bn expended 845 rounds. 18 SEPT 44 Bn in same position area. Have 5 FOs out. Visibility unsuitable for Air OP operations. The Bn area was shelled throughout the day and night by 150mm and Nebelwerfers. Weather rainy and foggy. Bn expended 1534 rounds on observed, interdiction and harassing fires. 19 SEPT 44 From 0545 - 0600 Bn received 30 rounds of 150mm How shelling from the SE and at 0730 18 rounds of 150mm shelling from the NW. CCR withdrawi-ng and CCB is to remain and cover their withdrawal. Our area is receiving almost a continuous shelling from 150mm How. The air is overcast and making it extremely difficult to observe anything from the air. At 1015 Lts Nicol and Francies in their planes with Lts Sorensen and Martin as observers took off from the Bn area and were subjected to a large concentration of 20mm anti-aircraft fire as soon as they were 200 feet in the air. The enemy was closing in quite fast. Our Bn was left with only a married Inf/Tank Co for protection. At 1210 three tanks of B Co, 81st Tank Bn were hit by 88mm direct fire and burned. These tanks were 350-400 yds from our position area. At 1415 the Bn Exec took 10 men and 3 bazookas to clean the enemy out of the woods to our right front. One SP 88mm, 1 SP 20mm AA and approx. 32-40 infantrymen were driven out and retired approximately 1000 yds from the Bn area. At this time another of B Co 81st Tanks was knocked out. At 1500 the Bn Co directed A Btry to displace 1200 yds to the rear of the Bn where they had a better field of fire against a tank attack. At this time the Bn Exec took RO parties to select positions to the rear and they were shelled by direct fire weapons from woods on the South. Service Btry had received an intense shelling around 1200. This shelling killed Sgt Nicolson and wounded 3 men. T/5 Behrens was evacuated. The Bn ammo platoon, after three attempts, could not get forward to the Bn position. They could not get past Biesdorf or Krutchten which were only 800-1200 yds from the Bn area. Automatic weapons fire kept them from making it. Sgt Florio, Asst Bn Ammo NCO, was killed at his truck mounted machine gun during one of these attempts. B22, Lt Harrison, was wounded by an 88mm HE shell 400 yds from our CP while adjusting fire on a SP 88mm AT gun, 20mm SP AAAT gun and some Infantry. He was rescued by Lt Francies, Pvt Sneed, S/Sgt Mylertz and the Bn Exec. At 1900 the Bn began to displace to the rear into Luxemburg. This movement was made in excellent order even though the Btrys were under heavy direct shell fire from tanks and SP guns during a good share of the way. The ford at Neidersgeggen and the bridge at Wallendorf were under interdiction fire by 150mm but the unit passed these points without injury to men or vehicles. Capt Smithers, A Btry Co, lost his half track and a peep in Biesdorf to an AT gun. An AP round took the brake and clutch pedal out from under PFC Remur Pope’s (half track driver) feet. The Bn Exec crew fought their way through successfully. Cpl Loomis, in the Exec Section, was wounded. The remainder of the Bn by-passed this town. Bn closed in position at 2350 400 yds E of Bettendorf, Luxemburg. Marched 14 miles. Expended 1562 rounds. Weather rainy and foggy. Bn suffered 21 casualties that had to be evacuated and 3 vehicles were lost. Cpl Lucre, T/5 Rameriz, PFC Barbara and 2 men from the attached AAAW Btry were also killed. The mission of CCB is to retain a bridge-head in Germany for two days. CCR is completely back in Luxemburg. CCB Hq, 81st Tank Bn, 15 AIB and B Co 22nd Eng, along with one Ln Off and 4 FOs from our unit remain in Germany. Today was the Bn’s worst day in combat. At times it was a mortal hell for everyone concerned. S/Sgt Kinsall, of our Medic Det, went out of his head and was evacuated for battle exhaustion. 20 SEPT 44 There was sporadic enemy shelling in adjacent areas throughout the day and night. No rounds landed in our area. The weather cleared up at 1015 so that our Air OPs could observe satisfactorily. Bn expended 1266 rounds. Air Corps P47s and P38s had a field day at 1522 on tank and Infantry concentrations. T/Sgt Meeker, our S-2 intelligence Sgt, was evacuated for combat exhaustion. Pvt Stinger wounded by shell fragments on one of the Bns road blocks. 21 SEPT 44 Bn in same position. Weather cleared up at 1122 and both our Air OPs became operational. Bn expended 1888 rounds. Our P47s and P38s were around during all clear periods during the day. Beisdorf and Neiders-geggen received a good working over by the Air Corps; they also gave some close in support to CCBs tanks and Infantry. 22 SEPT 44 At 0415 all troops retired W of the river at Wallendorf into Luxemburg. The Div accomplished its mission - to draw all the mobile reserves from the major portion of the lst US Army front. The casualty rate in the Div. was fairly high but low in proportion to what damage was caused to personnel and vehicles of the enemy. CCR now outposting the line Ammildingen - Dillingen on the W bank of the river. The 71st to organize and man the static OPs. Bn displaced at 14l0 to positions one mile SE of Gilsdorf. Marched 3 miles. Bn registered by Air OP at 1535. Bn expended 560 rounds during the day. 23 SEPT 44 Weather rainy and foggy. Expended 208 rounds. 24 SEPT 44 Weather rainy and foggy. Expended 230 rounds. 25 SEPT 44 Weather rainy and foggy. Expended310 rounds and neutralized two 105mm How Btrys. 26 SEPT 44 Weather rainy and foggy. Div Spec Svcs Off provided a movie film for the Bn. The movie was Casanova Brown with Gary Cooper and Jennifer Jones. Bn expended 636 rounds. 27 SEPT 44 Bn displaced at 1400; moved in order A,B,Hq,C and closed in position 400 yds NE of Meternach at 1510. Bn marched 4 miles. At 1625 Bn registered by Air OP. At 1630 an American Red Cross Club Mobile served coffee and do-nuts to the Bn except for Sv Btry which was in Stegan 4 miles away. The Div SSO provided a re-showing of Casanova Brown. Weather was rainy and foggy most of the day. Bn expended 535 rounds. 28 SEPT 44 Day was clear and sunny. Air OPs up all day and Bn expended 449 rounds on observed tgts. Bn has 2 ground OPs that are manned 24 hrs daily. The 5th Armd Div will be relieved soon by the 8th and 83rd Inf. Divs which are now a part of 3rd Army but soon to be a part of the new US 9th Army. Sent truck convoy for the stored duffle bags. German JU88 bombers have flown very low over our position nightly for the past several days. They are apparently searching for our guns as we are the only ones firing from around this area. 29 SEPT 44 Rained during the night. The day was clear and sunny. Our Air Corps P47s were out in strength. Bn expended 267 rds. 30 SEPT 44 Weather foggy, cold and rainy. Expended 225 rds. 1 OCT 44 Weather cold and foggy. Bn expended 16 rds of smoke marking targets for the P47s. 2 OCT 44 Bn now in a semi-rest period performing maintenance and care of equipment. At 0830 billeting parties left for new position area SW of Aachen in the VII Corps area. Weather clear and sunny. German Recon aircraft still flies over our area at night even though our unit is not firing. Our fires have been taken over by the 95th AFA. 4 OCT 44 Bn moved out of bivouac area at 0915 in order Hq,A,B,C,. This is an administrative move to confuse the enemy intelligence prior to our moving to the North. Closed in bivouac area 1 mile NE of Moesdorf at 1050. Marched 12 miles. Bn received our duffle bags and removed our overcoats. Bags will now be stored in Luxemburg City. LnO 243, Lt Frazer, arrived from CCB at 1530 with the march order. CCB will move North at 0600 5 OCT 44. All unit markings will be covered with mud, shoulder patches to be removed or covered and radio silence will be observed during the march. 7lst to follow Hq CCB in march column. A special unit with 5th AD markings on their vehicles will move in tonight to take our place. They have a few disabled armored vehicles, and some dummy ones. They will have radio traffic and remain here until we are again committed. 5 OCT 44
Bn moved out at 0715 in order B,Hq,C,A. Sv Btry to move with CCB trains. Bn closed in position 1 mile NE of Faymonville, Belgium. Marched 79 miles. Bn received 3 Oct 44 issue of the Stars and Stripes which contains the first disclosure of the presence of the 5th AD in combat. It was a good write-up but left out some of our deeds that we thought were of great importance. 6 OCT 44
Bn in bivouac performing necessary maintenance on equipment and material. Weather was warm with plenty of sunshine. At 1550 a formation was held for the presentation of awards by Gen Oliver, the Div Commander. Silver Stars to Lts Martin, Henschel (absent, wounded in hospital in UK), and Frazer; Bronze Stars to Capt Wilcox, Lt Harrison (absent, wounded in hospital in UK), S/Sgt Porter, S/Sgt Clark, Cpl Dodge and Sgt Wisnower; Air Medals to Lts Francies, Nicol, and Sorensen. 7 OCT 44
Usual camp duties of maintenance and care of equipment. Mobile clothing store was in the Div area during the day. At 1400 the Div SSO provided a movie for the Bn. The show was, “Three Men in White”. The day was warm and sunny. Lt R A Smith, 754th FA Bn, brother of the Exec visited the CP. 8 OCT 44
Bn started receiving a B ration. We are now using our kitchen trucks for the first time since this unit entered combat. It is quite a change from cooking by individuals and sections. Day warm and sunny. 9 OCT 44
Bn started a regular weekly training schedule. 2nd Lts Martin and McNeese received battle field promotions to lst Lts. Day rainy, cold and foggy. 11 OCT 44 At 0830 CCB was placed on a 6 hr alert for possible move North to the vicinity of Aachen to counter a possible German Armored counter-attack from the SE. CCB on l hr alert status at 1945. Weather was cold, cloudy and rainy. 12 OCT 44 On 6 hour alert since 0800. Day cold, cloudy and rainy. 13 OCT 44 Submitted recommendations for award of the French Croix de Guarre: Capt. Roueche, Lt Weems, and T/Sgt Haunschild. At 1400 Bn saw the SSO provided movie, Gas Light with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. Bn turned in two FO tanks for replacement. Received one new with Wright power and one new with Ford Power. Day cold with intermittant sunny spells. 15 OCT 44 CC went on one hour alert at 0930. At 1230 alerted for immediate movement. RO parties left at 1345 and Bn moved out at 1535 in order C,Hq,B,A, and Sv with CCB trains. At 1730 Bn recrossed the border into Germany through anti-tank dragons teeth and AT obstacles at Lichtenbus-ch. Bn closed in position at 1945 1000 yds SE of Oberforstbach and 500 yds NW of Schleckheim, Germany. Rained hard all afternoon and night. Weather muddy, cold and miserable. Only 10% of personnel have received issue of bed rolls and overshoes; all have overcoats. 16 OCT 44 Bn in position. Batteries are jammed close together and in a small restricted area. There is very little vehicular movement off of the roads as the ground is extremely soft and mushy from the rains this past month. This unit is completely surrounded by all kinds and types of Arty; more Arty than any of our personnel have ever seen concentrat-ed in one combat area. All calibers are represented, including 4.5” guns, 8” guns, 8” howitzers; also some 240mm howitzers. The Bn CP is located in a building for the first time since this unit entered combat. 5th AD still in Corps Reserve and to be committed only on Army order. Our Div. is split up with a CC in each of three Corps: CCA with XIX Corps on the North, CCB with VII Corps in the middle and CCR with V Corps on the South or Rt flank. CCs to be used only to counter-attack an enemy armored counter attack. Day cold, cloudy and rainy. 17 OCT 44 Bn now occupying better firing positions and btrys are fairly well dispersed. Nearly all vehicles had to be winched out of and into position even though chains were used. Hq Btry completely in billets. Day rainy with intermittant sunshine. 18 OCT 44 Bn registered by ground observer from 32nd FA Bn of the lst Inf. Div at 1100. Day cold, windy and rainy. Expended 18 rds. 20 OCT 44 Day cold, rainy and cloudy. Very little maintenance accomplished on account of the weather. At 2300 the area was bombed and strafed by an unknown number of JU88s and FW190s. 21 OCT 44 At 1110 approx. 30 rds of 105 and 150mm How landed 1000-1500 yds SE of the Bn area. German Recon bombers over the area at 2030 and again at 2230. Day cold with intermittant sunny spells. 22 OCT 44 At 0230 16 rds of 170 and 210mm landed 2000 yds SE of the Bn area. The Germans are apparently trying to counter-battery a neighbor M-12 SP 155mm gun Bn. Day cold with intermittant periods of sunshine. 23 OCT 44 At 1640 two ME109s flew over the area - all kinds and sizes of AA fire went up but the planes escaped into the clouds. At 2110 four British Lancaster heavy bombers were shot down by enemy night fighters and crashed in the immediate vicinity. 24 OCT 44 By 1500 the position area had been organized against enemy airborne landings - gliders and paratroops. Plan coordinated throughout the entire XIX, VII, and V Corps sectors. A 24 hr air watch to begin at 1800. Day cold and cloudy with a few short sunny periods. 25 OCT 44 Flying bombs passed over Bn area during afternoon and early evening. 27 OCT 44 Bn CO left at 1040 for Unit Cmdrs meeting at CCB and returned at 1300. CCB to march South to vicinity of Faymonville, Belgium at 1100 28 Oct. Bn will follow Hq CCB. An administrative march. Leading elements will cross the IP (Cross road in Oberforstbach) at 1100. Day cloudy and cold. 28 OCT 44 Bn moved out at 1200 in order C,Hq,A,B,Sv and crossed the border back into Belgium at 1220. At 1535 Bn closed in bivouac 1000 yds N of Oderval. Marched 35 miles. Day cold and cloudy. Now in V Corps. 29 OCT 44 At 1310 the Bn CO, Surv O and BC parties left on reconn. for positions in the vicinity of Kalterherberg and Mutzenich, Germany and returned at 1640. Flying bombs over the area regularly; some land in the vicinity of Eupen and Malmedy, Belgium. 30 OCT 44 At 1000 the Bn moved out by Btry at 30 min. intervals in the order B,Hq,C,A,Sv and at 1300 closed in position 2 miles NW of Kalterherberg, Germany. Bn marched 17 miles. This is the third time that this unit has entered Germany. Bn CP now located in an ancient castle - De Reichenstein; it was built during the reign of Charlemaigne. Day clear and cold. 31 OCT 44 Lt. Nicol, Ln Pilot 141, promoted to lst Lt.. At 1200 one Off. and 15 EM left for 48 hr pass in Paris. Lt. Weems was the lucky Off. 1 NOV 44
At 1100 CCB relieved CCR from it’s holding mission. B Bty registered at 1650. Expended 15 rds. Day cold with scattered clouds and visibil-ity from the air was very limited. 2 NOV 44
At 0830 the 28th Inf. Div attack jumped off from the vicinity of Roetgen. They were given the limited objectives of Schmidt and Vossenack. CCA 5th AD to follow in trace, pass thru and take the towns of Stockenborn, Lammersdorf, Kesternick and Simmerath to the South. This Bn is in general support of CCA and reinforcing the fires of the 47th AFA. Flying bombs pass low over this area intermittantly. Enemy night fighters knocked down 7 British Lancaster heavy bombers over CCB area. Day was clear and cold. Bn Expended 215 rds on tgts of opportu-nity and interdiction fires. 3 NOV 44
Day clear and cold with rain in the early part of the evening. Expended 120 rds on counter btry fires. 4 NOV 44
Lt Beaupre, Bn Ammo Officer, promoted to lst Lt.. CCA’s attack tomorrow morning is called off. Our Btrys will not displace to their forward positions. Visibility from OPs very poor. There was little enemy activity in our zone. The Bn expended 111 rds on interdiction and harassing fires. 5 NOV 44
Our three FOs are still out even though CCAs attack has been called off. The Howitzer Btry Commanders are still occupying OPs in the vicin-ity of Mutzenich. Day was cold and unusually clear. Our fighter bombers were out in force bombing and strafing to the East of our lines. Bn ex-pended 218 rds on tgts of opportunity and harassing fires. 6 NOV 44
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