| AFTER ACTION REPORT 2 NOVEMBER 1944
To: Commanding General, XII Corps, Attn: AG (Historical
Officer)
In accordance with AR 345-105 and changes
there to the following After Action Report with all available documents
is submitted:
The following narrative relates incidents
of Military interest which we, the 150th Engineer Combat Battalion, experienced
thru direct or indirect engagement with the enemy in France for the period
010001A October 44 - 312400A October 44.
The most of October was rather uneventful
for the 150th Engineer Combat, Battalion Company "C" being the only Company
engaging the enemy.
071645A October 44 Company "C" departed from
the Battalion bivouac area 1 ½ miles Southwest of Champenoux, France
by motor convoy arriving at Bezange, France 071800A October 44. The mission
which had been verbally assigned Company "C" was that of supporting the
166th Engineer Combat Battalion as Infantry in a defensive position holding
the MLR of the XII Corps.
During the period 7 October 44 to 10 October
44 Company "C" supported the 166th Engineer Combat Battalion being under
harassing enemy artillery fire at all time; operations consisting of the
removal and destruction of enemy AT mines and ammunition.
On 11 October 44 the Company relieved one
Company of the 166th Engineer Combat Battalion, holding 800 yards of the
front line in Foret de Bezange. Continuing to hold the MLR on the morning
of 12 October 44, enemy artillery landed in "C" Company's sector causing
two casualties ( Pvt. Joseph Cadorette, KIA' Tec 5 Daniel Burke, LWA)
120900A October 44 Company "C" was relieved
of holding the defensive position by Company "B" of the 24th Armored Engineers,
at which time they returned to the Battalion bivouac area (still 1 ½
miles SW of Champenoux), arriving 121100A October 44.
On 13 October 44 Company "C" was assigned
mission to build a triple-single Bailey Bridge at a site previously reconnoitered
over the Marne Canal near Parroy; the bridge being constructed approximately
400 yards West of the XII MLR.
At approximately 2230 hours an intense barrage
of enemy artillery fire hit the bridge site; thirty two rounds landing
within two minutes. Also another smaller barrage hit the site at approximately
2255 hours. No casualties resulted from either barrage; however, the bridge
and equipment was chewed up a bit.
The bridge was brought to successful completion
at 1600 hours, 14 October 44.
Preparing the bridge for demolition, Company
"C"; less a demolition section of four men, with the responsibility of
demolishing the bridge if necessary; departed from Parroy arriving safely
at the Battalion bivouac area 1 ½ miles Southwest of Champenoux.
The demolition section remained until 17
October during which time they were continuously hit by harassing sporadic
enemy artillery fire. The section then returned to their Company with no
casualties among them.
"A" and "B" Companies spent the entirety
of the month building various types of bridges, maintaining and repairing
roads, drainage projects, operation of rock quarries, and removing mines;
"C" Company partaking in identical missions from 15 October to 31 October.. |