Booklet, The 777 Tank Battalion

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Waupun Historical Society

Cover page of Document - The 777 TANK BATTALION

Cover page of Document - The 777 TANK BATTALION

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Booklet, The 777 Tank Battalion

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34 pages about the 777 Tank Battalion. In Dedication 1st Lt. Robert E. White 1st Lt. Morton L. Freid Sgt. Clifford J. Thompson Cpl. .John V. Mikosek Cpl. Johnnie Hatchell Cpl. John T. Roche Pfc. Arthur F. Horning Pfc. James H. Farrell Pfc. Alfred Harm Pfc. James W. Kessler Pfc. Carlos L. Bradshaw Killed in Action 1st Lt. Clinton F. Goodwin, Jr. Cpl. Luke J. Patranella Died of Wounds Pfc. Donald R. Umphres Missing in Action "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions." 2 Samuel 1:33 SILVER :STAR Lt. Col. David T. Zweibel lst Lt. Robert E. White (Posthumous) Tee 5 Maurice M. Anderson BRONZE ST Extended Description: 34 pages about the 777 Tank Battalion. In Dedication 1st Lt. Robert E. White 1st Lt. Morton L. Freid Sgt. Clifford J. Thompson Cpl. .John V. Mikosek Cpl. Johnnie Hatchell Cpl. John T. Roche Pfc. Arthur F. Horning Pfc. James H. Farrell Pfc. Alfred Harm Pfc. James W. Kessler Pfc. Carlos L. Bradshaw Killed in Action 1st Lt. Clinton F. Goodwin, Jr. Cpl. Luke J. Patranella Died of Wounds Pfc. Donald R. Umphres Missing in Action "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions." 2 Samuel 1:33 SILVER :STAR Lt. Col. David T. Zweibel lst Lt. Robert E. White (Posthumous) Tee 5 Maurice M. Anderson BRONZE STAR (Heroic Achievement) Capt Lex E. Jarratt 1st Lt William R. Beckmann 1st Lt DeWitt G. Wolf 1st Lt Robert F. Feierabend T Sgt Arthur E. Scott Sgt Francis D. Black T Sgt John F. Schroder Sgt Merle S. Tool S Sgt Peter Meyer Sgt Alfred D. Blessing Sgt John G. Hudock Sgt Paul J. Wolf S Sgt Kenneth J. Hall Sgt Reino Pelkonen S Sgt Francis D. Nockerts Sgt Esquipula J. Trujillo S Sgt Frank Burzynski. Tee 4 William C. Albert Sgt Raymond F. Temple Tee 4 Thomas F. Lloyd Sgt Edmond C. Heintz Tee 5 Arnold R. Gould Sgt Robert V. Mann Tee 5 Charles A. Williams, Jr. Sgt Glenn E. Weatherton Tee 5 Richard C. Landers Tee 5 Thomas E. Leonhardt Pfc Joseph A. Bogutzki Pfc Frank K. Stipcak Pfc Everett H. Winans Pfc Henry Gibbs Pfc Alfred F. Orfalea Pfc David Underwood BRONZE STAR (Meritorious Service) Lt Col David T. Zweibel Maj Raymond H. Martin Maj Allen G. McMahan Capt Robert Goodman Capt James 0. Bragg Capt George A. Burson, Jr. Capt Horace F. Blackwell Capt Wm. A. Hendrickson, Jr. Capt Melvin D. Chiles 1st Lt Clinton F. Goodwin, Jr. 1st Lt John A. Hoff (Posthumous) 1st Lt William G. Rothrock 1st Lt Simeon Z. Rhodes 1st Lt Frank R. Dorner 1st Lt Sharron W. Burnham 1st Lt Charles H. Bothfeld 1st Lt Frank M. Durant 1st Lt Morton L. Fried 2nd Lt Joseph C. Robinson (Posthumous) T Sgt George L. Dendle 1st Lt Charles P. Jones T Sgt George Brown WOJG Cecil A. Belcher S Sgt Charlie D. Hardin S Sgt Leo W. Sowers S Sgt Alvin L. Percival S Sgt Joseph Bylan Sgt John Viagas S Sgt Raymond C. EshelmanTee 4 George Normand S Sgt Thomas C. McCauliff Tee 4 Nez L. Hayes Sgt John A. Shiffer Tee 5 Lionel J. Lajoie Tec 4 James W. Vinson Tee 5 Lawrence L. Ray Cpl Robert V. Vahan Pfc James M. Beck Tee 5 Gus F. Viehman Pfc Omer W. Ackman Tec 5 Loran F. Roush PURPLE HEART 1st Lt John A. Hoff 1st Lt Clinton F. Goodwin, Jr. (Posthumous) 1st Lt Sharron W. Burnham 1st Lt John F. Ferguson 1st Lt. Robert E. White (Posthumous) 1st Lt Morton L. Fried (Posthumous) S Sgt Charles W. Wargo S Sgt Vernon J. Wirth Sgt John G. Hudock S Sgt William J. Fannucchi Sgt Clifford J. Thompson (Posthumous) S Sgt Raymond C. Eshelman Tec 4 William C. Albert Aec 4 Harry W. Loveland Cpl Edward L. Davison Cpl James W. Hoover Cpl Eldon J. Kolka Cpl Ib A. Hvenegaard Cpl Jacob B. Ruhl Cpl Francis J. Bohmann Cpl Johnnie Hatchell Cpl John T. Roche (Posthumous) (Posthumous) Cpl Luke J. Patranella Cpl John V. Mikosek (Possthumous) (Posthumous) Tec 5 Frank L. Smith Tec 5 John H. Lanham Pfc Oliver McDonald Tec 5 Paul M. Howe Pfc Alfred J. F. Harm Pfc John Kedik (Posthumous) Pfc Leonard Cohen Pfc Robert E. Baggett Pfc Alexander S. Zubrowski Pfc Bentley R. Robinson Pfc Anthony J. Monteleone Pfc Carlos L. Bradshaw Pfc James H. Farrell (Posthumous) (Posthumous) Pfc Arthur F. Horning (Posthumous) Pfc James W. Kessler (Posthumous) PREPARATION On December 7, 1941 Japan instigated her sneak attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor and plunged this country into its bloodiest and most expensive war in history. On December 7, 1944, the 777th Tank Battalion fell out in front of its barracks at Fort Knox, Kentucky, complete with all the impedimenta, newly issued, which the men were to carry with them on their overseas assignment. It was five o'clock in the morning and a little drizzle came down slowly. The blazing lights in the now deserted barracks was the only bit of light in a sleeping army camp. The men silently lined up in the semi-darkness, somehow chilled and dispirited. Then came the orders for the long trek to the railroad station, nearly a mile away. Curiously that long walk carried with it memories; memories of how the 3rd and 11th Cavalry had become the backbone of the 10th Armored Division back at Fort Benning, and how the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Armored Regiment (less Companies A and B) and Company "A" of the 11th Armored Regiment, the Tank Sections of the Maintenance and Regimental Headquarters Companies of the 3rd and the 11th Armored Regiments all formed a new Medium Tank Battalion, the 777th TANK BATTALION, on September 20, 1943, just after coming back from the Tennessee Maneuvers. The newly reorganized battalion with Lt. Colonel Ned T. Norris commanding, departed from Camp Gordon, Georgia, to Fort Knox, Kentucky, on October 12, 1943, but many of us remembered having come from our two weeks after-maneuver furlough only to find ourselves in a newly-designated outfit or those on the second furlough group to find ourselves with our outfit moved out. WORK ON THE BOARD To many of us itching to get in the scrap overseas the assignment of the battalion to the Armored Test Board and the 17th Armored Group came as a disagreeable shock, and we can remember the speeches made by Colonel Norris and the Executive Officer, ( then it was Major Zweibel). It was always "here's to our getting overseas soon". But the weeks slid by until January 8, 1944, when we were relieved from duty with the Armored Board. In a final address to members of this battalion, Colonel Frank Williams, President of the Armored Board, said, "You men of the 777th Tank Battalion have contributed greatly in developing the 1\15A1, the caterpillar, and the Diesel, and I want to thank you very much for your work." It was a fine compliment for the unspectacular service the battalion had done during November and December in testing out new equipment and participating in arduous experiments conducted by the Medical Research Laboratory. Those of us close to Col. Norris and the staff remember the disappointment felt when our new assignment was announced as --5-- a demonstration battalion with the Armored School. We all felt the invasion across the channel was imminent, and wondered whether we would get an opportunity to get in the fight, but during the months that followed, our battalion did more shooting than many an outfit in the front lines, and there were many among us that knew that the experience gained thus was worth waiting for. It is a known fact that the morale of a combat outfit is always higher than that of troops assigned to routine tasks, and to offset this factor an extensive training and athletic program was promoted during the winter months. Our boxing team placed second in the Fort Knox Post Tournament and won a beautiful cup; our basketball team placed fourth; our softball team composed altogether of "A" Company men, became the indoor softball champions of Fort Knox with eleven wins and no losses ; our volleyball team ended the season in the Post Tournament. During the Fourth War Loan Drive our battalion was high with $9,000 worth of bonds and stamps purchased. THE SEELBACH OF COURSE About half-way on that hike to the station those horseshoe rolls got about twenty-five pounds heavier, but we hardly noticed it because we were remembering with satisfaction the manner in which we went through the Ground Force Tests preparatory to movement overseas during the late summer and fall of 1944. The battalion average for the tank crew gunnery test was 82.5%. And we could remember those sham battles at OP-6, and the celebration we had on our first anniversary, and those mischievous signs that mysteriously had appeared on our bulletin boards, "It is later than you think", and the latrine rumors as the battalion was alerted, and well, many more things, perhaps the Seelbach Hotel down in Louisville, or what have you? And then as we hoisted our horseshoe rolls into a different, more comfortable position and trudged the last block toward the long, dim line of Pullman coaches, we remembered with deep regret that we were not to have Lt. Col. Norris with us after all, for he had received an assignment for overseas service before we were ready ourselves. Maj. Zweibel was commanding officer now, and we had a new executive officer, Major McMahan. Then the band appeared and started playing as the train slid out, WE WERE ON THE WAY. By means of the battalion latrines we all knew that we were on our way to Camp Kilmer, N. J., and who among us can forget the briefing we received on the things to do and not to do on board ship, especially what not to do when climbing down rope ladders. And it is believed that the battalion set some kind of record on the number of doughnuts consumed in the pier before loading on the S. S. Explorer at 1700 on December 16, 1944, but is is known that some members with sensitive stomachs -6 - regretted the size of their appetites after sailing at 0800, December 17, 1944. Who among us will forget Christmas day aboard the "Explosion", and the excitement we had with two submarine alerts? Or the famous Blighty f6g as we dropped anchor in the bay off Liverpool on December 27, 1944, and docking on the 29th, when we first set foot on the soil of England? The first bus ride to Wallasey, New Year's eve in the blackout, and the Paul Jones dances? At 0930, January 4, 1945, the battalion entrained at Liverpool and traveled by railroad, continental style, to Wimborne Minister, Dorset, England, where we put into effect a vigorous training program, and the tanks and vehicles were prepared for action. Wimborne also can be remembered as the starting point for the photographic avocations of many of us, and there was much that was photogenic in that grand old town. By that time we were proficient in changing pounds, shillings, and ha'pence, and knew which to order: bitters, mild, and 'alf and 'alf. And when the bartender came along and said, "Come now, men, hit's time now, comalong, comalong". We knew we had to leaveby both units having the same boundaries. Orders had been that no friendly troops were in the area. Moved from Brenke to Heilingstadt. Enroute turned over seven PW's and two enemy officers to the Infantry and located German Infantry two miles west of Heilingstadt. Infantry dismounted from tanks and tanks lead assault in line with marching fire, killing one enemy, wounding one, and capturing forty. Moved through Heilingenstadt to Westhausen and took ten PW's. Moved to Bodenrode and enemy fled into woods. Fired HE, but because of darkness couldn't check results. Returned to Westhausen for night. 10 April 1945: Remained at Westhausen for maintenance and moved to Krungen at 2300. On this date companies objective was to follow the 9th Armored Division and mop up any enemy resistance bypassed by the 9th Armd Div. Orders were to also bypass any heavy resistance. 11 April 1945: Departed Krengen and moved east following 9th Armd Div. At Beichlingen, which was bypassed by the 9th Armd Div, ran into small arms, panzer-faust and sniper fire. Dismounted Infantry and captured 25 PW's. Lost one tank and one enlisted man was seriously wounded. Moved toward Bernsdorf through Billroda. First platoon at Billroda turned over to Infantry 49 enemy enlisted men and one Captain. At Bernsdorf took 17 PW's and outposted the town for the night. ON TO LEIPZIG 12 April 1945: At 0330 a German truck was destroyed by outpost, seriously wounding one enemy. At 1100 moved East in direction of Leipzig with one Company of 661st TD's and 1st Bn, 271st Inf Regt. On outskirts of Schortau, 5 PW's were captured. Received heavy 20, 40, and 88mm Mortar fire, causing heavy casualties among the Infanthy. Returned fire with all tank weapons, destroying six 88mm Mortar and three 20mm guns. Withdrew and bypassed area, then moved South through Branderoda, and Grost, taking 12 PW's and then moved to Pettstadt. At outskirts encountered Panzer-faust, heavy machine-gun, and small arms fire from dug-in positions. Took 51 PW's and 1 officer, destroyed two gas trucks with trailers. Sustained one casualty. Remained at Pettstadt for night and received occasional "flak" fire. 13 April 1945: During the morning received heavy artillery and "flak" fire. Moved out with third platoon leading and received 88mm fire direct. Bypassed enemy and moved through Naumberg to Stontzsch at 2330. Remained for the night. 14 April 1945: Performed maintenance and received occasional enemy artillery fire. Third platoon attached to Third Bn, 271st Inf Regts, and departed at 1500.by both units having the same boundaries. Orders had been that no friendly troops were in the area. Moved from Brenke to Heilingstadt. Enroute turned over seven PW's and two enemy officers to the Infantry and located German Infantry two miles west of Heilingstadt. Infantry dismounted from tanks and tanks lead assault in line with marching fire, killing one enemy, wounding one, and capturing forty. Moved through Heilingenstadt to Westhausen and took ten PW's. Moved to Bodenrode and enemy fled into woods. Fired HE, but because of darkness couldn't check results. Returned to Westhausen for night. 10 April 1945: Remained at Westhausen for maintenance and moved to Krungen at 2300. On this date companies objective was to follow the 9th Armored Division and mop up any enemy resistance bypassed by the 9th Armd Div. Orders were to also bypass any heavy resistance. 11 April 1945: Departed Krengen and moved east following 9th Armd Div. At Beichlingen, which was bypassed by the 9th Armd Div, ran into small arms, panzer-faust and sniper fire. Dismounted Infantry and captured 25 PW's. Lost one tank and one enlisted man was seriously wounded. Moved toward Bernsdorf through Billroda. First platoon at Billroda turned over to Infantry 49 enemy enlisted men and one Captain. At Bernsdorf took 17 PW's and outposted the town for the night. ON TO LEIPZIG 12 April 1945: At 0330 a German truck was destroyed by outpost, seriously wounding one enemy. At 1100 moved East in direction of Leipzig with one Company of 661st TD's and 1st Bn, 271st Inf Regt. On outskirts of Schortau, 5 PW's were captured. Received heavy 20, 40, and 88mm Mortar fire, causing heavy casualties among the Infanthy. Returned fire with all tank weapons, destroying six 88mm Mortar and three 20mm guns. Withdrew and bypassed area, then moved South through Branderoda, and Grost, taking 12 PW's and then moved to Pettstadt. At outskirts encountered Panzer-faust, heavy machine-gun, and small arms fire from dug-in positions. Took 51 PW's and 1 officer, destroyed two gas trucks with trailers. Sustained one casualty. Remained at Pettstadt for night and received occasional "flak" fire. 13 April 1945: During the morning received heavy artillery and "flak" fire. Moved out with third platoon leading and received 88mm fire direct. Bypassed enemy and moved through Naumberg to Stontzsch at 2330. Remained for the night. 14 April 1945: Performed maintenance and received occasional enemy artillery fire. Third platoon attached to Third Bn, 271st Inf Regts, and departed at 1500. First and Second Platoons, and Company.11eadquarters, Less Second Section, Second Platoon. 15 April 1945: Moved from Stontzsch to Lippendorf. Encountered four enemy anti-tank guns, destroyed them, and turned over 80 PW's to the Infantry, remained for night. 16 April 1945: Moved through Rotha to Espenhaian, toward Gruna. One mile south of Gruna, leading tanks with Company "A", 1st Bn, 271st Inf Regt were subjected to heavy enemy fire of all caliber, ranging from small arms to 88mm Mortar. One tank was destroyed by panzer-faust and one enlisted man wounded. Infantry suffered heavy casualties. Returned fire knocking out several enemy positions and were ordered to hold while artillery brought fire on enemy. Waited for artillery in open position for three hours and then were ordered to withdraw to Espenheim. One German officer was killed with pistol at point blank range, other enemy killed were considerable, but was unable to verify. Before withdrawing lead tank evacuated wounded Infantry under heavy fire. Second platoon attached to Second Bn, 271st Inf Regt at this time. Second Section, Second Platoon, Company "A" 15 April 1945: Moved into Pegau, With elements of the 271st Inf Regt and engaged enemy pocket in town, capturing a German Infantry Company of 100 men and officers. Rejoined Company "A", 777th Tank Bn on the 16th April and Espenheim, Germany. First Platoon and Company Headquarters, Company "A" 17 April 1945: Remained at Espenheim performing maintenance. 18 April 1945: Moved from Espenheim through Pottschsu and Oberschau to Leiberwolkwitz. Joined First Bn, 273rd Inf Regt and given mission to clear pockets at Guldengossa, Magdborn, Gruna, Stornthal, and then returned to Lieberwolkwitz. Twenty-three PW's were taken at Guldengossa, and four enemy killed. At Magdborn, took 17 PW's and were subjected to 20 and 40mm flak fire and some small arms fire. Remained at Magdborn sleeping in tanks. Sustained one counter-attack which was repulsed by automatic tank weapons. During the night, friendly artillery was brought to within 50 yards of tanks and the next morning 50 enemy dead were counted. 19 April 1945: Captured 2 officers, one Colonel and one Captain, entering Magdborn in a vehicle. 34 PW's were taken. Moved frcm Magdborn to Gruna with Infantry walking in front of tanks. Found 15 88mm guns and 30 flak guns with great quantities of ammunition abandoned. Moved to Stormthal, and found no resistance then returned to Lieberwolkwitz. Tanks were gassed and proceeded into Leipzig and remained the night. 20 April 1945: Moved from Leipzig to Taucha and returned under battalion control to Naunhof. Second Platoon, Company "A' 16 April 1945: Moved from Espenheim and joined 2nd Bn, 271st Inf. Regt. at Rotha. 17 April 1945: Were alerted at 0400 and at 1000 moved to Bolen and took up positions firing at enemy gun emplacements at 3200 yards. Sustained three slight casualties. Later made an attempt to move to Pulgar but were forced to return due to heavy artillery fire. At 1800 engaged enemy at Pulger and took 200 PW's. At 2000 moved to Zwenkau, with Infantry walking in front of tanks. Took City with slight resistance after dark and remained the night. 18 April 1945: At 0700 moved to Eythra with Infantry marching. Infantry was pinned down by small arms fire and tanks cleared town with marching fire. One 40mm and one 88mm gun were destroyed. Platoon was split and town divided and 250 PW's were taken. An attempt was made to take an enemy gun position containing 46 flak and 88mm guns but were ordered to evacuate town, preparatory for artillery barrage of the Second Division. Platoon leader while making a personal reconnaissance for the tanks was killed by enemy artillery fire. The platoon withdrew to Zwenkau under command of the platoon Sergeant and remained for night. 19 April 1945: Remained at Zwenkau until 1715 due to lack of gas and then moved with the Regiment to Markkleeberg. 20 April 1945: Moved to Regt at Taucha and rejoined Company "A" then moved to Naunhof under battalion control. Third Platoon, Company "A" 14 April 1945: Attached to Third Bn, 271st Inf Regt and departed Stonzsch at 1500. Picked up Infantry at Werben and moved toward Lutzen. South of Lutzen, received enemy artillery and flak concentration, forcing Infantry to dismount. Tanks dispersed and fired at probable targets. Took up defensive positions at Rhana and moved into the town after dark. 15 April 1945: Cleared town of Lutzen and moved into Pegau, remaining for the night. 16 April 1945: Moved out at 1100 to Audigast with Infantry on tanks and received heavy small arms fire. Infantry dismounted and town was subjected to artillery concentration. Infantry and tanks started to move in and panzer-faust knocked out platoon leader's tank, killing the platoon leader and seriously wounding two enlisted men. Platooil Sergeant took command and all tank weapons were used in marching fire, causing extremely heavy casualties among the enemy. Two tanks remained at Audigast to clear town and two proceeded to Kobschutz. At northern end of town the platoon sergeant's tank received 88mm fire on the turret. The column proceeded and second tank received four direct hits from 88mm at point blank range, killing three crew members, seriously wounding one, and slightly wounding the fifth. The enemy gun position was destroyed and an ammunition dump set on fire. Enemy opened up with heavy artillery concentration, and the remaining tank withdrew into Audigast and remained for the night. 88's DESTROYED 17 April 1945: Took town of Kleinstarkwitz and 6 88mm guns were destroyed and 47 PVC's were taken. Remained at Pegau for the night. 18 April 1945: Performed maintenance on tanks. Marched to Naunhof with the battalion and rejoined company, (19 April 1945) . 20 to 30 April 1945, remained under Bn control at Naunhof in Division reserve. Company "B", 777th Tank Battalion 1 April 1945: Attached to 272nd Inf Regt at Hoffen. Spent day on maintenance of vehicles. 2 April 1945: Departed Hoffen Germany, 2130 and marched to Giessen. 3 April 1945: Departed Giessen, arrived Altenstadt. 4 April 1945: Departed Altenstadt, arrived Istha. Departed lstha arrived Dornberg. 5 April 1945: Departed Dornberg and marched through Kassel in attack on Landwehrhagen. Took the town and destroyed one Mark IV tank and crew, and turned over twelve PW's to the Infantry. Repelled a counter-attack and took 70 more PW's, killing 35 enemy. 6 April 1945: Took cities of Dapheim, Nieste, Kl Amerode, Ellingerode, and Witzenhausen. Destroyed 2 enemy tanks and two armored vehicles. Turned over to the Infantry 42 PW's and killed 12 enemy. 7 April 1945: With the 272nd Inf Regt, shelled towns of Eichenberg and Hohenganborn, and returned to Witzenhausen. 8 April 1945: Moved with 880th F. A., 661st TD's and 272nd Inf Regt and took towns of Eichenberg, Hohenganborn, and Arenschausen against heavy resistance. Knocked out one enemy truck and one American Jeep, maned by the enemy. Took 45 PW's and killed 15 enemy. 9 April 1945: Took towns of Schonan, Uder, and Heiligenstadt with little resistance. Turned over 20 PW's to Infantry and remained at Houthen for the night. 10 April 1945: Marched to Hauthen then to Korner. 11 April 1945: Marched from Korner to Grossneuhausen and thence through Naumberg to Teuchern. 12 April 1945: Marched from Teuchern to Obernessa. 13 April 1945: Marched from Obernessa to Elstertrebnitz. 14 April 1945: Attacked Quisau at 1700 with the 2nd Bn, 272nd Inf Regt. Captured and destroyed 36 88mm guns and the complete fire control center. Took 200 PW's some of which were women in uniform. Returned to Elstertrebnitz. 15 April 1945: Remained at Elstertrebnitz working on tanks. 16 April 1945: Departed Elstertrebnitz at 0900 enroute to Zweenfurth. Encountered light, scattered resistance enroute. Turned over 10 PW's to Infantry. 17 April 1945: Company "B", minus 1st Platoon remained at Zweenfurth First platoon with Company "C", 1st Bn, 272 Inf Regt took towns of Hirshfield and Alton taking 7 PW's. 18 April 1945: Departed Zweenfurth, 1st, 2nd 3rd platoons with 1st, 2nd, 3rd Bns., 272nd Infantry Regiment to attack the outskirts of Leipzig, Germany. At the outskirts took 150 PW's. At 1800 the first three tanks of 2nd platoon went forward as a reconnaissance element and ran into heavy opposition. The balance of the platoon came forward in their zone to the vicinity of the railroad station where the lead tank was knocked out. The crew dismounted and the loader was killed. Ten enemy were killed and 10 captured, including an SS Captain. The platoon returned under Regimental orders to phase line three and patrolled the area. The 1st and 3rd platoons worked with their respective battalions patrolling enemy escape routes from the city of Leipzig. 19 April 1945: At 1800 the company withdrew from Leipzig and reassembled in regimental area. 20 April 1945: Rejoined the 777th Tank Battalion at Naunhof. BLOODY EILENBERG 21 April 1945: At 1300 Company alerted to move to attack on Eilenberg. Departed at 1547 and joined Company "A", 271st Inf. Regt. Attempted to force entrance of town but were forced to retire. Returned to Wedelwitz for the night. During the night several concentrations of enemy HE were received by the tanks. 22 April 1945: At 0900, one platoon was sent to attack the city from the South and the balance of the company from the East. Both column moved forward under heavy resistance from enemy artillery and panzer-faust. The column moving from the East worked forward as far as the Creek, where the Infantry was pinned down. Two tanks were hit at this point killing one officer and wounding two enlisted men. The column withdrew and artillery fire was brought to bear on the enemy. The column moving from the South made repeated attempts to work forward into the town but were unable to gain headway due to heavy panzer-faust fire. Repeated attempts were made but both columns were pushed back trying to reach the Mulde River. One aditional tank was knocked out but was recovered and turned over to maintenance. Between each attack, artillery was brought to bear on the enemy. During the night, heavy concentrations of 4.2 Mortars were used to dislodge the enemy. 23 April 1945: At 0600 after a heavy artillery concentration, the town was cleared and the Mulde River was reached. One enlisted man was wounded in attempting to leave the tank. Company regrouped and returned to Naunhof under battalion control. 24 April to 30 April 1945: Company remained at Naunhof under battalion control in Divisional reserve. Company "C", 777th Tank Battalion 1 April 1945: Moved with the 273rd Inf Regt from Faulkenbach to Weilberg. 2 April 1945: Departed Weilberg arrived Ippinghausen. 3 April 1945: Departed Ippinghausen arrived Niederelsungen. 5 April 1945: Working with Company "E", 273rd Inf. Regt., took towns of Monchehof, Hohenkirchen, and Holzhausen. At Holzhausen, killed 75 enemy in a barn and took 8 PW's. One officer and three enlisted men were killed and three enlisted men were seriously wounded in the action. 6 April 1945: In the vicinity of Wilhemhausen, took up firing positions and shelled Bonaport, enabling Company "G", 273rd Inf Regt to enter the town and drive two companies of German Infantry to the North. Known material destroyed, two machine gun positions and 50 bazookas. Repaired crater in road and removed road block with tank-dozer then moved to Lutterberg. 7 April 1945: Attacked down Autobahn to Laubach, and joined 1st Bn, 273rd Inf Regt. Shelled Lippoldshausen and forced withdrawal of German column of six vehicles. Shelled column completely destroying it at 4500 yards. Identified one large towed cannon and ammunition truck which burned. 8 April 1945: Moved to Afzenhausen without incident. 9 April 1945: Moved from Afzenhausen to Mollenfeldt. 10 April 1945: Second and third platoons attached to 2nd and 3rd battalions, 273rd Inf Regts respectively. Balance of company moved to Heiligenstadt. First Platoon and Headquarters Section, Company "C" 11 April 1945: Departed Heiligenstadt arrived Schtolheim. 12 April 1945: Departed Schtolheim arrived Saubach. 13 April 1945: Remained at Saubach. 14 April 1945: Departed Saubach arrived Teuchern. 15 April 1945: Remained in Teuchern. 16 April 1945: Departed Teuchern arrived Borna. 17 April 1945: Joined Task Force Zweibel (See Task Force Zweibel) and cleared area North of Borna. Took 40 PW's and liberated 1400 allied PW's. 50 "GOOD" KRAUTS 18 April 1945: Spearheaded advance to Liberwolkwitz. Taking enroute towns of Kohra, Thrana and Grossporna. First Platoon with Company "B", 273rd Inf Regt fought their way into center of Leipzig, destroying 12 machine-guns, killing 50 enemy and forcing the surrender of several strong points. Hq Sect worked with a platoon of Company "B', 273rd Inf Regt patrolling escape routes from the city and rejoined 1st Platoon. 19 April 1945: Patrolled Leipzig. 20 April 1945: First Platoon moved to Pausitz and took up defensive positions with Company "B", 273rd Inf Regt. Hq Sect moved to Zwititz and established road block... [truncated due to length]

Acquisition

Accession

2014.0037

Source or Donor

Thomas, Gaylord W.

Acquisition Method

Donation