REPORT OF ACTION AT VOSSENACK, GERMANY
At 061030 November 1944, Captain Ball, C.O., Company "A" was called to Battalion Headquarters. There he was informed that his company was on a two (2) hour alert to be used as infantry and to assemble his company in the vicinity............ ...........The company was assembled there at 1215 hours. There they were informed to assemble again in woods one-half (1/2) mile west of Vossenack, Germany and wait there until Lt Col Isley went into Vossenack to learn the situation. After reaching last assembly area, Captain Ball was informed to deploy his company and to move into Vossenack and push the enemy out. Time was not given to learn the situation nor to give any instruction to his platoon leaders, but just move in and fight the Germans. The company moved out and into city limits where they were met with fierce artillery fire. The 1st platoon was informed that they would take the south side of town and the 2nd platoon would take the north side and drive the enemy out of town or drive them as far east as possible, the 3rd platoon bringing up the rear.
The enemy was first contacted one hundred (100) yards west of the church, where fighting continued until 1700 hours when we had taken everything down to and including the church. There we were informed to set up positions from and including the church south and west of the town with company "C" on the north side of town, with the first platoon on the left, the second in the center, and the third on the right, using the buildings and dug in positions, and making full use of heavy weapons. 30 and 50 cal. machine guns with 50cal. along possible vehicle routs. Capt Ball was ordered to move company into positions formerly occupied by the infantry, company would be guided to the positions by two infantrymen, who were familiar with their location and be prepared to assist company "C" in their attack at 0700 hours by bringing fire on the enemy rear. Location of any houses occupied by company "A" be furnished Battalion Headquarters prior to start of morning attack.
At approximately 061115 November 1944, Company "A" moved out in column of files with the first platoon in the lead, followed by the second and third platoons who covered the rear of the march. As scouts, we used two men, one infantryman who was our guide and was familiar with the former infantry position. As we approached the town from the south, the infantry guide stated that he was lost and didn't know where the former positions were. Capt. Ball halted the company and sent Lt. Kehaly with one of the guides to see if they could locate positions at which time the company became engaged in a fierce fight with the enemy. At that time the company was ordered by Capt. Ball to withdraw to the rear 150 yards. At that time the company had been surrounded and the enemy was tossing flares from all sides, and were being pinned down by artillery, mortar and machinegun fire. After making estimate of the situation, company was formed in same position for withdrawal back into position at church. In moving back the enemy was again contacted and the company was brought to a halt until they were wiped out and the company continued its march. After reaching the town for the second time, Capt. Ball reported to Battalion Headquarters at 070330 November 1944. Company was ordered to take up original defensive positions.
Captain Ball returned to Battalion Headquarters at 0530, he learned that the attack was to start at 0700 hours preceded by an artillery and mortar barrage. Due to changing the tank platoon, the time involved was not sufficient to enable a coordinate attack with the Engineers, consequently postponed until 0800. Plans of attack were given that Company "A" would retake the church and give supporting fire to Company "C" who would attack and drive the enemy from the town, with Company "A" protecting the left flank as the attack progressed. As the attack progressed, Company "A" took position as planned and as the enemy ran for the woods they were knocked out by supporting fire from the flank by Company "A". In this attack on the church by the 1st platoon, two (2) squads attacked with one (1) squad giving supporting fire from the second floor of the Company CP, directly across the street from the church. Machine guns were not used in their attack due to the maneuverability of them. The 50 cal. machinegun was used the previous days in cleaning snipers out of houses. But due to maneuverability, they were not of great use to us.
At 1700 hours, the town had been cleared and Company "A" and "C" were informed to take up a tight perimeter of the town. And that infantry were to relieve us sometine* during the night and take up same positions. At approximately 2100 hours, the infantry began moving in and by 2200 hours they had taken over our positions, and companies had assembled in basement of company CP to await further orders. At 080130 November 1944, company was advised to move out of town and to assemble at RJ at bottom of hill west of town and entruck for company area.
* Typo: sometime
SUBJECT: After Action Report.
TO : Commanding Officer, 146th Engr (C) Bn.,.................
1. The following after-action reprot is hereby submitted for your information:
6 November 1944
0900 Company alerted as Infantry. Personnel concerned proceeded to make check of ammunition, weapons and other
equipment. Disposition of Company: Three squads in company area, six squads maintenance work.
0930 Capt. WALL went to Battalion for instructions.
1030 Meeting of key personnel in company area. Ordered to be at the assembly area at 1200 hrs.
1100 Capt WALL departed to contact Lt Col ISLEY and to notify squads on road to assemble at designated area.
1145 Company departed for assembly..................., 1.5 miles west of VOSSENACK.
1330 Company arrived at assembly area.
1340 Capt. WALL and Lt SCHINDLER went forward to find Lt Col ISLEY and receive instructions.
1400 General DAVIS gave instructions to occupy the village immediately. Capt. WALL sent messenger back to bring up
company.
1430 Company departed and followed Company "A" into VOSSENACK under heavy artillery fire. Order of march : First,
Second and Third Platoons in single file.
1500 Entered town. Lt BARTHOLOMEW wounded. Lt SCHINDLER took command of First Platoon. Continued to advance
into town.
1515 First Platoon received message from Company "A" not to advance beyond church. Message passed on to Company
Commander.
1630 Capt WALL ordered to secure North flank of village up to church.
1745 Capt WALL organized company to form perimeter defensefor* the night. Disposition: First Platoon front and flank,
Second and Third Platoon-North flank.
1800 Capt WALL wounded while on Recon with Major BAKER. Lt SCHINDLER assumed command of the company.
1830 Defense organization completed. Disposition: First Platoon 1 MG covering church. and road leading east from church.
1 MG covering road leading North from church. The remainder of Platoon dispersed along front and flank. Second
Platoon 2MG* posts, 2 rifle posts, and one listening post on North flank. Third Platoon 2 MG posts, 2 rifle posts, and one observation post on North Flank. Entire position coordinated to provide overlapping fields of fire.
2100 Lt SCHINDLER sent message to rear echelon to bring up rations and ammunition. Messenger returned at 0030 with
about 5 cases of K rations, 4 cans of water and 6 boxes of ammunition.
2130 Company CP established in basement of building on southwest corner of road intersection at church.
2200 Third Platoon took up defensive position on South side of road near church to relieve Company "A" of reponsibility for
right flank security. Occupied same position of Company "A" except MG posts.
2230 Third Platoon in new position. Disposition: 1 MG covering road south from church and area southeast of church. Once
forced to move because fired upon by enemy in building on northeast corner of road intersection; field of fire changed.
Two listening posts in houses east of MSR, four foxhole posts along road, two posts in church. Disposition of first and secon** Platoon unchanged.
* Typo: Space omitted, defense for.
Space omitted, 2 MG
** Typo: second
7 November 1944
0200 Lt SCHINDLER sent a message to Bn CP informing Lt Col ISLEY that the Third platoon MG position had been
attacked with hand grenades and Germans infiltrated into east end of Church, and Co "C" organized west end will hold
until daylight.
0200 Messenger dispatched to Rear Echelon instructing 1st/Sgt Holmes to establish supply dump at edge of woods and be
prepared to send water, ammunitions and rations into the village by "Jeep" the next night. Messenger returned at 0500
hrs.
0530 Found out that tank Platoons would change at 0630. New Commander arrived about 0645 hrs.
0645 Time of attack postponed until 0800 at advice of Tank C.O. Attack to be processed* by half hour mortar barrage.
Artillery to cover Anti-tank guns. Plan: Tanks to fire two rounds into each house then fire on next pair of houses, while
troops take houses from which fire was just lifted.
0730 Meeting of Company "C" officers to issue orders and plans for attack. Company "A" to take church, Second Platoon to
advance on left flank, Third Platoon to advance on right flank, First Platoon in support of second Platoon Lt ROLLINS
to coordinate advance with tanks . Second and third platoons to keep contact to advance at same rate. Lt SCHINDLER
to follow third Platoon. Platoons organized. Hand grenades found to be fuseless.
0800 Messenger sent to Bn Hq to inform Lt Col ISLEY that attack will get under way at 0815 hrs.
0815 Tanks opened fire. Two line Platoons departed for initial objective. Second Platoon: Attacked first building on NE
corner of road intersection at church. MG delivered covering fire from church. Platoon advanced toward building.
Enemy covering west side of building eliminated. A white flag was flown from window, one prisoner came out and was sent to
company CP. Platoon commander demanded surrender of remaining soldiers, no answer. Only available grenade tossed
into window. Company Commander instructed prisoner to get remaining Nasis** out of building. 19 prisoners marched
back to PW collecting point. MG brought from church to the building to cover the advance of Platoon to the second
building. When men reached the second building, the MG covered the left flank. This procedure for the remainder of
advance. After the capture of the first building, it became evident that the second Platoon needed more men as 3 men
were killed, 7 men known to be wounded and evacuated and an unknown number of men wounded, leaving
approximately 15 men left.
Lt SCHINDLER ordered first Platoon to continue attack with the second Platoon. First and Second Platoons found two cases
of American Frag. hand grenades in third building. These were tossed into succeeding buildings before entering. Third
Plt. moved into position south of church and opened fire on first building east of church. Sniper eliminated in church by
hand grenades. First Platoon of Company "A" in control of church a few minutes later. Third Platoon Company "C"
stormed building after preparatory fire by tanks; Captured 22 prisoners, found.... American and 7 German Hand
grenades. Remainder of advance: Tanks delivering preparatory fire, Platoon takes building.
Lt SCHINDLER sent message to Bn to request to Tank Commander to increase fire,................"Establish direct
contact with Tanks."
1030 Message sent to Bn Hq to inform Lt Col ISLEY that 3 houses beyond the churh are in our hands.
1100 Company "A" sent one squad to cover rear and flank of first and second platoons. (Right flank secured by 1340th and 20th
Engrs.)
1200 Lt SCHINDLER returned to CP and requested That Co. "A" follow up Company "C" and definetely clean out all
buildings of snipers that may have remained behind or infiltrated back.
1300 Friendly planes (P-38's) bombed and strafed assaulting troops.*** Dispatched messenger to Bn CP to notify them of the
situation.
1400 Company Commander received message that 25 Germans were fleeing across the field into a draw and towards the woods of
the left flank. Second platoon had no field of fire, but opened fireacross^ the field to prevent further escapes. Company
Commander requested Company "A" to fire on the fleeing enemy from the positions in the church. Requested Bn to place
artillery in the woods to prevent the reorganization and a counter attack.
1410 Lt ROLLINS lightly wounded, walked back to the aid station. S/Sgt Gray assumed command of the Third platoon.
1430 Company four (4) buildings from east end of village. Out of ammunition and short of men. Lt MEIER dispatched messenger
requesting reinforcements and MG ammunition. Messenger delayed by heavy artillery fire. Position consolidated and set up
awaiting reinforcements and ammunition.
1500 Lt MEIER dispatched another messenger to get reinforcements and MG ammunition. Message transmitted to company
commander at 1620 hrs sent back with four ammunition carriers.
1600 Lt SCHINDLER received order to secure captured portion of village.
1630 Lt Meier came back personally with 31 prisoners and to pick up reinforcements and ammunition. Discussed situation with Lt
SCHINDLER.
1645 Lt SCHINDLER went up to organize defensive positions in east portion of village. Issued orders to put four men in each house,
to get overhead cover, to round up men and reorganize platoons, and to send back to obtain rations and ammunition. Position
coordinated with Company "A" held until relieved by 109 Infantry.
1930 Company relieved by Infantry. Returned to assembly area at first house east of church.
8 November 1944
0145 Company received orders to move out of village to entrucking point for return to bivouac area.
