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Task Force HUDELSON
117th Cavalry Recon Squadron Operations
January 1945 Operation Nordwind
Source de ce journal
117th Cavalry Recon Squadron Operations page 44
30th of November
The strength of the Squadron on the was 40 Officers and 688 Enlisted men.
(For some reason we have no Daily Reports for the 117th from the end of November through the 30th of
December. The Squadron Daily Report record of events resumes in January, which includes actions on
December 31st 1944 at Bitche.)
In his Book, Col. Samsel comments on this period as follows:
Gambsheim was finally occupied on
December 8th with assistance from a 3rd Division Infantry Battalion.
On December 10th
the Squadron was attached to the 79th Division, which attacked north along the Rhine
using the 117th on the right flank adjacent to the river. After hard fighting, we occupied Bischweiler and
then Seltz, about 24 miles north. The objective on December 15th was Lauterbourg, our first town on
German soil. Lt. Bertoldi with his Platoon from "C" Troop engaged the enemy for the first time on his own
soil and took the town on the 16th. On that day, the Squadron was relieved for a short rest. Elements of the
70th Division took over. At this point, the Squadron was operating farther east than any other Allied Troops
on the entire western front. The only barrier between Germany and us was the Rhine River.)
On December 18th, 1st LT. Harry E. Roedler , Staff Sgt. Vincent C. Panzino, Staff Sgt. Edward Torbich, Sgt
Ernest Haley and Sgt. Henry E. Deaton were killed when the Bantam in which they were riding ran over a
stack of buried Teller mines. 2nd Lt. Carl G. Ellison was seriously wounded and later died from wounds
received in the same explosion.
On December 21st
the Squadron was attached to the 14th Armored Division and assigned to the Hudelson
Task Force, commanded by Col. D. H. Hudelson. A copy of "Hudelson Task Force, 21 December - 2
January" prepared for the files of the 14th Armored division is included with the 117th Daily Reports for the
month of December. It is the only archival record we have of that period.
The following are a few facts excerpted from the Hudelson Report.
The report begins with by telling about the 7th Army, responding to orders to extend its boundaries and
assume the defensive along a 84 mile front from the Rhine River to the vicinity of Sarrbrucken to facilitate
the Third Army's regrouping for operations against Von Rundstedt’s Ardennes salient. Those instructions
came to the 7th Army officially in the form of a 6th army Group letter dated 21, December 1944 which
emphasized that the Group would be prepared to yield ground rather than endanger the integrity of its
forces. The XV Corps comprised the left flank of the 7th army, the VI Corps was positioned on the right.
The Hudelson Task Force was positioned on the VI Corps left flank, holding a front of about ten miles in the
lower Voges/Hardt mountains area. It consisted of:
Combat Command Reserve,
14th Armored Div. less one tank Battalion;
Co. "B", 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion;
Co B , 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion;
Co "A" 125th Armored Engineer Battalion;
1-540 Combat Engineers.
94th Cavalry Sqdn,
62nd Armored Infantry Battalion
and the 117th Cavalry Recon Sqdn.
The 94th was attached to the 117th.
The 62nd AIB was placed on the right of the sector, the 117th Cavalry Squadron on the left, and the 94th
Cavalry Squadron in the center. The 1st Battalion of the 540th Engineers was given the mission of
maintaining all roads and bridges in the sector and assuming the role of reserve for the Task Force, The
500th AFA Battalion supported the Task Force. The Colonel makes a point of the fact that "due to the
extremely large front it was difficult to organize a continuous defensive line or to give sufficient depth to the
defense.
Page 44
He further stated that the character of the terrain was such that a continuous line of defense was difficult to
establish and the Troops were ordered to establish strong points. In dense mountainous forest, this
obviously permitted considerable opportunity for unobserved infiltration! His report includes very little about
the 117th. Most of the combat action reported deals with that in the area of the 62nd Armored Infantry
Battalion which held the right flank of the Task Force positions.
117th Cavalry Squadron's participation in the Hudelson Task Force
(From Col. Samsel's "After Action Report" and other commentaries on this period in Chapter VIII of his
Book)
Colonel Samsel notes that with the 94th Recon. attached, we were ordered to take up defensive positions
in the heavily wooded area of the Upper Vosges Mountains, to the south and southeast of the town of
Bitche. The 117th was directed to relieve the 106th Cavalry Group who were holding positions there. That
order was implemented on
December 23rd. The positions we took over were considered well prepared with
considerable quantities of concertina wire and heavily mined areas to their front. (Editorial comment: We
were pleased with that until the third platoon sergeant asked for maps of the mine fields they had laid in
front of the "C" Troop Sector. They informed us that they had not prepared any and left! That was a
complication we didn't need!)
The ten- mile defensive line held by the Task Force was indeed sparsely covered (see map). Two troops
each of the 117th and the 94th Recon were committed to front line positions. "B" and "C" Troops of the
117th were on the left flank. "B" Troop on the left at the head of a lake. They maintained contact with
elements of the 100th Division's 199th Infantry Regiment on their left. Each Troop had five light tanks
attached. On "C" Troop's right flank, "B" and "D" Troops of the 94th Recon held the center of the Task
Force Sector. The 62nd Armored Infantry Battalion defended the right flank of the sector.
In support were the 500th Armored Field Artillery, "A" company 125th Engineers, a Platoon of the 645th
Tank Destroyer Battalion and Co. "B" of the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion.
Page 45
28 December 1944
"B" Troop, 117th, on the left, extended from
Q779488 to
Q785490 to
Q788493. They maintained contact,
on their left with elements of the 100th Division's 399th Infantry and on their right with "C" Troop, 117th. "C"
Troop positions extended from 788-483 to
Q796475 to
Q800483 and they maintained contact with
Troop "D", 94th Cav. Recon. whose positions ran from
Q800483 to
Q803475 to
Q808470 to
Q810471.
They in turn maintained contact, on their right, with "B" Troop of the 94th. "B" Troop's positions extended
from
Q809469 to
Q805460 to 812-455, On their right, "B" Troop was in contact with elements of the
62nd Armored Infantry Battalion.
Co "F", 117th had 10 light tanks attached to Troop "B" in defensive positions in the vicinity of the lake,
Q785490. Five light tanks were attached top "C" Troop to reinforce the "C" Troop line. The balance of CO.
"F" was in reserve at Mouterhouse,
Q795425.
Troop "E" artillery firing positions were set up in the vicinity of
Q783431, in general support of all elements
of the Squadron.
"A" Troop of the 117th was attached to the 62nd Armored Infantry for operations only in the vicinity of
Q882414.
46
The 500th Armored Field Artillery, set up to support all elements of the task Force, was in Barenthal, -
42. (questionable grid ID) Elements of the 1st Battalion, 540th Engineer Regiment, in Task Force reserve,
were available to the 117th on call. Attached units were Co. "A" 125th Engineers, one platoon of Co. "B",
645th TD Bn, and one platoon of Co. "B" 83rd Chemical Weapons Bn.
The Command Posts of both Squadrons were set up in Mouterhouse. "A" Troop of the 117th, initially in
reserve at the Squadron Command Post, was attached to the 62nd Armored Infantry Battalion on
December 28th.
Enemy patrols operated each night in the sectors of both Squadrons. On one occasion, in the early morning
hours of December 29th, an enemy patrol of one officer and four men cut through the wire defenses of the
3rd Platoon Troop "B" of the 117th and attacked the platoon CP. They killed the sentry, wounded three
others and captured the Platoon Leader Lt. Steven Middlebrook.
(Unless otherwise indicated, what follows is again drawn from the Squadron Daily reports starting with
January 1, 1945)
31 December 1944
During the afternoon of December 31st, Major Samsel, inspected the "B" Troop defenses with Col. Meyers,
CO of the 62nd Armored Infantry who were to relieve the Squadron on January 4th. At the time, Capt
Barnaby, "B" Troop's CO was supervising improvement of defensive positions in his sector. Connecting
trenches between positions were deepened, additional concertina wire was being laid and all positions
being strengthened as much as possible. All automatic weapons had been dug in, tanks were in hull
defilade positions and both radio and telephone communications were superbly tied in so that positions
could communicate with each other and the CP as they desired. Both Col. Samsel and Col. Meyers were
well impressed and satisfied with the organization of the defenses in this area.
Early in the evening of December 31st 1044, VIth Corps issued orders to all Troops that there was to be no
celebrating or drinking of any intoxicating beverages: Troops were to be especially alert! This seemed
hardly necessary because forward positions had been previously probed often enough to cause us to
realize the absolute need to remain alert at all times.
During the early evening of December 31st, reports indicated that the entire Squadron sector was quiet. At
2310, the 1st platoon of Troop "B", 117th Cavalry, reported very heavy traffic on the road running due east
from Bitche. There followed similar reports from all platoons along our front during the next thirty minutes.
Artillery was placed on pre-arranged concentrations along this road.
1 January 1945
A few moments after midnight, Capt. Barnaby, CO of "B" Troop, 117th reported that the outpost of the
399th Infantry at
Q776492 was surrounded by an estimated 60 enemy. Telephone contact with the outpost
was, however, still maintained. This information was given to the 399th Regiment who advised they would
send reinforcements to relieve the situation. Almost at the same time, the 3rd platoon of "B" Troop, 117th
Cavalry reported that enemy were attacking their positions from the left and rear. Shortly thereafter, the 1st
and 2nd platoons reported heavy enemy attacks and fierce fire-fights in their sector.
By 0100, 1 January 1945, all platoons of Troop "C" 117th reported that they were being engaged by the enemy.
This was followed by similar reports from "D" Troop, 94th Cavalry on our right.
S/Sgt Sherman in command of the 117ths "B" Troop 2nd platoon directed artillery fire to within 75 yards of
his positions and stopped the initial attack.
Page 47
By 0300, it became apparent that the enemy was attacking in strength and Col. Hodge asked the Hudelson
Task Force for "A" Troop of the 117th to be sent for support. He was informed that "A" Troop was already
committed in the 62nd Armored Infantry sector. He then requested Company "A", 125th Engineers for
support They had been in reserve. Again he was informed that this company was committed on the left of
the 62nd AIF Bn. A final request was made for a Company of the 540th Engineers. Permission was given to
commit "B" Company of that unit.
Intense firefights continued in all sectors of the 117th and in the "D" Troop area of the 94th. The main
attacks appeared to be against "B" Troop of the 117th. The Platoon Leader of the 2nd platoon continued to
call for artillery fire, which he directed to within 25 yards of his positions, inflicting severe losses on the
Germans. All radio antennae were destroyed, eliminating radio communications, and it was later
determined that one armored car had been hit and the tires on all platoon vehicles had been destroyed by
his own fire.
At approximately 0330 Col. Hodge ordered "B" Troop's Captain Barnaby to have his platoons withdraw and
if equipment could not be withdrawn, to destroy it if feasible. The Troop was to withdraw to a line
Q772463
east to
Q797468, and establish new positions.
At this time, Col. Hodge ordered Captain Zecca, The 117th' Squadron's Assist, S-3 to take the reserve,
Company "B" of the 540th Engineers, and establish a defense line at the same coordinates he had given to
Captain Barnaby. Captain Zecca was to be in Command of this defense area. He was to employ all the
remaining elements of Troops "B" and "C" of the 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, and also the
Troops of the 94th Cavalry Recon. Squadron in protecting his right flank.
As "B" Troop of the 117th withdrew, the 3rd platoon covered the 1st platoon, which found it necessary to
withdraw without their vehicles because the enemy infiltration into their positions made that impossible.
Breechblocks were removed from some of the 37mm guns and the light automatic weapons were taken by
members of the platoon. The 2nd platoon withdrew next, also with out their tire damaged vehicles, and the
3rd platoon followed with a platoon of light tanks covering their withdrawal.
It was necessary for each platoon to fight its way back against intense small arms fire from enemy who had
already penetrated to their rear. The platoon of "F" Troop light tanks covering the withdrawal fired over
18,000 rounds of .30 cal. ammo in the course of that action.
Troop "C" of the 117th was given the order to withdraw to the new defense line shortly after Troop "B". It
was reported that the 3rd platoon of Troop "C" had been overrun, receiving intense enemy small arms fire
and infiltration which was heaviest on their left and center sectors. The 1st and 2nd platoons withdrew
successfully retaining the majority of their equipment while the 3rd platoon lost all equipment and automatic
weapons. The platoon of 4.2 mortars supporting Troops "C" and "D" , about to be overrun, found it
necessary to destroy four mortars to prevent their capture.
At approximately 0430, word was received from "HTF" that the 19th Armored Infantry Battalion, less one
Company, was being sent to support the 117th Cavalry Recon. Squadron.
Captain Zecca arrived at 0415, in the area where the new defense line was to be organized, and took
command of the situation. Troop "B" was employed on the left of the line with Troop "C" on the right.
Company "B", 540th Engineers was intermingled with both Troops. The platoon of Tank Destroyers from
the 645th Tank destroyer Bn. was placed in position for close support. A new defensive line was organized
to the right and left of the road at
Q777464 and
Q782464 at 0430A.
Two platoons of the 540th Engineers were initially employed, supported by the 2nd platoon of Troop "B" of
the 117th. The remaining platoon of engineers was held in reserve 500 yards to the rear.
Page 48
The enemy was less than 60 yards from these positions as our Troops moved into this line. It was
estimated that the enemy force consisted of approximately 60 to 75 men supported with machine guns
deployed in the draw at
Q779465.
Six light tanks of "F" Company of the 117th were set up at
Q779462. They covered the approaches leading
to the crossroad.
Three Tank destroyers of the 645th Tank Destroyer Bn. were set in position at
Q778463 and
Q779462.
The enemy continued his infiltration tactics from the draw
Q779465, maintaining heavy small arms and
machine gun fire against our defense.
At 0500, Captain Zecca realized that his force could not contain the enemy in the draw. He then established
a defensive line on the high ground four hundred yards south of the cross-road
Q779462. The 1st and 2nd
platoons of "C" Troop had withdrawn to this and the 3rd platoon of "B" Troop of the 117th had also arrived.
All of them were immediately employed in the line.
In this new defense line, Captain Zecca improved his position and protected his only remaining route of
withdrawal. Reports were received from "D" Troop of the 94th Cavalry Recon. Squadron, on the right of this
defense line, that strong enemy pressure was being maintained against that position.
An enemy patrol of 15 to 20 men was observed infiltrating southwest down the draw at
Q776465. a strong
combat patrol from Troop "C" was sent to observe and report the situation on the left flank where the patrol
had been seen.
The enemy continued infiltrating aggressively toward this new position. Our troops engaged them with all
available weapons and began to receive scattered rounds of mortar fire.
By 0700 the remaining personnel of "B" and "C" Troops had successfully withdrawn to the new defense
positions and had been employed in the line.
At 0730 Captain Brown, S3, 117th Cavalry Recon. Squadron arrived at the forward positions of Captain
Zecca, accompanied by the S2 of the 19th Armored Infantry Bn. and one platoon of the 19th Infantry.
Persistent attempts to infiltrate through our positions were continuously repulsed.
The balance of the 19th Armored Infantry Bn. under command of Major Green less one Company, closed in
by 0930 at
Q789458. The 19th Infantry I & R platoon immediately reconnoitered the area for a line of
departure, preparatory to launching an attack. The attack by the 19th was to be launched from a line at
Q778480 to
Q784461. Their mission was to clear out the enemy and restore the original lines maintained
by the 117th Cavalry Recon Squadron. The remaining elements of "B" and "C" Troops of the 117th, and the
light tanks of "F" Company would support this attack. It was planned that the 117th Cavalry elements would
occupy the ground of intermediate objectives as the attack progressed.
Our Air OP reported
at 1030 that approximately 60 to 80 enemy were observed moving southwest from
Q772462. It was believed their intent was to cut the withdrawal route of our forces.
Enemy pressure against our right flank became more aggressive.
Troop “D” of the 94 Cavalry Recon. Squadron, reported an enemy tank supported by approximately 30 to
40 dismounted men approaching from Stockbronn,
Q811479.
Page 49
By noon, the situation was obscure on our left flank. No word was received from our patrol operating there.
Heavy pressure was being exerted on our right flank with small arms and intermittent mortar fire on our
immediate front.
Troop "D" of the 94th, on the right flank was withdrawing successfully under increasingly strong enemy
pressure. It was apparent that the enemy intended to get behind us, cut our route of withdrawal and reduce
our positions from the rear.
Troop "D" of the 94th reported an enemy tank and thirty men approaching from the vicinity of
Q794462, the
immediate right flank of our position. One Tank Destroyer was dispatched by Captain Zecca and it engaged
the enemy within 500 yards of his CP. The area was heavily wooded, and the enemy tank remained under
cover.
At the Squadron Command Post in Mouterhouse, the situation was well in hand, with complete information
of the situation along the entire sector of the "HFT". It was apparent that the right flank of the Task Force
was falling back and reliable reports indicated that the enemy was holding the ground at Bannstein and
controlled the road running southwest as far south as
Q814440.
The Squadron Command Post at Mouterhouse was under artillery fire and it was decided to move it one
mile south from Mouterhouse. Upon arriving there
at 0133, a report was received that Barenthal was under
small arms fire and Col. Hudelson requested support.
When at 1400 1, January 1945, it appeared that the right flank of "HTF" was collapsing and the possibility of
the road between Mouterhouse and Barenthal being cut, Lt. Col. Hodge issued the following orders: Troop
"D" 94th Cavalry Recon. Sqdn. was ordered to Barenthal to support "HFT".
Troop "B" of the 94th was given the mission to keep open the road at
Q819427, for a possible withdrawal
south toward Reipertswiller. Captain Zecca was ordered to withdraw to the main road running between
Mouterhouse and Lemberg. Upon arriving there, the elements of "B" and "C" Troops were to delay toward
Lemberg. The 19th Armored Infantry was to withdraw to Mouterhouse and to delay along the road from
Mouterhouse to Sarriensberg.
Q744418.
Troops "B" and "D", 94th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron successfully disengaged with the enemy and
withdrew to accomplish their new mission.. Arriving at Mouterhouse
1530, the leading elements of Troop
"D" were fired upon by direct fire from what was thought to be an 88MM SP attempting to fight their way
forward. They received small arms fire on the eastern outskirts of the town. A road block was then
established at
Q794426 by Troop "D" to keep the road open running southeast from Mouterhouse west
toward Sarreinsberg.
The remaining elements of Troops "B" and "D' of the 94th withdrew along the road from Mouterhouse west
toward Lemberg.
In the meantime, Troop "C" followed by Troop "B" of the 117th withdrew west toward Lemberg. The 19th
Infantry supported by 3 Tank Destroyers withdrew to Mouterhouse where they received heavy sniper fire.
(In Col. Samsel's book, (then Sgt.) Robert D. Robbins of "B" Troop, tells of being bombed and strafed by
four P-47 Thunderbolts of the 358th Fighter Group as they proceeded down the road toward Lemberg.
(Your editor too can confirm that incident. Fortunately, the planes scored no hits though a bomb did hit on
the roadside embankment directly over my head showering me with dirt and stones while machine guns
bullets tore up the ground not a foot in front of my toes).
At 1700 the 19th Armored Infantry set up a line astride the road southwest of Mouterhouse, vicinity
426 southeast to
Q778415.
Page 50
When word was received that Barenthal and Mouterhouse was in enemy hands, it was decided to set up a
line from Reipertswiller west to Sarreinsberg.
The 19th Infantry and Troop "C", 117th Cavalry were withdrawn to Sarreinsberg. Our Engineers had
previously prepared two charges in the road between Mouterhouse and Sarreinsberg.
The Squadron Command Post was established at Wingen
1700P 1. January 1945. Lt. Col. Hodge and
Captain Zecca reported to the Commanding General, 14th Armored division at Bouxwiller for instructions,
since we were out of touch with the HTF". Lt. Col. Hodge called G3 of the VIth Corps to bring him up to date
on the situation.
Col. Hodge ascertained the location of the "HTF" and reported at Reipertswiller approximately
1700 1,
January 1945. Instructions were received from Col. Hudelson to hold the present line between
Reipertswiller and Sarreinsberg. The line was established and held by elements of the 94th Cavalry
Squadron, "C" Troop of the 117th Cavalry Squadron and the 19th Armored Infantry Battalion.
th
During all this time Troop "A" of the 117 , which was attached to the 62nd Armored Infantry Battalion near
Bernstein, had had its troubles too. Ordered out of reserve from Phillipsburg to the vicinity of Bannstein,
they had set up defensive positions when the attack first began. They were steadily forced back by a
numerically superior enemy. Patrols operating between platoons were cut off.
By 0600, Bannstein was in enemy hands.
The 2nd platoon's route of withdrawal was cut by this occupation and it was necessary for
them to run the gauntlet of fire in order to rejoin the Troop. Having run out of ammunition, they made a dash
for it, and although some of the bantams were riddled and two men wounded, they made it.
The other platoons found themselves in a similar situation. The machine gun fire covering the road on
which they had to withdraw was so heavy that they realized the bantams could not survive.
So the armored cars were loaded to capacity with the majority of the 1st platoon and took off at top speed.
Although the lead car stopped a bazooka shell, the column got through safely.
The remainder of the 1st platoon and the 3rd platoon were reorganized under the command of Lt. D.
Christian Gauss, 3rd Platoon Leader. Finding it impossible to evacuate his men in bantams, he led them
cross-country, dismounted, sometimes having to wade through waist-deep streams. This group totaled 25
men. They arrived safely at Phillipsburg
at 0730, with their ammunition exhausted. During the balance of
the day, the Troop operated as infantry, filling in gaps between other units.
By the end of the day, "C" Troop of the 117th together with the 19th Armored Infantry Bn. was holding a line
Sarreinsberg - Goetzenbruck. Company "F" with its few remaining tanks was maintaining a roadblock on
the Sarreinsberg - Wingen road against any enemy penetration from the north. Troop "B" with its few
remaining vehicles was operating road patrols from Wingen -35 to Rosteig -37. (? why 2 digit Grids
in this paragraph?) Troop "E" firing positions were set up in Ingwiller -30. Troop "D" of 94th Cavalry was
maintaining positions in the vicinity of Wildenguth -38, Reipertswiller -36 - Ingwiller -30
So endeth January 1, 1945 - but it was not yet the end of the German "Operation Nordwind" . The Germans
had attacked with 4 divisions; the 559th, 257h, 361st and 256thVolksgrenadiers.
-117th Cavalry Recon Squadron Daily reports continue-
2, January 1945
Elements of the 179th Infantry Regiment arrived to support the Reipertswiller -
Sarreinsberg line, and
by 0800, the Commanding Officer, Col. Murphy, was appraised of the situation and
employed his troops accordingly.
Page 51
About 1500, Troop "A" was relieved of attachment to the 62nd Armored Infantry and reverted to control of
the Squadron. Conservatively estimated, "A" Troop accounted for at least 150 enemy casualties, not taking
into consideration casualties inflicted by unobserved mortar fire.
Later in the day, word was received from Task force Hudelson that this Squadron and the 94th Squadron
were relieved. The 117 , less "C" Troop, which was still in position with the 19th Infantry, at Goetzenbruck,
moved toward an assembly area.
During the first two days of the New Year, the Squadron inflicted at least 1000 casualties upon the enemy.
In many cases, the men fired until their ammunition was exhausted or the barrels of their automatic
weapons were burnt out. Our own casualties were one killed, 14 wounded and 25 missing.
3, January 1945
The Squadron less "C" Troop, assembled in the vicinity of Ringendorf. "A" Troop and
Squadron Headquarters remained in this village and prepared for refitting and extensive motor
maintenance. Troop "E" moved to Bischwiller for a similar purpose. Company "F" and Troop "B" located in
Altdorf and Issenhausen respectively.
"C" Troop remained in the vicinity of Goetzenbruck, assisting the 19th Armored Infantry Battalion in
repulsing enemy attacks.
At 1500, the Troop was attached to the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th
Division.
At 1800, and enemy infantry attack was made in considerable strength supported by 3 tanks. "C"
Troop assisted in repulsing the assault. One tank was knocked out by artillery fire.
(Although it is not covered in the Squadron Daily Reports, "Those who were there will tell you that C" Troop,
in the course of the above enemy attacks, was for a time, completely surrounded and cut off from any route
of withdrawal, an advantage the enemy was unable to sustain").
Lt. Col. Hodge, who had been scheduled to leave for temporary duty in the United States, left today. Due to
the critical situation, he had delayed his departure until the Squadron had been relieved. (The Colonel's
departure dictated a change in Command but the Squadron Daily Reports provided no details).
(The following two paragraphs from Col. Samsel's Book discuss it briefly as follows:)
"Col. Hodge received a ninety-day leave of absence to return to the States. Officially, I assumed Command
of the 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mecz) at midnight January 1, 1945 per Special Order No.
1
"On January 3,1945, the Colonel bade his Officers and men farewell and departed for the States." I sensed
he would not return, and this was confirmed ten days later when a cablegram from the War Department
advised of his assignment as an Instructor to the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kansas."
(With then Maj. Harold J. Samsel now in Command, we return to the Daily Reports of action.)
4, January 1945
The disposition of the Squadron remained unchanged. Troops continued refitting and
performing motor maintenance. Requisitions were prepared for vehicles and weapons lost in combat.
Troop "C" remained on the line with the 179th Infantry. Outposts were set up about the town of Meisenthal.
Compare to the last few days, enemy activity was at a minimum. Some mortar and artillery fire was
received and two casualties were sustained; Tec5 James Rogers and Pfc. Junior Lake.
5, January 1945
The Squadron was still resting and refitting. No change in "C" Troop's positions. Mortar
and artillery fire continue to harass them but without effect.
Page 52
6, January 1945
All troops with the exception of "C" remained in their assembly areas and continued
refitting. Last night, for the first time in some months, The Squadron had an opportunity to see a motion
picture, The film was furnished by VI Corps Special Service.
Troop "C" remained in defensive positions at Meisenthal. The situation was relatively quiet except for 60
rounds of artillery fire which fell on the positions No contact with the enemy was reported.
7, January 1945
The Squadron remained in the assembly areas. Troops "B" and "E" were given physical
exams by the Squadron Surgeon. It was found that the most common complaint was ingrown hairs on the
legs resulting from lack of opportunity to bathe often.
Troop "C" was released from attachment to the 179th Infantry at 1437 and reverted to Squadron control.
The Troop withdrew from the defensive positions and was ordered, at 1820 to assemble at Asswiller,
Motion pictures were shown again at Headquarters Troop Mess Hall in Ringendorf.
The weather continued cold with occasional snow flurries.