Battered Bastard Battalion of the Bastion of Bastogne

Text and Research : Martin F. Graham.

Based in large part on a collection of archival documents and other materials,
acquired and provided by Ken Hesler, Battery D, 463rd PFA.

Bastogne villages and roads today.

  December 12, 1944       Tuesday

The 463rd arrived in Mourmelon, France at 2:30PM by train.
They were temporarily attached to the 101st Airborne Division for administration and rations.

 

Battalion Officers:

Commander: Lt. Col. John T. Cooper, Jr.

Executive Officer/S-1: Major Stuart Seaton

S-3: Major Victor E. Garrett

S-4: Capt. John F. Keester

Surgeon: John S. Moore

Battery A:  Capt. William H. Gerhold

Battery B:  Capt. Ardell E. Cole

Battery C:  Capt. Roman W. Maire

Battery D:  Victor J. Tofany

 

 

2 enlisted men returned from hospital and 2 from confinement.
Took about 1,500 rounds of ammunition.

 

  December 16, 1944       Saturday

GENERAL SITUATION
0500 Heavy German artillery begins fire along Ardennes front
0800 German infantry and armor attack begins

 

  December 17, 1944       Sunday

GENERAL SITUATION

OB WEST - Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt
        Army Group B - Field Marshal Walter Model
            5th Panzer Army - General der Panzertruppen Hasso-Eccard von Manteuffel
                47 Panzer Corps - Lt. Gen. Heinrich von Luttwitz
                        Panzer Lehr Division - Lt. Gen. Fritz Hermann Bayerlein
                                901st Panzer Grenadier Regiment
                                902nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment
                        26th Volksgrenadier Division - Maj. Gen. Heinz Kokott
                                39th Fusilier Regiment
                                77th Volksgrenadier Regiment
                                78th Volksgrenadier Regiment
                        2nd Panzer Division - Col. Meinhard von Lauchert
                                304th Panzer Grenadier Regiment
                        5th Parachute Division 

          

General McAuliffe called a meeting of all officers in camp at 2100 hours, informing them about the German breakthrough in the Ardennes and informed officers that the 101st division was to prepare during the next two days to pull out to confront the enemy somewhere near Bastogne. 

 

After the meeting, Col. Cooper met with McAuliffe to offer the 463rd's services. McAuliffe asked, 'How soon can you move out with the 101st?' 

 

Since the battalion had not yet unloaded their trucks since their arrival at Camp Mourmelon, Cooper replied, '45 minutes - but I don't have any orders' (the 463rd was slated to join the 17th Airborne Division which had not yet arrived from England). 

 

'To hell with that,' McAuliffe said, 'to see Bud Harper of the 327th.' 
Cooper found Harper, who had just returned from England and was still in dress uniform.  'Do you need me?,' Cooper asked, to which Harper replied, 'Your Goddamn Right.' 
Cooper went back to his officers and gave them a choice, either join the 101st in its drive to Belgium or remain behind as camp guards.  To a man, the officers voted to go.

 

  December 18, 1944       Monday

GENERAL SITUATION

380 vehicles began moving the 805 officers and 11,035 enlisted men of the 101st at 0900 for the 8 hour ride to Werbomont, Belgium where they were to form a defensive line. The unit commanders were ordered to pull out in combat teams without waiting for the men on pass. McAuliffe rode in advance. 

 

The 101st was composed of:

      Acting Division Commander:  Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe
             G-1 and Acting Chief of Staff: Lt. Col. Ned D. Moore
             G-2:Lt. Col. Paul A. Danahy
             G-3:Lt. Col. H. W. O. Kinnard
             G-4:Lt. Col. Carl W. Kohls
             Surgeon: Lt. Col. David Gold
             Div. Artillery Commander: Col. Thomas L. Sherburne, Jr.
      501st Parachute Infantry Regiment: Lt. Col. Julian J. Ewell
      502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment: Lt. Col. Steve A. Chappuis
      506th Parachute Infantry Regiment: Col. Robert F. Sink
      327th Glider Infantry Regiment: Col. Joseph H. Harper
            Executive:  Lt. Col. Thomas J. Rouzie
            1st Battalion (Companies A, B, C, & Hqs):  Lt. Col. Hartford F. Salee
            2nd Battalion (Companies E, F, G, & Hqs):  Lt. Col. Roy L. Inman
                            Maj. R. B. Galbreaith following Inman wounding
            3rd Battalion (Companies A, B, C, & Hqs)
                AKA 1st Battalion, 401st GIR:  Lt. Col. Ray C. Allen
      321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion:  Lt. Col. Edward L. Carmichael
      907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion:  Lt. Col. Clarence F. Nelson
      377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion:  Lt. Col. Harry W. Elkins
      463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion:  Lt. Col. John T. Cooper, Jr.
      81st Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion:  Lt. Col. X. B. Cox, Jr.
      326th Airborne Engineer Battalion:  Lt. Col. Hugh A. Mozley
      426th Airborne Quartermaster Company:  Capt. George W. Horn
      101st Airborne Signal Company:  Capt. William J. Johnson
      801st Airborne Ordnance Maintenance Company:  Capt. John L. Patterson
      326th Airborne Medical Company:  Maj. William E. Barfield

 

At the crossroads to Bastogne, McAuliffe headed toward that town, which was the VIII Corps headquarters of Maj. Gen. Troy H. Middleton to gather more information on the German breakthrough. 
McAuliffe learned that his division had been attached to the VIII Corps and that he was under Middleton.  Middleton informed McAuliffe that he was moving his headquarters to Neufchateau, 18 miles southwest of Bastogne.

The 101st was ordered to take over the defense of Bastogne, a vital communication center with 7 roads radiating from the central square (including the main east-west highway running from the German border to Dinant and the Meuse River, vital routes in Hitler's thrust toward Antwerp).

 

It's population was over 4,000 and it stands on a plateau at 1,600 feet elevation.
The plateau lacks the vast expanses of forest and the turbulent terrain of most of the Ardennes; much of it open pastureland amid rolling hills with occasional wood lots of coniferous trees. The town has no natural defense features other than the surrounding hills, but concentric circles of farm villages with sturdy brick and stone buildings providing solid anchors for defensive positions.

 

McAuliffe chose Mande-St-Etienne, 4 miles west of town, as the division staging area.  Middleton had sent units from Combat Command B, Col. William L. Roberts, to block the German advance on the town.

 

THE FOLLOWING DISPOSITIONS WERE MADE:

Task Force O'Hara (Lt. Col. James O'Hara)
500 men/30 tanks to block road from southeast from Wiltz near Wardin

Task Force Cherry (Lt. Col. Henry T. Cherry)
block road from Longvilly (in path of Panzer Lehr Division).

Task Force Desobry (Maj. William R. Desobry)
15 tanks/platoon of tank destroyers/company of armored infantry to hold
the town of Noville which was in the path of the German 2nd Panzer Division.

 

GERMAN PLAN OF ATTACK:

Panzer Lehr to advance from Mageret toward Bastogne with 2 regiments of the 26th Volksgrenadier Division making a right wheel to circle through Longvilly and Luzery to enter Bastogne from the north via the Noville Road.

2nd Panzer Division to bypass Bastogne and race to Meuse River.

The action of the day centered around Noville where the Germans lost 19 tanks. The German attacks over the next few days would be hampered and slowed by mud which would bog down tanks and supply trains.

 

  December 19, 1944       Tuesday

Situation map of December 19th.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

GENERAL SITUATION

At 0500 only advance guard of Panzer Lehr pressed toward Bastogne. The Germans occupied Margaret at about 0030 and later took Neffe. The German plan of attack called for the Panzer Lehr to advance toward Bastogne with 2 regiments of the 26th Volksgrenadier Division making a right wheel to circle through Longvilly and Luzery to enter Bastogne from the north via the Noville Road. But infantry was exhausted with supply trains far to the rear.

 

501st first encountered Bayerlein's force outside of Neffe at 0900. There was very little communication between Combat Command B and the 101st. They acted as independent units until Combat Command B was placed under Gen. McAuliffe. Ewell (501st PI) positioned 1st Battalion in front of Neffe, 2nd Battalion took Bizory but stalled at Hill 510, and 3rd Battalion to Mont and ridge south of Neffe. While 3rd Battalion failed to get around Neffe, Company I engaged in bloody close range fire in Wardin which fell to Germans.

 

Team Cherry advance guard encountered tanks at 1000 southeast of Longvilly. They fell back to a position southeast of Mageret at 1430. American artillery hit German positions along Ewell's front. Heavy fog hindered German advance.
By evening, American troops east of Mageret were in varying stages of tactical dissolution. German tanks hit Desobry's roadblocks north and east of Noville at 0600. At 0730, Desobry pulled troops into Noville.

 

By 1000, Desobry faced more than 42 German tanks. Of 14 German tanks trying to flank Desobry to the North, 10 picked off. German's shelled Noville. Team Desobry reinforced by 1st Battalion, Lt. Col. James L. LaPrade of the 506th Regiment, Col. Robert F. Sink. American counterattack only able to advance 500 yards. German shell killed LaPrade and seriously wounded Desobry.

 

The division hospital near Bois de Herbaimont west of Bastogne had been overrun by the enemy. The Germans, when they arrived at the Division hospital, started shooting it up. The doctors told them it was a hospital and were allowed 30 minutes to load the wounded. The division surgeon and surgical team and all surgical supplies were taken.
Reports that wounded were placed on the front of vehicles to protect against a fight.

 

463rd SITUATION

ROUTE OF THE 463RD:

    Bouillon, Belgium
    Marche, Belgium
    Bois de Herbaimont, Belgium
    1 KM SW Flamizoulle, Belgium (arrived 9AM)
    Bastogne, Belgium (arrived 11AM)
    Hemroulle, Belgium (arrived 3PM)

 

ACTION

    5:00PM, A Battery fired 9 rounds of WP and 2 rounds of HE for registration.
    5:25PM, D Battery fired 5 rounds of WP for registration.

  December 20, 1944       Wednesday

Situation map of December 20th.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

GENERAL SITUATION

The weather continued to be cold, cloudy with heavy ground mist.  The mist lifted somewhat by 10AM, but by midnight, as a strange silence surrounded Bastogne, the fog thickened.  Temperatures dropped below freezing and the first snow fell.

 

Germans attacked the 1st Battalion, 506th PIR and Team Desobry at Noville at 0530.  American's destroyed 2 German tanks attacking Noville.  At noon, Americans ordered to fall back from Noville to Foy, defended by the rest of 506th, which had been lost earlier in the day and taken again at 1400. The Americans from Noville were safe behind the lines at Foy by 1700.

 

At 1125, the 901st Panzer Grenadier Regiment, 4 tanks and 6 halftracks, attacked Team O'Hara and the 2nd Battalion of the 327th GIR at Marvie. After fierce fighting, Americans held Marvie.

At 0730, the 2nd Battalion of the 78th Grenadier Regiment attacked the 501st PIR near Bizory backed by 8 tanks and a pair of self-propelled guns. American artillery hammered position for 20 minutes.

 

At 1900 the 902 Panzer Grenadier Regiment attacked the 501st along the road from Neffe into Bastogne following heavy artillery fire. American artillery hammered the attacking force. At dusk, one company of the 501st exchanged fire with two companies of Germans advancing west along the railroad at Halt.

 

The road to Neufchateau was cut during the evening and Bastogne was isolated. The 463rd supply train, sent back for more ammunition, was cut off.

 

Col. Ray C. Allen of the 3rd Battalion of the 327th GIR sent B Company under Capt. Robert J. MacDonald to destroy the barrier near Bois de Herbaimont at the Sprimont-Bertogne intersection. They killed 50 Germans and scattered the rest. They found the ruins of the 101st Hospital. They found 2 bodies of paratroopers with slashed throats.

 

101ST DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE CONSISTED OF:

The 502nd held the northern sector of the American line in the Longchamps and Sonne-Fontaine area.
Northeast of Bastogne, the 506th was deployed with one foot in Foy and the other next to the Bourcy-Bastogne rail line.

 

To the right of the 506th, the 501st faced east - one flank at the rail line and the other south of Neffe.
The 2nd Battalion, 327th, held the Marvie position with an open flank abutting on the Bastogne-Arlon highway.  The 1st Battalion of the 327th GIR was south of Bastogne with the 326th Engineer Battalion strung thinly across the Neufchateau Road and onto the west.  The division trains and service companies were directly west of Bastogne.
Defense fell on the 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Task Force Browne).
The 3rd Battalion 327th GIR held the line from the Marche-Bastogne Highway to Champs.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    3 Baker - Lt. William D. Anderson in vicinity of Neffe
    6 Baker - Lt. Jack C. West in Neffe area in AM, Foy in PM
    5 Able - Lt. A. Martin in vicinity of Neffe

 

 

Personnel

    Most of the firing during the day was into the area between Bizory and Neffe,
    with other fire missions to the northeast around Noville and Foy, Mageret
    and to the southeast in the vicinity of Marvie.

 

Casualties

    Pvt. Charles R. Davault, Hq Btry, slightly WIA by shell fire
    Pvt. William L. Hurley, D Btry, slightly WIA by gunshot
    Pvt. James G. Ragsdale, B Btry, seriously WIA by shell fire,
    killed while being transported to the rear.

 

  December 21, 1944    Thursday

Situation map of December 21st.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

AMERICAN SITUATION

Temperatures fell dramatically in the morning, causing the heavy mist and fog to roll about like steam. It cleared somewhat in the afternoon; but in the early night, clouds moving southwest brought more snow. Later, it was clear and cold. It was the first day of winter.

 

In the foggy morning light, Capt. MacDonald's men (327th GIR/B) were attacked by seven 75mm guns, 9 half-tracks and 7 light vehicles. The German column was destroyed. Later that afternoon, MacDonald was ordered to fall back to the battalion.

 

The Germans planned to send the 77th and 78th Grenadier Regiments along the Bourcy-Bastogne rail line, in the gap between the 506th and 501st PIR's. At 0830, a 506th patrol discovered Germans in the woods behind their right flank. After 3 hours of fighting between the Germans and men of the 506th and 501st, the Germans were repelled.

 

During the afternoon, the 902nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment attacked the 3rd Battalion 501st PIR at Neffe.

The Kampfgruppe Kunkel pressed north through Villeroux, driving the American defenders back toward Senonchamps. American artillery successfully drove the enemy back.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    3 Baker - Lt. Anderson & Lt. Harold Hodge in Neffe area
    4 Baker - Lt. John W. Frye south of Bastogne in area of Bois d'Hazy
    6 Baker - Lt. West north in vicinity of Foy and Recogne

 

 

AWARDS

    1st Lt. Jack C. West, forward observation post 6 Baker,
    was awarded Bronze Star for his achievements Dec. 19 to 21.

  December 22, 1944       Friday

Situation map of December 22nd.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

AMERICAN SITUATION

Mists, clouds, and snow of the previous day had vanished for the moment as a nearly full moon set about midnight. A crust which crackled underfoot with each step had formed on the snow, 2 inches deep, from the cold; and by morning the snow came again in big flakes. Occasionally, the sun would reflect brightly off the frozen, white terrain before again being shut out by clouds. Snow and fog closed in again during the afternoon. 1 day supply of rations (220 K-rations & 400 10-1-rations) remained.

 

Shortage of ammunition was critical and restrictions were placed on fire missions. Gasoline supply down to one-half day. An air supply was planned for 2000 but was stopped due to poor flying weather. During the night, the Germans repositioned west of Bastogne. At daybreak, American riflemen entered woods outside of Senonchamps to drive away Germans. A detachment from the Kampfgruppe Kunkel at 1600 set out from Villeroux to strike the American right flank, but were driven back.

 

Three separate German assaults from the woods were driven back. About noon, 4 Germans with a white flag entered the lines of the 2nd Battalion 327th GIR. Their message called for the 'honorable surrender of the encircled town' within two hours or risk 'annihilation' by the massed fires of the German artillery. Word on the German demand for surrender spread throughout the battalion, and by evening a division communication had been sent around.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    3 Baker - Lt. Anderson & Lt. Harold Hodge in Neffe area
    4 Baker - Lt. John W. Frye south of Bastogne in area of Bois d'Hazy
    6 Baker - Lt. West north in vicinity of Foy and Recogne

 

 

CASUALTIES

    Cpl. Eugene M. Archer, C Btry, WIA
    Lt. William Anderson, B Btry, MIA
    T/4 Frank Pfeil, B Btry, MIA
    Pvt. Herman Nelson (??), B Btry, MIA
    Pvt. Oroland Maser, B Btry, MIA

 

  December 23, 1944       Saturday

Situation map of December 23rd.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

 

AMERICAN SITUATION

The morning's temperature was ten degrees above zero: painfully cold throughout the day. The 39th Volksgrenadier Regiment assembled to the west and northwest of Senonchamps/Flamierge, attacking and taking Flamierge, only to be chased out by an American counterattack. The Germans gathered astride the Marche highway and tried to shoot Americans out of Flamierge with tank fire. In early evening, the Germans moved in, but were driven back by American artillery fire.  The Germans attacked Senonchamps but were repulsed around 1830.

 

The 901st Panzer Grenadier Regiment and the 39th Regiment of the 26th Volksgrenadiers attacked the Marvie area at 1730. The attack was delivered against the 2nd Battalion 327th GIR and Team O'Hara. The Germans captured Hill 500 south of Marvie, overlooking the village. The Americans defending the hill were killed or captured. A mobile gun from Team O'Hara had attempted to aid the defenders of the gill but meeting stiff resistance, turned and headed back to Marvie. Thinking it was a German half-track, an American bazooka team hit it, killing the crew and disabling it. This later blocked a German advance down the road. Twelve German tanks tried to take the right flank of the 327th but were stopped by the small arms and heavier fire from Team O'Hara and F Company, 327th GIR. Two German tanks actually entered Bastogne before being knocked out. The fight for Marvie slowed down, but picked up again around midnight. The Germans took the southern portion of the village and remained in control when the fight died down an hour before dawn.

 

Germans shelled Mande St. Etienne occupied by the 3rd Battalion of the 327th commanded by Lt. Col. Allen. Germans smashed through roadblocks at Flamierge.

 

463rd SITUATION

BATTERY POSITIONS

The other 2 howitzers from Battery A, the 4 in Battery B and the 4 in Battery D remained in indirect fire positions.

 

ACTION

    3 Baker - Lt. Harold Hodge
    4 Baker - Lt. John W. Frye
    5 Baker - Lt. Henry L. Smithers, Jr.
    4 Charlie - Lt. Saunders
    5 Charlie - Lt. Donald W. Merriman
    LN #1 - Capt. Donald N. Martin

 

 

About 4:15PM a gunner at an anti-aircraft position on a hill just beyond Battery D fired on 2 planes overhead. They were actually 2 American P-47s which circled about and dropped 2 bombs in the area. No one was hurt.

 

CASUALTIES

    Pfc. Frisbie M. Adler, Hq Btry, WIA
    1 officer, 3 enlisted men from Battery B, and 1 from Hq Battery
    who had been missing since December 22 were declared MIA.

 

AWARDS

    1st Lt. Donald W. Merriman, forward observation post 5 Charlie,
    was awarded Bronze Star for his achievements Dec. 20-23.

    1st Lt. Charles W. Whittington and 2nd Lt. John W. Frye,
    forward observation post 4 Baker, were awarded Bronze Star
    for their achievements Dec. 23.

  December 24, 1944       Sunday

Situation map of December 24th.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

AMERICAN SITUATION

Sun bright but still icy cold. Air resupply missions continued. Nearly 100 tons of material were delivered by 160 planes. A forage for supplies found a supply of flour, sugar, lard and salt; used to make pancakes with sugar, no syrup. Division Chaplain came & celebrated Christmas eve service in a stable next to CP.

Fighting in Marvie continued in the early morning hours.

 

That evening, Col. Kinnard regrouped the defenders around the perimeter of Bastogne, placing all four regiments of the 101st on the line as combined arms teams.  Team O'Hara and a platoon of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion were attached to the 501st (extending from the railroad east of Luzery southeast to Marvie). The 506th, whose sector had been quiet, got two platoons of the 705th but no tanks (extending from the railroad, northeast to Sonne-Fontaine). The 502nd was given two platoons from the 705th and Team Anderson (from Sonne-Fontaine northwest to the defense line northwest of Hemroulle). The 327th took over the 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, two platoons of the 9th Armored Engineer Battalion, and 4 platoons of the 705th (from the 502nd left flank to Marvie - a long, thin line). Also attached to the 327th was the amalgam of infantry, tank destroyers, and tanks which had grown up around Browne's 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and which, on the 23rd, had been reorganized as Team Roberts.

 

Luttwitz, the German commander, had been promised two fresh divisions, the 9th Panzer and the 15th Panzer Grenadier, but only one regimental combat team, the 115th Kampfgruppe, joined the force surrounding Bastogne.

Most of the day was spent in artillery and mortar shelling while the attackers and defenders regrouped.

 

Germans bombed Bastogne twice that evening, the first time at about 9:00PM and the other later that evening. Just prior to the first raid, the enemy dropped magnesium flares which lighted the area as if it were daylight. Ken Hesler watched the attack from his sentry post along the Bastogne-Hemroulle road, near the D Battery position. Medical aid station of Combat Command B, 10th Armored Division killing 32 men and a Belgian nurse.

 

German order of battle: The 26th Volksgrenadier engineer battalion and a few antitank guns maintained security screen in Foy-Recogne sector.  The 78th Fusiliers held on a front extending from Foy to Neffe. The 901st continued the circle past Marvie to a point west of the Arlon Road.  The 39th was deployed on both sides of the Neufchateau Road. A reconnaissance battalion of the 26th Volksgrenadier Division, covered the area from Senonchamps north to the Marche Road.  The 115th Kampfgruppe moved onto the ground west of Flamizoulle.  The 77th Fusiliers Regiment completed the circle, the bulk of its troops concentrated west of Champs.

 

Realizing the danger of leaving Bastogne in American hands in his left rear while his 5th Panzer Army approached the Meuse, Manteuffel ordered it taken on December 25th. His order read, 'Displacement [Destruction] of the enemy at Bastogne.'

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    2 Baker - Lt. Ivan J. Warmuth
    4 Baker - Lt. John W. Frye
    5 Charlie - Lt. Donald W. Merriman & Lt. James K. Rozen
    8 Charlie - Lt. Charles W. Whittington
    9 Charlie - Lt. Albert E. Eastman
    463rd PFA - Lt. Harold L. Hodge

 

 

About 9:00PM, German planes dropped bombs on Bastogne. They dropped brilliant flares lighted the surrounding countryside.

 

CASUALTIES

    Pfc. Douglas M. Bailey, B Btry, WIA
    Pvt. Cecil E. Farmer, B Btry, WIA
    Pfc. Donald P. Zafke, B Btry, WIA
    1 officer and 3 enlisted men from Battery C listed as MIA.

 

AWARDS

    2nd Lt. John C. Gill (posthumously) and
    Pvt. Alfred Pierce awarded Bronze Star for achievement on Dec. 24.

 

  December 25, 1944       Monday

Situation map of December 25th.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

GENERAL SITUATION

(The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge - Cole; A Time for Trumpets - MacDonald).
At 0300 a few German planes dropped bombs around Rolle(y), the 502nd PIR command post. A few minutes later the German gunners and mortar crews started to work, their target the American positions at Champs. The German force consisted of 2 battalions of the 115th Kampfgruppe, 2 battalions of self-propelled artillery, 18 Mark IV and Panther tanks, the 77th Fusiliers and the bulk of German artillery. Here Company A 502nd was deployed on the northwest edge of the village, its right flank joining the 2nd Battalion in a large wood lot midway between Champs and Longchamps. 50 grenadiers from the 77th, clad in white, crept forward toward Champs, attacking at 0400.

 

Within an hour, a full German battalion joined the attack. Company B 502nd joined as support and pinned the attacking Germans down. The two assault battalions of the 115th Kampfgruppe attacked the 3d Battalion 327th GIR. The German tank group on the enemy right flank pushed ahead of its marching partner and at 0515 reported to Kokott that the only evidence of American reaction was some tank or tank destroyer fire coming in from the south. At 0545, a brief optimistic radio message to the German command post stated German tanks and infantry had reached the western edge of Bastogne.

 

The elation in the German command was short lived, however, for when the commander of the 115th sent a patrol forward to find these tanks and infantry, they could not be found. The 18 Mark IV's and the riding grenadiers had broken through the positions held by the Companies A and B of the 327th GIR before dawn and got as far as the battalion command post. (The Mark IV tank weighed 27 tons, had somewhat less armor than the Sherman, about the same maximum road speed, and a tank gun comparable in weight of projectile and muzzle velocity to the 76-mm American tank gun but superior to the short-barreled 75-mm [The Ardennes]). 

 

German tanks passed straight through battery positions of the 755th Field Artillery Battalion, whose gunners opened up with machine guns as soon as they discerned the distinctive German muzzelbrakes. But the 155-mm howitzers could not be brought to bear at such close range and the Germans rolled on unscathed. Just west of Hemroulle, seven of the German tanks wheeled left, defiling along a cart path which led to the road between Champs and Bastogne. As they approached the road, the panzers formed in line abreast, now bearing straight toward Companies B and C of the 502nd, which were on the march to help the paratroopers in Champs. Col. Chappuis had a few minutes to face his companies toward the oncoming tanks, but the initial shock was absorbed by two tank destroyers from Company B of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion which were knocked out as they fell back toward the Champs road. As panzers rolled forward, Company C made an orderly withdrawal to the edge of a large wood lot midway between Champs and Hemroulle.  Their fire caused the German infantry clinging to the decks of the tanks to fall to the snow. The tanks wheeled into column and headed toward Champs. Two of the 705th tank destroyers caught the column in process of turning and destroyed three of the panzers, the paratroopers bazookas destroying two more.

 

The eleven German tanks heading toward Hemroulle ran into a crossfire from four tank destroyers from the 705th, tanks from Team Roberts, the 463rd PFA, and bazookas handled by men from the GIF. The German infantry riding on these tanks were isolated and surrounded.  About 50 German riflemen hiding in a stream bed were captured by cannoneers from the 755th.  At noon, General Kokott wrote the tanks and the accompanying infantry off as lost. The 2nd Battalion of the 115th seems to have made good use of the rupture created in the 327th positions west of Hemroulle, advancing almost unperceived and unopposed until daybreak when it was brought under fire by Company C, the 3rd Battalion reserve. At first light, the American artillery and mortars took on the German infantry starkly outlined against the snow-covered slopes west of Hemroulle. The panzer grenadiers tried digging in but the ground was too hard, frozen; so they lay in the snow and took their losses. The regimental commander, Col. Maucke, began in midmorning to reform his remaining troops, pulling what was left of the 1st Battalion back to a hill southeast of Flamizoulle (which was pounded by allied aircraft) and sending his reserve battalion into the woods north of the 1st to cover its flanks. When night fell, Maucke ordered the remnant of the 1st Battalion to sideslip south across the gap left by the disappearance of the tank group. All the Battalion staff were killed or wounded and the commander was a young lieutenant from one of the rifle companies. Maucke himself went forward to find his lost tanks, but was stopped by machine gun fire.

 

At Champs, the Germans left the village in the middle of the morning to let their gunners blast the paratroops out of the houses and surrounding woods.  The commander of the 77th, apprehensive of a continued house-to-house battle, asked for and received permission to circle around the village, but the new attack up the slopes toward Hemroulle was shot to pieces. In the early afternoon, Gen. Kokott stopped the German attack, planning to resume it at night.

A column of Sherman Tanks approaching Bastogne was observed by air.  Tanks displayed American identification panels and were ridden by men in American uniforms.  When the column was described to Lt. Col. Paul Danahy, G-2 of the 101st, he decided since the movement was over hostile terrain, it must be made up of Germans using captured tanks and uniforms.  He ordered the planes to go after them and the column was destroyed. They were Germans.

 

ACTION

    4 Baker - Lt. Gill
    5 Baker - Lt. Smithers & Sgt. Rogan
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen

 

 

463rd SITUATION

CASUALTIES

    Cpl. Rester W. Bryan, Hq Btry, KIA
    Pvt. Ollie S. Butts, Hq Btry, KIA
    Pfc. John P. Hall, Medical, KIA
    Pvt. Richard A. Carroll, A Btry, WIA
    T/4 Marlyn W. Havig, Hq Btry, WIA

 

AWARDS

   Col. Cooper awarded Silver Star for gallantry in action Dec. 17-25.
   Cpl. Rester W. Bryan (posthumously) awarded the Bronze Star for Dec. 25.

 

Certificates of Merit:

    Battery A, 2nd Section:
        Cpl. Fred O. Walter
        Pvt. Ben C. Cope
        Pfc. Alfred Szezerbiafk
        Pvt. Joseph G. Miller
    Battery A, 3rd Section:
        Pfc. Roger W. Fuhrman
        Pfc. James R. Bryant
        Pvt. Harris A. Bradshaw
    Battery B, 1st Section:
        Cpl. August P. Chrusciel
        Pfc. Julius D. Karp
        Pvt. Roland Arsenault
        Pvt. Enrique L. Castro
        Pvt. Carl K. Noline
    Battery B, 3rd Section:
        Pfc. Stanley G. Dalrymple
        Pfc. Walter J. Peplowski
        Pvt. Donald J. Gallipeau
        Pfc. Salvatore A. Arcara
        Pvt. Paul E. Buckle
        Pvt. George E. Silvas
        Pvt. Harold L. German
        Pfc. Louis Warobick
    Battery B, 4th Section:
        Pvt. Phil R. Kellow
        Pvt. Eugene S. Olivant
        Pvt. Robert F. Sackett
        Pvt. James Bowersox
    Battery D, 3rd Section:
        Cpl. Vilah W. Kyte
        Pfc. Lawrence A. Allocco
        Pfc. Lonzo D. Barnes
        Pfc. John W. Pruden
    Unit Unknown
        Cpl. Clarence W. Bradley

 

  December 26, 1944       Tuesday

Situation map of December 26th.
(Click to show the entire map, then enlarge it in your browser;
click 'Back' to return to this story.)

AMERICAN SITUATION

German Gen. Kokott's last 'desperate effort' to take Bastogne did not start until the morning hours. Using the German salient at the Isle-la-Hesse road fork as his base, Kokott sent a small assault group from his own division and 10 mobile tank destroyers northeast in the direction of Hemroulle at about 0400 with the intention of circling through Savy into Bastogne. They wedged a way between two right flank companies of the 327th, but were caught in the open by Howitzer fire which literally blew the infantry assault apart. 4 armored tank destroyers continued toward Hemroulle, but were finally brought to a halt by a large ditch. While maneuvering, all 4 were destroyed by close range artillery and tank destroyer fire.

 

17 men from the 327th defended a roadblock on the western perimeter at 0400 and attacked by 2 tanks, half-tracks, and infantry. The 17 men defended until 0600. Near Hemroulle, Companies A and B of the 327th GIR defended against an attack by 5 tanks and a company of German infantry. The infantry were turned back and the tanks destroyed by artillery fire.

 

In mid afternoon, Kokott learned that Patton's 4th Armored Division had broken through the German 5th Parachute Division and that the 39th Regiment was under attack. In the late afternoon, the commander of the 39th radioed that Patton had broken through at Assenois.

 

1500     gliders landed with medical personnel.
1520     more resupply dropped by C47s.
1645     siege was broken by 4th Armored Division when
             the 326th Airborne engineers reported contact with
             three light tanks believed friendly.'

 

By the end of the 26th, the 101st had sustained 105 officers and 1,536 men as casualties while the 10th Armored Division lost 25 officers and 478 men.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    4 Baker - Lt. Gill
    5 Baker - Lt. Smithers & Sgt. Rogan
    6 Baker - Sgt. Donahue
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen
    8 Charlie - Lt. Whittington
    9 Charlie - Lt. Eastman

 

 

CASUALTIES

    2nd Lt. John C. Gill, C Btry, KIA (while calling fire on attacking tank column)
    Pvt. Howard L. Hickenlooper, C Btry, KIA
    Pvt. Dale A. Pearo, A Btry, KIA
    T/5 Cyril Whisman, C Btry, KIA during second attack on Marvie
    Cpl. William H. Everhart, Hq Btry, WIA
    Lt. Doug Saunders, C Btry, MIA during second attack on Marvie

 

AWARDS

    Sgt. Joseph F. Rogan awarded Silver Star for gallantry in action Dec. 25-26.

 

  December 27       Wednesday

AMERICAN SITUATION

That morning all artillery batteries received a message to police their areas and for the men to shave since their areas would be inspected by Gen. McAuliffe

Gen. Taylor assumes command of division. Supply trucks began entering the city and the wounded were removed to the rear.  964 men were evacuated along with 700 German prisoners. Since the security of the newly created corridor was tenuous at best, the airlift continued.  At 1200, 32 gliders landed with resupplies and at 1400, 130 cargo planes dropped supplies by parachute.

 

The main action of the day occurred in the 327th sector when, before dawn, the Germans tried two attacks with an estimated 200 men and 3 tanks.  Both attacks broken by artillery fire before they reached the American lines.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    5 Able - Lt. Martin - Barracks in Bastogne
    2 Baker - Lt. Warmuth - NE of Assenois
    4 Baker - Pvt. Pierce - NE of Bois d'Hazy
    5 Baker - Lt. West - SE of Mande-St-Etienne
    5 Baker - Lt. Smithers - NE of Bertogne
    6 Baker - Sgt. Donahue - NE of Bethomont
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen - NE of Lutrebois
    8 Charlie - Lt. Whittington - SW of Bastogne
    9 Charlie - Lt. Eastman - SE of Senonchamps

 

 

CASUALTIES

   Pfc. Raymond J. Connolly, A Btry, KIA

 

  December 28       Thursday

GENERAL SITUATION

    At 1745, a German company attacked the 3rd Battalion of the 327th
    near Lutremange, south of Bastogne. The attack was repulsed.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    5 Baker - Lt. West - SE of Mande-St-Etienne
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen - NE of Lutrebois
    9 Charlie - Lt. Eastman - SE of Senonchamps

 

 

CASUALTIES

        1st Lt. Scott W. Ross, Hq Btry, WIA

 

  December 29, 1944       Friday

One gun knocked out by enemy aircraft.

 

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    5 Baker - Lt. West - SE of Mande-St-Etienne
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen - NE of Lutrebois
    9 Charlie - Lt. Eastman - SE of Senonchamps

 

 

CASUALTIES

    Pvt. Frisbie M. Adler, Hq Btry, KIA

 

  December 30, 1944       Saturday

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    5 Baker - Lt. West - SE of Mande-St-Etienne
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen - NE of Lutrabbis
    6 Charlie - Sgt. Donahue
    9 Charlie - Lt. Eastman - SE of Senonchamps

 

 

CASUALTIES

    Pvt. John H. Batzer WIA

 

  December 31, 1944       Sunday

463rd SITUATION

ACTION

    5 Baker - Lt. West - SE of Mande-St-Etienne
    5 Charlie - Lt. James K. Rozen - NE of Lutrabbis
    6 Charlie - Sgt. Donahue
    9 Charlie - Lt. Eastman - SE of Senonchamps

 

 

CASUALTIES

    Pvt. Louis Gonsalves WIA

 

463rd STRENGTH

  January  1, 1945       Monday

CASUALTIES

    T/5 Cyril J. Whisman KIA

 

  January  4, 1945       Thursday

CASUALTIES

    2nd Lt. John W. Frye WIA
    Pvt. Merle A. Smith WIA

 

  January 5, 1945          Friday

CASUALTIES

    Pvt. August F. Hazzard WIA

 

  January 13, 1945        Saturday

CASUALTIES

    Cpl. Paul E. Rhodes, MIA

 

  January 14, 1945        Sunday

CASUALTIES

    T/4 Thomas J. Bradley, Btry C WIA
    2nd Lt. George K. Hope WIA
    Pvt. Harvey J. Lozier WIA

  January 15, 1945       Monday

11/2 KM SW Foy, Belgium.
Arrived at 1200 hour.

CASUALTIES

    Cpl. Robert H. Allred WIA

 

  January 16, 1945        Tuesday

Recogne, Belgium

CASUALTIES

   1st Lt. George W. Schoeneck KIA
   2nd Lt. Jack S. Terry KIA