shortly after war ended, from 419th
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shortly after war ended, from 419th |
19-24 Feb. 45: During this period the battalion was in direct support of CC A in the operation which drove the Germans out of "The Triangle"--the roughly triangular area between the Moselle and Saar Rivers, with its apex at the confluence of the two rivers. One lesson learned during this attack is that when a dtermined tank force attacks constantly against comparatively light resistance, and when it by-passes towns or roles through them without stopping to mop up, the tank force can outstrip its artillery and pass beyond supporting artillery range. This situation developed on 20 February, when Task Force Chamberlain made its non-stop drive to its final objective. The gap was closed by displacing the 419th (A) FA Bn forward behind Team Holehouse, which comprised the reserve of Task Force Chamberlain and whose mission was to mop-up the towns in the wake of the advance elements of the task force. On the morning of 21 Feb., the 419th (A) FA Bn. had the unique experience of being attacked by a friendly force. The Bn. had spent the night with its CP in the town of Merzkirchen and with the howitzer batteries in firing positions in fields adjacent to the town. About 0800 hours, things began to happen. Snipers in a church steeple fired at our men in the streets; the positions of "A" and "C" batteries from over a crest to the east. Prompt and overwhelming fire from our attached AAA weapons and individual small arms weapons quickly silenced the snipers. "A" and "C" batteries displaced immediately to alternate positions which afforded sight defilade. The pilot of a field artillery liaison plane, by several times flying almost at ground level between the attacking forces and the town, succeeded in conveying to the people on the ground the ground that something was amiss. Investigation disclosed that the attacking force was Team Billet, composed of tanks and infantry frm Task Force Richardson. Our little "war" was called off, fortunately before either side had done damage to the other.