During the close up of the
Falaise Gap we fought on the Southern
Flank. Around Moulins and
Gace we had some "hot" battles,
which at times found some of
our platoons completely cut off from
the main forces. We were now
getting closer to Paris and our
Mission was to outpost the
Seine River.
We are proud of the fact that
patrols of our troop were the first
Americans to cross the
German border. we then went to the vicinity
of Wallendorf, which was a
spot that members of the Fifth Armored
will never forget.
Another
"forget-me-not" is the Hurtgen Forest. Turkey for
Thanksgiving and Christmas
was a big boast to our morale.
After crossing the Roer
River our missions were mostly flanking
movements until we reached
the Rhine. After crossing the
Rhine River we fought hard
day and night. During this period we
took prisoners by the
hundreds and received Commendations for
leading the Task Force. We
reached the Weser River to find all
bridges blown. We fought
with CCA to the Elbe River, running into
several enemy trains, took
pleasure in blowing them up.
The war seemed to going well at this
time, but the Germans
were still aggressive enough
to attempt a break-through. The Von
Clausewitz Division did try
that, in large force. In fact too large for
us, but when our Air force
and Artillery opened up, they were
destroyed.
After the Clausewitz episode
we only had a few liaison missions,
maintained road blocks,
waiting for VE Day.
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Squadron History
[p 49]
Despite plenty of warnings from our
C.O., Capt. John R Vane,
we were sure we would never
go overseas. "Just a Parade Outfit",
we thought -- then a boat
ride, England. D-Day plus 48,
Crossing the Channel, France
and finally the Jump-off. The
Realization that C Troop was
the first unit of the 85th to make
Contact with the enemy.
We leaned many things, the
kind that only war can teach. A
new spirit of confidence, confidence
in ourselves, in our buddies
and an unspoken confidence
and determination that we would
keep faith with those who
depend on us.
We moved fast (as who didn't
under old "Blood and Guts"?)
and we lost track of time
and events. There were incidents however,
that none of us can forget.
Our first straffing and bombing
near Belleme, nerve
shattering missions, encirclement of Falaise
Gap -- Our jubilant ovation
in Paris --decisive victory in Compeigne
Forest, Sedan and the
Maginot Line -- entry into Belgium
and Luxembourg.
First platoon captured the
great Luxembourg radio station intact,
thus giving the Allies a powerful
weapon with which to combat
Axis propaganda.
On reaching the outer
defenses of the Siegfried line the tempo
of battle slowed down but no
rest! Our introduction of the Buzzbomb,
and dismounted patrols at
Kalterherberg, Germany.
Also, about this time our
Ex. O., Capt. George W. Rasquez
took over the troop and led
as as infantry during the hellish
Nightmare of Hurtgen Forest.
Counter-attack, followed counter
attack, and artillery fire
such as few American soldiers have ever
been called upon to
face.
Historic lightning-like
smash to the very bank of the Elbe River
at Rabaul. We then swung
North and West in a mopping up
movement, and again reached
the Elbe in the vicinity of
Dannenburg, and there ended
our combat activities. VE followed.
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C TRoop [p 48]
Headquarters
C.O. Capt. Basquez
EXO Lt. Gable
1st Platoon Lt.
Karda
2nd platoon Lt
Eastman
3rd platoon Lt Stubert