113th v 10th AD (21MAR2011)

CASUALTY CHARTS
Pfc. Laitis - Killed in Action
Pvt. Titus - Killed in Action
Pfc. Hatsune - Wounded in Action
2nd Lt. Catterall - Missing in Action

Material Seized
1 Volkswagon "Kubelwagon" destroyed
Assorted small arms, 2 Panzerschrecks and 1 MG-42 seized.
2 Hanomag Halftracks and on board weaponry (2 x MG-34) seized.

REPORT OF ACTIONS
21MAR2011

Objective assigned to 113th Cavalry taskforce, consisting of 1st Platoon, Troop C and 1 M4A3 (76W) from Support Troop, 113th Cavalry Squadron in a fire support role. The force formed up and prepared for mounted operations over generally favorable terrain for such. Employing a jeep mounted reconnaissance unit to screen the advance. Enemy was expected to have armored elements but was found to be slightly understrength and had taken tight defensive positions in the objective area; a cross-roads and semi vital road junction known as La Monderie. Originally allocated artillery, the taskforce was stripped of it prior to the start of the offensive, but this did little to hamper the conduct of our attack.

Objective terrain consisted of a small farm connected to a hamlet sized town by a dirt road and surrounded by sweeping fields which were in turn divided by numerous hedgerows. Forested and hilly terrain dominated the landscape to the North of the objective. The most prominent building in a town, a 3-storey manor of some sort, contained a large and highly defensible tunnel system. For reasons unknown, the enemy did not attempt to utilize it at first.

S/Sgt. Rinaldi personally took command of 1st Squad while 2nd Squad, 1 man understrength, was commanded by Pfc. Dylan Laitis. Despite the Platoon being 3 men understrength due to previous casualties, TO and E was filled out to the best of S/Sgt. Rinaldi's abilities, with Pfc. Stankowski acting as 2nd Squad's machinegunner and Pfc. Bailey as a rocketeer.

Vehicle spacing was maintained painstakingly for fear of enemy artillery, at all halts the squads dismounted and adopted a loose formation while waiting for orders to remount. The advance was somewhat cautious at first but as Recon began its northwards sweep, it became clear to all that the enemy was not attempting to defend the landscape or the approaches in any way. Recon was conducted without incident and they established good firing positions for the Platoon's rifle squads and defended them until they were relieved.

In due time, we were in position to attack and were confident that the enemy were as of yet unaware of our movement and direction of attack. The Platoon waited in defilade as the armored support shelled the town to great effect. It was later confirmed that during the course of this shelling, the enemy suffered several casualties including their commanding officer. Tank and Recon elements maintained overwatch as the rifle squads conducted a mounted attack on the objective area. Attacking with one squad in a pincer move from both North and South, 2nd Squad began to trade fire in earnest with a forward enemy position, using the machine-gun of their M3 halftrack to excellent effect. The enemy abandoned their position in an attempt to retreat into the central objective. Pursuing them, 2nd squad suffered 2 casaulties when an enemy straggler caused Pfc. Laitis to become KIA and Pfc. Hatsune WIA. However, the enemy shooter was swiftly destroyed by grenades and machine-gun fire.

To the South, S/Sgt. Rinaldi lead his squad in a dismounted attack through a small orchard, using bounding overwatch, stone walls and the thick vegetation to cover and conceal his advance. The Squad formed a skirmish line at the stone wall and began to receive sporadic and ill placed rifle and MG fire, which they quickly suppressed. Asking the bulk of the squad to maintain position and cover, S/Sgt. Rinaldi and Pfc. Bailey began to clear a three storey building - the prominent feature of the town- using ample grenades and rocket fire to precede their entrance. The building was found to be unoccupied and the pair quickly rejoined their squad and began to move into the main junction of the town. The linkup of 1st and 2nd Squads in the center of the town caught the enemy attempting to retreat towards the just cleared building, they were cut down in a short burst of fire from the entire platoon. The objective was in American hands and the enemy was clearly defeated with few men left. Sweep and clear operations began to kill or capture the scattered remnants of the enemy force, in the course of the mop-up the platoon suffered another death, Pfc. Titus, but accounted for 3 enemy. They had refused surrender and were promptly dislodged with grenades.

I am proud to report that the taskforce has captured its objective at the cost of 2 killed, 1 wounded. Our efforts account for 8 enemy dead and 7 captured, as well as the capture of 2 Hanomag Pesonnel Carrier and all their onboard weaponry.'

Signed,
S/Sgt. Rinaldi
Acting Platoon Leader, 1/C 113th Cavalry