113th v 25-ID & 2.SS

CASUALTY CHARTS
Individual names could not be compiled - 7 casualties, 1 vehicle destroyed


Materiel Seized/Destroyed
- Assorted Mauser Rifles
- 3 x MG-42 Machineguns
- 3 x MP40 Submachinegun
- 2 x Hanomag Halftracks + Onboard weaponry seized
- 1 X Hanomag Halftrack destroyed
- 1 x Skdfz.2432/1 Scout Car destroyed
- 1 x Opel Blitz and Ammo dump destroyed

REPORT OF ACTIONS
3DEC2011

Operating within the area of "Vieux", a Platoon on patrol of the 113th Cavalry Squadron, 113th Cavalry Group, encounters the enemy and engages. The enemy was later identified by documentation found on site to be an ad-hoc force. The enemy unit, formed around a nucleus of surviving members of the 25.PanzerGrenadiers, was formed into a Kampfgruppe with surviving members of the 2.SS "Das Reich" division and the 369 Eastern Infantry regiment. The enemy were mobile and had reconnaissance elements screening their main line.

Forming up at the secured crossroads near the small farm of Haut and the Maltot manor, the Platoon received orders and ammunition, and linked up with a M4A1 tank allocated to them by Squadron. The platoon wished to take the high ground around Maltot by concentrating the entirety of their firepower and forces there, then quickly fanning out to outflank Haut and block any potential attacks from the main objective as they did this.

1st and 2nd were assigned, along with the tank, to perform the actual assault on the objective, 3rd Squad covered the flank by taking high ground around 300m to the Platoon's right, and due to the worry of potential enemy armored elements, were given the bulk of the anti-tank equipment. Headquarters stayed on a central ridge to maintain eyes on both objectives and direct movement and fire support. This central position and the boon to communications it would provide were to prove fortunate.

The attack commenced upon Maltot with vigorous fire from 2nd squad, with minimal return fire from the enemy. The tank began to shell the upper windows of the Manor when an enemy officer was observed spotting targets from it - the shelling caused light casualties amongst our enemies and, before 1st could enter the objective, the enemy beat a speedy and orderly retreat. Suspecting the retreat was a planned affair, Platoon HQ utilized the one artillery strike allocated to them to pin down any enemies in Haut who may attempt to retreat. Unfortunately the majority of the enemy presence in Haut had already evacuated, however the barrage destroyed an enemy ammunition truck and killed one enemy. Haut would be cleared by 2nd and 3rd Squad with little incident; 1st Squad used the high ground at Maltot as an observation post in the event of a counterattack (none materialized).

Pausing to resupply at Haut, a lapse in communication led to a simple process being drawn out, with a traffic jam occuring, in this moment of relative chaos, the enemy launched a devastating counterattack on the Platoon's right, hitting 3rd Squad while they were en route to Haut. The enemy counterattack, led by their Spahwagon (reconnaissance car) quickly knocked the Halftrack out of action, and left Sgt. Dreek and his men dangerously stranded in the open and under accurate 20mm fire. It is in this point of crisis that, acting with a calm head, Sgt. Dreek safely evacuated his men to excellent cover and moved forward to present himself as a better target in lieu of his squad. These actions cost him his life but spared his squad of any devastating losses. SSgt. Draper, attached to the squad as an Observer, was quick to assess the situation and feed information to HQ, who swiftly brought the enemy under control by directing the Sherman to engage it from a flank. After a brief exchange of fire the enemy Spahwagon was knocked out. 3rd, now two men down, regrouped and proceeded to their objective without further incident.

The final act of the battle involved a speedy march in platoon column, with 2nd Squad in the van, to the left flank of Vieux, avoiding AT guns previously spotted by reconnaissance. The remaining elements of 3rd Squad screened the right flank of the Platoon, gaining all high ground to provide over watch as we marched at tank-speed. This fast and unseen movement to the left flank of Vieux allowed us to hit it with violence and surprise, with shellfire from our tank resulting in devastating losses to the enemy. 1st Squad swept around the village, killing several enemy sharpshooters, as 2nd and 3rd, with moderate costs to themselves, cleared out the last enemy defenders from a cellar in a central building of the town.

The enemy, though moderately outnumbered, fought with skill and steadfastness - but they could not stop our assault. The Platoon secured all of its objectives within an hour, with less then 50 percent of its force lost, with the exception of 3rd Squad's halftrack, all vehicles remained entirely intact.

With the crossroads of "Route de Caen", high ground near Maltot and the crossing near the town of Vieux secured, the Patrol is awaiting friendly elements (expected: Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Div.) to pass through en route to the operational objective. Upon passing through our lines the Patrol will screen the Brigade's right flank, as ordered.

Signed,
2nd Lt. Rinaldi, Victor
Patrol Leader

Note: The 113th would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the 2.SS for sending a Gruppe to bolster the seriously outnumbered 25.PzGd prior to the scrim. This act of solidarity made the scrim possible; final numbers being 21 v 18.