AAR 27/10/2012, 113th v 2.CSB

Map: St-Lambert Sur Dive
113th vs 2.CSB, a realism match consisting of one round, in which the CSB portrayed the Axis Defenders.

CASUALTY CHARTS
Sgt. Saunders - KIA
Cpl. Pelt - KIA
T/4 Patton - KIA
Pfc. Washington - KIA
Pfc. Sailer - KIA
Pfc. Jano - KIA
Pfc. Cepolski - KIA
Pfc. Emory - WIA (Purple Heart citation)
Pfc. Tierce - KIA
Pvt. Illyin - WIA
Pvt. Crum - KIA

MATERIAL LOST
1 M4A3 (75) Medium Tank

MATERIAL SEIZED
3 x MG-34s
1 x "Tank Terror" Rocket Anti-Tank
1 x 'Hanomag' Halftrack

MATERIAL DESTROYED
1 x PanzerIV Ausf. J Medium Tank
2 x PzJager 'Marder' IIIH Tank Destroyer
1 x Opel Blitz Truck
1 x VW "KubelWagen"


SITUATION October 27th, 2012
Troop C, with elements 1st Platoon, Dog Troop (Tank/Assault Gun) attached, tasked with advancing to the River Dive and securing a crossing near the town of "St. Lambert" to link up with Polish Armour and aid the 90th Infantry Division to help close the Falaise Gap.

Enemy elements were a mixed bag of troops, largely consisting of Czech "Volunteers" and 12.SS Infantry and Armored remnants, attempting to hold open the Falaise gap and allow other retreating units to flee the pocket. Despite the mixed and haphazard organization of the enemy, they were well equipped and formed a cohesive defence at the towns of "L'Eglise", "Le Clos" and the stone bridge over the river Dive near "L'Eglise." The enemy also had forces extended out to St. Lambert to maintain contact with their forces.


REPORT OF ACTIONS

Task Force Rinaldi organized thusly; 1 Rifle Section consisting of 2 Mounted-Rifle Squads, mounted in M2 Half-track cars with attached HQ and ammunition and supply column, 1 Reconnaissance Section consisting of two 1/4 ton trucks ("Jeeps") and 1 M5 Stuart (1/D. Trp) in support. Finally, a Tank Section of 2 M4A3 Sherman (75s) were attached in support. On call were two artillery strikes from the 90th ID's organic artillery battalions, but they were never utilized in the course of the fighting.

The attack began with the Rifle Section dismounting behind ridges, on the American side of the river, crawling forward to briefly rake L'Eglise (and its large Church) with fire. The M4A3s shelled the town briefly in support. As this was being conducted, the Reconnaissance section, moving East along the river bank, swept both ours and the opposite bank for potential ambushers, before coming across an acceptable ford, which (with great effort) they managed to get both their jeeps, and the M5 Stuart across. This ford was secured by one jeep, while the remaining Section immediately struck out into the enemy defense zone to sever the enemy's connection with St. Lambert.

2nd Squad was quickly dispatched to the Ford, where upon it dismounted (the ford was not suitable for anything larger than a M5 tank) and, with ample cover from First and HQ, rapidly moved into L'Eglise from the NE and cleared out the town in a matter of minutes. As 2nd moved dismounted, Reconnaissance intercepted and destroyed a Kubelwagen along with several enemy, who had been stalking 2nd and was moving up behind them.

With L'Eglise secured, HQ and the remainder of the Rifle and Tank Section rapidly crossed the now cleared stone bridge near L'Eglise. Suddenly, both Reconnaissance and 2nd urgently reported to HQ that they had positive contact on enemy armor! With 1st and HQ still establishing itself in L'Eglise, the M4s were ordered by T/4 Patton to a ridge East of L'Eglise and ordered to defend the bridgehead as we organized a breakout. At this point, both M4s became engaged with a Marder and a PzIV Ausf. J. The initial clash was tit-for-tat, T/4 Patton's command tank was instantly hit and knocked out, and the follow up M4 destroyed the offending Marder, before it pulled back to its starting position. As the M4 retreated, the M5 Stuart, commanded by T/5 Huff engaged successfully a second Marder III, and damaged lightly the Pz.IV Ausf. J, forcing it out of position and securing the saftey of L'Eglise and the remaining M4 tank. The Panzer IV, now unsupported, moved South and attempted to outflank our positions, but was successfully engaged and destroyed by the remaining M4.

With L'Eglise secured, and the Rifle Section now organized being guided by HQ from the Church steeple, the attack on Le Clos began. The remaining enemy infantry stopped a frontal attack in its tracks with severe and accurate MG and rifle fire, and after losing both leaders in 2nd, it became painfully obvious to HQ that a frontal assault on Le Clos would not close the battle. Disorganized, and at risk of being destroyed in the open, the M5 tank was recalled and placed directly under HQ command, and took position by the Chuch of L'Eglise to facilitate the extraction of the pinned down squads. Under a flurry of Carbine and rifle fire from HQ, the HE of the 37mm and the .30 cal from 1st, the enemy attempt to destroy us was repelled with several losses. Reorganized, though leaderless, HQ personally attempted to lead the remnants of the Rifle section (now organized into one large squad) to the North flank of town (where an enemy skirmish line in the bush had been pushed back by Reconnaissance). The largely inexperienced survivors of 1st Squad were a toll on the burdened HQ, but thanks to the organizational help from Pfc. Catterall and Pvt. Reeder, the little assault group managed to gain a foothold into town and clear out the Southern buildings. At this point, the remaining enemy attempted to re-organize at the Eastern entrance to town, but were destroyed in the open by the combined efforts of the Reconnaissance group and the remaining M4 tank.

For the loss of 9 killed, 2 wounded, the Taskforce reports its objective area clear, and is currently en route with mounted patrols to link up the 1st Polish Armored Division.



Signed,
2nd Lieutenant Victor Rinaldi
C Troop, 113th Cav Sqdrn, 113th Cavalry Group
XIX Corps