The Lost Ranger: A Soldier's Story
Page 42
At 1000 hrs, 5 Aug 1944, the 759th Light Tank Battalion was relieved from attached to 2nd Infantry Division by VOCG, V Corps and assembled during the night in the vicinity of T6I0402 near Laumat, France. The Battalion immediately prepared for further operations by performing first echelon maintenance of equipment and personnel. (759th Tank BN Unit Journal)
The B Company Morning Report recorded on August 6, 1944 the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion left Flamanville, France (MGRS 973153) at 2300 hours and arrived at Les Moitiers, France (MGRS 956116) at 2400. Les Moitiersd'Allonne is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France about 19 ½ miles southwest of Cherbourg along the west coast of France.27 They travelled by truck convoy a distance of 15 miles from Flamanville south to Les Moitiers-d'Allonne. On August 7, the Rangers travelled southeast 45 miles by truck from 0001 hours to 0445 hours, arriving at Saint-Martin-de-Bonfossé (MGRS 434556). Saint-Martin-de-Bonfossé lies approximately six miles southwest of Saint-Lô where the 29th Infantry Division fought a long and ferocious battle against the Germans. The mapping in Figure 295 illustrates this move.
On 6 Aug 1944, the 759th Light Tank Battalion was detached from V Corps and placed in First U.S. Army reserve, attached to the Provisional Ranger Group as part of a Special Task Force. The Battalion Commander immediately reported to First U.S. Army Headquarters and Provisional Ranger Group Headquarters for orders, where upon the Battalion moved to bivouac as 441555 near Le Mesnil Herman, France that was the designated assembly point for the Task force. The Task force consisted of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion, 5th Ranger Battalion and the 99th Separate Infantry Battalion. None of whom had worked with Tanks previously, therefore, the 7th, 8th, 9th and, 10th of Aug were spent in small unit tactics with the Tank Battalion teaching the Ranger Battalions and the Separate Infantry Battalion the lessons learned during July and Aug with the 2nd Infantry Division. (759th Tank BN Unit Journal)
August 7
Figure 295: 5th Ranger movements on August 7, 1944 (mapping adapted from Géoportail) According to the 759th Tank Battalion Unit Journal there were several lessons learned from the hedgerow fighting that they brought with them to train the infantry units of the Provisional Ranger Group. The light tanks were fitted with “Hedgerow busters” or "Rhinos". The ability of the tanks to then break straight through the hedges enabled close fire support between tank and infantry asset. The tanks fought in close support of the advancing Infantry. The tanks were fitted with a hand mike or telephone on the rear of the vehicle that enabled direct communications between the troops on the ground and the tanks. The battalion found that it was most successful then attaching no less than a company of light tanks to an infantry battalion. The tanks were employed in sections, each with an infantry team. The ground units consisted of one to two squads of infantry and a tank director to guide the tanks movements or to targets. The infantry would kill any Germans with rocket propelled weapons or other tank-busting capability. The Tank Company Commander would work directly in liaison with the Infantry Battalion Commander for maximum effectiveness.
According to the First Army After Action Reports, one of the combat lessons thus far was that the “infantry-tank training was inadequate”, and that “closer knitting of this team is mandatory”. Thus the 759th continued training with infantry units for hedgerow fighting in the rear areas. From August 7 until 10, the 759th trained with the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Canissy, for a mission that was subsequently cancelled. From 7 August to 10 August, the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was located at Le Mesnil Herman where training was coordinated with the 759th Light Tank Battalion. (99th INF BN Unit Journal) 7 Aug to 14 Aug: 759th Tank Battalion (Light) Attached to Provisional Ranger Group. (759th Tank BN Unit Journal)
According to the First Army After Action Reports, one of the combat lessons thus far was that the “infantry-tank training was inadequate”, and that “closer knitting of this team is mandatory”. Thus the 759th continued training with infantry units for hedgerow fighting in the rear areas. From August 7 until 10, the 759th trained with the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Canissy, for a mission that was subsequently cancelled.
On August 10, 1944, 1st Sergeant Avery J. Thornhill went from duty to Absent Sick on light duty at an unknown hospital in what was to become a major shakeup of the leadership of the company during the month of August. He would return temporarily on August 12. B Company departed Saint-Martin-de-Bonfossé (MGRS 434556) on August 10 and travelled by motor convoy approximately 25 miles. The Rangers arrived at Villedieu des Poêles at 2355 hours en route to Buais. Villedieu des Poêles is approximately 20 ½ miles south-southwest of Saint-Lô. The B Company Morning Report recorded on August 11, 1944 the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion left Villedieu des Poêles, France at 0005 hours and arrived at Buais, France (MGRS 557967) at 0400 hours. 2nd Lt William J. Mulligan went to an unknown hospital on August 11 and would be lost to the Company on August 20 due to medical reasons. Buais, France is located approximately 43 miles south of Saint-Lô. They travelled by motor convoy a distance of 25 miles. These moves are illustrated in Figure 296.
August 7
Saint-Martin-
de-Bonfossé
August 10
August 10 Buais
Figure 296: 5th Ranger movements on August 7 to August 10, 1944 (mapping adapted from Géoportail)
At the time of World War II, Villedieu les Poêles was a center for metal-work. The artisans there were known for making brass and copper pans and for the manufacture of large church bells. The name of the town comes from the French word for frying pan, poêles. The town is located on the Route de la Dentelle Normande or “Lace Road”. Other towns on this route include Alencon, Bayeux, Caen, Argentan and Courseulles-la-Perriere. The Germans left a sniper behind in the town upon withdrawing who shot some of the first U.S. soldiers entering the town. The town’s mayor spared the town from Allied air and artillery attack by imploring the U.S. commander to spare it, making it one of the first French towns to escape utter destruction.28
During the period 11, 12 and 13 August, the 99th Infantry set up a general defense of the town of Buais. On 14 August, the battalion became attached to the Second Armored Division and assigned to Combat Command “B” of that division for a mission. Mission was cancelled and battalion was assigned to Division Reserve. Until 18th August, the unit was indoctrinated to the method of armored infantry and was given instructions and demonstrations by the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment in the proper installation of road blocks, proper use of artillery, and proper use of communications within an armored division. (99th INF BN Unit Journal)
At 0100 hours, 11 Aug 1944; the 759th Tank Battalion marched to the vicinity of Bauis, France along with the units of the Provisional Ranger Group. (759th Tank BN Unit Journal) The mission of this force was to secure the road net in the vicinity of Bauis. The Tank Battalion was used as a mobile reserve to meet a threat from any direction. Officers and NCOs made detailed reconnaissance of all available routes in al1 directions from their unit positions and selected and marked cross country routes for day or night use in the event regular routes of approach to threatened areas were rendered useless.
August 15
August 13
August 14
Figure 297: 5th Ranger movements on August 10 to August 15, 1944 (mapping adapted from Géoportail) On August 13, B Company left Buais (MGRS 557967) at 2130 hours by motor convoy. They travelled 25 miles to St. Germain d’Anxure, France (MGRS 734616) arriving at 2350 hours. Their movements over the next several days were frequent, and they saw combat action in this time. The movements are illustrated in Figure 297.
On August 13, First Army issued Troop Assignment No. 97. This attached the Provisional Ranger Unit consisting of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion, 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 759th Tank Battalion (Light), 196th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H), 18th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H) to VII Corps administration, supply, and communications effective August 11. On August 12,
the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion, assigned Twelfth Army Group, and the 18th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H), assigned First Army were relieved from attachment to the Provisional Ranger Group and attached to VII Corps.
On August 14, B Company left St. Germain d’Anxure by motor convoy and travelled 13 miles to Martigne, France (MGRS 760591). On August 14, First Army issued Troop Assignment that detached the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion, assigned Twelfth Army Group, from the Provisional Ranger Group and attached them to VII Corps effective August 13. The First Army relieved the Provisional Ranger Group Hq, 759th Tank Battalion (Light) and 196th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H) and attached them to VII Corps effective August 13. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), assigned First Army, was relieved from attachment to the Provisional Ranger Group and attached to XIX Corps effective August 13. On August 14, the 759th Tank Battalion was relieved from assignment to the Provisional Ranger Group and reassigned to the VII Corps and the 4th Infantry Division and the battalion CO reported to-the Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division for orders. (759th Tank BN Unit Journal)
On 15 August, B Company moved from Martigne (MGRS 760591) at 1500 hours by motor convoy eight miles to Mayenne, France (MGRS 805727) arriving at 1600 hours. On August 16, the Provisional Ranger Group consisting of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion, 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 759th Tank Battalion (Light), 18th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H), 196th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H), were attached to VII Corps and further attached to 4th Infantry Division for administration, supply and communications only effective August 11. The 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion and 18th Field Artillery Battalion (105 H), assigned Twelfth Army Group, were relieved from attachment to Provisional Ranger Group and 4th Infantry Division and attached to VII Corps effective August 12.
August 18
Figure 298: 5th Ranger movements on August 15 to August 18, 1944 (mapping adapted from Géoportail) By August 18, the Battle for Brittany began to take shape and as a result the Army committed the Rangers to combat operations. The First Army Troop assignments of August 18 and August 20 began to assign the units of the Provisional Ranger Group with destiny. Effective August 18, the Provisional Ranger Group Headquarters, assigned First Army, was relieved from attachment to VII Corps and reverted to Army Control. The 196th Field Artillery Battalion, assigned First Army, was relieved from attachment to VII Corps and attached to V Corps. They were then relieved from attachment to the Provisional Ranger Group on August 18. The 759th Tank Battalion (Light) was relieved from attachment to Provisional Ranger Group HQ and attached to 6th Armored Group on the same day.
Dinah Shore performed for the troops on the same day the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion moved out for Brittany from Mayenne. Ching knew her from watching Danny Kay movies. He recalled that their movement order to the front in Brittany came all of the sudden. The men were told that she was coming to perform for them. Ching did get a glimpse of her during the commotion. Dinah Shore noted the men boarding the trucks to move out and came “and she sang a song “I’ll be seeing you.”” She made a point to serenade the Rangers as they pulled out. “That’s the first and last we saw of her.”
Other than that, the men had very little entertainment of that type in France, or later in Germany for that matter. Ching recalled that they occasionally were treated to the Red Cross girls. He said that once in a while a platoon or company would pull back off the line and go to the rear where the Red Cross had set up facilities for the GIs. The men could take a shower, get a new change of clothes and get served coffee and donuts. He remembered often getting four or five donuts as the Red Cross girls thought he was handsome. In the field, they got “dry cleaned” by sponge bathing. Using a little water and wiping down important parts of the body.
B Company left Mayenne at 1230 and arrived in Dinan, France (en route) at 2355 hours having travelled 120 miles by motor convoy (Figure 298). On August 19, B Company left Dinan at 0005 hours and travelled 80 miles to Trégarantec, France (MGRS 104164) at 0800 hours. On August 20, the Provisional Ranger Group HQ, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion and 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion were relieved from attachment to VII Corps by VII Corps, Troop Assignment No. 21. The Rangers bivouacked at Trégarantec, a small village southeast of the town of Ploudaniel-Lesneven which itself is fifteen miles northeast of the city of Brest. On August 19, the Provisional Ranger Group was assigned to VIII Corps for the assault on Brest. This movement is shown in Figure 299.
August 19
Figure 299: 5th Ranger movements on August 19, 1944 (mapping adapted from Géoportail) August 22, 1944 had far reaching implications for Company B. Captain Whittington made a personal choice that day to go and have a drink. General Patton had issued orders for all U.S. commanders to prevent U.S. soldiers from committing crimes against French civilians on August 20. The 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion was bivouacked on the outskirts of Lesneven, France. Whittington had explicit orders to stay put. There were suspected German intelligence gathering operations in the vicinity. U.S. military intelligence assets had requisitioned the l'hôtel de France à Lesneven (Hotel de France) as a place to gather needed counter-intelligence, and orders had been issued to all other U.S. forces to remain out of Lesneven unless an MP or intelligence asset. Whittington entered the hotel bar with Captain Runge of the 5th Rangers at about 1830 hours and began to drink. Both men were AWOL. The end result was an altercation between Whittington and a member of the French resistance named Francis Morand. Whittington killed Morand, shooting him six times thinking him a spy. As a result, Whittington was relieved from command on 23 August as he awaited court-martial.29 The August 23 B Company Morning Report shows that Captain Whittington went from duty to absent and confined in the hands of military Authority at Lesneven, France as of 2300 hours on August 22. He was administratively assigned to Battalion Headquarters. 1st Lt Bernard M. Pepper was relieved of his duties as 1st Platoon Leader and assumed command of the Company on August 23.
On August 23, Pfc Bernard C Akers, Jr, Pfc Frank F. DiMarsico, Pfc Maurice V. Thibodeau, Pfc Otto F. Recher, Jr, and Pvt William B. Bartlett transferred to Headquarters Company. On the same day, Pvt Hubert A. Baker, Pfc John Walinski and Pvt Roy E. Carpenter transferred to E Company. On August 23, B Company, 2nd Platoon Sergeant, Tec Sgt Chester B Warich went from duty to Absent, Sick light duty Hospital. The B Company Morning Report on August 26 shows that 1st Lt Stanley L. Askin joined the company from Company A and assumed duty as 1st Platoon Leader. Pfc Robert S. Goodwin, Tech Sgt Chester B. Warich and Pfc Robert W. Gorzynski all were dropped from the unit roster due to medical reasons. On August 29, Pfc Bernard C Akers, Pfc Otto F. Recher, Jr, and Pvt Raymond D. Feagan joined from Headquarters Company. On August 30, B Company was at Tregarantee, France (MGRS 104164). Their telephone code name was Paris. On August 31, 1st Sergeant Avery J. Thornhill ended up going to the hospital again. This caused further upheaval in the platoon leadership. This is not to say in the least that the unit was any less effective. The battle in Normandy resulted in a thirty percent loss of casualties to B Company, 2nd Platoon. Many of the men who had trained with and known S/Sgt Hull were slowly being wounded and or otherwise replaced. The institutional knowledge of fellow Rangers was being bled from B Company.
19 BATTLE FOR BREST: FORT DE TOULBROC'H
The Battle for Brest is an often missed campaign when it comes to studying the liberation of France. The city of Brest is a deep water port located on the extreme western tip of France. At the time of World War II, it was a city of some 80,000 people. During the past several hundred years, it has played a pivotal role in the seafaring nature and defense of the country. During World War I, it played a vital link to the allies by allowing the United States to directly ship arms and men to France for service at the Western Front. The French had over the centuries constructed many fortifications in order to defend this vital port, and by World War II, the Germans improved upon them and incorporated them into the “Atlantik Wall.” To understand exactly what hap
pened to S/Sgt Hull during this battle, it is important to understand the context of the campaign.
Brest is in the region of France known as Brittany. Brittany is a cultural region in the north-west of France. It contains the westernmost potions of France as a peninsula jutting out to the Atlantic Ocean. It was formerly a kingdom, then a duchy, part of the United Kingdom. England had claims to it dating back to 1532, and then off and on again as they warred France over the centuries. The result is a heavy Celtic influence in the region and is referred to as one of the six Celtic nations. It is bordered to the north by the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Bay of Biscay to the South. It has a land area of 13,136 square miles.1 The terrain on the peninsula is a gently rolling plateau with small hills and low ridges. There are narrow, deeply cut valleys and the area has many streams.
During the Battle for Normandy the Port of Cherbourg, France was a primary target for capture by the allied forces. After D-Day several American units laid siege to the port city, and as a result, between allied assault and German sabotage the port was effectively put out of action requiring extensive repair. They then used it until after the allies had advanced deep enough into France to strategically limit the usefulness of the port. The port of Brest was the next major desirable deep water port facility to the allies, particularly the Americans who would be able to sail from the U.S. and land directly at Brest, without having to stop in England. Another very important key to Brest was the German submarine base located there. The construction of the U-boat bunker at Brest commenced in early 1941 and in the summer of that year the 1st and 9th U-boat flotillas moved from Germany to Brest. The bunker was built in two phases, the first comprising 13 submarine pens, and the second 9 pens. The German sub pen and surrounding area is pictured in Figure 300.