(51 AI Bn) Sunday 17 September 1944 It rained heavily all night. During the night and early morning the 2nd platoon of Co A moved into Hoeville and cleared out enemy resistance. They captured or destroyed 3 enemy field pieces and 2 vehicles and took 7 prisoners. At 0740, Bn Hq moved out in column, passed through Hoeville at 0803 and then the column halted on the road. Co B, as advance guard, ran into enemy resistance upon entering the town of Sorneville. The enemy fired a few rounds of 20mm explosive shells at the first vehicles, wounding Lt. Fox and another man. Then they withdrew rapidly toward Champenoux. Co B cleaned out the town and proceeded to the vicinity of Moncel-sur- Seille, where a platoon of Troop B 25th Cav, which was the point of the column, encountered a road block covered by mortar fire. Co B pulled off the road. There was a small engagement and it was discovered that the 25th was fighting with Co A 10th Armd. Inf. Bn. The cavalry had been fired upon and an armored car was knocked out and one man killed. The road block area was covered by mortar fire and the cavalry returned the fire. Evidently no information had been received by either of the outfits concerning the movements of friendly troops and it was some time before the mistake was discovered. Two casualties were suffered by A/10th and one mortar was knocked out. Co B dismounted and a platoon went around the south flank to seize the ground overlooking the road block and discovered that the cavalry was engaged with friendly troops. Meanwhile AP shells were hitting in the vicinity of Hq & Hq Co while they were parked along the road outside of Sorneville. They were overs from the tank battle going on to the left. The Bn CP moved in to Sorneville at 1700 and vehicles and personnel found shelter in barns and buildings in town. Because of the distance between Service Co and the front line elements and the poor condition of the roads, a water truck and 2 gas trucks remained with the Bn to facilitate supply. Service Co moved into an area in the vicinity of Maixe, arriving at 1700. The day was rainy and generally miserable. 26 prisoners were taken and the Bn suffered 3 casualties.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:44:51 +0000
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