(51 AI Bn) Wednesday 30 August 1944 The Bn was awakened at 0500 in preparation for movement. Our mission was to clear out the large woods to the south of Piney. Bn Hq pulled out at 0700 and arrived at Giraudot at 0820, where the Bn went into assembly. The line companies dismounted, and, after an artillery barrage on the forest, moved through in an effort to drive out the enemy force of approximately 600 reported there. They met no opposition. By 1020, the Bn was reassembled and moved through the Forest dOrient in column. On both sides of road could be seen tremendous dumps for fuel and ammunition. Some had been destroyed by the Germans themselves and the day before the Engineers, with the 3rd platoon of Co B, had set off some of the fuel. Still a great deal of it was untouched. The column passed through Vendeuvre at 1817, Amance at 1848, Dienville at 1915, Beienne-la-Vieille at 1928 and pulled into bivouac 2 miles south of Brienne-le-Chateau at 1940. Distance of the march was 29 miles. A fire broke out in the S-2 half-track but it was quickly extinguished before any damage was done. A short circuit in the trouble lamp had ignited gasoline fumes while the vehicle was being gassed. News was received that the enemy might attempt to run an armored train along the railroad nearby and the tracks were mined. The TDs and assault guns were covering the tracks.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:33:23 +0000
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