After Action Report
26 September 1942
Training Exercise: Invary, Scotland
Mission: Clear lanes and secure axis of advance as advance vanguard of 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Secure key terrain and inform parent unit via radio.
This exercise was part of simulated invasion of hostile territory, with main body of regiment 1 mile behind.
Squad Members:
SGT Lee Lewis – Squad Ldr (B team ldr)
CPL Gus Meister – A Team Ldr (BAR Gunner)
PVT Malcolm Craig - A Team (Rifle Grenadier)
PVT Max Karas - A Team (Scout/Rifleman)
PVT Albert Greeley - B Team (Scout/Rifleman)
PVT Pascal Dubois - B Team (Rifleman)
PVT Percy Crowenshield - B Team (Rifleman/Radio Operator)
SGT Lewis received mission order, and briefed squad. Provided code word to entire squad to signal parent unit upon completion of mission. Established challenge and password, and rally points along avenue of advance. Established “A” and “B” teams, and designated team leaders. Designated yellow smoke as signal for “enemy encountered” for use by scout team upon contact once detected, and red smoke as signal for “Lay down suppressive fire here” for use by scout team once enemy position(s) were established.
Terrain was road “A” which ran West to East, with squad entering from western side, covered by continuous hedgerow along Southern edge of road. Small farmhouse and outbuilding within 20 seconds run (2 turns) from line of departure. Road “A” intersected with Road “B” which ran Southwest to Northeast. Intersection a little over one minutes hard run from Small farmhouse and outbuilding (3-4 turns), direct route over flat open countryside. Within short distance of intersection A-B (30 seconds run), terrain gradually rose, and beyond intersection terrain continued to rise for another 100 yards to second intersection where road divided again to run North to South (intersection A-C). Just to east of this intersection, on top of hill commanding view of entire area were several substantial two story buildings, tall farm silo, and other outbuilding which formed a natural defensive complex, and observation position (Key Terrain Objective).
SGT Lewis designated the small farmhouse & outbuilding near line of departure as rally point Alpha, and initial objective to occupy and establish as an over-watch position for CPL Meister, and PVT Craig. PVTs Greeley, and Karas were to scout for enemy positions staying to the South (non-road) side of the hedgerows using the hedgerows for concealment from probable enemy observation from Key Terrain Objective at intersection A-C. If enemy action occurred during this scouting, Karas and Greeley were to signal contact and their own position by using yellow smoke. Any area they wished engaged with suppressive fire was to be marked by red smoke. If Karas and Greeley were able to remain undetected, they were to return with information on enemy positions.
Apex of hedgerows at road intersection A-B was designated as rally point Bravo, and Key Terrain Objective (Two story building at intersection A-C) was designated as third and final rally point, as well as point which once secured PVT Crownshield was to radio parent unit with code word, “Manhatten” to indicate completion of mission.
Upon enemy contact, A and B teams were to employ fire and maneuver tactics to engage and eliminate enemy resistance, one providing support fire while the other maneuvered, with CPL Meister leading A-team, while SGT Lewis took B-team.
SGT Lewis cautioned the squad that although our enemy elements were unknown, and there was the potential that they might be neutral towards American, no squad member should take the chance of being shot to determine this. Most important priority was mutual support of the squad and if potential neutrals became casualties, better them than a squad member.
SGT Lewis also somehow mistakenly read into the Operation Order that the squad was to inform command upon enemy contact, when in fact the Op Order stated to maintain radio silence until achievement of the objective, and inform Command of enemy contact only when determined such enemy contacted was Battalion strength or higher.
Concept of operation as conceived and briefed by SGT Lewis was to use scouts Karas and Greeley to determine enemy positions without alerting enemy to American presence, if possible, and then using the squad as two teams to approach using cover, and take successive objective rally points, overcoming enemy resistance with no friendly casualties.
CPL Meister and A team was to provide initial over-watch and suppressive fire (mainly BAR) from small farmhouse at Rally Point Alpha, while B Team moved on the assault. Once B team was established at Rally Point Bravo, A-Team was to move to join B-Team, which would provide a base of fire. From Apex of hedgerows at Rally Point Bravo (Intersection A-B), final assault on Key Terrain Objective to East of intersection A-C would occur. In actual execution the action proceeded as follows:
PVT Greeley came under rifle fire immediately at end of first 20 seconds of movement from line of departure along Road “A”, before he could reach first rally point. He took up prone position in little to no cover.
Remainder of squad moved up to behind barn at rally point “A”, using same barn to obscure observation from enemy rifle fire from key terrain objective. From this vantage point behind barn, PVT Crowenshield was able to throw smoke grenade with uncanny accuracy, and further than a man normally can throw to land and detonate to provide smoke cover to perfectly conceal PVT Greeley, and at the same time screen the rest of the squads approach and occupation of the small farmhouse which was rally point “A”.
PVT Greeley, and the rest of the squad occupied the vicinity of rally point “A”, which was devoid of enemy presence, as well as civilians. CPL Meister and PVT Craig took up positions in the attic, and dislodged roof tiles for Meister to initiate suppressive fire at long range against windows in structures at Key Terrain Objective. No enemy was yet observed, but squad was under rifle fire from what seemed a solitary enemy rifleman. Bullets were cracking over the head of first Greeley, and then later switched to hit roofing tiles around Meisters position, gradually getting closer to Gus’s self-fashioned firing loophole as Gus sprayed burst after burst of BAR fire at various windows at the objective. PVT Crowenshield, upon instructions from SGT Lewis radioed notification of enemy contact to parent unit, and was tersely instructed to maintain radio silence and “get off this net”. SGT Lewis realized belatedly he mis-read the mission orders instructions.
PVT Craig fired concealing smoke rifle grenades in vicinity of intersection A-B, just East of Rally Point Bravo, which was at extreme range for rifle grenades. These smoke grenades, together with the hedgerow running along the Southwestern border of road “A”, provided cover for SGT Lewis, PVT Dubois, and PVT Greeley to run to the apex of the two hedgerows at Rally Point Bravo, although SGT Lewis had to stop to assess the situation (catch his breath) 2/3rd of the way there, and double-timed the remaining distance, sending PVT’s Greeley, and Dubois ahead.
Cpl Meister fired burst after burst of suppressive fire with his BAR, and PVT Craig moved to successively closer vantage points to lay down smoke grenades during this movement. PVT Crowenshield took a line of advance more Southernly, and eventually made his way through the hedgerow along the Northern side of Road “B”, South and West of, but commanding a good view and field of fire down Road “B” to Intersection A-B, just East of Rally Point Bravo.
Pvt Karas moving parallel to Crowenshield, but along same track as SGT Lewis and his team and thrashed his way through the hedgerow along the South side of Road “A” about halfway to Rally Point Bravo, and stuck his head out to observe intersection A-B.
At about this time it was time for CPL Meister to change magazines and decided it would also be a good time to relocate, as the apparently solitary enemy rifleman’s shots were becoming uncomfortably close to his loophole in the attic of the farmhouse.
At about the same time, Dubois and Greeley came out of the hedgerow at intersection A-B, under the cover of PVT Craigs rifle grenade smoke between, and screening them from view from Key Terrain Objective (intersection A-C).
As soon as they stepped into the road, looking to their right, Southwest down road B, they saw three enemy Soldiers approaching them down the road (range at less than 20 seconds run). These enemy Soldiers were wearing dusty tropical green German uniforms, with the unmistakable German helmets. One was armed with bolt action rifle, and the others with light sub-machine guns. These Germans were caught more by surprise than Dubois and Greeley, and Dubois shot first, piercing the lead German rifleman with a snap-shot from his M1 rifle. Greeley fired a moment later.
The Germans (played by British Commandos) first return fire was ineffective and wild. Crowenshield emerged from the hedgerows at a vantage point further South, and West from these three Germans, and fortunately the road ran in such a way so that he was not in the line of fire of Dubois and Greeley in front of these Germans. Crowenshield had a good position behind the Germans, and after first attempting to order them to surrender, shot the rearmost one when he attempted to open fire instead of surrendering. This shot from Crowenshield caused the German to retreat at a run to the Southeast, away from Crowenshield, as well as Dubois, and Greeley. As he ran, wounded by Crowenshield, he wildly attempted to spray Crowenshield with his MP-40. This fire was completely ineffective, and this German Soldier only ran for about 20 seconds before the cross-fire between Dubois/Greeley/Crowenshild put him down for good. Crowenshield crawled up to take cover behind the “killed” German, and I think I saw the glint of a flask, and then smoke from a cigarette rising from his position. I’ll be dealing with Percy “Pockets”.
The other two Germans on the road tried to engage Dubois and Greeley but in the exchange, their fire scored no hits as they moved, while Dubois and Greeley, who had taken up stationary firing positions made their shots tell, and cut the Germans down before they could make cover of a copse of trees to the Northeast.
I (SGT Lewis) had finally made my way through the apex of Hedgerow at intersection A-B, and stepped out into road B behind Dubois and Greeley, between them and the fast dissipating smoke screen laid down by PVT Craig with rifle grenades.
The smoke screen was still there, between me and the Key objective where enemy rifle fire had come from, and where I had a pretty good idea there were more enemy situated. The smoke screen was fast dissipating, so I took a position behind a tree along the South edge of road B, and as the smoke cleared, scanned the upper windows of the imposing stone two-story building which was our Key Terrain Objective behind intersection A-C.
PVT Craig had exhausted his supply of rifle grenades, reconfigured his rifle to fire ball ammunition, and had been scanning the windows and buildings at our key objective complex for the rifleman who had been taking shots at CPL Meister (Gus), who had relocated out of the farmhouse attic, and was moving at a plodding pace to that same apex of the hedgerows, going up that same damn hill that winded me so badly. I could see it was an effort for Gus as well, which provided me some solace, I don’t mind admitting. He was joined in this run up the hill by PVT Max Karas, who was notably lighter on his feet, and moved with greater ease.
CPL Meister and PVT Karas reached the apex of the hedgerows just forward of rally point Bravo, and started thrashing through them about the same time, towards the road B (Southeastern) side, behind Greeley, and Dubois, who were still facing Southeast (Backs to the Key Objective buildings), and just at the point of finishing off the three Germans.
A shot rang out from somewhere in the cluster of buildings that was our key objective, and PVT Greeley took a hit in the back. I should have thrown down a smoke grenade as a screen for Greeley, and Dubois instead of scanning the windows of the building.
Greeley crawled to cover behind a tree just a few feet away from me, joining Dubois. Greeley applied first aid to himself, but I wasn’t paying attention, as I had caught sight of some movement from the Key Objective Building to a couple trees just a little way to the South, along road A-C. I couldn’t actually see the enemy, but figured they had taken up positions behind a couple trees there.
At about this time, PVT Craig tells me he was somehow able to pick out the enemy “Sniper” on top of the silo at the key objective, and with a truly superior rifle shot put a round right through the enemies skull. The umpire said the shot blasted pink flesh and brains along the top of the Silo. How he determined that I don’t know, but I’ll accept it.
Meister and Karas had made it through the hedgerows about 20 feet from my position, and had taken up good prone firing positions with a view of the objective buildings, as well as the trees where I thought the enemy was.
Craig had a distant position, almost as far away as that first rally point, and I didn’t know where he was, but I had heard his rifle shot to the silo, and hoped he still maintained his over-watch position. I found out later he, in fact, had. Good Soldier.
Greeley had bandaged himself, perhaps with help from Dubois, as they were co-located behind a tree not 10 feet behind me, and both signaled ready to move.
Crowenshield still was in position behind the “dead” German, a good half minutes run away, but still in a good spot to support a rush on the enemy held trees with fire, or take a run at it.
I called out to Meister and Karas to lay down fire on the trees where I thought I saw the enemy move to, then to B team to watch me, and follow me at a run on the assault.
It went off exactly as I hoped. Gus laid down fire, burst after burst with his BAR, and Max with clip after clip with his M1 Garand. Their fire went to the right area.
I had my wind back after taking a knee behind my tree, and with Greeley, and Dubois right with me, and Crownshield keeping apace, although further distance and to my right, we ran right at the trees where I had seen the enemy move.
All the angles were right so CPL Meister, and PVT Karas could lay down effective fire until my team was right on the objective, and PVT Crowenshield too, had a good, safe angle to provide supportive fire as he ran to the objective.
The remaining enemy surrendered under the onslaught of our assault, and we occupied the Key Objective Buildings and Terrain, and Crowenshield radioed the “Manhatten” signal back to our parent unit, signaling it was clear to advance.
The squad worked well as a team. They supported each other through movements, fire and maneuver.
PVT Craig was especially effective at choosing when and where to lay down smoke, as well as his remarkable rifle shot.
CPL Meister put his suppressive fire onto the right locations, and relocated at the right time to continue to be effective just when it was needed.
PVT Karas moved first to good observation positions, and then into the fighting after he had insured the lanes were clear.
PVT Crowenshield likewise helped get the 3 Germans going down the road, (whom we found out were retreating), into a cross fire with base of fire from Dubois and Greeley.
PVT Dubois drew the first “enemy” blood with his shot, while Greeley took the first “mock” hit because his back was exposed to the enemy objective without cover, nor concealment.
The squad responded well, without argument, or hesitation to the plan of actions I outlined as squad leader, and obeyed subsequent orders and instructions from me without hesitation. In the absence of direction from me they took the appropriate actions, and initiative.
LEE LEWIS
SGT,
1st Sqd, 1st Plt, A Co, 1st Bn
26th, Inf Regiment
No comments:
Post a Comment