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. 507th PIR . Parachute Infantry Regiment |
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507th was created on June 24, 1942 to be left the lists of the reserve’s units of the army and activated on July 20, 1942 to Camp Toccoa in Georgia beside the Currahee mountain.
Lieutenant Colonel George V. Millett Jr. was the instructor. They accepted also a formation of jump with Fort Benning in “Frying pan” area located at 280km of Toccoa.
<- Lieutenant Colonel George V. Millet Jr.
Whereas the recruitment of the 2.000 men, composed officers and privates, cycle a 22 weeks is set up to form the new recruits with the combat.
The training and the tests of the unit continue whereas the regiment is moved in September in the “Alabama” area on other side of the river Chattahoochee.
The regiment is then transferred to Barksdale Field, to Shreveport, Louisiana on March 6, 1943 for 12 days of operations with 3rd Army along the Sabine River. Then, it was sent in Sand Hills in the West of Nebraska for a training complementary to the combat.
On March 23, 1943, the 507th PIR must cohabit with “Troops Carriers” to Camp Alliance in Nebraska for a joint training. The rigour during the training is the price to pay to work the regiment with the combat.
At the end of the summer, the regiment is put on the ground under the glance of 14 observers of Airborne Command. The regiment gains its marks there but also a stay in Black Hills in the south of Dakota in bivouac.
On November 23, 1943, the regiment is transferred to Camp Shanks and to Fort Hanilton, New York before embarking on HMS Strathnaver and the Libertyship Susan B Anthony towards the North Ireland. It is clear for the men whom they will have to fight on the Europeen front.
507th PIR was arrives in Northern Ireland in December 1943. It was attached at this time to 82nd Airborne with 508th PIR.
In Ireland, the training begins again but, it will be limited to 3 months. Indeed, on March 11, 1944, the regiment crosses it Scotland by rail and arrives at Tollerton Hall, Nottingham, England.
Again, the training begins again. At this time, the regiment does not know anything the operation “NEPTUNE”. The commander of the regiment will know it only the 1 April 44 and the CO of Battalion 1st May.
The Pathfinder’s team are transferred by rail to the airfield from North William.
The orientation of the training is specified without for that, the men knowing about the objective of the mission.
Jumps of night per battalion and then for the complete regiment were planned but ever realized because of bad weather conditions.
On May 28, 1944, routing for the operation in Normandy began. The 1st battalion is sent towards the aerodrome of Fulbeck. 2nd and 3rd towards the aerodrome of Barkston Heath. Pathfinders will take off of North Witham.
Over there, they are confined in camps surrounded by barbed wires. Safety is maximum in order to as well as possible maintain the secrecy of the operation.
Models reproducing the various objectives of the regiment are used to illustrate the briefings.
The exercises to protect the zones from jump, to gather and move towards the various assigned objectives are represented with much rigour.
During the last previous days the operation “Neptune”, the men play charts, practise certain sports where write with their family.
On June 5, the weather conditions delay the 24 hours operation. In the twilight of June 5, displacement towards the planes starts.
507th PIR is ready for the action. One minute before midnight, C-47 take off.
It is 2:30 am, June 6, 1944, the first dome parachutes open on Normandy. The 507th PIR was on his first combat jump. The 507th's missions are to assist the 505th PIR to take and pass the Merderet at La Fière, establish and maintain contact with the 508th PIR side of the hamlet of Renouf and prepare in advance to the Western fluke. Their drop zone was designated DZ T. It will take 117 C-47 to bring the 2004 paratroopers of the 507th PIR their DZ.
½ hours
earlier, the DZ-T Amfreville Gourbesville, 3 teams of Pathfinders are
dropped. They include 51 paratroopers under the command of Lt. John T. Joseph
and must make heroic efforts to collect and install their equipment guide to
guide the C-47 towards the drop zone. However, substantial enemy force estimated
the field. After reacted promptly, they triggered a
devastating fire on the Pathfinder.
The
fire was so intense that most of the Pathfinders are unable to install their
Eureka beacons and directional markers.
35 paratroopers were killed, wounded or captured. 2 tags
are operational with the arrival of equipment, but no marker on the ground could
not be established.
While the C-47 across the Cotentin Peninsula in a thick fog, the German anti-aircraft opened fire. This outburst will require many devices to divert from their flight, increase speed and increase altitude. It is for this reason that the company "HQ" of the 3rd Battalion landed on the town of Graignes, south of Carentan, more than 20km from their DZ!
The 507th
PIR was the parachute regiment of the worst dropped regiments June 6, the
men were dumped in an area of over 30km. Some fell into the marsh Mederet
deliberately flooded by the Germans, these men were heavily loaded, they could
freely swim and drowned. On the other, have erred in the Normandy countryside
until they meet other units on which they join.
Nevertheless, the mission will be accomplished despite the dispersal of troops
and heavy losses during the fighting.
Some fighting isolated, others in small groups before
being wounded or captured, see 2. Others may join larger groups and forming
battle groups, often composed of a mixture of different units.
Some groups overwhelmed by the number will resort to
actions which will lead to stall the Germans in error. Larger groups will
conduct an offensive action to take and hold objectives, despite the efforts of
Germans to regroup. Result, all individual and collective actions are completely
intoxicated intelligence Germans who will never know that they have strength in
front of them.
The group of
Colonel George Van Millett landed on the DZ T. It is composed of 40
paratroopers and Amfreville attack from the south. The German reaction is that
it forces the group to move away from the west then take a position in
South-East in "Les Landes". There he made contact with the division.
Captain Allen Taylor retrieves a group of 250
paratroopers, then found Captain Paul F. Smith of Company F, Captain
Allen of Company I and Capt. Frank.
A D-Day +3, Millett finds himself at the head of
425 paratroopers. It is assigned a defensive position, with orders to keep and
clean. It sends out reconnaissance patrols and harassing the enemy, under
constant fire from his artillery, and mortars and light weapons.
The group will take 5 days in the middle of the 91st
Division German. But the 3rd day their will be fatal.
Dropped in the East Amfreville, Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Timmes commanding the 2nd Battalion arrived to collect 30 paras. It can hear the sound of the battle to Amfreville probably attack Millett, and believes that the Company F attacked the village. He decides to distract the enemy by attacking from the east. But the superiority of enemy forces to withdraw and force Timmes to take a defensive position in the North-East Motey and establish a defensive perimeter with his back in the flooded area of Mederet.
<-
Lieutenant Colonel Charles J.
Timmes
Timmes has no radio equipment to contact the staff or other groups. Hoping to receive a reinforcement of troops to take Amfreville during the daylight, he sent a patrol commanded by Lieutenant Levy advanced to the west of the road to the La Fière - Cauquilly.
Having landed in the inhospitable waters of Mederet and have searched in the east towards the railway, Captain Floyd B. "Ben" Schwartzwalder of G Company travels with a group of 45 men in the South, along the railway line to the intersection of the road bridge at La Fiere. Anxious to reach its target in the sector Amfreville before daylight, he stands a large force commanded by Colonel Lindquist, commander of the 508th PIR and walk west, toward the mansion and the La Fiere bridge.
With the Company G, 1st Lt. John Marr, Corporal William Lawton, T5 Gaspar Escobar and Private Parletto Marion leads the detachment, consisting now of about 80 paratroopers. They find themselves in a violent shooting from the mansion.
Marr attempted to go around the mansion from the south, under fire from a German machine gun positioned on the corner of the building within 20 meters. Escobar and Lawton with leg injuries. The reply was quick, thanks to fire their machine guns and grenades, machine guns and gunners are destroyed. After a short break to help the wounded, they progress around the bridge or elements of the 505th PIR and 508th PIR that it undertook the cleaning of the house. Lindquist asked to Schwartzwalder to move to 800m on the floor in an area that seems the enemy.
Mattingly
is in the crosshairs of an MG42 machine gun concealed in a hole on the edge of
the roadway. A German opened fire with his gun but lacks Mattingly.
Simultaneously, feeling movement on his right, Mattingly turned and
fired, gun on his hip, pulling down his man, but emptying his clip of 8
cartridges in that time. He quickly falls into a ditch and launched a grenade
into the trench. 3 severely wounded Germans raise their arms behind Mattingly
and 5 others raise another decided to go.
Paratroopers rises, picks up his empty gun and take them
on the road. In all his action did not last more than 15 seconds.
Pvt Johnnie Ward
and James Mattingly is in the vanguard.
Ward
is 75m from the bridge, at 10m Mattingly, the 2 men are unaware that
Schwartzwalder and his group, mostly composed of G
Company, arrived at the Church of Cauquilly the western end of the road
in early afternoon.
Learning from
Lieutenant Levy that is in the Timmes Orchard, north of Motey
on the line right up to Amfreville, Schwartzwalder decides to push
toward his goal when German ambulance from the south stopped at the
intersection. Doors that are open and wounded Germans and Americans are
visible.
A few
minutes later, the German artillery opened fire on the intersection and vehicle
noise is heard in the southwest.
There is no indication yet the arrival of troops from the
East. With nightfall, an enemy force of the size
of a regiment arrived to attack the floor of La Fiere and the bridge.
The group of Schwartzwalder and Levy closed the perimeter
Timmes. During the night the Germans
mounted their first attack to dislodge the paratroopers into eastern La Fiere.
Regarding the eastern shore, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Ostberg commanding the 1st Battalion were gathered from 150 Paras with Brigadier General Jim Gavin and the General Staff of the Force A. Gavin gives orders to move south and take the bridge at La Fiere. While they are at the crossroads of the road and track railway which was Schwartzwalder earlier they receive a report announcing their recognition that the bridge is under fire.
Gavin
then gives the order to take Maloney paratroopers and cross the river
near Chef-du-Pont and drew enemy fire on him. Maloney share with
150 paras. Immediately after his departure, Gavin learns that
Chef-du-Pont is held by the enemy.
Gavin
sends Ostberg and Captain Roy Creek Commander of Company E,
directly to Chef-du-Pont with 75 paratroopers. Ostberg joined
Maloney together they will fight 2 hours before taking the village.
Unfortunately, during the battle, Ostberg
is seriously injured, Maloney sends the command to Captain Creek
and all the men of the 507th he has with him.
They eventually
reach the eastern side of the bridge but can not cross because of enemy fire.
At 17:00, Maloney reminded La Fiere
with all his troops valid. He leaves with 34 paratroopers Creek.
Unfortunately for him, the German was shot fatally accurate.
Out of 34 paratroopers, he has already lost 14
when it receives a message asking him to take all costs. What he can not
do since it does not bridge. Misfortunes never
come singly, one observer told him that a German company is approaching its left
side.
He asked
the division to bring in reinforcements. Miraculously, at the time of C-47 passes and dropped containers of arms and
ammunition. 1 / 2 hours later, a hundred men with a 57mm cannon who join. It
takes place with 10 men in the West. This small force will eventually be
relieved by elements of the 4th Infantry Division.
Thanks to him,
the enemy can reinforce its positions at La Fiere.
On the side of Lieutenant Colonel Charles J.
Timmes,
the second day of the landing, he must reconnect with forces across the
Merderet. He gave the order to 1st Lt.
John Marr joined by Private Norman Carter, go to meet the HQ of the
82nd Airborne. Locally, it was decided to send a battalion of the
325th GIR west of La Fiere, night to take Cauquigny.
Carter is responsible for preventing Timmes while Marr guide
the men of the 325th GIR. Unfortunately the night attack will be a
complete failure, the Gliders will be severely mistreated by the enemy. The
90th Infantry Division expects that the bridge is assumed La Fiere to
begin to attack the West. The failure of the night means that the approach
Canquigny on the Causeway should be done by the East. Another Glider
Battalion was called in to work. General
Gavinfears that any hesitation or
loss of time would jeopardize the victory.
He warned
Maloney ready to launch its signal for the attack. It will traverse 800m
floor uncovered. Maloney has 3 companies in the 507th PIR to
accomplish its mission. They are commanded by Captains Robert D. Rae
Brakonecke and Roy Morgan Creek. Rae will lead, followed by
Brakonecke, if necessary. The floor is a living hell, the sounds of
explosions, smoke, the 325th start position. At the time of the assault,
only a small proportion of male to attack. After a few minutes, the column of
wounded who retires is equal to a man who is climbing.
<- Captaine Robert D Rae Captaine Roy Creek->
Gavin, Rae
and Maloney await signs of weaknesses in order to send the company of 90
men Rae.
At one point, a sherman tank, went with
the head section, hit a mine and fits in a panzer blocking the passage of the
roadway.
At this time Gavin instructs Rae launch the assault. Maloney
stunned by rustled exhorts his men to follow him. Through their leadership
talent and their courage, Captain Rae and Lieutenant Dave Irwin
and his subordinates, inspire Gliders as paratroopers.
Canquigny is recaptured from the Germans. The attack is launched until Motey, Lieutenant Stanley Ardziejewski
command section to move to contact the paratroopers of Timmes.
The Company Rae also combats until Motey where it will stop
for the night.
On June 10 At dawn, the 90th Infantry Division crosses the positions of
Rae.
For his part, Colonel George Van Millett also trying to join forces
Timmes, he crossed a road north of Amfreville which passes close to a
German concentration. After a hard fight, he finds himself a prisoner and half
of his group.
The rest of his group, led by Captain Paul F. Smith fell back and ended
up joining Timmes with the regiment in the east of La Fiere to rest and
reorganize. About 180 paratroopers to entrench themselves Graignes.
The tusks are dug positions and defensive
positions are placed. The only bridge to the entrance of the city is
undermined. Villagers help paras. On June 10, they had to blow up the bridge.
On 11 June the Germans storm. They are estimated at 2,000 men. They are
supported by artillery.
The paratroopers retreated. The shots are so intense that at midnight the
ammunition is exhausted. The Germans penetrated the defenses, held a retreat is
possible. Small groups fled to join the American lines. When the battalion
commander, Major Johnson was killed, the command passed to Captain
Leroy D. Brummer
In the village the Germans prisoners together. The wounded and the
Doctor, Captain Sophian will be shot in a field.
In the village, 4 civilians, including the priest will be executed by firing
squad.
After 3 days of rest, the 507th PIR is the 90th Division and
continued the attack toward St. Sauveur-le-Vicomte.
On June 14, Captain Brummie and survivors Graignes join the
regiment.
The 3rd Battalion was sent to Renouf who was under almost constant
artillery German. The 1st and 2nd Battalion are with them when separated by
enemy fire. They head south east of Bonneville. There they settled under
fire. On the morrow as they fail to win that 1000 meters of land.
At 18:00, elements of the 505th PIR striker St Sauveur-le-Vicomte
through their lines.
That day also, after verifying that the Colonel Millet was well captured,
General Ridgway ordered the Colonel Edson Raff to take command of
the 507th. Raff is a veteran of the 509th PIR. It was
ordered when he was busy fighting in Les Forges. The 507th had the
nickname "Raff's Ruffians” for their way of fighting.
<-Colonel Edson Raff
On
the night of June 16, the regiment moved to the south east to meet the 508th
PIR and establish a defensive line leaving Franquetot Coigny and then
Baupte. This sector priori calm will not stay long.
The Germans bombard positions day and night.
Patrols are often sent to test the German defenses.
The 1st Battalion, Major Ben Pearson takes Videfontaine and was
ordered held until July 4.
On June 20, the rest of the regiment crossed the
line of 508th PIR. On 25 June they were
relieved by the 90th Division.
In Videfontaine’s area,
shooting enemy continues to inflict heavy loss. Shells fell on the headquarters
of the 3rd Battalion, Lieutenant Wagner killing and wounding Maj. John
T. Davis.
The 27th day of landing, the 1st ARMY launched its offensive in the
Cotentin.
The 82nd Airborne and the 507th PIR are in point of attack, except
the 2nd Battalion, which is in reserve. The Battalion moves to take
Blanchelande.
Then, under the orders of General Gavin, the
507th turns south to take the center of Ridge Pottery. Down the
ridge, Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Timmes with his battalion of 200
paratroopers seeking a passage.
He eventually find one July 5. It was reorganized and led his Battalion on the
slopes of the ridge.
Unfortunately, shelling the block for several days.
In the morning of 5th, Timmes discovers that the enemy
attempts to infiltrate its flanks. He warned the General Gavin, asking
him to spread defenses.
Orders were sent to Colonel Maloney 3rd
Battalion who climbs the eastern side of ridge. He arrived at midnight,
but the German defenses are strong. The paratroopers of Companies G and I are
glued to the ground to avoid grazing fire from the Germans. They are forced to
move to avoid the grenades. The German defense did not flinch.
Maloney took the decision to send the Captain Schwartzalder of
Company G towards the base South of Hill. It takes the rest of the Battalion in
the North, behind the German positions. On 6 July, the two forces meet. But
between his battalion and that of Timmes, a gap remains significant.
On July 7, Colonel Edson Raff commands the 1st Battalion to pass through the area of 325th GIR and taking a
position between the 2 battalions. Maloney and Major Paerson moves
to recognize the positions of the 1st Battalion. But the Germans opened
fire. The two commanders are affected. Maloney, seriously injured will be
evacuated.
During the night, the 3 battalions spread their
companies and establish a defensive line along the road to the La Haye du
Puit.
The 507th PIR is the Pottery until July 11. At that time, he was transferred to the beaches
to be sent back to
England.
The regiment of 2,004 paratroopers. Only half is still valid. The regiment
fought 36 days. He suffered
938 casualties, killed, wounded or missing.
On August 44, Gen. Matthew Ridgway, commander of the 82nd Airborne
was promoted and took command of the XVIII Airborne Corps newly formed
consisting of the 82nd, 101st and 17th Airborne.
Since the 17th Airborne was training in
England,
it seemed obvious that he needed a new parachute regiment. The 507th was
assigned permanently.
The 17th Airborne under the command of General Miley did not take
part in Operation Market Garden. It was
held back as reserve unit.
The 507th PIR was sent to Barton Stacy
in southern
England.
Training resumes with the hope of being able to celebrate Christmas in the
camps.
But the Germans will decide otherwise.
On December 16, 1944, the Germans
launched an offensive through the Belgium Ardennes surprising the Allies.
The VIII Corps under the command of General Troy Middleton had
desperately need reinforcement.
The 82nd and 101st Airborne recently withdrawn from
Holland
were at rest in France.
The 17th Airborne was still in
England
in Camp Wiltshire
and Surrey
for the training. The headquarters of the XVIII Airborne Corps was
traveling between Epernay, France and Ogbourne St George,
England.
The early success of the
German offensive persuaded the General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander to
linked the XVIII Airborne Corps to 12th Army Group. The 82nd
and 101st Airborne were sent by truck to
Belgium
in the Ardennes sector was the 1st
U.S. Army.
The
17th Airborne remained in England, it was only later that she left
the country to fight with the 3rd U.S. Army.
From December 23 to 25, elements of the division landed
at
Reims,
France.
The 507th PIR awaiting
departure on a small airfield in the area of Mourmelon. He assured the
defense near the Maas
and between Givet Nousem. Some patrol discovered the men of the
special force of the legendary Otto Skorzeny.
On 2 January, the 507th was sent into the area of
Bastogne
near Chenet. The regiment was kept as a reserve unit during the
next three days in anticipation of an attack against Germany. Despite the
absence of fighting, the men had fought against the cold and damp. I must say
they were not equipped for this kind of climate!
However, once the 17th Airborne Division had finished cleaning the area
west of Bastogne, the 507th PIR was sent to the attack through
Luxembourg to take a defensive position along the Our River. The
Germans were masters in the art of placing traps and mines. Many saw it
painfully paratroopers during their advance. Major Roy Creek will be
hospitalized LIMERLE but will be back. He was replaced by Major Allen
Taylor.
In Our River area, Lieutenant Colonel
Ben Paerson be seriously injured in a mine that exploded under his Jeep
Command, 1st Battalion will move to the hand of Major Paul F Smith.
North of their area, the 507th men perceive the Germans crossed
the river and prepare a defense with numerous bunkers.
In late January, melting snow caused flooding in
Our River position favoring the defense of the Germans. They also
destroyed the bridge.
But a small pedestrian bridge escaped
destruction. Lieutenant Trapp accompanied by 4 men cross the
river, killing one German and folds.
Early February, the battalions are
rotated. At this moment the Germans opened fire.
A firefight then begins. The 2nd
Battalion was ordered to establish a beachhead in the East River.
Companies E and F cross the river in canoes with
great difficulty. But on the other side.
The men discover a minefield.
The 2nd Battalion will be February 9 statement by the 3rd Battalion. It
repels an attack by enemy infantry.
On February 10, 1945, the 507th PIR was
relieved by the 6th Armored Division and sent to rest at his base camp at
in France.During this campaign the Bulge, which lasted 45 days, the 507th lost 741
men killed, wounded and missing.
In
early February 1945, the progress of the fighting could determine where and when
the 2nd Britich Army is prepared to force the passage of the Rhine River.
It was decided that this transition corresponds to an airborne attack by the
XVIII Airborne Corps.
The 507th PIR stationed at Chalons-sur-Marne. The male suspect they will
soon be part of the vanguard that will enter Germany.
Meanwhile, the
regiment spent her time to retool before resuming training. New recruits arrive.
Of drops along the Marne River are made to simulate a jump on the Rhine River.
The area selected for the attack was near Wesel,
North of the Ruhr.
Operation Varsity-named unfolded March 24, 1945. It was the last airborne
operation of World War II.
The task fell to 17th Airborne Division with the 507th
PIR who jumped around the forest Diersfordt 5km northwest of Wesel. For
operation, the 507th was converted to RCT (Regimental Combat Team) with
the 464th PFAB and 155th AAAB.
Its mission is to meet its objectives, help to
cross the 15th Infantry Division and, when the unit will be joined by
storm, to gather at the eastern timber forest Diersfordt. The assault
will be March 24 at 10:00.
The regiment is to reach the airfield. They are
both located in the first
Chartres (A-40) and the second at
Reims (A-79). The paratroopers
are studying maps and photos of the area.
>They must learn the details of
the ground, their mission, the mission of the regiment and the overall mission.
The D-Day is a great day. The 136
C-47 proceed to DZ W, they are divided into three waves. The first 3 C-47
carrying the HQ off the airfield at Chartres. These 3 aircraft carries such as
Major Paul F. Smith
commanded the 1st Battalion will join the 41 other carrying all his battalion.
This must be put in reserve north of DZ upon landing.
The second wave of C-47 includes 45 aircraft carrying the 2nd Battalion,
Colonel Timmes and off from the aerodrome Reims. Their mission, to take and
hold positions in the west of the DZ and assist forces to cross the River.
The third wave includes 45 C-47 carrying the 3rd Battalion, Major Taylor.
They also depart from Reims. Their mission is to take the high ground northwest
of the DZ.
When C-47 passes over the German lines, the flak opened fire.
The first paratroopers to jump the devices are
in flames.
Unfortunately, they will be dumped in the North West Diersfordt, 2500 meters
from the DZ and full on a German gun position in an area normally assigned to
the 513th RCT.
The aircraft will meet 2:33 to DZ W. At 9:50, the green light illuminates
indicating the jump. 1st para touched down is Colonel Edson Raff. Between
him and the last para 2:18 elapsed.
The first battalion fighting the German artillery position. They manage to turn
the tide of battle. On the DZ W, 2nd and 3rd Battalion and the 463th PFAB
undergo intense fire from enemy weapons.
Several paratroopers lost their lives while they are still in contact with the
ground.
During the fighting a man stands, Pfc George J. Peter, he earned his
Medal of Honor.
Peter and a group of 10 soldiers landed in a field near Fluren.
Watered by machine gun fire, the soldiers were lying. Peter,
armed only with his rifle and some grenades undertook to silence the German
machine gun nest.
He was wounded several times and bled profusely, but he managed to crawl to
within 50 meters of the nest. He threw two grenades, destroying the fort killing
the gunners of the machinegun.
As it is dropped in the wrong
sector, the 1st Battalion began to fight in 3 groups. The 1st group was
commanded by Colonel Raff in person. It
captures a large number of German in the sector Diersfordt.
The 2nd, composed of 150 paratroopers was
commanded by Captains Harvey Company HQ, Marr Company B and
Joseph Company C. They are moving northward.
They discovered artillery positions. They are moving south and east around 11 am meet at Castle Diersfordt where they
joined Colonel Raff. The 3rd group is composed of 200 paratroopers under
the command of Major Smith. His group will silence some enemy position
well buried, when attacked by the Panzers. They destroy 2 Panzer IV with their
57mm guns, recoilless. Colonel Raff 90% are effective from 1st Battalion.
He presses the attack on the Castle Diersfordt. At that time, arrived on 3rd
Battalion. Raff exchange plans to return to the starting principle. The
1st Battalion will be sent to the South East as part of reserves. Except for A
Company to be the basis of maneuver for the attack on the castle back to the 3rd
Battalion.
On the side of the 2nd Battalion, the situation
is not cheerful. He must fight to leave the drop zone, destroy 1 per 1
point of enemy defenses. The woods in South East Diersfordt are met. At 14h34,
March 24 Company F makes contact with the British forces who crossed the River.
The 464th PFAB which followed the Battalion opened fire on enemy
positions located on the DZ.
10 Howitzer 12 can support the 507th in
less than 3 hours.
From the castle, the last position the enemy was entrenched in the castle.
The 3rd Battalion battle inside. Each piece must be taken.
In the afternoon, Company G storms a turret which has entrenched officers.
At the end of the day, the U.S. flag be flown over from
Germany. 500 prisoners were captured and 5 Panzers and
materials. In less than 6:00, the regiment took
over 1,000 prisoners, captured and destroyed several batteries, guns and
vehicles.
On 25 March, the 3rd Battalion was
placed in reserve. The 1st and 2nd Battalion attached to clean up remaining
pockets of resistance. To the east, the front lines of succession are known as
city Allied LONDON, NEW YORK, PARIS, BOSTON, etc ...
The 507th is on the line LONDON. The order is
given to the 2nd Britich Army and the 9th
U.S. Army attack in the east.
Between the two armies, the 30th Infantry Division and 17th Airborne.
On March 26 at 9:03, ahead of the 507th line NEW YORK. The 1st and 2nd
Battalion are headed. If the initial resistance is sporadic, she turns to become
a drop timer. Very quickly, the advance is delayed.
But still, the advance
U.S. is inevitable.
The 507th PIR ahead of cities Pedbemberg, Schermbeck and Wulfen the
Reserve Battalion arrived on the front lines to keep the advance.
On March 27, Major General
William M. Miley, the 17th Airborne commander gave the order to
continue the advance, to speed things up and bypass the resistance points. The
6th British Brigade, the 513th RCT with cross lines of the
507th PIR to continue pursuing this tactic. The advance is such that it is
increasingly difficult for heads of regiments to follow the progress of their
units.
Colonel Raff rises in first line to see the Captain Stephens of
Company H. He must reflect the position of an enemy gun.
It will be a victim of shelling, fortunately without gravity. But it will not
meet with Stephens.
On March 29, while the 507th
up to 40km in 4 days, the 507th RCT was detached from the 17th
Airborne to be attached to XIX Corps.
He was sent to Haltern to address the armored brigade
of the Guard.
There, the RCT must face against attacks from
the south, find and destroy pockets of resistance seeking the enemy
installations in the city.
On 2 April, making Munster. The
507th RCT is sent there to do the same work at the rear of the 17th
Airborne. On April 4, the 507th comes together again. After 12 days
and 75 km covered, fighting every day since they hit the ground German, April 5,
the 507th RCT was again sent to the front. 350,000 Germans are locked in
the Ruhr pocket.
On April 6, at dawn, the men of the 1st and 3rd battalions are men of 315th
Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment of the
79th Infantry Division, along a channel located on the heights of
Bottrop. The 507th RCT must protect 4 plants in this area. The curfew is
in place and police units were formed. This quiet moment is used to review the
equipment and to relax. Still, the fighting still
present. The enemy snipers yet. He also shot shells. The paratroopers positioned
along the channel frequently gives the assault on the opposite shore.
On April 7, at 3:00 a.m, the
79th ID attack in the south, through the Canal. The 507th serves as
"bait" to attract enemy fire. During this action, the 3rd Battalion established
a bridgehead on the right sector of the 507th. On April 8, the 2nd
Battalion crossed the channel, capturing 38 German soldiers. The 3rd Battalion
suspends its advance under the fire of an enemy attack cons.
The 1st Battalion returned to reserve position.
On April 9, the morning of the 1st Battalion
renewed the assault. C Company progresses under an intense barrage
German.
On 10 April, the pace of operations slows while
the Germans begin to go south and west. They leave the city without
defenses. The 507th congregate south of
Herne Canal of Rhine. At 14:30, 2 patrols Jeep Essen enter the parent of
Krupp steel. On the in tomorrow at 2:30, 3
Battalions are assigned to the area of Essen. At 7:00, they are sent to
the west of the Ruhr.
On April 12, the order is given to
attack Duisburg. Immediately after the order is
canceled. But too late, 2 patrols composed of 2
jeeps take the heights of the city. They returned safely with a German master
Doctor. The Captain announced that the garrison wants to go.
The surrender will be at 15:00 to Lieutenant
Bennett of the 2nd Battalion.
At midnight, Company B is spread through the city. At 6:30 in the future, the
Germans are disarmed and the city under the control of MP's.
Then, the 507th will be sent along has been Ruhr Essen between South and
Kettwig Dalhauser. The Germans concentrated their fire on the beachhead. A
Werden, where the 2nd Battalion, between 14 and 13 April, the Germans
concentrated their attacks. They will be
systematically rejected.
On 16 April, Company F, under the command of Lieutenant Danes made a motion to join Task Force, 13th Armored Regiment. At 8:45, it will be the last days of the 507th fighter. He makes contact with the 13th Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division.
The end of the war approaching, the
507th remained important. During the 8 weeks following the end of the
war, he established a military government for more than 1 million Germans in the
area of Essen. But it must also address the safety of over 250,000 refugees.
Colonel Raff became the area commander, Lieutenant Colonel William A.
Kuhn deputy commander
of the regiment and Lieutenant Colonel A. Morgan Brackonecke,
camp administrator. Each Battalion took care of a sector. The work was the
hardest to deal with refugees from all countries.
Most workers were conscripted for factories and
industries Germans.
On September 15, 1945, the 507th PIR is returned to the United States. The Regiment was deactivated at Camp Miles Standish. The Regiment spent 21 months overseas. He participated in 4 campaigns and 2 Combat Jumps.
United States :
1 Presidential Distinguished Links Quotations for the operations in Normandy
France :
Military Cross with palm for the operation in Normandy – St Mere Eglise.
Military Cross with palm for the operation in Normandy - Cotentin.
Military Cross with fodder.