Feldgrau.net

...in the book Panzer Battles, General von Mellenthin, describing the battles in Alsace-Lorraine, says: "On 12 November 11th Panzer launched a counterattack from Morhange against Combat Command A of the 4th Armored Division. The panzer troops were well used to fighting in mud and snow; on the 13th they retook Rodalbe and captured an entire American battalion ..." (pages 390-91).

My query is, which battalion did they capture?

Yours,
Paul

III/104 I.R./26 Inf. Div. plus a 28 man patrol from the II Bn.

Jerry

Really, Jerry? An entire US infantry battalion effectively wiped out? Good grief, I knew the 26th was green at the time, but not that green!

Kind of glad my great uncle wasn't yet in that outfit.

Thanks so much.

Yours,
Paul

Paul_9686 wrote:Really, Jerry? An entire US infantry battalion effectively wiped out? Good grief, I knew the 26th was green at the time, but not that green!

Kind of glad my great uncle wasn't yet in that outfit.

Thanks so much.

Yours,
Paul

Total daily (as of 2400) and cumulative monthly MIA for the 26th Division for this period was:

12 Nov - 4 and 157
13 Nov - 436 and 585 (indicating 8 were accounted for)
14 Nov - 236 and 685 (indicating 136 were accounted for)
15 Nov - 8 and 693

Assuming that all 536 MIA were incurred by the 3rd Battalion, 104th Infantry, then it was one hurt puppy. In addition the division reported 115 KIA and 377 WIA during the period. That would be sufficient if all wee incurred by the 3rd Battalion, to "wipe it out" however, that is a little unlikely, given the number of "rear area pogues" in a rifle battalion.

Anyway, thought you might be interested.

v.Weitersheim, in USAMHI MS B-416, "Operations of 11 Pz.D.28.10 - 17.12.44", says they took 400 prisoners in Rodalbe that day. Hugh M. Cole, The Lorraine Campaign, says the 104th lost 200 that day.

Jerry

Oh, I am--both because the 11th Panzer is a favorite of mine, and because my great uncle served in the 26th. Thanks.

Yours,
Paul

My father was one of those captured at Rodalbe by 11th Pz. He served in Company K, 3 Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division. There is a lot of detail on the action in the 4th Armored history. Two companies were apparantly killed or captured. The battalion had been blooded in Moncourt Woods in October and had been in the advance for several days. They weren't that green but certainly were place in an exposed position for the rainy, muddy conditions which limited any 4th Armored attempts at rescue. Since I am writing this you know he survived captivity.