Graue Kolonen ziehen durch Schlamm und regen.
The 1st Zug is on its way to regroup in the village of Cobru. Some of the Alte Hasen feel like something is going to happen. Where will they face combat now?
They march from their former position around Bertogne about 10 kilometers to Cobru. Support vehicles are destroyed in the previous fighting, even the Schwere Gruppe is on foot.
1st Zug of 3Kom.60Pzgr.Reg 116PzDiv.
Elements of the 116. Panzer division " Windhund" support the 2.PzDiv on the attack to Noville. Here is the story of Kampfgruppe Neumann; a Zug ( a platoon of 3 squads "gruppen" )Panzergrenadiere and a Schwere Gruppe consisting of 3 8cm Granatwerfer and 3 Schw.Mg.
[img]hhttp://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/537606_4690377389642_1632902329_n.jpg[/img]
They aren't the only unit in the village of Cobru, a Flak unit is also stationed in the village. Multiple 2cm guns are installed in and around the little village. As the Flak unit is a more stationary unit and has different facilities like a Goulashkanone and some trucks.
Feldwebel Schmidt and Obergefreiter Klubertz get out of the Kubelwagen to check if they serve any food. The cook of the flak unit was happy to see any other units then Flak. Being on the front, having a Pz.Div. on your side is more then welcome. The cook offers Schmidt and Klubertz some coffee. There where rumours the Yanks where planning a major breakthrough before christmas, so having elements of the 2.Pz.Div. in your perimeter certainly boosts the spirits.
The Flak crews saw more and more heavily armed men flooding into the village. The men see weapons and equipment they never saw before. Equipped with the newest assault rifles and heavy armour, the rumours started to turn around.
In the North of the village on the small entry road where all the men and vehicles pass through a traffic jam arises. The tiny roads aren't capable of transporting such masses of heavy vehicles and men. The road becomes one big mud pool.
Feldwebel Adamkiewicz is stuck. He is the gruppenfuhrer of the so called Schwere Gruppe, it's task is to give fire support in battle. Equipped with 3 mortars(8cm GranatWerfer) and 3 Mg's on lafettes (Schw.Mg.). They have been on the road for 9 km by foot, only to travel another few hundred meters. But those could take hours.
uren.
Jealously the men of the Schw. Gruppe look at the PzGr. in their halftrack. 3 Days before the Blitz carrying all of the heavy equipment ran on a mine. Now all of the Mortars and equipment have to be carried by hand.
Between the marching troops are multiple kriegsberichter with film and photo equipment. They haven't been this busy since months.
" Alte Hase " Hoof recognizes this instantly. They remember him of his earlier Feldzug in the east. There where many kriegsberichter recording the advance east. He understood it could take some while until he'd see his son and wife again.
In the village the 1st zug stands " Angetreten ". They are told by Leutnant Neumann that they together with elements of the 2.Pz.Div. will be the spearpoint of the new offensive. They will move tomorrow and are told to get some rest now they can. Some of the men are ordered to install outposts around the village. Next to Neumann is Leutnant Görling. Being a fresh graduate from the German military school he is sent to the unit to get some combat experience.
It's getting dark and late. The men who don't have guard duties yet go inside the barn for some relaxation. Obergefreiter Zuckerbauch and Grenadier Welch read some newspapers wich earlier arrived with Zuckerbauchs Feldpost. Besides the newspapers he had a letter from his wife, chocolate and some pipe tobacco.
Gefreiter Feldmann and OberPanzergrenadier Schreuder enjoy a game of Skat with their Kameraden. A game of cards was a valuable possession in wartime and a welcome distraction from the fighting and a good way of killing time when they had to wait in the silence before the storm.
Some fell asleep instantly. You never knew when you could catch up with some. Sometimes it wasn't possible to sleep as for enemy fire.
Rudolf Ochse is 19 years old but already served 2 years in the unit. He is the Stellvertreter of Obergefreiter Neuner. That means if Neuner isn't able to lead in combat, Ochse takes over. His other task is walking as the last man and making sure nobody gets left behind. He takes care of the rear flank as well. Together with Zuckerbauch and Welch he cleans the MG to " Feuerbereit".
Obergefreiter Neuner Watches on the maintenance. He takes care it is done well. If it isn't done well it could mean a catastrophe for the whole Gruppe. The MG was the centerpiece of the Gruppe, if it would be lost the whole Gruppe would fall apart and be divided to other Gruppes who did still have their MG.
" Ohne MG, keine Armee"
It is late when a melder appears with food from the Goulashkanone. Potatoes with beans. The unit hasn't eaten for the whole day next to that was left from last weeks ration. Welch quickly finishes his portion, maybe there is a chance he gets a second one.
Gefreiter Steiner was asleep when the food was brought. His Kamerad Mayer got some for him and put it besides his blanket. Waking up Steiner finds his Essgeschirr cold and tries to heat it up on the stove.
Meanwhile in the church Neumann discusses the attack on Noville. Hauptmann Lindbergh states it will be a easy job, but important. The goal is to cut the American supply line to Bastogne. It's a essential goal in the offensive that rests on the shoulders of the Zug.
It's early when the men are ready to go on the move. Grenadier Hoof's feelings where right. They will be on the move again. Today it will be the attack on Noville. The Feldwebel handed out munition and rations this morning. What he forgot is to separate the steel from the brass ammunition.
Obergefreiter Zuckerbauch tries to get rid of as much of the steel rounds to the rifleman to trade them for brass ones. The steel rounds could mean disaster for the MG42. Quickly 3 belts are changed from steel to brass. This should be enough for the first part of the offensive Zuckerbauch states. Without the help of the other men it wouldn't be able to reload the belts that quick.
Gefreiter Schreyer asks around for more brass munition. In his G43 rifle doesn't like the steel rounds either. As Gruppefuhrer he is responsible for achieving the set goals, but mostly the survival of his men. He had experience in leading the his Gruppe into combat since Normandy.
Leutnant Neumann and Leutnant Görling smoke a cigar. They've just instructed the Panther commanders to attack Noville from the left flank. The Panthers and halftracks come out of their camouflaged hideouts and roll forward. All men are ready to go and wait for the signal. The Panthers where hidden for the night between the trees on the edge of the village. Unnoticed they will be a big surprise for the yanks.
The men are ready, but uncertain about that what is to come. For some it's the first big offensive. On this position only 2-300 men will attack to Noville whilst backed up with 12 Panthers.
On the edge of the village 2 spahtrupps leave to recon the area. Obergefreiter Neuner leads the first Spahtrupp. He's been a Gruppenfuhrer since a few weeks but the men trust him. He used to be MG-Schutze and proved his qualities more then once. He knows his duties as a Grenadier and knows what his men need. They trust him, because they know he'll take care of his men. Because of his earlier job as a MG-Schutze he knows where to put the MG best.
The 2nd Spahtrupp is led by Feldwebel Ollson. 700 Meters outside Cobru he lies in position in the edge of a treeline and observes enemy movement.
He can see American soft skin vehicles driving. It drives over the hilltop wich is clearly in sight. Completely in sight it means the Americans don't have a clue about what is going to happen.
The Schwere Gruppe set up their heavy weapons to unleash hell on the American lines. Waiting for further orders the men wait. The barrels have a lid to keep the rain out now that it isn't in use.
Some take full opportunity to rest, once again they marched a kilometer forward with all of the heavy equipment.
Grenadier Hartung observes the Perimeter. Though he can't see the American lines, he catches glimpse from American soft skin vehicles over the Hilltop. From this knowledge he sketches a image of the line to give accurate fire to support his own troops.
Grenadier Gebhart waits in a shed between the 2 villages until the battle commences. Until then he has nothing to do. He smokes his pipe to suppress the stress of combat. Since July he'd seen many men in front of his eyes suffer and die. This made a huge impression, images that the 19 year old boy won't forget quickly. Together with 2 other Krankentrager he is a part of the Zugtrupp.
Grenadier Ochse waits patiently until hell breaks lose.
Feldwebel Schmidt and Ollson aren't uptight. This isn't their first assault and besides they have to express tranquillity and confidence. Ollson is an “Alte Hase”, he has been serving with the 116th since she was founded. Since the campaign in '40 he serves with the Wehrmacht. He knows exactly how to steer the men and knows everyone's values. Schmidt has been serving for 3 years now.
Obergefreiter Zuckerbauch and Grenadier Welch are also waiting until they can move forward. Welch is carrying 450 rounds for the MG. Besides the belts around his neck he also has 2 filled ammo boxes. Together they are a team, without each other they don't stand a chance at the battlefield. Welch his job is to supply the ammo and to give cover when the MG jams or they get flanked. They are a team since July after Zuckerbauch's former loader got captured in Falaise. Welch doesn't have an overcoat or wendeset. The only thing he has is the pullover which his mother had sent him. Contrary to the beliefs, the loader doesn't have a K98 but a pistol. In this case a P35(b) (FN Hi-Power)
Grenadier Krug sees something at the edge of the forest. A small American patrol is heading to his position in the valley. Although they are a kilometre away, he signals to his GF which then sends a “Melder” back to the gefechtsstand.
While he is looking through his binoculars they get the signal to move forward. The mortar fire starts!
A Schutzenpanzer(half-track) drives with high speed from the edge of the forest to the American positions. It delivers a squad and returns to pick up others. They can cross the field relatively save in this armoured vehicle. However, the second run doesn't succeed. It is hit by an anti-tank grenade and the driver flees out of the burning vehicle.
The heavy squad supplies covering fire to the advancing squads with the heavy MG.
Obergefreiter Neuner takes the lead of his squad by moving forward first after the mortar fire stopped. The Americans flee out of their foxholes and into Noville when they see the panther.
Once they fought their way into the village, the close combat breaks lose. The huge amount of hedgerows makes it an indistinct battle.
Whilst 1 MG gives cover over the entry road, the rest of the Gruppen keep going deeper into the village.
Further in the village the Americans are hidden in gardens and alleyways.
The fire comes from all directions, Gefreiter Schreyer lost 2 magazines in combat. He resides now to the loose rounds in his pockets from wich he reloads his magazine..
SIE KOMMEN VON HINTERN - Gefreiter Schreyer yells that the Americans come through the rear alleyway. Zuckerbauch gives short bursts from the hip towards the Americans. Welch's pistol now comes in handy to give cover.
Grenadier Beermann says he cleared the southern perimeter of the village and that about 40 yanks where on the run towards Bastogne.
Welch perished. A trigger-happy American with a Thompson fired around the corner whilst Welch was reloading.
Obergefreiter Neuner is hit in the lungs. He is nursed by Grenadier Gebhart. Grenadier Braun in the rear had less luck, he is shot multiple times in the chest.
Obergefreiter Scheuder tells Leutnant Neumann that Noville is Conquered.
Photo's by J.T. Bruyn
Text by Rick van Osch & Erik Suijkerbuijk
More information, pictures http://www.facebook.com/derwindhund
More pictures will be uploaded later this week!
Comment