Posted 05 April 2008 - 02:48 PM
from April 45 After-Action Report
12 April 45
The 1st Battalion closed in DERENBURG at 0630,after a hectic night of black-out driving in pitch-black darkness in which some elements got off on the wrong road. As the Germans were on the run it was imperative that maximum pressure be maintained. Accordingly at 0730 Co. "B" spearheaded the Battalion toward LANGENSTEIN. Captain Daniel Moore, in a jeep, dashed ahead of his company riding tanks to check the road net and was ambushed. He had just by-passed an enemy group without knowing it. Captain Moore's radio operator was killed, his bodyguard wounded, his driver captured, and he himself fatally wounded.
"B" Company continued along the route determined to make the "jerries" pay for their underhandedness and utter disregard for the rights of others. Upon reaching the outskirts of the town of BORNECKE (Harz) (2763), the Battalion's second objective, the company was met by heavy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire. Lt. Schwadron, Co. "B", made an estimate of the situation and then requested assistance from the Battalion Commander. At 1015, after appraising the resistance in front of Co. :B", "C" Company was ordered to LANGENSTEIN and thence to BORNECKE from the North. Co. "C" was committed against the town from the North under a machine gun, mortar, tank destroyer, and artillelry barrage. Co. "C" commanded by Captain Patrick Murphy, put on a nerve-shattering demonstration of marching fire as they moved into town with three platoons spitting lead.
When Captain Moore was evacuated it was a great loss to the Battalion and to the Regiment. Co. "B" had been through some of the heaviest fighting of this war, and Captain Moore, the only original rifle company commander in the Regiment, had led this company all the way through the bitter fighting in Normandy, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Hurtgen Forest, the Ardennes, and in the epochal race of the Division into the heart of the German Reich. This gallant and outstanding combat leader, with more decorations for exploits in battle since landing on the Continent than any other fighter in the Division, not only had the love and admiration of his officers and men, but left behind indelibly written in the hearts of the brave soldiers whom he so gallantly led, a brilliant combat record few mortals will ever equal.
