ID’d Ike 786th Tank Bn Assault Gun Plt

April 6, 20251 yr

#1

T/Sgt Ralph G. Witschy

786th Tank Battalion

HQ Company

Assault Gun Platoon

Ralph G. Witschy was born on March 24, 1920 in Gore, Ohio. After graduating from high school, he worked at the local gas station. After the United States joined the war effort, he joined the US Army on April 30, 1942. After completing basic training, he got assigned to the 786th Tank Battalion. Witschy received further training with the battalion, while they were stationed at Fort Sill. In October of 1944, the men of the 786th received word that they were being sent overseas to join the fight in Europe.

Prior to making his journey overseas, Witschy was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. With this new rank, he gained the position of platoon sergeant for the assault gun platoon of HQ Co. This platoon was equipped with Sherman tanks, outfitted with a 105mm Howitzer, as their main cannon. The assault gun platoon acted as a support platoon, providing firepower for the ground troops advancing. When attacking, assault tanks were tasked with destroying enemy anti-tank guns, protected artillery pieces, and other armored enemy equipment.

The battalion started their journey across the Atlantic on the morning of November 30, 1944, arriving in Scotland on December 9, 1944. They stayed in England until the end of January 1945, then headed out for France. From there they travelled to La Reid, Belgium where they were attached to the First Army on February 8th. Later in the month, they were attached to the “Battle Babies” of the 99th Infantry Division. On the first day of March, the battalion came in contact with the enemy, for the first time, near Duren. They supported the 99th ID as they attacked across Koln Plains and fought for an area south of Düsseldorf near the Rhine River. They crossed the Rhine, utilizing the Remagen Bridge, captured by the 9th Armored Division. From there, the battalion continued to accompany the 99th ID as they made their trek through the hilly terrain east of Linz, heading towards the Weid River, crossing it on March 23rd. In the late stages of March, the battalion was involved in mopping-up missions, throughout the area from Frankfurt to Rosentahl.

The first few days of April were spent maintaining their vehicles and re-equipping. On April 4th, the battalion was put into action, supporting the 99th ID in the Ruhr Pocket. They came up against Volkssturm troops, meeting mostly panzerfaust and small arms fire. As they continued mopping-up operations in the pocket, they noticed enemy artillery and mortar fire began to target their tank columns more often. They also discovered that it was necessary to protect the columns with infantry, against enemy “tank hunter” groups. In the later stages of April, the battalion was shelled heavily while in the town of Kinding, while they attempted to cross the Altmuhl River. As they attacked further into German-occupied territory, their advance was slowed when they encountered various roadblocks and blown bridges. As they approached the Isar River, they encountered a very stubborn enemy in the town of Landshut. After the town was captured, they crossed the Isar River on May 1st. They continued towards the Inn River, meeting a weakened enemy, and ultimately ended in the town of Geisenhausen when word was received that German forces surrendered.

The battalion’s job wasn’t done, they received word that they would soon head back to the US and prepared to join the war effort in the Pacific. The battalion arrived back in the States on July 6, 1945. The following month, Japan surrendered and the battalion was no longer needed for use in the Pacific. Witschy was later honorably discharged from the military on October 30, 1945. He went back to work at the local gas station and passed away on December 30, 1983 in Wayne County, OH.

Photo #4: 105mm Shermans providing indirect artillery support

Photo #5: 105mm Sherman resupplying