After Action Report June 1945

134th Infantry Regiment

"All Hell Can't Stop Us"

Report of Action Against the Enemy

134th Infantry Regiment

June to June 30, 1945

HEADQUARTERS 134TH INFANTRY
APO 35, U S Army
2 July 1945

Transcribed by Roberta V. Russo, Palatine IL, 1/19/2012

SUBJECT: Report of Operations.

TO: The Adjutant General, Washigton 25 D. C.

1. In compliance with the provisions of Par 10 C-3, AR 345-105, submitted below is a report of operations for the 134th Infantry covering the period 1 - 30 June 1945. As this unit engaged in no combat activity against an organized and armed enemy force during the period mentioned, this report will detail the following:

a. Mission and how it was accomplished
b. Summary of service rendered.
c. Difficulties encountered and how they were overcome.
d. Improvisations and how they were devised.

2. MISSION AND HOW ACCOMPLISHED.

The mission of the 134th Infantry during the period was to occupy, secure and govern the landkreises of Ahrweiler and Mayen of the Koblenz sub-area. The mission was accomplished by assigning the 2nd Bn the mission of occupying, securing and governing the landkreis of Ahrweiler. The 3rd Bn was assigned the mission of occupying, securing and governing the landkreis of Mayen. The 1st Bn in compliance with a division directive was maintained in a central location as division reserve. The Bns to perform this mission set up a system of motor patrols which visited every town within their respective landkreises at least every other day. The mission of these patrols was to check on the civilian population and to keep a record of friendly units moving in and out of the regimental zone of responsibility. AT Co was formed into a provisional MP Company in compliance with divisional directive and performed mission of controlling traffic on secondary roads and maintaining traffic control points at various critical road junctions. The Regimental MG officer worked in close cooperation with the regular assigned MG detachments in the landkreises of Ahrweiler and Mayen. The Regimental MG officer served as a liaison between the Regimental Commander and these regularly set up MG detachments to see that policies were in accord with division and regimental directives.

3. SUMMARY OF SERVICE RENDERED.

During this period the regiment provided security missions on various, vital bridges, signal communications installations of 15th Army Hq and various stores of captured and abandoned German ammunition. During this period, using PW labor, the widely scattered stocks of German ammunition were collected at one central location. This cut down the number of guards necessary and facilitated the close supervision of such supplies. Also during this period the town of Niedermendig was effectively screened at 0400, 13 June 1945 in the following manner:

Companies A, B, 1st Bn Hq Co and 35th Div Recon Troop were thoroughly briefed in the plan of action to be taken in searching the town. Complete security was maintained on all plans. The town was zoned giving each squad certain houses to check. At 0400 the operation started and the squads moved out to their appointed areas. The people were awakened and handed a slip of paper with instructions in German to dress quickly and move to the center of the street. One occupant of the building was to remain there to accompany our troops during the search of the house. The operation was completed by 0800 with the following results:

a. 83 cases of people not having proper passes.
b. 2 cases of people having munitions
c. 36 cases of food hoarding
d. 3 cases of looting
e. 12 cases of illegal possession of American issue items.

As a result of this check the MG authorities imposed an 1800 curfew ban upon the town of Niedermendig. Troops not engaged in operational and security functions carried on a regular training program, with the emphasis on military courtesy and discipline. In addition, an intensive regimental athletic program was started and during the period a regimental championship was decided in favor of Regtl Hq Co in soft-ball. Other sports such as volley ball, horseshoes, badminton and swimming were carried on throughout the period.

4. DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED AND HOW THEY WERE OVERCOME.

Communications presented the largest single problem during the period. This was largely overcome by the diligence of the regimental and Bn Wire Sections who made full use of the existing German cables and wire lines. Several instances of wire cutting were reported in the town of Polch. This was easily stopped by speaking to the Burgomeister of this town about it and warning him that any further such instances would result in strict curfew regulations upon the citizens in that area. As a result, no further wire cutting ensued. Another difficulty encountered was the excessive use of all motor transportation due to the great distance involved in the location of the various units. This necessitated an intensive program of first and secondary echelon maintenance, and a pooling of vehicles and troops whenever possible through a central dispatcher. A conservation officer was appointed in each company, and a regimental conservation officer was appointed. At the end of the period, due to the intensive work that these officers performed, material savings were beginning to show in gasoline consumption, food wastage and equipment conservation.

5. IMPROVISATIONS AND HOW THEY WERE DEVISED.

With the exception of the use of German communications, equipment improvisation was not found necessary in the accomplishment of the mission.

6. There were no battle casualties incurred during the period. Awards received by members of the 134th Infantry are as follows:

DSC, Reg/Olc - Officers 0/0; Enlisted Men 0/0
Silver Star, Reg/Olc - Officers 1/0; Enlisted Men 0/0
Soldier's Medal, Reg/Olc - Officers 0/0; Enlisted Men 0/0
Bronze Star, Reg/Olc - Officers 20/4; Enlisted Men 66/5

The number of Purple Heart Medals awarded for wounds received prior to the period of this report is: 6.

In addition to the above Awards, three Battle Honors were received. Cited were the 1st Bn, Company C and the 2nd Plat, Company D.