HQ/Co. 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
15 January 1945

SUBJECT: Report of Action Against the Enemy
TO : The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.
THRU : TECH. SGT. MIKE OWEN, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion

After being assigned an objective for the impending maneuver, I joined up with fellow members of HQ Company in the marshaling area. It was at this time we had 2 additional GI's assigned to us for scouting purposes. A misplaced member of the 29th also fell in with us. Following the platoon briefing we broke formation for a combat patrol at approximately 0800 hours. The weather was optimal and allowed for air cover if it should be needed. We moved out in a wide left hook towards our jump off point for the patrol. Forming a staggered column we cleared the area leading to the expected point of contact without any enemy activity.

The squad was halted twice upon encountering and passing thru an abandoned German field camp. While deployed in the rear for security, a small advance force of 101AB troopers scouted the camp and declared it clear to pass. Equipment was thrown about and there was evidence of recent enemy activity. Together with the 101st AB we moved into a position where contact with the enemy could be made and strength along with position could be determined. The contingent of infantry was to support the right flank of the 101st as they advanced along and cleared a hardball road to our west. I deployed one of our assigned scouts to the front, and assistant squad leader PFC. Smith to my right as we moved into position to the flank of the 101st. After advancing approximately 100 yards thru lightly wooded terrain, contact was made with elements of German SS and an FJ unit to our left. Our scout bypassed a camouflaged FJ sniper at the seam of our line of attack, at which point he opened fired on our location. I was wounded and fell back to the medics where I was patched up and moved out to rejoin the squad. PFC Smith had been left in command and had advanced to a point where they had bypasses the German line of resistance.

I was separated from the squad and reported to the CO to receive orders. I picked up the orders for attack from the following maneuver and attempted to re-join our platoon. Members of the 82nd in the area reported seeing some Rangers to the north of their current position but after investigation this was found to be false information. I began moving back to the CP and came across a lost private from the 101st who was trying to find his unit. Together, we moved toward the road to the south where we came across a German MG crew. I engaged the Gunner with my .38 Victory Revolver and M1 and was able to fall back under fire while they tried to reload the MG. 2 German SS were killed in the engagement. We made it back to the CP without further incident, where I was able to find our bazooka man and FFL attaché. At this point,

I was informed that a German counter attack from the south was expected. I deployed our bazooka to the far edge of the field where the attack was expected. Our FFL attaché remained in the rear with Pvt. Jones to act as improvised assistant gunner. The British Queens division caught up to our left flank and deployed their mortar to the left of our bazooka team. After some time of waiting with only sporadic rifle fire at our perimeter, I volunteered to join a Lieutenant from the 101st in seeking out the enemy and the direction from which we could expect the attack. The two of us moved forward into the field to scout enemy positions. Infantry units were spotted to the east and west, and mortar fire was called in on the group to the west. Mortar fire from the British position fell short with the opening round, landing about 5 feet in front of my prone position in the field.

Luckily it failed to detonate and I rolled for cover as it is heading down range. We fell back to our original positions. The German counter attack that was supposed to occur within a short time never solidified and combat patrols were sent out to the east and west. I fell in with a patrol to the east and took charge. We encountered a German sentry to our front and made quick work of him. The possibility to take him prisoner was considered but overlooked due to his distinction as SS. The five of us opened fire simultaneously and he was hit multiple times.

From there we attempted to make our way down the road to the Germans right flank, but encountered a MG nest and several infantry supporting it. We engaged them with rifle fire and grenades but the MG was too well positioned to continue an attack from that angle. We fell back under smoke and took several casualties in the process. While moving back to the field, two medics that were treating wounded noted movement in the scrub to our right, on the left of the road. Groups of SS were apparently trying to out run and out flank us as we fell back. Under cover of rifle fire we lobbed 3 hand grenades into the area and scored 2 hits on the SS troopers. From there we made it safely back to the field, where the British and our bazooka team were still waiting for the German counter attack. Together with a Sgt. From the 101st another group of us began working thru the woods to the left of the road in the same area we had just taken out several SS with the grenades.

As I advanced along the line, I could see an SS man left behind in the area where the grenades fell. I decided to close the distance between us before I took a shot at him. With my rifle leveled, I closed from approximately 70 yards to 20 yards with as little sound as possible. I then noticed he was working with his equipment and redistributing ammo on his belt, and had no weapon in his hands. I stopped, and as clearly as possible said in German: “Hands up! Throw down your weapon!” As I finished he dove laterally into some bushes to his left in a scramble for his weapon, so I put the rest of my clip into him. We continued moving past his position, with the 101st Sgt. to my left. The road was to our right, and the MG nest ahead. We exited the woods about 20 yards short of the MG nest and engaged it with automatic rifle fire and grenades from its flank. GIs still held the road leading to the MG nest but without heavy weapons taking it out would cost too much. We dispatched with a number of kraut rifleman including 2 that were trying to make a run for our right flank.

I was hit again and fell back to the medics. The rest of the boys pulled back after the MG had to displace and no supporting infantry was left to mop up. When I returned to the CP I found the Lt. and Captain of the 101st working out the next move. I took advantage of the break and had a bite to eat of K-Rations, bread, a Hershey bar and some water. The others took a cue from this and joined in. With the British watching our flank, (and stopping for tea) we enjoyed a break for chow. During this, a number of SS that had been cut off made it thru our lines to rejoin their comrades, despite the best efforts of the Brits to engage them with conversation while finishing their biscuits. After rations, I took our bazooka team consisting of Tac and our FFL attaché, Ed Lane, along with some mixed legs and headed out along the lake side to try and extreme right flank.

The 101st AB headed up the middle, and the 82nd boys to the left. After a brisk walk through very rough underbrush and some pauses to challenge sounds of movement ahead, we met in the center where the krauts had 2 MG-42s covering a road leading up a hill to our objective. It was at this point that we were able to rejoin elements of 5th Rangers HQ Company including PFC Smith and Pvt. Ellis. Under cover of heavy smoke, we bounded to the base of the hill to the left and right sides of the road and put a volume of fire on the hillside with Thompson’s at the front and riflemen supporting. We were met with heavy opposition, but some grenades and a swift charge by the British Queens division cleared the MG nests and the right side of the hill.

From there, in a mixed mass of Allied units, we cleared the right side of the hill to the ridge where I held my position and began working sideways to the left. I noted a German sniper dug in and began closing the distance to fire on him but was hit from my right flank up the hill by two other entrenched SS. Immediately thereafter, they were neutralized by an 82nd boy who caught their position. He got me a medic and I was fixed up. From then on, I remained with several infantry on the hillside and did some mopping up. We noticed around 3 or 4 SS making a run for our left flank but they were stopped by the contingent of infantry left behind. Rifle fire on the ridge died off soon after, and a column of dirty, tired SS troopers made its way down the hill past our position. The area was deemed secure, enemy resistance overpowered and we escorted the SS back to camp.

15 NOVEMBER 2003

Rockwood, TN
The event was a blast. The medical system was the best I have seen used since I started WWII reenacting. Upon taking a hit via the honor system, you would fall back to the medics located in the rear where you had to have your card marked and would then return to the front line in groups. If caught returning to the front w/o a marked card, you would have to sit out the scenario. It worked very well, and surprisingly realistically. Medics were in high demand and actually did their job rather than twiddle their thumbs. The event staff and organizers were the best I have worked with at any event I have ever attended.

They were friendly, knowledgeable, and squared away (despite being Airborne). There was a good amount of action at medium range, with good opportunities to maneuver. There was a lack of vehicles, but even without them the event ran well and was matched appropriately. The indoor vendor area was top notch, with ATF, Bayonet Inc. and numerous private dealers present. One high point that was not rivaled by any other event was the food. At chow Friday night there was more than enough hot food and drink and the breakfast Saturday morning was outstanding.

Sausage, biscuits, eggs, coffee, donuts, you name it. All in all it was great event and for the first time on that site, it was remarkably well run (better than some events going for 5 years). There was excellent work on the scenarios and keeping things near road systems. The weather was also perfect for it and everyone seemed to be generally pleasant and outgoing (a commodity lacking in the reenacting community). Very well done, I would give it 8 out of 10 and will certainly be there next year. For those of you who could not make it, you really missed out on this one.