Welcome to Cobble John and the Fightin Fourth. This site is dedicated to our grandfather, PFC John Bruszewski (nicknamed Cobble John), amd it chronicles his journey with the 4th Cavalry Group, Troop "C"", during the European Theater of Operations in World War 2.
Click on the interactive timeline, to read what Troop "C" and the 4th did during the war, or choose one of the options on the menu.
Thank you for visiting the site, we hope you enjoy the experience.
February 24 - Enlisted in the US Army.
March/April - Basic Training at Fort Dix, NJ.
April/September - At Camp Young in Indio, CA, to begin training with the 4th Cavalry at the California/Arizona Maneuver Area (Desert Training Center).
Septemeber/October - Went to Camp Maxey 10 miles north of
Paris, TX to begin Infantry Training.
November - Arrived at Camp Shanks, NY nicknamed "Last Stop USA!"
December 4 - Left New York at the New York Port of Embarkation aboard the SS Highland Chieftain for England.
Decemebr 15 - Arrived in Liverpool, then procedded to Nissan Huts across from the Goodwood Race Tracks. Their they were issued new jeeps and broke them in by driving all over England.
The Highland Chieftain, weighed 14.131 gross tons, with a length of 545ft x beam 69.3 ft, two funnels, two mast, twin screw, speed 15 knots, accomadation for 150-1st, 70-2nd, and 500-3rd class passengers. Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, she was launched for the Nelson Line on June 21, 1928 and started her maiden voyage on February 21, 1929 when she left London for Buenos Aires and intermediate ports, In 1932 transferred to Royal Mail Lines. In 1939, converted to a troopship. On October 11, 1941, damaged in an air raid in Liverpool. In 1948, she resumed commercial service to the River and continued on this route until she was sold to Calpe Shipping Co, Gibraltar in Jan 1959. Renamed Calpean Star, for use in the whaling industry as a store, accomadation, and frozen whale meat transporter. In March 1960, she suffered grounding damage off South Georgia and was towed to Montevideo for repairs. After repair, when homeward bound, she was grounded, after a boiler room fire, was abandoned and slowly disintegrated until 1965 when the wreck was cut up for scrap.
December 21 - While at Nissan Huts, they were redesignated the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.
December/April - Continued training at Nissan Huts.
While training in Southern England over the English Channel across from France, ordered back to camp to prepare for invasion.
Loaded equipment into vehicle and drove further up into England.
Spent several days placing waterproofing on jeep's and all equipment. so they can drive off the landing craft into the water and onto the beach.
1st Lt Aden was the sole squadron instructor to teach all the drivers and Assistant drivers how to waterproof every type of vehicle and instructed all of Troop "C" in unarmed defense.
Used beaches at Southhampton, because they were similiar to Normandy.
The D-Day staging area was at Lupton Camp, Dartmouth AKA Sausauge Camps.
June 1 - Drove at night to their ships and loaded their vehicles onto them. This is where they were told their mission.
Troop "C" was attached to the 101st Airborne Division, who were to parachute into France and take the objective around St. Mergle. Troop "C" were to land on D-Day H-Hour plus 2 (June 8), move towards the 101st and seize 3 causeways, between them and the beach, and also do reconnaissance work. It did not work.
Either through human error or bad weather the ship was heading to Omaha Beach and not Utah Beach were they were to land. When they got to the right beach, they could not land, and had to stay in their ships for the night. While in the shis, German planes attached.
June 8 - landed on Utah Beach, removed the waterproofing from the jeep, and moved out go link up with the 101st.
They were the only Troop to land without any of their vehicles drowning out.
Captain William S. McCauley III was in command of Troop "C"
June 9 - Troop "C" went on patrol into Carentan, came under fire, they ended up moving back into a field snd dug a hile for the night.
June 11 - Call came in the 101st were under attack at Carentan.
June 12 - 4th counter attacked, Troop "C" contacted enemy forces one mile south of Catz, snd protected the 101st southern flank. and assisted in liberating Carentan
After the fighting was done, they were sent back to guard VII Corps Headquarters, until all troop can join and go back under control of own 4th Cav and fight as a unit.
June 14 - Patrols were dispatched to recon and provide security for both flanks of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. Patrols were also sent to make liasons with elements of the 82nd Airborne on the right at Batupe, and with elements of the 29th Infantry Division on the left, southeast of Catz.
June 15 - Made two unsuccesful attempts to penetrate the German positions immediately in front of Carentan, the same day they were relieved from further attachement to the 101st and rejoined the 4th at St. Mere Eglise,
June 19 - Advancing through narrow hedge lined Normandy roads, they encountered enemy opposition at Negreville, after a brief clash with the Germans, Troop "C" pushed forward to Rocheville.
June 21 - Accomplished the relief of the infantry force holding the line 1 mile west of Vasteville.
June 28 - First 2 objectives selected by the 4th Cavalry Commanders were taken by Troop "C" patrols. Returning from the objuective they had captured over 75 prisoners.
June 30 - Advancing over 50 yds behind a heavy carpet of supporting fire, Troop "C" attacked the western coast of the Cape Hague Peninsula and dismounted. They were able to capture over 200 Germans.
July 1 - Captured Thiebet.
July 2 - 5th day of campaign, mission completed Troops "A" and "C" accounted for over 600 prisoners.
July 2-8 - Attached to the 101st Airborne, helped mopped up scattered German forces in the Cape Hague Peninsula.
July 10 - Moved to an assembly area at the base of the Contenin Peninsula.
July 11 - Relieved the 8th Infantry Regiment with the mission of screening enemy positions on 2 islands of firm ground, surrounded by marsh and swamp, 3 miles southwest of Blehou.
July 15 - Pulled back out to refit for the next mission: The Breakthrough at Marigny.
July 19-25 - Was attached to the Assistamt Division Commander with the mission of turning southwest from Marigny to effect a screen in the vicinity of Cametours.
July 27 - Was released to Squadron late in the evening. Under the task force commander, its' initial mission failed to materialize because of the slow advance of the armor towards Cametours. Upon arrival one platoon was dispatched to support Troop "A" platoon's poition on the outskirts of Le Leroy to Compound.
July 28 - Reached Troop "A" and joined the platoon to capture the town of Le Leroy and pushed westward to Camprond, where contact was made with the 18th Infantry Regiment. At 6:00 p.m., they were ordered from 1st Division to move southward to establish a screen south of Cametours.
July 29 - Ordered to assemble near Notre Dame Cenilly. Troop "C" was attached to the 4th Infantry Division and ordered to mop up the area west of Notre Dame Cenilly. It started at 1:00 p.m., but stopped at 3:00 p.m. They were then given the new mission to move southward to pass the 4th Infantry Divisions position at Hambye and after crossing the Sienne River, to seize the high grounds south of Percey and Mensil Bonat. It started at 6:00 p.m., enroute to Hambye. Troop "C" in lead, the remainder of the squad pushed south from Hambye and at dusk, reached a point 2 miles northwest of Percy. Elemnents of Troop "C" met with anti-tank and small arm fire from enemy positions situated along the high ridge overlooking the highway. Troop "C" launched aggressive attacks, both mounted and dismounted.
July 30 - A strong Troop "C" patrol moved east towards Villebaudon crossroad. They went onto position to block the force and prevent it from attacking west to sever the Villedieu-Hambye Road. Troop "C" continued reconnaissance in effort to further develop a by-pass. With the enemy blocking the road to Percy, the Squadron was recalled and assigned the task of mopping up the gap between the advancing 12th and 26th Infantry Regiment. Troop "C" was ordered to fill the gap.
August 1 - The 4th Squadron went on the urgent mission to push reconnaissance south to Villedieu. Troop "C" was engaged with strong enemy forces near Les Bois, when the mission was received and was not immediately available. The troop was ordered to break contact and join squadron as quickly as possible near Les Bois.
August 2 - They arrived at Brecy and ordered to screen the right flank of the 1st Division in their attack from Brady towards Martain. Troop "C" seized the first 3 objectives with only light resistance on the 1st day of attack.
August 3 - The plan was altered to provide greater depth of the screen and the entire squadron was shifted south of the Brecy-St. Hilaire du Harcourt road. From the Selune River. Troop "C" in reserve followed the Squadron axis north of the river. Troop "C" committed late in the afternoon with the orders to expand Troop "A"'s front, they contacted enemy in the vicinity of Romagny. Troop "C" tied in with the 18th Infantry north of Romagny.
August 4 - The advance continued, and Troop "C" was orderd to leave its' position at Romagny and sweep behind Troop "A"'s positions in a move to extend the Squadron's screen south. Striking in a wide arc, Troop "C" overcame several enemy delaying actions, enetered and drove off the defenders of Le Teilleul by 11:30 that night.
August 5 - Enemmy action delayed the link up with Troop "B" until the morning. Troop "C" was pulled into Squadron reserve after a screen line extending from Le Teilleul to Mortain-Barenton
August 6 - Squadron was relieved of responsibility of the Barenton-Mortain area and ordered to push reconnaissance to the east in search of crossing over the Varenne and Egrenne rivers, between Barenton and Domfront. Operating in the northern sector, Troop "C" occupied lightly defended St Cyr du Bailleul and pushed north and east towards the river. Approaching St. Georges, strategic road junction guarding the approaches to Domfront. Troop "C" discovered that the town was in the hands of a strong german force employing anti-tank, tank and artillery fire to sweep the town's main avenues of approach. Attempting to out flank and envelope the force, then troop severed the St. Georges-Domfront Highway by capturing the bridge spanning the Varenne River. Troop "C" established strong security measures arowund the bridge and immediately sent patrols south to search for more crossings.
August 7 - With the Squadron northern flank under the heaviest pressure, Troop "C" was pulled back via Le Teilleul to Notre Dame de Touchet and ordered to reconnoiter for the southern flank of the enemy and determine the extent of the penetration. Troop "C" held south of St. George's, re-enetering Notre Dame, they became engaged with enemy infantry approaching from the northwest. A sharp fire fight occured were the Germans were slowly driven out of town and back across the Selunne River. Troop "C" along with Troop "F" tanks in support, secured the bridge north of Notre Dame de Villechien and pushed east and west to contact Troop "A" near Le Mensil. The advance continued, with resistance increasing and reached the Milly St. Jean du Corail Rd. The Germans built up their defense, advancement was impossible. Troop "C" ended up blocking the road junction.
August 8 - Troop "C" blocked roads from Les Valles to Notre Dame and filled gaps between the attacking 35th Infatry Division.
August 12 - Releieved froma all road block positions and attached to the 2nd Armored Division, with the mission of screening their right flank, the mission was rescinded. Troop "C" was sent to the 8th Infantry Regiment near Passais, and orderd to screen the northeast out of Barenton Vicinity Hill 263 to Barenton Domfront Rd in the vicinity of the Varenne River
August 14 - Troop "C" blocked roads leading from Les Valles to Notre Dame and filed gaps between the attacking 35th Infantry Division
August 15-18 - The missiom was to screen the division's left (west flank) in the zone Juvigny-Domfront, mop up any enemy forces in the zone and maintain contact with XIX Corps Units on division's left. Through the 4 days, Squadron advanced through the Andaine Forest, keeping abreast of the 1st Infantry. On the 17th, the mission was cancelled, the entire 4th Cavalry was placed in Corps reserve to rest and refit prior to committment of any further mission
August 19 - Ordered to outpost La Loupe and protect the vital supply installation in that town.
August 20 - Attached to XIX Corps. The mission was to establish contact with the British Forces right flank. Later that morning, they marched to the group zone, an area bounded by Mortagne-Maulins la Marche-Ste. Colmbe on the right and Sees on the left.
August 21 - Attached to the 9th Infantry Division, 4th Squadron took over entire Group Zone. "C" was sent to reinforce along with the 24th Cavlry Squadron and 9th Division.
August 23 - Troop "C" captures L" Aigle\.
August 24 - The 4th Cavalry Group was ordered to proceed on the west banks of the Seine River.
August 25 - They reached Le Forte Alias and awaited orders to cross the Seine. The plan of attack called for the 4th Cavalry Group reinforced by the 759th Light Tank Battalion to reconniter the perimeter of Canhumes en Briere.
August 26 - Troop "C" advanced into Canhumes en Briere, they were hindered by enemy infantry and armor. They drove into town with heavy artillery preperations from Troop "E" and succeded in chasing the Germans out. Troop "C" severed the Touran-Houssaye Highway at Brie Comte Robert. After discovering that the main artery was an important German escape route over which remanents of the 7th German Army was streaming back towards the Seigfried Line, Troop "C" established road blocks.
August 27 - Troop "C" enetered historic Meaux, where Germans had partially demolished the bridge, spanning the Marne. Troop "C" sent a dismounted patrol across to secure the crossing from the northwestern bank until the arrival of the 3rd Armored.
August 28 - Troop "C" crossed the Seine River at the bridge at Meaux. Troops "A" and "C" still attempting to get through the clogged roads at Chateau Thierry, arrived a short time later and continued through the town on the road leading to Fere en Tarendais, Fismes, and Cuiry Housse. Troop "C" drove into Cuiry Housse on heels of a retreating German column and reached Fismes shortly before dark.
August 29 - Troop "C" pushed north in search of bridges east of Bourg, near Pontavert. They captured a crossing intact after overwhelming its defenders. They crossed the Aisne and pushed along secondary routes to the important roads center at Corbeny. Troop "C" was given the mission of cutting through the center of the zone at Seraincourt. Troop "C" encountered a small tank that supported German elaying forces defending the town. The Germans reacted violently to Troop "C"'s initial thrust towards the city.
August 30 - Troop "C" was straddeling the Rethel-Montcornet Highway at Seraincourt.
August 31 - Troop "C" started north from Seraincourt with the mission of recoonoitering north in the Corps Zone. The mission was cancelled, and they were ordered to assemble south of Montcourt in the village of Lislet.
September 1 - Troop "C" swept north into the center of the Squadron Zone, they reached Novion Porcein and continue on to Launois and Pos Terran.
September 2 - Troop "C" had been forced to halt in the face of a strong delaying force defending the approaches to Charleville.
September 3 - Troop "C" split its' forces and pushed south towards Sedan and Mezieres. Remainder of Troop "C" drove into Mezieres from the south to link up with Troop "B" which had swung wide into Warrencourt to enter the town from the north. After eliminating all troops, Troop "C" took up the defensive positions along the Meuse between Mezieres and Flize. Following the capture, they were ordred to march to an assembly area at Phillipville, north of the Franco-Belgian border. The 4th Cavalry Group was to screen the attacking 9th Infantry Divisions southern flank, as it drove for the Meuse and reconnoiter for crossing between Dinat and Givat. They crossed the Belgian frontier at 2100 hours, after a 40 mile march ended near the small village of Couvin. Squadron pulled up along the Dinat-Hastiere sector's river's edge.
September 4-5 - Spent the time searching for possible river crossings, but discovered every bridge in the area was demolished by the fleeing Germans.
September 7 - Assigned task of protecting the 9th Infantry Divisions' right and rear flanks. Troop "C" cut southwest from the river in the direction of Banonville. After a 3 mile advance, they were halted by a roadblock built around a 75 millimeter anti-tank weapon, mounted on a German halftrack. By darkness, Troop "C" had secured the highground southeast of the village after chasing off a small delaying force.
September 8-9 - Around Hotton, Troop "C" was dispatched to patrol the western bank and make a detailed reconnaissance of the possible fonds in the area. They patrolled as far south as La Roche and found a fonding site near Marcourt. As they were wading across the river to secure the site, the mission changed. They were ordered to move north rapidly as possible to Esneux. They were directed to cross and seize Malmedy.
September 10 - The 4th followed the 3rd Armored across Ourthe to Theaux. Troop "C" swept south towards its' objective, the important road junction town of Malmedy. Troop "C" passed through Spa, Belgium, delayed by blown bridges and sniper fire. 1st Platoon routed an estimate company of Bicycle Infantry, one mile sout of Spa and pushed onto Francorchamps. 2nd platoon cut souteast towards the Stavelot-Malmedy road and by late afternoon gained positions commaanding the road just north of Stavelot.
September 11 - Troop "C" remained in position of Stavelot, with only local clashes with the enemy.
September 12 - Troop "C" was ordered to continue its drive to the German frontier, 11 miles to the east, Troop "C" had capture Stavelot and the Stavelot-Malmedy road was finally in Squadron's possesion.
September 13 - The squadron continued to push east, with the objective of seizing Camp Elsenborn. Troop "C" was ordered to cross the Warche and advance on to Rocherath. Troop "C" sent 1st Platoon towards Butgenbach and continued on to Bullingen, where they thwarted a German attempt to destroy the Warche River bridge. Troop "C" reached its objective and dug in on the high ground west and north of Rocherath. Germans dynamited the huge railroad trestle, spanning the road leading to the village. Troop "C' became bitterly engaged with the enemy, covering the demoilition by fire. As it approached the vital crossroad, the Germans launched a vicious attack and drove the Troop back towards Berg.
September 14 - Squadron was ordered to determine the German's mainline of resistance west of the Seigfried Line, between Kaltherberg and Rocherath. Troop "C", 1st Platoon was struck with heavy counterattack on the position near Rocherath. Another platoon from "C", immediately swung in a wide arc around the attacking enemy forces and reoccupied the commanding ground, which the 1st Platoon had been forced to yield.
September 15-19 - Probed the defense of the Seigfried Line.
September 19 - 4th Squadron relieved the 1st & 3rd Battalion of the 60th Infantry at Hafen Alzen.
September 19-30 - Occupied pillboxes on the outskirts of the Seigfried Line facing the German held village of Rohren (Hafen-Alzen Line)
October 2 - Squadron was relieved, and they marched to Lammersdorf to relieve the 39th Infantry Regiment on the high ground west of Rollesbroioh. Troop "C" dug in on the crest of the ridge overlooking Paustenbach. This was the 4th hardest mission since Normandy.
October 3 - German's attacked the Squadron's extereme flank.
October 4 - October 31 - This period was marked by various patrols and small scale attacks.
October 11 - On this day our grandfather was shot in the foot. Harvey Hastings, for whom our grandfather was his jeep driver, wrote this about that day:
"The Germans attacked us the next morning and during the excitement my Sargent took his job back. We moved to anaother location and while he was directing the armored car, he was killed with a direct hit. Most of us were acroos the road, I fell in a ditch, my head landed between my drivers feet and he was hit in the foot. The other person who rode with me was hit too. We loaded about 12 people on a jeep and went to the rear to find medics."
November 1-9 - Period was marked by various patrols and smal scale attacks.
November 10 - Squadron pulled back to AAchen and Eynatten for it's first rest period since D-Day.
November 10-22 - Rest period for the 4th. Spent in maintanance, refitting, and entertainment.
November 23 - Moved into Schevenhutte to take up its role in one of the most dramatic campaigns in WW 2 history - The Battle of the Hutgren Forest. Assigned a 2000 yard belt of thick forest, between the 1st and 4th Infantry Division, the Squadron attacked dismounted abreasts of those units for a net gain of 5000 yards in 15 days.
December 10 -Reached the edge of the Hurtgen Forest.
December 13 - After a day of preperation, the Squadron moved into dismounted positions north of Bogheim. Initially taking defensive positions on the 5th Armored Divisions right. The squadron sent nightly [patrols to probe the defenses of a small German force still holding out on the west bank of the Roer River in Bogheim and Uttermaubach.
Dec 19 - 4th Squadron was given the mission of attacking dismounted in its zone to capture and secure the town and highground southeast of it. A dense fog blanketed the area to less than 25 yds visability. Moving out under cover of the mist, Troops "B" and "C", reached the town undetected, but near the center of the village, fierce street fighting broke out.
Decemebr 20-21 - Some of the fiercest fighting of the war was taking place on the edge of the Hutgren Forest alon the approaches of the Roer River. Heavy fighting again broke out in the towns center. Troops "B" and "C"'s Commanding Officers were wounded as the Troops engaged in a bitter struggle. On the night of the 21st, the Squadron took up defensive positions and secured the town of Bogheim for the night.
December 22 - At dawn, after a continuous all night bombardment of artillery and mortar fire, the battered Squadron drove and fought its way to the heavily defensed ridge southeast of town. By noon, the ridge had been captured.
December 23 - The 4th started the long march back to Belgium, only 7 hours after the exhausting ordeal back at Bogheim, and reached a forward assembly area at Harvesin. The Troop took up defensive positions facing every direction, before noon Harvesin was attacked. It was held until the arrival of friendly infantry at 1800 hours and Squadron was ordered to move to Dinat and probe the tip of the German Spearhead in that sector.
December 24 - Squadron was forced to halt at Harmois for the night. Orders were rescinded and new orders directing the 4th to screen a gap between Command Company A and Command Company B of the 2nd Armored Divison, as it attacked toward the Lesse River in an effort to chop off Von Rundstedt's deepest penetration.
December 28 - The 4th pushed the enemy forces from a line running from Corbin to Achene, back to Celles, Custine, and Enhet. Squadron took up positions along the Lesse River and the vicinity of Ehnet and patrolled to and along the northern bank. After the 2nd Armored swept across Lesse, the Squadron marched to Barvaux Condroz to await further command.
January 2 - The 4th went into reserve and moved to an assembly area near Marchin and Huy. The 4th Cavalry was attached to the 84th Railsplitter Division for the attack on the southern ridge of the Bulge, and the Squadron was given the mission of reconnoitering the roads to Beffe, establishing road blocks and following behind the armored and infantry forces to wipe out any bypassed pockets of resistance. After that, they were to screen the right flank of the 3rd Armored Division, which would sweep south astride the Ourthe River.
January 3-8 - The attack started, the Squadron pushed on towards Marcouray through blizzards and icy cold rain.
January 9 - They had established a 4 mile screen along the Ourthe in this sector.
January 10 - Troops "B" and "C" continued their patrol and consolidated their positions along the Ourthe.
January 12 - The Squadron struck eastward in an effort to capture the highground at LaRoche. Advance was contested by bitter German opposition and the Squadron troops were forced back to the western outskirts of LaRoche.
January 13 - The Squadron resumed the advance at dawn and reached Maboge virtually unopposed. Positions were held until January 15.
January 15 - Squadron was relieved and placed in group reserve to rest and refit.
January 18 - Squadron was ordered to relieve the 3rd Armored Division in position between Cherain and Sammerain. The Squadron took up the position on the highground commanding the highway, stretching from Sammerain to Vaux. The line was held for 2 days and activity limited to day and night patrolling to the Squadron's front and flanks.
February 4 - From Belgium, Squadron made the long march back to Aachen, Here it underwent a strenuous 3 week training and refitting.
February 25 - The 4th was attached to the 104th Infantry, which was aiding the 3rd Armored in its deive for Cologne. The 4th crossed the Roer, Squadron then moved through moderate shell fire to an assembly area near Huchem-Stammelan, where it received orders to adavance onto Esch and Englesdorf. If those two towns were vacant or lightly held, the Squadron was directed to seize and hold them until further orders.
February 26 - Troops "A" and "C" was given the mission of taking the neighboring town of Esch. Supported by a platoon of Troop "F" tanks, Troop "C" attacked Esch. Slipping into the town under cover of early morning darkness, the force reached the town's southern outskirts where a fierce fight developed. The defenders of the town, estimated to be at least 200 infantry, supported by Panzer Tanks, launched a vicious counter-attack against Troop "C" and succeded in pushing them back a short distance. Troop "E", 87th Field Artillery and Corps Artillery were called to assist in the asaault. Platoon of light tanks from Troop "F" rumbled toward the town to aid greatly outnumbered Troop "C". Dazed by the terrific curtain of high explosives crashing down an their positions, 7 Germans discarded their weapons and surrendered to Troop "C", by nightfall the last enemy resistance in Esch had been wiped out. With the town firmly in Squadron's possession, the line troops took up positions guarding the approaches to Esch.
The second mission in its part of the VII Corps drive to the Rhine, was along the east bank of the Erft Canal. Believed that the Squadrons new assembly area east of Erft had already been captured, Troop "C" dismounted across the bridge. German anti-tank guns already "zeroed in" on the crossing, opened up with direct fire. As the troops double timed over the bridge Troop "C" fought through moderate resistance to the top of the hill bluff dominating the Erft Canal crossing. Day came to a close, Squadron dug into the high ridge north of Esch, prepared to spend the night their.
February 27 - The 4th was ordered to seize and hold Bedburg, Broich and Winkleheim and push northeast in the general direction of Dormagen, a small river town on the Rhine.
March 2 - Troops "B" and "C" moved into the dismounted behind 2 platoons of light tanks from Troop "F". Bedburg fell with only minor opposition.
March 3 - German Roer and Erft Canal defenses had crumbled like a piece of dry bread and Allied armor was rolling across the Cologne plain towards the Rhine. The 4th Squadron conjunction with Group's attack to the Rhine, was ordered to strike eastward through Dormagen to the river.
March 4 - Troop "C" advanced through the woods along the Squadron's northern flank and captured Hackenbroich.
March 6 - Squadron completed its mission in the drive to the Rhine when Troops "A" and "C" entered undefended Rheinfield.
March 8-21 - The 4th patrolled and secured various sectors of the Rhine's western bank.
March 23 - The 4th was ordered across the Rhine to take up positions along the Sieg River on the northern fringe of the bridgehead. The zone the 4th occuied, stretched from the Rhine-Sieg River Junction to the Alfter River, 6 miles to the east. With the exception of one small pocket, the Sieg's southern bank was entirely clear of the enemy and activity was limited to reconnaissance and security patrol. While the 78th Infantry Division and Troop "A" were engaged, Troop "C" launched a feint attack toward the opposite bank to draw fire away form the attacking enemy.
March 27 - 4th Squadron marched to Leuscheid where it relieved 1st Infantry elements holding the southern sector of what was destined to become the Ruhr pocket. The position was held onto March 30.
March 30 - The 4th was ordered to strike north from Dillenburg to Buren and overrun or bypass any resistance between those two towns. The Squadron moved in one column to Dillenburg. Success of the drive would close the ring around the huge german forces holding out in the Ruhr Valley and cut off the German Army's last large source of war material. Advance was halted a few miles north of Lasphe, when Troop "B" ran into enemy forces blocking every road north. Troop "C" after clearing Sassenhuasen, was cut off and nearly trapped when German troops felled trees across the road behind its column. Troop "C" maanaged to escape with every vehicle after a fierce fire fight, that raged for almost an hour. Supplied with operational maps by air, the Squadron continued to search for possible routes across the enemy line. Troop "C" overwhelmed the defenses at Wiedenhausen and pushed onto Hemschlar. Troop "C" bypassed 2 Panther tanks supporting a road block near the towns southern approaches and conpletely destroyed the enemy forces in that town. Hemschar fell after a brief fight. Late that afternoon, the Squadron's mission was changed and was ordred to move north to seize Brilon. After it was taken, the Squadron was to setup a perimeter of defense and prevent German troops from breaking out of the Rose Pocket.
March 31 - Marching 60 miles over roads clogged with freed slave laborers streaming out of concemtration camps, the Squadron reached Brilon at 2000 hour and discovered it was in American hands. Troop "C" was sent into outpost the town, building up defense peroimeters around Brilon, Squadron seized Rixen, Wuffe and Willingen in rapid succession.
April 1 - Employed in the Brilon sector, the Squadron maintained constant pressure to the east to discourage any German attempt to break out of the Ruhr.
April 2 - A strong Troop "C" patrol surprised a German force in position just north of Willingen.
April 4 - Squadron was ordered to attack south and eliminate a strong German pocket astride the Brilon-Lasphe Highway. Troops "A" and "C" swept in a wide arc around Brillon to press attack from the west at Usses. The 2 troops continued in an assault which by nightfall, cleared the highway in the path of the 7th Armored, coming from the south. After Troop "C" capture Gierskopp, the Squadron Zone became comparitively quiet with only local skirmishes with scattered enemy elements. The Brilon was held and patrolled until April 9.
April 9 - The 4th Cavalry Squadron was relieved of responsibility in the Brilon sector and moved to anva assembly area in the vicinity of Dringenburg. At 1400 hours they were attached to the 1st Infantry and ordered to push reconnaissance in advance of the division as it struck towards a large industrial center of Zellerfeld. Squadron moved east to the Wesser River at Wheren.
April 10 - Moving out in early morning darkness, the Squadron raced to Sebexen opposed by disorganized German troops. East of Sebexen, the enemy had fashioned a stable defense line. Squadron took up night defensive positions east of Sebexen and sent dismounted patrols to determine the Germans strength in this setor.
Aril 11 - Troop "C" swung in a wide arc to outflank the defenders of Bad Grund, a small town approximately 10 miles east of Sebexen. Moving northeast toward Gandersheim, Troop "C" smashed through a lightly defended enemy road block south of the village and brok into Bad Grund.
April 12 - Each reconnaissance Troop sent strong patrols eastward to probe defenses of Clausthal-Zellefeld, a vital road junction lying in the path of the 26th Infantry attack towards Braunlage. Roads leading into Zellerfeld had been cratered by the Germans and Troop "C" was forced to continue the reconnaissance dismounted. Attached infantry forces moved up to Troop "C"'s position east of the town and prepared to attack Zellerfeld early that morning.
April 13 - Engineers repaired the damage road and Troop "C" was able to assist the infantry as they fought their way to the objective.
April 14 - Squadron's progress was stymied as all advances to the north and east were checked by determine German forces employing tanks, self propelled weapons and Panzer Fausts. Still attached to the 26th Infantry, the Squadron continued to probe for possible routes leading south and east from Zellerfeld.
April 15 - Reverted to Group control, they were ordered to relieve the 413th Infantry in defensive positions between Scharzfeld and Walkenreid. They built a network of strategic road blocks controlling Walkenreid, Steina and Bad Lutenberg and held the platform until April 18.
April 18 - Attached to the 9th Infantry, the 4th was given a zone skirting to the Harz Mountains and ordered to attack northwest to seize Reinstedt, Hoym, and Quedlinburg in an effort to encircle 85,000 Germans holding out in the Harz Mountains. The Germans were taken completely by surprise as the entire 4th Cavalry Group, greatly reinforced by elements of the 9th Division, cut through the rear of the position.
April 19 - The 4th had swept through hundreds of dazed Germans to reach a foothold across the Bode River and Quedlinburg.
April 20 - The 4th slammed shut the Germans last escape route exit at Quedlinburg. Troop "C" striking due east of Quedlinburg, encountered a reinforced battallion of enemy infantry near Ascherleban and spent the day probing the position.
April 21 - Troop "C" contacted enemy forces near Mohringhen and captured 136 Germans without foring a single shot.
April 22 - The war against Germany for the 4th Cavalry Group came to a close when the Squadron was ordered to take up occupational duties in the Quedlinburg sector and patrol the Harz Mountains.
May 8 - V-E Day
When the war eneded Troop "C" was in the part of Germany the Russians were to occupy (East Germany). They occupied and patrolled the territory for several days. When the Germans found out that the Americans were moving out and the Russians were moving in, they moved out with the group to the American Sector of Germany in Kelsterbach. They stayed in school houses for several weeks with nothing to do.
June 27 - At the end of June, our grandfather arrived at Nordhausen Concentration Camp, where he was a Russian Translator, as the Russians were taking over control of the camp from the Americans.
In August of 1945, our grandfather took this picture in Bad Nauheim. This is the last known photo we have of him in World War 2.
Sometime between the end of the war and the time before he was dicharged on November 29, 1945, our grandfather was reassigned to Company A, with the 759th Light Tank Battallion. He was discharged at Fort Dix, NJ.
Liverpool, England
Southampton
Dartmouth
Cape Hague Peninsula
Utah Beach
Carentan
Marigny
Percy
Romagny
Meaux
Domfront
L' Aigle
Passais
Hafen Alzen
Spa
Bannonville
Rocherath
Stavelot
I was the driver of that jeep. This picture was taken in Spa, Belgium when we liberated the town. It was taken by the civilians in Sept 1944. Boy! Oh Boy! Those were the days
Charleville
Lammersdorf
Schvenhutte
Bogheim
Harvesin
Ourthe
Sammerain
Erft
Aachen
Esch
Brilon
Dormagen
Leuscheid
Bad Grund
Quedlinburg
Sebexen
Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Harz Mountains
Kelsterbach
Nordhausen
Taken by John Bruszewski June 27, 1945 at Nordhausen Concetration Camp Germany-when acting as tarnslator to Russian occup. forces moving in
Bad Nauheim
Taken by Bill W. in Bad Nauheim August 1945
Fort Dix, NJ
