Credit:

Most of the map marker positions were computed from the after-action report coordinates using Thierry Arsicaud's "Coordinate Translator." His excellent utility transforms map coordinates from the Modified British System used by allied forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II to decimal latitude/longitude values that may be used with various map tools.

Headquarters 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion
APO 403, U. S. Army

1 June 1945

Subject: After Action Reports.

To: The Adjutant General
War Department
Washington, D. C.

1. Following report for the 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion for the month of May 1945 is submitted:

a. Original: No change.

b. Changes in organization: No Change.

c. Strength:

e. Marches: See Appendix No. 1.

f. Campaign:

(1) Name - Germany.

(2) Duration - Began 15 Sep 44 and continues at date of this report. All forces ceased active operations at 0001B Hours 9 May 45.

(3) Purpose - Destruction of German Armies.

(4) Authority - WD General Orders Number 80, dtd 5 Oct 44.

g. Battles: See appendix No. 1.

h. Commanding Officers in important engagements:

i. Losses in action:

[Text not readable.]

j. Former members who have distinguished themselves in action: All General Orders hereafter listed were published by Hq., 1st U. S. Infantry Division, APO 1, U. S. Army.

Present members who have distinguished themselves in action: All General Orders hereafter listed were published by Hq., 1st U. S. Infantry Division, APA 1, U. S. Army.

k. Photographs: None.

l. Inclosures: Battalion Journal from 1 May 45 to 9 May 45 inclosed and the complete file in support thereof.

2 Incls:
1. Battalion Journal.
2 Supporting Documents 1 May 45 to 9 May 45 incl.

Henry L. Davisson
Lt. Col., FA (TD)
Commanding

Subject: Unit Report of action 1-31 May 1945.

To: The Adjutant General
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Maps: GSGS 4416, Scale 1/100,000. Sheets T6, T7, S6 & S7.

1. Narrative:

a. 1 May 1945: Weather: Intermittent snow and rain. Visibility: Poor.

As the period opened the 634th TD Bn remained attached to the 1st U. S. Infantry Division. Co A was attached to the 26th Inf Regt; Co B was atchd to the 18th Inf Regt; Co C was atchd to the 16th Inf Regt, and Rcn Co was atchd to 18th Inf Regt. The remainder of the Battalion (Hq & Hq Co) was atchd to the 1st U. S. Infantry Division.

The Battalion was disposed as follows: Hq & Hq Co were situated in Asch, Czechoslovakia. The Bn CP at (179889) . Co A CP remained in Asch, Czechoslovakia (180898) . The Platoons occupied the following positions at the close of the period: 1A in Regtl Reserve at Co CP; 2A moved fwd to place 1st section in Muhl-Hausen (220983) , 2nd section in Sohl (234964) ; 3A moved fwd and occupied positions in Raun with 1st Section at (242938) and 2nd Section in Ober-Bramback (255913) . Co "B" CP moved from Rothenbach to Cheb (305745) ; 2B in AT positions supporting E Co (313721) ; 3B in AT positions with 1st Section at Dolshon (347754) , 2nd section at Jindrichow (335778) . Co C CP remained in Selb (132841) and the platoons were disposed as follows: 1C moved from Schonberg to Bramback and occupied AT positions at (262901) ; 2C with 2nd Bn occupied AT positions in Hagengrun (263827) ; 3C in Regtl Res at Co CP. Rcn Co (-1R, 2R and 1 section of Pioneer Platoon) moved from Waldsassen to Eger ( Cheb) (309741) . During the period 1B plus 1 section of Pioneer Platoon maintained a road block postion at (283638) and operated patrols between elements of 1st Div and 97th Inf Dib from their location at (383638) . 2B maintained strong point at Strizov (307775) and maintained 24 hour contact patrols between I & L Cos of 18th Inf. 3R made mounted Rcn of the area bounded by 20 to 28 NS Grid lines and 70 to 80 EW Grid lines. No enemy contacted.

b. 2 May 1945: Weather: Cloudy with snow flurries. Visibility: Fair.

Co A CP remained in Asch, Czechoslovakia. All platoons remained in positions as of 1 May 1945. No contact with the enemy and no casualties. Co B CP remained in Eger (Cheb), Czechoslovakia. All platoons remained in positions as of 1 May 1945. No contact with the enemy and no casualties. Rcn Co CP moved during the period to Matersreuth (348646) . During the period 1R plus 1 section of Pioneer Platoon moved to 0900B to screen right flank of G Co and entered Querenback (339658) . A light fire fight was encountered on outskirts of town. 3 enemy were killed and 25 PWs taken. Continued Rcn with G Co to Matersreuth (348646) thence to Nevalbenrfuth (375640) . No enemy encountered. Contact patrols maintained during night between Matersreuth (348646) , Querenbach (338658) and Hatzenreuth (324671) . 2R remained in position at (307775) . 3R and Co Hq personnel made mounted Rcn to Paxdorf (325634) and captured 2 PWs. 3R maintained contact patrols to Co C, 303rd Inf Regt of 97th Inf Div during the period and traveled through the following towns: Matersreuth (348646) and Ernestarun (373622) .

c. 3 May 1945: Weather: Continued cool and cloudy. Visibility: Fair.

Co A CP and all platoons remained in positions as of 2 May 1945 except 1st section of 2A who moved to a better defensive positions in vicinity of Adorf (198996) . Co B CP remained in Eger (Cheb), (305745) . Platoons were disposed as follows at close of period: 1B in reserve at Co CP (305745) , 2B with E Co at (349647) . 3B fired 24 rds HE and 4 rds APC from firing positions at (348573) destroying 1 armored car, killing and wounding many enemy infantry. Platoon remained disposed as follows: 1st Section in Dol-Shon (347754) ; 2nd section in Jindrichow (335778) . Co C CP and all platoons remained in positions as of 2 May 1945. Rcn Co CP remained in Matersreuth (348646) . Capt James Barrow, Tec 5 Caldwell, and Tec 5 Neihouse were captured by an enemy combat patrol during the night of 2-3 May 1945, between hours of 0040B and 0100B. Many items of G-2 information were taken such as SOI, Slidex Cards, maps and codes. The 18th CT and elements of Rcn Co made numerous aggressive patrols into enemy held territory in an effort to find the captives, but to no avail.

d. 4 May 1945: Weather: Continued cool and cloudy. Visibility: Fair.

Co A CP and all platoons remained in positions as of 3 May 1945 except that 1A relieved 2A in place. Co B CP and all platoons remained in positions as of 3 May 1945 except 2B moved from (315723) to occupy AT positions in Hatzenrfuth (323670) . 3B fired 25 rds HE at a convoy of horse drawn vehicles in vicinity of (353779) . 2 PWs were taken by 3B. Co C CP and all platoons remained in positions as of 3 May 1945 except 2C moved to AT positions in support of G Co, 2nd Bn, 16th Inf Regt and 303d Inf Regt of the 97th Inf Div. In addition, numerous combat patrols were performed into enemy territory in an endeavor to discover some information concerning the 3 missing men. During the patrols, a flashlight of one of the EM was found, also 38 PWs were taken and 1 Volkswagen destroyed by 37mm HE. 10 rds 37mm HE and 1000 rds Cal. . 30 MG ammunition was expended.

5 May 1945: Weather: Rainy. Visibility: Fair to poor.

Co A CP and all platoons remained in positions as of 4 May 1945. 2A alerted for movement with 2nd Bn into the attack. 3A assembled in Ober-Brambach (257916) . Co B CP remained in position and 1B released from Regtl Res to attachment to 1st Bn, 18th Inf. 1B moved to join 1st Bn at 1300B and at close of period was located in Leu**ruck (423713) . 2B moved from Matzenfuth (323670) , in support of 2nd Bn, to Mais**grun (448647) . 2B destroyed 2 MG nests expending 25 rds HE. 3B moved fwd with 3rd Bn to seize their objective. During the period, 3B expended 136 rds HE, 2100 rds Cal. .50 MM and destroyed 3 MG nests, killed 50 enemy and also over-ran 4 MG nests with their tracks after expending all HE on their vehicles. All firing was done at a range of 50 to 100 yards. 1 M-10 was hit by a Panzerfaust and set on fire. Crew members extinguished the blaze and vehicle was not seriously damaged. 1st section located at (348752) with 2nd section at (368737) . Co C CP moved to Frantlazne (304785) and all platoons moved forward with their respective infantry battalions to occupy the following positions at the close of the period: 1C in Nbes (341856) , 2C in Ha*tousov (380811) , 3C in Kornov (385770) . Rcn Co CP moved forward to Dolzandov (449687) . At 1500B, the platoons were assigned and moved with the Bns as follows: 1R atchd to 1st Bn, 2R atchd to 3rd Bn and 3R atchd to 2nd Bn. 1 section of Pioneer Platoon joined 2R at 2130B. At the close of the period the platoons were disposed as follows: 1R at (405700) , 2R at (346753) & 3R at (448686) .

f. 6 May 1945: Weather: Rainy. Visibility: Fair to poor.

Bn (-Cos A, B, C & Rcn) moved from Asch, Czechoslovakia (179889) to new CP in Eger (Cheb), Czechoslovakia (308744) . Co A CP remained in Asch, Czechoslovakia. Platoons moved as follows: 1A moved at 0900B with 1st Bn from Sohl and at the close of period were in positions as follows: 1st section at (330940) and 2nd section in Wernitzgrun, (300980) . 2A remained in Regtl Res at Co CP, while 3A moved at 1200B from assembly position in Ober-Brambach to Res position in Stringrud (310910) . Co B CP moved from Eger, Czechoslovakia to Dolzandov (447687) . All platoons moved forward in support of their respective Inf Bns and were disposed as follows at the close of the period: 1B in Sangr***erg (573730) , 2B in *nichov (614722) and 3B in Krottensee (433755) . 3B fired 16 rds HE at Ey Inf. Good results were reported. Co C CP remained in Frantlazne (295785) . Platoons were disposed as follows: 1C detached from C Co 16th Inf and atchd to B Co at (342856) . 1C expended 77 rds HE and 1 rd APC, 200 rds Cal. . 50 MG and 1200 rds Cal. . 30 MG to destroy 5 MG nests, neutralize 3 strong points, 8 Ey killed, 8 wounded. 2 PWs were also captured. 2C in support of E Co was still moving at the close of the period and were at (417784) . 20 rds HE, 3000 rds Cal. . 30 MG and 300 rds Cal. . 50 MG ammunition was expended by 2C to destroy 15 Ey strong points, 20 Ey were also killed. 15 wounded and 4 PWs taken. 3C atchd to I Co was at (451794) at the close of the period and had destroyed 1 AT Gun, neutralized Ey Inf positions with an ammunition expenditure of 1 rd APC, 9 rds HE, 400 rds Cal. .30 MG. Rcn Co CP remained in Dolzandov (449686) . 2R moved in support of 3rd Bn, 18th Inf, leading K Co into Sithor (430686) and then East in support of K Co to capture Rochandorf (490745) . Platoon relieved at 2130B and assembled in Dolzandov (449686) . 1R with 1 squad of colored dough-boys, moved from Dolzandov to make contact from Laynekynzuart (500681) to (500725) . A fire fight developed at (500700) . 6 Enemy killed, 1 MG destroyed, and several Ey wounded. 1 Em SWA. Platoon re-assembled in Dolzandov. 3R led 2nd Bn from Newalben-reuth (370640) to Matersgrun (448648) and worked with Bn until relieved at 2230B when they assembled in Dolzandov. Pioneer Platoon made counted contact patrol during the night from Dolzandov to Sangersberg (565731) .

g. 7 May 1945: Weather: Excellent. Visibility: Good.

The long awaited CEASE FIRE order, as copied below was received early the morning of 7 May 1945:

OPERATIONS MEMORANDUM

The following telegram received from SHAFE, reproduced by V Corps is furnished for your information and compliance.

1. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND SIGNED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF ALL GERMAN LAND, SEA, AND AIR FORCES IN EUROPE TO THE ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE SOVIET HIGH COMMAND AT 0141 HOURS CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME, 7 MAY UNDER WHICH ALL FORCES WILL CEASE ACTIVE OPERATIONS AT 0001B HOURS 9 MAY.

2. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ALL OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS BY ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE WILL CEASE AND TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN PRESENT POSITIONS. MOVES INVOLVED IN OCCUPATIONAL DUTIES WILL CONTINUE. DUE TO DIFFICULTIES OF COMMUNICATIONS THERE MAY BE SOME DELAY IN SIMILAR ORDERS REACHING ENEMY TROOPS SO FULL DEFENSIVE PRECAUTIONS WILL BE TAKEN.

3. ALL INFORMED DOWN TO AND INCLUDING DIVISIONS, TACTICAL AIR COMMANDS AND GROUPS, BASE SECTIONS, AND EQUIVALENT. NO RELEASE WILL BE MADE TO THE PRESS PENDING AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HEADS OF THESE GOVERNMENTS. SIGNED EISENHOWER.

Basic policy of the Division Commander is that all units will secure themselves in present positions against any enemy action by uninformed enemy groups. No man will be lost unnecessarily at this time.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL ANDRUS:

OFFICIAL: Verdi B. Barnes, Colonel, G. S. C., Chief of Staff.

/s/ Clarence E. Beck
Clarence E. Beck
Lt. Col., G. S. C.,
A. C. of S., G-3

DISTRIBUTION:
Special

A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:

Errol B. Olson
Major, FA (TC)
S-3

h. Period 7 May 1945 to 31 May 1945.

During this period of post hostilities the 634th TD Bn was assembled as a unit and assigned a sector of the Division front; with the mission of allowing no German civilians, German soldiers, nor displaced persons to pass through the defensive system of Road blocks and traffic control points extending from Falkenau on the North to Lauterbach on the South. Companies were assigned areas as follows: Rcn Co on left flank and maintaining road blocks on outskirts of Falkenau, "A" Co in Wundingrun, "B" Co in Kohling, and Co C"C maintained a traffic control point and outpost in Schlaggenwald. The Bn CP was located in Lobs, Czechoslovakia (537822) . Although the actual fighting had ceased, many problems presented themselves and required many hours of labor, coordination and personal contact by the Bn and Unit Commanders with the representatives of Russian and Czechoslovakian Governments.

i. The following paragraphs show the complete Battle Record and Casualty Record of the 634th TD Bn for the period 29 June 1944 to 8 May 1945:

(1) Enemy Materiel Destroyed or Captured.

(2) Enemy Personnel killed or captured.

(3) Our Personnel losses.

Total Battle: 258
Wounded R/D: 169
Non Battle: 291

(4) Our Materiel Losses.

(5) Total ammunition Expenditure: