26th Infantry Division: Task Force Scott
To secure the left flank of the 90th Infantry Division during their attack towards Berlé and Doncols and to help eliminate the so-called Harlange Pocket, Task Force Scott was formed on January 7, 1945.
Task Force Scott was composed of 101st Infantry Regiment, 101st Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A of the 390th AAA Battalion, 26th Reconnaissance Troop (less 3d Platoon), one Platoon Company A of the 101st Engineer Combat Battalion, Company A (less one Platoon) of the 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion, two Platoons of the 735th Tank Battalion and Company A of the 114th Medical Battalion.
On January 9, Task Force Scott moved by motor to the vicinity of Baschleiden to relieve the 35th Infantry Division that would move towards Bastogne. At 1000, the attack jumped off, but the opposing German 5th Parachute Division made up of young and well trained soldiers, resisted fiercely.
The 3rd Battalion was able to reach the high ground east of Tarchamps. The 1st Battalion had been pinned down. C Company in its effort to attack to the front had one platoon reduced to four men and one officer. A Company had also received severe casualties and had been forced to withdraw. It was then that the 3rd Battalion swung around to attack in front of the 1st Battalion.
The snow fall was heavy and the supporting engineers had to plow roads. Major Richard J. Quigley ordered sleds constructed in order to carry supplies to the front line and to evacuate the wounded.
The attack was continued on January 10 and 11 with the 90th Infantry Division capturing Doncols and Sonlez after these towns were pounded by air and artillery.
On January 12, 1945, as a result of being hammered by the coordinated attack from all sides, the enemy's defenses began to crumble.
Task Force Scott mopped up the enemy in the area around Harlange and then, with its mission completed, reverted to normal functions in the 26th Infantry Division zone.
The 101st Infantry Regiment moved by motor to an assembly area in the vicinity of Hierheck for reorganization and rehabilitation.
The 26th Reconnaissance Troop would be scheduled to screen the important crossroads of Buderscheid…
For the background information I used the outstanding internet site about the 26th Infantry Division by Mr. Guy Ries: http://yd-info.net/ as well as the following books:
James C. HAAHR. –
The Command Is Forward. The 101st Infantry Regiment in Lorraine.
101st Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army. –
101 Infantry: Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe. World War II, September 7, 1944 – May 8, 1945.
Lest we forget…
To the multi-cache.
The area you’ll walk through shows you the woods that Task Force Scott mopped up and hold, thus securing the left flank of the 90th Infantry Division on their move towards Doncols and Sonlez (see map).
The multi-cache of approximately 2 miles should be regarded as a memorial trail and a tribute to the men who fought in this area 70 years ago.
Try to imagine moving through these woods as if you had to expect an enemy soldier behind every tree… Also be aware that you move in a former combat zone and that ordnance is still unearthed these days. For example I found an exploded gun or tank shell right next to the final spot in a foxhole.
Don't forget your compass.
-Park your car at the given coordinates and leave it there! Nobody wants to cross cars in the wood and some parts of the trail are off-road!
-Stage 1: Look at 0°. What’s the English name of the tree? First, second and fourth letter is respectively A, B, C.
Go to N 49° 56. B (B-C) C’ / E 005° 49. A C A’
-Stage 2: How many rungs are there to the top? D
Go to N 49° 56. (D+C-A) (D-C) (D/A)’ / E 005° 49. (D+A-C) (B-D) C’
-Stage 3: How many poles protect the young fir? E
Go to N 49° 57. (E/C) (E-A) (B-D)’ / E 005° 49. (ExE-A) (ExA)(E+C)’
-Stage 4: How many doors has this object? 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8? F
Go down through the woods to N 49° 57. (F-A-A) D E’ / E 005° 49. (F-E) D (F-C)’
-Stage 5: What do you see at 310°? A bench: G=1 / A shed: G=5 / A rusty car: G=7/ A birch tree: G=8
Now go for the final spot at: N 49° 56. (G+F) D (F/A)’ / E 005° 48. (G+E) (G-F) (G+1)
Logs in English please and as always in Geocaching: respect your natural environment.