Bastogne: The Story of the First Eight Days - US Army Center Of ...

WEST OF BASTOGNE 153
American artillery. In one sortie they lost two tanks to artillery
fire and the rest of the Gennan annor then withdrew to turret
defilade and continued to fire into Company C for the rest of the
afternoon. Six of Colonel Templeton's tank destroyers (of the
705th), along with the reconnaissance platoon, had been in position
where with good fortune they might have supported Company
C in the first stage of this action. But as they pulled out of
the cut just beyond Mande-St.-Etienne, enemy tanks shelled
them from the woods off their flank and two tank destroyers were
lost immediately. This caused a more cautious attitude on the
part of the other tank destroyers and they withdrew slightly while
the reconnaissance platoon went forward to screen them on the
left flank. The other tank destroyers distributed themselves so as
to block the roads leading into Mont and the reconnaissance platoon
dug in along the same line.
As darkness came on, Colonel Allen got word that his roadblock
at Flamierge had been overrun by an enemy infantry force
wearing snow suitS. This Gennan column had come down the
St. Hubert highway from 0111 of the northwest. Allen's men had
been under the mistaken impression that a friendly force-the
4th Armored Divisiotl-would arrive by this same route. They
mistook the identity of the group and let it come on until the
time had passed for successful resistance.
Four tanks moving along with the road column suddenly
opened fire on Company C, hitting a number of men· and destroying
the company aid station, an antitank gun and a pile of
mortar ammunition with the first few rounds. The four tanks
pressed on against the company position. At the same time the
ten tanks to the southward began coming over the ridge. Company
C withdrew as best it could.
Colonel Allen figured that by now his whole battalion position
was in jeopardy and he ordered Plan A put into effect. But Company
C was in such confusion that it couldn't carry out the withdrawal
exactly as planned. One platoon got out to the southeastward
by way of the main road to escape being cut off. The other
platoons pulled back along the predetennined route. Company
B came through Company A as planned and took position on the