General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

denied entrance. Doggedly attacking a third time, the platoon seized the buildin&
capturing 70 enemy and eliminating the stroug mint. Using hand grenades,
pistols, rifles, and submachine guns, the members of Company L then assaulted
the castle, engaging the enemy in 30 minutes of close combat, killing and capturing
the entire garrison of 120 fanatical defenders. Resuming tho attack on tile
following mollling, Company L wedged through the enemy ring and continued its
advance, clearing an area ol500 scluare meters, capturing an additional 80 enemy
ami cri~shing all remaining resistance. The hcroism, combat ~xoficiency, and
brilliant actlieretnent of Compa?~$l L paved the way for the eventual reduction
of the ancient Nazi shrine, alld are exemillmy of the fineat tmdirions of the Army
of the United Slates. (General Orders 328, Heariqnarters 180th Infantry Regiment,
9 R'uvemher 1946, as approved by the Conmanding General, United States
d~'yQovces. European Thentcr (Main) .)
pThc Intelligenoo and Recolrnaissance Platoon, 329th Infantry Regiment.
iscited for outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict aith tile enemy
' from 4 to 16 Srplember 1944. On 4 September 1044, the Intelligelzce and Reconnaissw~ce
Platoom CI.OSS~~ the Laire Rirer into cnen~y~held terrilory, with the
mission of Scouting enemy positions and movemmts. After abunt 6 days of e9tended
patroiling through an area some 70 miles wide and 100 n~lles deep south
of the Loire River, the piatoou receivrd word through French informai1i.s in Is
soudon, Hl'nnce, that a large force of apl,rosimntely 20.000 Germam was moving
eastwnrd in an attempt to escaw through the Belfort Gap into Germany. Racing
through enemy territory, heedless of the threat of capl.ure ur annihilation
which faced them at. every Lnrn, the Intelligence emt Rrconnaissance Platoon
boldly effected a contact. with the cormnander of the Gwman forces and convinced
him of the flesirability of surrendering his force to the American Alrny.
While the platoon lender returned to the regimental command past for instrnctions,
the platoon was chnrgcrl with the mission of lnainiaining contact with the
enemy force and rrstrniniug the loral EFI from making any premature show of
fwce. 8rlued with but n few rifles, machine guns, and pistols, this courageous
group virtually contained the entire enemy foree by their sheer audacity and
bold and aggressive patrolling. Constantly patrolling the area, tracking down
rumors of other enemy groups, being sniped at by isolated enemy armed with
burp guns. and having their veliicies sabotaged by collaborationist H'rench, the
I?ztelligenee und Reconneissunca Platoon held on to their prize until arrangements
could be made to have the German eomrnander meet wi1.h an authorized
American re~~risentati~,~. This meeting occurred on I1 September 1944 at the
Intelliueme and Reconnaissance Platoon command post at Rolnorantin. Arrangements
were made to hare the German force proceed lo three assembly areas
along the Loire Rirer where thcy would formally surrender and turn in their
weapons. The long trek to the river began wilh the Intelligence and Recon-
?~aisSame Platoon actinx as guides, flank guides, and liaison agents with the
French forces along the way. Only the limely inlervention of the men of the
platoon prevented freynent outbreaks by the FFI who were not familiar with
the situation or the terms of the surrender. Finally. on 16 September 1944, at
Reaugency, H'rance, the German commander surrendered himself, his troops, and
all of their equipmen1 to Major General Macon, Commanding General of the 83d
Infalltry Division, acting on behalf oP the Army commander. The outstanding
gallantry of this Intrepid group of soldiers in arranging and executing the flrst
and lnrgcst mass Surrender of the war up to that time is without prailcl in
the annals of military history. The courage and devotion to duty of every man
AGO 298SP