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Task Force Hansen at Malmedy
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Document dated: January 3, 1945
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| The following is a report of the action taken by TASK FORCE HANSEN in the vicinity of Malmedy. |
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| Sunday, December 17 at 1800 hours the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) less “A” Company moved to Malmedy from Tilff for the propose of blocking the further advance of the Germans in that sector. Attached to this Battalion was the 526th Armored Infantry Battalion and “B” Company of the 825th Tank Destroyer Battalion to form Task Force Hansen. |
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| Lieutenant Colonel Harold D. Hansen and Major Bjornstad proceeded ahead of the Battalion and arrived in Malmedy at 2130 hours. By that time the town had been evacuated by all military personnel with the exception of approximately sixty men of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel David Pergrin. The Engineers had established road block consisting of mines and were prepared to dynamite bridges and trees to further block the approaches to the town. |
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| Because of the congested roads caused by the great quantity of personnel and material being evacuated from the threatened areas the progress of both these battalions toward Malmedy was slow. “B” Company, 99th Infantry Battalion, took a separate route and arrived at the destination at approximately 2400 hours. “B” Company immediately took up positions to the southwest of the town to block the roads and occupy the high ground commanding the approach to the town from the South. |
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| At 0300 hours December 18, the remainder of Task Force less “A” Company arrived at destination. “C” Company 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep) took positions to the Northeast to block the road from Eupen. A” Company 526th and one platoon Tank Destroyer was detached and proceeded to Stavelot. “B” Company of 526th Armored Infantry Battalion and TD Guns blocked the approaches to the town from the Southwest. |
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| “A” Company 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep) which had been occupied on Guard duty around St Hubert was assembled when alerted and at 0530 hours the 18th December proceeded to Malmedy. The column arrived outside of Stavelot at 1030 hour and was unable to proceed through Stavelot so continued around the town and back into Spa and then proceeded to Malmedy arriving there at 1130 hours. |
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| On the 18th at 1645 hours, three Germans with two American prisoners riding on the hood of an American jeep taken from the 106th Infantry Division approached a road block maintained by “B” Company 99th Infantry Battalion. One of the Germans was shot trying to escape the other were taken prisoner. The prisoner of war was from the 1. SS Panzer Division. |
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| At 1830 hours one Battalion of the 117th Infantry Regiment and one Battalion of the 120th Infantry Regiment arrived in town and went into position. At 2110 hours four parachutists were reported dropped one-half mile West of Malmedy. |
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| The afternoon of 19th December, “B” Company 99th Infantry Battalion remained in position and the rest of the Battalion withdrew one-half mile to the Northwest of Malmedy and went into position as 120th Regiment reserve. |
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| On 20th December at 1700 hours, “B” Company 99th Infantry Battalion changed positions with B Co 120th Infantry Regiment. |
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| On 21 December at 0655 hours at Coordinates 777037, on road block #5 held by Company “B” 99th Infantry Battalion, the enemy tried to break through with a column of armor and infantry. The column consisted of three American Jeeps, one Half-track, one American M-8, one German Mark VI tank, two Sherman tanks. Three of the lead vehicles hit our mines and at the same time were fired upon by our 3” Tank Destroyer guns.Mortar and MG fire and all weapons of “B” Company were placed on the vehicles and personnel. Artillery fire was concentrated along the entire column towards the rear. The attack was repulsed and about 100 enemy infantry were killed by small arms fire and artillery. Three POW’s were taken, two from 1st Company, 11 parachutists Regiment and one from the 1. SS Panzer Division. |
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| Two Jeeps and one M-8 were recovered in usable condition. Prisoners stated that they had Tiger and Panther Tanks as well as some American Equipment. Their missions was : |
| 1.Destroy our artillery positions. |
| 2.Destroy the road block they attacked. |
| 3.Capture Railroad crossing Southeast of Malmedy. |
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| At 0915 hours one platoon of “A” Company 99th Infantry Battalion was sent to investigate heavy small arms fire in the town of Burnenville. The remainder of the Battalion was moved to comb the woods and the area West of Malmedy. No enemy was located in the area searched. By 1800 hours that evening the disposition of the 99th Infantry Battalion was as follow: |
| “B” Company 99th Infantry Battalion in the same position it had originally occupied Southwest of Malmedy. |
| “A” Company in Burnenville, HQ Company and “C” Company, “D” Company in the vicinity of 786046.Two 90mm Guns, one 40mm AAA gun and two Quad 50 caliber AAA guns, all from the 110th AAA Battalion were also in this area. At this time one company less one platoon, of the 740th Medium Tank Battalion were attached to Task Force Hansen and remained in the Battalion area. At 2110 hours Custer reported the possibility of an enemy airborne attack during the night and all personnel were alerted. |
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| On 27 December at 1600 “C” Company 99th Infantry Battalion supported by artillery from the 230th Field Artillery Battalion raided the town of Hédomont. One PW was taken from the 193 Regiment of 18. Volksgrenadierdivision. An estimate of thirty enemy were killed during the raid. |
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| On 28 December at 1630, “B” Company 99th Infantry Battalion supported by artillery and our 81mm Mortars attacked the town of Otaimont. No PW were taken. |
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| On 29 December “A” Company took over “B” Company’s position on the front line and “C” Company took over the sector on “B” Company left formerly occupied by “L” Company 120th Infantry Regiment. “B” Company was moved in to Malmedy in mobile reserve. |
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| During the period, patrolling was conducted and front line positions were improved by continued digging in and laying of mines. |
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For the Commanding Officer
Charles J. Askegaard
Captain Infantry
S-299th Infantry Battalion (Sep)
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| Source: Documents N.A.R.A. |
