 Interview with Captain Henry A. Eaton, |
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Commanding Officer of “D” Battery,
203rd AAA Battalion.
Interviewer: T/3 Hubert Wisbey,
Historical Section, 7th Armored Division.
Dated 2 January 1945
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| Combat Interview about events of St. Vith area defense: |
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| In the morning on the 18th of December at approximately 0800 hours, “D” Battery was entering the town of Stavelot, having passed under the railroad pass. Captain Henry Eaton noticed mobile TD's setting up in the town. |
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| At about this time, the Germans attacked from the hill from the direction of Malmedy, East of Stavelot, with direct 88, machine guns and small arms fire. The entire battery in column sprayed the hill with their 37's and multiple 50's. Three machine guns positions in buildings about 400-500 yards away were observed to be silenced. The Captain noticed that artillery fire was being directed at the railroad bridge over the road in an attempt to knock it down and trap the battery. While the rest of the column would cover with fire, one vehicle at a time was turned around until the entire column had been turned and then it headed back toward Spa. |
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| Only one vehicle, an M-16 half-track, was lost by a direct hit with a mortar shell. The battery took a roundabout route: Spa – Theux – Louveigne – Aywaille – Barvaux – Samree - Vielsalm. They arrived at about 1500, 19 December. |
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Source: Document N.A.R.A. received from Mark Ellis, September 2007
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| Interview by T/3 Hubert WISBEY |
Historical Section
7th Armored Division
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Campaigns
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Battle of the Bulge,
Belgium
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