THE 87th TRAIL

The Trail Of The

87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion

From The Beach To The Heartland Of Germany

Chart 9

Maps 41-45 (11 Apr To 10 May 1945   Germany)

334 Days Combat

Map 41

ATTACK TO HARZ MOUNTAINS (11-12 Apr 1945)

MISSION: To Screen The Advance Of The 1st Inf Div
To The Harz Mountains.
"B" Btry In Direct Support Of 24th Cav Squadron.

Forward Observers: Lts. Keeler, Tucker, Stites, Chase
S/Sgts. Curtis, Raklovits

Liaison Officers: Maj. Aubrey, Capt. Holt
Lts. O'Neal, Kubista, Cline, Hartwig

Map 42

HARZ MOUNTAINS & OCCUPATION (13-17 Apr, ll May - 5 Jun 1945

MISSION: 87TH AFA BN IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF 4TH CAV GROUP 13-17 APR
ATTACHED TO 224TH FA GROUP 11 MAY-5 JUNE
The 4th Cav Group With The 34 Bn 16th Inf To Attack
Into The Harz Mts From The Southern Flank & Capture Benneckenstein.

Forward Observers: Lts. Keeler, Tucker, Chase, Stites, Meador
S/Sgts. Curtis, Raklovits

Liaison Officers: Lts. Cline, Hartwig, O'Neal, Kubista

Map 43

HARZ MOUNTAIN POCKET & OCCUPATION (18 Apr, 6 Jun-2 Jul 1945

MISSION: 87TH AFA BN IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF 4TH CAV GROUP
18 APR ATTACHED TO 224TH FA GROUP 6 JUNE-2 JULY.
4th Cav Grp To Assemble Near Grossorner, Block all
Escape Routes From The Harz Mts. To The East & Northeast
Destroy Or Capture The Enemy Trapped There.

Forward Observers: Lts. Chase, Meador, Stites, Kubista, S/Sgts. Curtis, Raklovits

Liaison Officers: Maj. Aubrey, Lts. Hartwig, O'Neal, Cline

Map 44

CONTACT WITH 9TH ARMY (19 Apr 1945)

MISSION: 87TH AFA BN IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF 4TH CAV GRP.
4th Cav Grp With The 39th Inf Regt, 9th Div, Combat Team
To Clear The Harz Mt. Pocket Of The Enemy And Maintain Contact
With The 9th Army On The Left Flank.

Forward Observers: Lts. Klinge, Kubista, Stites, Chase
S/Sgts. Curtis, Raklovits

Liaison Officers: Lts. Hartwig, Nelson, O'Neal, Cline

Map 45

END OF THE WAR & OCCUPATION (19 Apr-10 May)

MISSION: 87TH AFA BN IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF 4TH CAV GRP.
4th Cav Grp With The 39th Inf Regt, 9th Div, Combat Team
To Clear The Harz Mt. Pocket Of The Enemy
And Contact The 1st Inf Div in The South. Upon Completion Of Mission,
Bn To Occupy Quedlinberg, Search Homes & Screen The Population.
"C" Btry At Westerhausen.

Forward Observers: Lts. Chase, Stites, Klinge, Kubista
S/Sgts. Curtis, Raklovits

Liaison Officers: Lts. Hartwig, Nelson, O'Neal

The long trip from the beaches to the Heartland of Germany was marked with
heartaches and victories. During this journey, lasting friendships and
never-to-be-forgotten incidents were experienced.

We salute the Officers and Men of the 87th AFABn

We who are living shall return to our homes with a sense of satisfaction and the knowledge of a "JOB"
well done, and a vital interest to maintain the four freedoms.

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