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NOTE ERROR: The unit marked as D/37 Rcn should be D/87 Rcn.
Task Forces shown are from 3rd Armored Division.
There were a number of reports created by the Division Quartermaster and by officers of Division Trains at the time of the events. And there was also a combat interview done in early January 1945. These are listed here, with links to the respective documents in the 7th Armored Division Document Repository.
After the war, in 1947, a 200-page book of documents was prepared for a Presidential Unit Citation for 7th Armored Division and attached units. The complete text of the book is included in the Document Repository. However, the few pages that are directly relevant to Division Trains are shown below in their entirety.
Links to 7th Armored Division Trains Reports
Note that most of these also contain additional months and not just the events of December 1944 nor just the events at Samrée
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The following report is pages 122-124 of the 200-page Presidential Unit Citation for 7th Armored Division and attached units that was prepared and submitted in 1947. It is a report prepared in 1946 by Andrew J. Adams, who had commanded Division Trains in December 1944. Maxwell Field, Alabama
TRAINS FROM 18th TO 22d DECEMBER 1944 18 December: On 18 December 1944, the 7th Armored Division Trains were ordered to move from VIELSALM to the vicinity of LA ROCHE and SAMREE. Trains units closed in the LA ROCHE-SAMREE area at approximately 1800 on 18 December. The 3967th Quartermaster Truck Company loaded with ammunition, the Division Ammunition Officer with his section, and the Division Quartermaster with his section established Class I, III, and V Supply Points at SAMREE. On moving into this area it was noted that stragglers from numerous units were in wild confusion. All roads were blocked due to the confusion and indecision on the part of the officers accompanying the straggling elements. A traffic control system was established, and by 2400, 18 December, traffic was moving smoothly. Road blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12 were established in the LA ROCHE-SAMREE area. (See sketch) Each of road blocks 1 - 6, consisted of at least a section of antiaircraft artillery automatic weapons and from four to twenty dismounted personnel from various Trains units. Road blocks 7, 8, 9, and 10 were established 19 December with miscellaneous Corps and Army Engineer units found in the area. Road blocks 11 and 12 were manned by clerks, cooks, mechanics, and other personnel of Division Trains Headquarters and other Trains units. At approximately 1800, 18 December, shortly after moving into position, road block 11 stopped a German motorized patrol, destroying one motorcycle, killing four soldiers, and wounding an additional estimated four or five soldiers. Activity lasted for approximately thirty minutes. This block was pushed further South to approximately point 13 on 19 December. At this latter point, sporadic attempts were made by the enemy to pass during the next two days. No determined attack was made, however. 19 December: On 19 December, at approximately 1600, road block 5 was attacked by a force consisting of American armored cars M-8, supported by infantry and two Mk IV tanks. We lost two half-tracks, one man killed, and approximately eight wounded. The attack was repelled and the bridge blown. After the bridge was blown, the block was established in its main position about one-half mile North of the original position. No further action was encountered at this road block. On the morning of 19 December road block 1 was attacked by light patrols. The position was held without any known losses to either side. Attacks were continued on 20 December; the block lost all vehicles, and all men were killed except two. (Approximately twelve men lost) Enemy loses are unknown. (Estimated twenty-five to thirty personnel) 20 December: At approximately 0700, 20 December, road block 4 was attacked by infantry and armor. The attack was repelled with six enemy motorcycles and one armored car destroyed. An estimated twenty-five Germans were killed and wounded. We had no losses. At approximately 1200 on the 20th, TASK FORCE HOGAN of the 3d Armored Division appeared on the scene. This task force had moved from HOTTON down the East side of the OURTHE River with HOUFFALIZE as the objective. Upon reaching road block 4, the task force halted and assumed responsibility for the block. Trains personnel were withdrawn and used to reinforce other blocks. At approximately 0945, 20 December, road block 3 was attacked by advance elements of a reinforced German battalion. This was a determined attack, and all available service personnel were placed in defensive positions. (approximately fifty men) This defense held until about 1200, when heavy fog settled over the area. The fog lifted at approximately 1300, by which time the Germans had infiltrated through our defense and had entered houses in the village of SAMREE. Our defenses were tightened around the Northwest edge of town, where the supply points were located. Beginning at approximately 1200 the position was shelled by artillery throughout the remainder of the day as was the village of LA ROCHE. At approximately 1400 two enemy light tanks entered SAMREE and were promptly destroyed by a light tank of the 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) which was present as an escort for elements of unit trains drawing supplies. (During the period of the engagement supplies of rations, gasoline, and ammunition were issued to the 87th Cavalry Squadron, 23d Armored Infantry Battalion, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, and elements of the 106th and 28th Infantry Division.) At approximately 1430 it was learned that the head of a task force of the 3d Armored Division was halted at DOCHAMPS, approximately two miles North of SAMREE. The situation was explained to this task force's commander, and he decide to attack with one medium tank company. As the company moved over the ridge approximately 100 yards North of SAMREE, three of his tanks were destroyed by German tanks from a position North-east of the town. One German tank was destroyed. The medium tank company withdrew to DOCHAMPS, and nothing was heard from it again. By this time practically all automatic weapons of the original road block were out of ammunition. All except a small covering force were withdrawn to approximately 500 yards West of SAMREE where a new block was established. At approximately 1500 three German Mk V tanks entered SAMREE driving the covering force back to the position West of town. Approximately 30 minutes later we launched an attack against SAMREE with two medium tanks obtained from the shops of the Maintenance Battalion and a miscellaneous group of service personnel. The foot troops were stopped by small arms fire; the tanks reached the Eastern edge of the village before being destroyed. While the road block in position West of SAMREE held, a defensive position was established East of LA ROCHE with the remaining personnel of Trains except for approximately seventy-five men who were held in a central reserve in the vicinity of the town. During the afternoon of 20 December all medical battalion personnel and all vehicles required for transporting the remaining personnel were evacuated to MARCHE and ROCHEFORT. All other personnel, except medical and the drivers, remained in defensive positions prepared to stay. During the evening of the 20th, all positions repelled patrol actions except blocks 7, 8, 9, and 10, which had been manned by Corps or Army Engineers. During the night of 20/21 December these blocks withdrew, apparently completely out of the area since they were never seen nor heard from again. A few of the soldiers manning these blocks were found dead, but the main body which had been in the vicinity of RANDEUX disappeared completely. During the fighting on the 20th and the evening of the 20th/21st, we lost approximately fifty men and officers killed, wounded, and captured. It is estimated that the enemy lost apparently two hundred killed, wounded, and captured. 21 December: On 21 December it was learned that the 84th Division was moving into MARCHE and establishing defensive positions in that area, some twelve to fifteen miles to our rear. It was also learned that Corps and Army Engineers had placed demolitions and were to blow bridges, trees, and other obstacles on all roads leading to the West out of LA ROCHE. Upon learning the situation, the Division Commander ordered Division Trains to evacuate its position around LA ROCHE and proceed through MARCHE to HARZE where Trains could assume their normal function of supporting the Division. The withdrawal was made on the afternoon of the 21st without loss of personnel or material. In addition a convoy of approximately ninety vehicles with ammunition, rations, and gasoline together with repaired combat vehicles were assembled in the MARCHE area for movement to the Division which by this time was seriously in need of supplies. The convoy arrived intact in the Division area at approximately 1500 on 22 December. Division Trains closed in the assembly area in the vicinity of HARZE by approximately 2400 on the 22d.
It is believed that but for the stand made by the 7th Armored Division Trains in the vicinity of LA ROCHE from the 18th through the 21st of December, the Germans would have moved directly through the gap between the 7th Armored Division in the vicinity of ST. VITH and the forces holding in the vicinity of BASTOGNE. In so far as is known there was nothing in this gap except for the Trains of the 7th Armored Division until 21 December to prevent the Germans from marching virtually unopposed to the MEUSE River. By holding until 21 December, First Army had time in which to move forces into the gap and block the Germans in rear of the position held by the 7th Armored Division Trains. /s/ A. J. Adams
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