Kettlehut to the Rescue WTO (id:#58822)

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Bergstein, Germany 1944-12-08 (3 others)

Overview:

A brutal German assault on U.S. Rangers defending Hill 400 positions near Bergtein, Germany. The Rangers, realizing that it was necessary to hold the hill to retain Bergstein, called for artillery and the artillery observer of the 5th Armored Division - a Lt. Kettlehut (no one knew his first name but they all agreed "he was the best man they ever worked with") called in all the field artillery available. The Rangers gave map coordinates and he put down the fire, some of it so close that the Rangers were asked if they wanted the fire in at that point. The key to the resistance to the counterattacks was artillery. At one time Lt. Kettlehut brought down fire from all artillery available in Corps - 18 battalions in all. 155's, 75 self-propelled, 8 inch and 240 MM guns were used. The fire was used not only to keep the enemy out of the positions, but also to hem them in while the infantry destroyed them with mortars and small arms fire.

Defender: American (Elements Cos. D, E & F, 2nd Rangers Btn, 56th Armored Field Artillery & 893rd Tank Destroyer Btn)  

Errata (source)