U.S. Army; Company E,
104th Infantry 26th division.
Killed in the Battle for Bezange, La-Petite, France on October 18, 1944
His parents: Robert Henry Dodge Sr. & Vada May (Daggett) Dodge
THE BATTLE:
On October 1944, 70 years ago, the battle for Bezange la Petite, Moncourt and Moncourt Woods began.
While holding a defensive sector under fire, the 26th Infantry Division launched its first attack with the limited objective of strengthening the front line. Enemy positions in the Moncourt Woods, a hill to the northwest and the town of Bezange la Petite, were to be attacked and seized by the 104th Infantry.
Opposing the 26th Infantry Division were troops tough enough to give any "green" division an acid test - the 11th Panzer Division. Although this Division had been hammered all the way across France and now numbered 4,000 men, it still fought with spirit. In a short space of time it was rejuvenated by some twelve thousand reserve troops and thirty big guns and tanks.
In preparation for the drive through Moncourt and Bezange, the GI's of the 104th were given an opportunity to observe air support in action. On 21 October, American planes flew over German positions in Moncourt and over the woods. The men saw the planes dive to the attack, bombing and strafing.
On October 22, the men of the 104th attacked, Companies A, B, C, F and G crossed the line of departure. While being supported by the 263rd Field Artillery Battalion. The terrain designated as the objective had been occupied by the Germans long enough for it to be strongly fortified, and stiff opposition was encountered from fourteen pillboxes hidden in the woods, and along the edge of the town. Mines and booby traps had been placed profusely. The Germans had dug in shelters, some of which were twelve feet deep. Bezange la Petite was seized and the 104th held the high ground before it. The Germans withdrew to the high terrain behind it. Three weeks later, when a general attack was launched by the Division, the Moncourt Woods were cleared completely, and Moncourt and Bezange la Petite taken by the 328th Infantry.
On October 26, 1944 the 328th Infantry Regiment relieved the 104th Regiment at Moncourt, the woods weren't cleared until October 28 by the 3rd Battalion, Company K of the 328th Regiment. Two weeks later Moncourt was finally captured
104th Infantry 26th division.
Killed in the Battle for Bezange, La-Petite, France on October 18, 1944
His parents: Robert Henry Dodge Sr. & Vada May (Daggett) Dodge
THE BATTLE:
On October 1944, 70 years ago, the battle for Bezange la Petite, Moncourt and Moncourt Woods began.
While holding a defensive sector under fire, the 26th Infantry Division launched its first attack with the limited objective of strengthening the front line. Enemy positions in the Moncourt Woods, a hill to the northwest and the town of Bezange la Petite, were to be attacked and seized by the 104th Infantry.
Opposing the 26th Infantry Division were troops tough enough to give any "green" division an acid test - the 11th Panzer Division. Although this Division had been hammered all the way across France and now numbered 4,000 men, it still fought with spirit. In a short space of time it was rejuvenated by some twelve thousand reserve troops and thirty big guns and tanks.
In preparation for the drive through Moncourt and Bezange, the GI's of the 104th were given an opportunity to observe air support in action. On 21 October, American planes flew over German positions in Moncourt and over the woods. The men saw the planes dive to the attack, bombing and strafing.
On October 22, the men of the 104th attacked, Companies A, B, C, F and G crossed the line of departure. While being supported by the 263rd Field Artillery Battalion. The terrain designated as the objective had been occupied by the Germans long enough for it to be strongly fortified, and stiff opposition was encountered from fourteen pillboxes hidden in the woods, and along the edge of the town. Mines and booby traps had been placed profusely. The Germans had dug in shelters, some of which were twelve feet deep. Bezange la Petite was seized and the 104th held the high ground before it. The Germans withdrew to the high terrain behind it. Three weeks later, when a general attack was launched by the Division, the Moncourt Woods were cleared completely, and Moncourt and Bezange la Petite taken by the 328th Infantry.
On October 26, 1944 the 328th Infantry Regiment relieved the 104th Regiment at Moncourt, the woods weren't cleared until October 28 by the 3rd Battalion, Company K of the 328th Regiment. Two weeks later Moncourt was finally captured
U.S. Army; Company E,
104th Infantry 26th division.
Killed in the Battle for Bezange, La-Petite, France on October 18, 1944
His parents: Robert Henry Dodge Sr. & Vada May (Daggett) Dodge
THE BATTLE:
On October 1944, 70 years ago, the battle for Bezange la Petite, Moncourt and Moncourt Woods began.
While holding a defensive sector under fire, the 26th Infantry Division launched its first attack with the limited objective of strengthening the front line. Enemy positions in the Moncourt Woods, a hill to the northwest and the town of Bezange la Petite, were to be attacked and seized by the 104th Infantry.
Opposing the 26th Infantry Division were troops tough enough to give any "green" division an acid test - the 11th Panzer Division. Although this Division had been hammered all the way across France and now numbered 4,000 men, it still fought with spirit. In a short space of time it was rejuvenated by some twelve thousand reserve troops and thirty big guns and tanks.
In preparation for the drive through Moncourt and Bezange, the GI's of the 104th were given an opportunity to observe air support in action. On 21 October, American planes flew over German positions in Moncourt and over the woods. The men saw the planes dive to the attack, bombing and strafing.
On October 22, the men of the 104th attacked, Companies A, B, C, F and G crossed the line of departure. While being supported by the 263rd Field Artillery Battalion. The terrain designated as the objective had been occupied by the Germans long enough for it to be strongly fortified, and stiff opposition was encountered from fourteen pillboxes hidden in the woods, and along the edge of the town. Mines and booby traps had been placed profusely. The Germans had dug in shelters, some of which were twelve feet deep. Bezange la Petite was seized and the 104th held the high ground before it. The Germans withdrew to the high terrain behind it. Three weeks later, when a general attack was launched by the Division, the Moncourt Woods were cleared completely, and Moncourt and Bezange la Petite taken by the 328th Infantry.
On October 26, 1944 the 328th Infantry Regiment relieved the 104th Regiment at Moncourt, the woods weren't cleared until October 28 by the 3rd Battalion, Company K of the 328th Regiment. Two weeks later Moncourt was finally captured
104th Infantry 26th division.
Killed in the Battle for Bezange, La-Petite, France on October 18, 1944
His parents: Robert Henry Dodge Sr. & Vada May (Daggett) Dodge
THE BATTLE:
On October 1944, 70 years ago, the battle for Bezange la Petite, Moncourt and Moncourt Woods began.
While holding a defensive sector under fire, the 26th Infantry Division launched its first attack with the limited objective of strengthening the front line. Enemy positions in the Moncourt Woods, a hill to the northwest and the town of Bezange la Petite, were to be attacked and seized by the 104th Infantry.
Opposing the 26th Infantry Division were troops tough enough to give any "green" division an acid test - the 11th Panzer Division. Although this Division had been hammered all the way across France and now numbered 4,000 men, it still fought with spirit. In a short space of time it was rejuvenated by some twelve thousand reserve troops and thirty big guns and tanks.
In preparation for the drive through Moncourt and Bezange, the GI's of the 104th were given an opportunity to observe air support in action. On 21 October, American planes flew over German positions in Moncourt and over the woods. The men saw the planes dive to the attack, bombing and strafing.
On October 22, the men of the 104th attacked, Companies A, B, C, F and G crossed the line of departure. While being supported by the 263rd Field Artillery Battalion. The terrain designated as the objective had been occupied by the Germans long enough for it to be strongly fortified, and stiff opposition was encountered from fourteen pillboxes hidden in the woods, and along the edge of the town. Mines and booby traps had been placed profusely. The Germans had dug in shelters, some of which were twelve feet deep. Bezange la Petite was seized and the 104th held the high ground before it. The Germans withdrew to the high terrain behind it. Three weeks later, when a general attack was launched by the Division, the Moncourt Woods were cleared completely, and Moncourt and Bezange la Petite taken by the 328th Infantry.
On October 26, 1944 the 328th Infantry Regiment relieved the 104th Regiment at Moncourt, the woods weren't cleared until October 28 by the 3rd Battalion, Company K of the 328th Regiment. Two weeks later Moncourt was finally captured
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His Army Records: Flat Granite Marker
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