Posted by Allan Wilford Howerton on October 1, 2007, 3:55 pm, in reply to "Information of Byron W Thompson" On the 6th of April 1945 the 335th Infantry crossed the Weser River north of Barkhausen, Germany in small assault boats. The First Battalion (Companies A,B,C, and D) crossed in the first waves of the attack commencing at five a.m. The crossing was completed in less than an hour with only light enemy resistance. Once across, however, resistance stiffened. The regimental after-action report notes: "The 1st Battalion continued the attack from the river in the direction of Wulpke, encountered increasingly heavy enemy resistance, most small arms and mortar fire." Byron Thompson may have been killed in action during this advance. Heavy German artillery fire had been encountered at the crossing site the previous day, April 5, leading to postponement to the next day and the shifting of the crossing site to the north. Three Company D men were killed at that time. The division roster does not indicate a KIA date beside Thompson's name and it is possible that he was also a victim of the artillery fire at the river bank on April 5. Regrettably, I have no further information about the circumstances of Byron Thompson's death or his life before the war. We are most appreciative of your caring for his grave at Margraten.
64.12.116.142
The 84th Division roster lists Pfc. Byron W. Thompson as a member of Company D, First Battalion, 335th Infantry. He was from Bremen, Georgia and served during all three of the division's campaigns (Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe).
My memoir, "Dear Captain, et al.: the Agonies and the Ecstasies of War and Memory" describes the Weser crossing and subsequent battle action the following days.
| 117 |
|
Message Thread:
|
