Historical Fiction WWII Battle Field Records December 12, 1944 Cpl. John Herbert Chastain, Co.

B, 31st Tank Bn., 7th Armored Division Diary Entry: 12DEC1944 I awoke at 0430 thinking why Wyoming? Since our 10Aug44 landing at Utah Beach, the code name Wyoming was used for the 31st Tank Bn. We fought across France and Holland liberating city after city from Nazi oppression and occupancy. But why Wyoming? Our S-1 Officer, Lt. Leon J. Minvielle, Jr., a Louisianan, says Wyoming was chosen because it was the 44th state; it borders Utah; and our Utah Beach Landing was in the year 44. On the 7DEC44 the 31st Tank Battalion left PUFFENDORF. Later in the afternoon we closed in new area one mile south-east of UBACH. After several days of tank preparations our Battalion Commander, Lt Col Robert C. Erlenbusch, received oral orders to prepare for an attack on BRACHELEN. Our Battalion Commander was given command of all forces in coordination with 23 A.I. Bn and the 38 A.I. on taking BRACHELEN. The attack plans involved close air and artillery support. Message received at 1650 stated that attack on BRACHELEN would not be made on 10 December but to be prepared to attack on 11 December. The whole plan hinged on the ability of the British air corps to break the DUREN dams and flood the Roer River banks and the town of BRACHELEN. Dam busting is no easy task. More importantly to my Sherman tank crew is knowing that tanks are not designed to fight under flood waters. Lt. Minvielle, S-1 Adjutant Officer, gives this summary of Wyomings status to date. 10 December 1944: The Battalion is still in the same location and is carrying on no operation. This is a well appreciated rest. Today our Col of CC "B", Bruce Clark, was promoted to the rank of General. The Battalion congratulations were sent to Gen CLARK by Col ERLENBUSCH. The Special Service was able to secure a projector tonight and had two shows for the enjoyment of the men. It has been some time since we've had a camp movie. Our projector isn't functioning properly and has been sent away for repairs. The cinema tent was placed in an open field, and a capacity crowd fumbled its way through the black German night, falling occasionally in mud holes and the like, but the mission was triumphantly accomplished when the flags of the cinema were reached. 11 December 1944: The Battalion is still awaiting moving orders and meanwhile spends relaxed sessions of artillery range practice. Tonight the Special Service presented another showing of Saratoga Trunk, based on Edna Ferber's book of the same name. The men enjoyed Ingrid Bergman as much as the presentation of the original story. A Texas gambler joins with an exiled aristocratic Creole daughter to seek social justice.

12 December 1944: Special Service gave another showing of Saratoga Trunk which was again enjoyed by its attendance, some seeing it for the second time. This morning another request came down from higher Headquarters for volunteers to attend "alligator" school. This bill calls for a man with tank experience. The school will require 15 days instruction then the students will be away an additional 18 days serving as instructors. This is the second quota for the Bn which is working a hardship on the individual Company Commanders for with a total of a 33 day absence it will cut down on the efficiency rating of the companies. Alligator is a nickname for the amphibian landing tract vehicle (LTV). By Cpl. Chastain B/31.