For his courageous action and devotion to duty he was awarded the Silver Star. The 1st Company pulled
back and took positions overlooking the town. When the 2nd Company had cleared, the 1st Company
destroyed the town with direct fire, taking 75 prisoners, including a colonel. [Figure 8-3]
The 3rd Company bypassed the town and proceeded across country, bypassing the city of Pauss,
going to Unterpirk, Bernsgrun, Frabersgrun, to Steindorf and then racing to the Weisse-Elster River
hoping to capture a bridge at Barth Mahlen. [Figure 8-4, Figure 8-5] The 3rd Company closed on the tail
of a German artillery battery in the process of crossing the bridge. In the fight that ensued the road was
blocked with knocked out artillery, horses and Germans. The delay was sufficient to permit the Germans
to blow the bridge. Reconnaissance to the north located the railroad bridge at Cossengrun still intact.
Seizing the bridge 1st Lt. Morrow moved his company across and on to Jocketta, Helmsgrun and
Gansgrun, where they met intense tank fire. One Sherman tank was destroyed. The Company later
moved to Altensalz.. The 2nd Company proceeded to Neuensalz., three miles east of Plauen, fording the
river at Barthmahlen The 1st Company moved through the 2nd Company and on to Mechelsgrun. The
Task Force CP moved across the railroad bridge, then south to Neuensalz, taken shortly before by the
2nd Company after a sharp fight.
The 1st Platoon of Company A, with the 3rd Battalion 347th Infantry, advanced from Schleiz
through Langenbuch, Muhlstroff, Mehltheurer, Syrau to Plauen where they seized and secured a bridge.
S/Sgt. John T. Johnson, Company A was given the mission of seizing this bridge across the Weisse-
Elster River. He mounted a squad of infantry on two destroyers and led his small task force from the
edge of the city through two miles of devastated blocks and almost impassable streets. The smoking
tracks of a German tank were a risky but welcome aid in finding the way. Moving rapidly toward his
objective he surprised the enemy, seized the bridge and engaged in a firefight with the Jerry’s who were
firmly established in three buildings over watching the bridge. Covered by the fire of his comrades,
S/Sgt.Johnson fearlessly entered the buildings alone and captured one SS officer and ten enlisted men.
His award was a Silver Star for gallantry. Also in this vicinity Lt. Daniel M. Auvil of Company A was
making a motorized reconnaissance in advance of a task force when he encountered an enemy patrol
consisting of a reconnaissance car and two motorcycles. Lt. Auvil opened fire with his machine gun
mounted on the jeep eliminating the reconnaissance car and one motorcycle. When his ammunition
became exhausted, Lt. Auvil returned to the Task Force, led a light tank forward and directed it in
destroying the remaining motorcycle, preventing the enemy from obtaining knowledge of the Task
Force. For his heroic action and initiative Lt. Auvil was awarded the Silver Star. The 3rd Platoon of
Company A with the 1st Battalion 347th Infantry drove from Langenbuch south through Plauen to
Oelsnitz, meeting no resistance, but firing upon fleeing Germans.
Company C with the 346th Infantry headed east with the mission of seizing a bridge over the
Weisse-Elster River at Elsterberg. On entering the town they met small arms, machine gun and one
round of 88mm fire. Sgt. Benner caught the 88mm flash; Cpl. Green destroyed the gun with his first
round. [Figure 8-6] The bridge was seized and the high ground east of town secured.
On April 17th the 3rd Company of the Task Force pushed east and seized Bergen. The 1st and
2nd Companies move to Unter-Lauterbach and Trieb, both northeast of Bergen.
The 1st Platoon of Company A advanced with the 3rd Battalion of the 347th Infantry to Theuma,
four miles southeast of Plauen.
The 1st Platoon of Company C with the 1st Battalion 346th Infantry advanced six miles
southeast to Treuen, taking it without opposition. The 2nd Platoon with the 2nd Battalion 346th Infantry
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