3d Armored Division trains, supported by what appeared to
be a platoon of light tanks and a platoon of medium tanks.
A medical unit also was present on the northeast side of
This unit was also
the river, lining the Barvaux road.
part of the 3d Armored Division.68
The Hotton bridge was a two-way timber bridge.
Defense from the northeast side of the bridge and river
was difficult due to limited observation and the
obstruction to movement caused by the buildings of the
town. Positions on the west bank could be observed by the
enemy but were choicer because they allowed freedom of
movement, fields of fire, and better sight of what the
On the night of 19-20 December,
enemy was doing.
Lieutenant Jamison prepared this bridge and the Melreux
railroad bridge for demolition. He used 800 pounds of TNT
and 300 pounds of satchel charges on the Hotton bridge,
preparing one abutment and three piers.69
The same night that the bridge had been prepared for
demolition, an enemy patrol of 20 men dressed in American
uniforms advanced on the bridge, and they came down and
started to walk across the bridge. It was never learned
what their mission was, but it was supposed that they were
to blow the bridge.70 (See Appendix A.)
One of the most valuable assets that the small group
of the 51st Engineer Combat Battalion had available at
Hotton was a vehicle from the 7th Armored Division, with a
five-man crew.71 There is disagreement in both oral and
written testimony as to whether this was a tank destroyer
or an M4 medium tank with a 76-mm. gun. All observers and
They also agree
participants agree it had a 76-mm. gun.
that its crew did a heroic job in the defense of the
It is unfortunate
Hotton bridge, away from their unit.
that none of the Engineers present at the battle of Hotton
have clues to the identity of the tank crew.72
Before daylight on the morning of 21 December,
Lieutenants Wright and Jamison located this armored
39
Previous Page
