Laurence W. BARSBY

Source : Andy

CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  -- N°--

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

Map of Rhones American Cemetery

Source : Virginie Duciel Chaventon

Excerpts from the Unit History “On September 1, 1944, the 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mecz), commanded by Lt. Col. Charles J. Hodge was in the field in France. At this time, the Squadron was attempting to penetrate the enemy's right flank and was encountering strong resistance. The enemy forces seemed determined that their main axis of escape from Lyon north into Germany should not be penetrated.

The Squadron consists of three Reconnaissance Troops (A, B & C), an Assault Gun Troop (E), a Support Troop (Tanks - Company F), a Medical Detachment and a Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Troop.

Troop "A" has been operating with the Task Force Bilbo in the vicinity of the Italian border and is expected to rejoin the Squadron on the 2nd. The balance of the Squadron was operating with the 45th Infantry Division. The strength of the Squadron this date is 46 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 680 Enlisted men.

1 September 1944 - Troop "A" was reported to be in the act of moving to rejoin the Squadron. Troop "B" reinforced with one Platoon of "F'' Company Tanks screened the advance of the 180th Infantry north from Amberieu and Bessey. Light resistance was encountered but the Troop pushed ahead and reached a point 10 km northeast of Bourg. At this point, "B" Troop halted and covered elements of the 180th Infantry as they crossed the bridge at 343-245. "C" Troop encountered strong opposition at Meximieux and withdrew southeast to establish strong defensive positions. Eight enemy tanks attacked "C" Troop's positions but were repulsed. Troop “E” and "F" Company were in reserve.

2 September 1944 - The Squadron continued its mission to the northwest. "B" and "C" Troops were conducting aggressive reconnaissance to ascertain what routes were available for a proposed attack on Bourg by the 45th Division. Troop "C", on the left met stubborn resistance at Meximieux and was halted, but Troop "B” moved north very rapidly against little or no resistance. Troop "A" rejoined the Squadron and was ordered north to support Troop "B". At 1700 hours, Troop "B" was ordered to set up roadblocks along the highway leading north from Bourg through Montrevel and Marboz. To be more specific, the orders issued by General Truscott, VI Corps Commander, were to “Seize and Hold" the village of Montrevel”. "B" Troop continued north in order to accomplish this before morning.

The Squadron Commander and Executive Officer (Maj. Robert F. J. McGarry) joined A and B Troops at Marboz. Major McGarry was placed in command of the two Reconnaissance Troops that were already present at Marboz and of Troop "E" and Company "F" which were en route to join A & B Troops. At midnight the forces were deployed south of Montrevel awaiting the coming morning when they were to attack the town.

3 September 1944 - On this date, Troop "A" was ordered to follow Troop "B" in close support to establish road-blocks on the main highway leading northeast out of Montrevel. At 0700 hours Troop "B" after overcoming small arms and machine gun fire, occupied the town. Troop "B" set up local security and part of Troop "A", which had followed "B" into the town, provided security for the bridge leading east out of Montrevel. The Troops engaged in separate fighting against Mark VI tanks and enemy infantry. By 1000 hours the situation had become so grave that the Commanding Officer of Troop "B”, Captain Wood, informed the Squadron Commander that he would have to abandon the town if reinforcements did not arrive. Captain Wood was told that reinforcements would be forthcoming. Meanwhile, dismounted patrols were detailed to find an escape route northeast of town.

At that point, General Carlton of VI Corps, when asked for assistance for a counter-attack, told Col. Hodge to get it from the 45th Div. which gave him a Battalion of Infantry and returned C Troop for that attack which was set for 1600 hours. By 1300 hours the gravity of the situation had intensified to such an extent that the Troops were prepared to withdraw upon an instants notice from the Commanding Officer. At 1430 hours, they found themselves cut off by enemy infantry, AT guns, self-propelled guns and a great number of Mark VI tanks. When news of this was radioed to the Squadron Commander, Company "F" Tanks were committed to the battle. The forces within the town also launched an attack to coincide with the tank commitment; but both attacks were futile, although the forces fought with extreme aggressiveness and determination.

Throughout the day the forces within the town were defenders in name only. Again and again the troops launched attacks against the greatly superior armor and numerical superiority of the enemy as they awaited the promised assistance. These forays kept the enemy off balance and in the dark as to the strength of the defenders. Unfortunately, their promised assistance never came.
At 1555 hours, General Carlton, VI Corps Chief of Staff, ordered the counter-attack cancelled.

At 1630 hours, Captain Wood called the Squadron Commander by radio and told him that it would be impossible to withdraw under any circumstances because of the great number of wounded personnel. This was the last message from Montrevel.

The aggressive tactics and personal bravery of the Troops within the town were of such a high degree that the enemy commander displayed considerable amazement that the force, which had opposed him, was so small numerically and so lacking in armor.

Our losses, though a great deal smaller than the enemy's, were very great. The losses in men and materiel were: All "B" Troop personnel less five men, who were MIA, LWA, SWA plus three KIA. Those KIA included Sgt Barsby, Cpl L. Stewart and Tec5 Renzi all of "B" Troop and S/Sgt Lawson of Company F. Troop "A" lost 2 Officers and 10 enlisted men. 20 Quarter ton 4x4s, 15 armored cars and 2 light tanks were lost.