Comments on Operation Nordwind

Under Lt. Cabrera, the 20 member Baker Company (502nd) platoon were joined by a squad from the 2nd Battalion HQ Company (506th) to make up the 101st Airborne faction of the Allied forces at Ft. Indiantown Gap this past weekend. Here is a personal note from our Task Force Commander:

Ref: Operation Nordwind, Unit Actions of February 27 - 28, 1945

To the Officers, NCOs and enlisted men of the 101 AB,

Let me first thank you all for the outstanding professionalism, attitude, esprit de corps and combat effectiveness you displayed while assigned to Task Force Guditus. Your unit set the benchmark for the others in the Task Force to follow.

Secondly, your aggressive push to capture the first objective and hold that bridge allowed our Task Force to win the prize and forced the other TF into a support role. Later in the day your long march to reconnoiter enemy territory east of the bridge allowed command to capture and record enemy movements, locations and stall enemy armor from moving on the bridge.

Day two your unit was the spearhead of a push on the enemy lines that originally started as a stalemate, but following orders to push heavy against overwhelming enemy forces, you punched a hole and captured the high ground allowing our flanking units (3rd ID) to capture a heavily dug in MG nest and the 4th Armored to clash with and destroy an enemy field piece and armored car.

Later you accepted an almost impossible task, to move fast in heavy snow and tough terrain through enemy lines with the intent to capture and hold the only road enemy forces had to escape our AO. Linked with a small element of the 103rd ID you fought off enemy armor and split units to achieve the mission. Just minutes from achieving that mission, because of your decision to split forces keeping the German armor engaged, a Recon Jeep element of the 4th armored found, attacked and destroyed the German Command post killing all occupants to include the Axis commander. Allowing us to win the day again.

Please pass on my thanks and sincere gratitude to the men for being the unit that made Task Force Guditus and the overall Allied Command win the day at Operation Nordwind 2015.

You unit unfortunately pulled out before the Allied Commander himself, Major J. Lennon along with XO Capt. J. Michaud and I were to deliver a case of libations to congratulate and recognize your efforts in the field.

With sincere respect,

Michael Guditus, Captain (acting)
Task Force Guditus Commanding
Operation Nordwind 2015
3rd ID, 7th IR, Co. A. Commanding