General Patton informed General Bradley, that he wanted to send an expedition to Hammelburg. General Bradley gave permission under the condition, that General Patton wouldn't be involved personally.

On 24 March 1945 General Patton phoned General Eddy of XIIth Corps and ordered the Operation Hammelburg. He wanted General Eddy to send a whole Combat Command behind the lines.

General Eddy didn't like this plan, because he thought it was to risky. He convinced General Patton that a small Task Force would be more successful. 

General Hoge was new in command. He didn't like the operation at all, but his division was in the best position to launch the operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Abrams was also new in command. He wanted to take his whole Combat Command, but he had to obey the order to send only a Task Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Abrams selected Lieutenant Colonel Cohen to command the Task Force but he had a bad case of hemorrhoids.

Major Alexander Stiller was one of General Patton's aids. He joined the Task Force because he could identify Lieutenant Colonel Waters. However he was not in command for the Task Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Cohen suggested his S-3 Officer Captain Baum to command the Task Force to Hammelburg.

2002 © Copyright Peter Domes -  Date of last change: 2007-12-24