The 3rd Commandos in HOUFFALIZE, supported by the Special Air Service and 1st Guards Brigade 10km to the south engaged in defensive actions during the evening and night of October 22. The town was attacked numerous times during the afternoon including repeated attacks by infantry, tanks, and aircraft. By the evening the attacks had subsided and the town’s defenses were stepped down to anti-aircraft defense and half a squad of infantry, and a 6lb. anti-tank gun along the east ridge and a Vickers Mark II tank. At 1939 hours enemy infantry, believed to belong to 2 Panzer 1 Kampfgruppe (based in GOUVY), were engaged on the western outskirts  of town.

At 1945 a general advance west into the forest began, led by the Vickers Mark II commanded by QM Sgt. Stu and supported by infantry and shortly after by a Crusader II commanded by Lt. Skifff. The attack proceeded quickly and by 2000 hours there were confirmed kills against 7 enemy infantry and a SdKfz 251 reported. A single enemy soldier took possession of the BASTOGNE depot but was eliminated in short order by Capt. Piattoni.

Losses during the action are as follow: 2 crewmembers from an mle 38, 1 infantryman, and one tank crewmember. Material losses included a Bedford truck which was severely damaged by small arms fire. The Vickers Mark II tank overheated after the conclusion of the battle disabling the engine. Enemy losses are estimated at nearly a dozen including the capture of five MG34 machine guns and one panzerbuchse 39. One Bf110c was also observed as being shot down.

Commander, 3d Commandos
1st Division
British Expeditionary Force

Submitted by ''Stu"

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