PFC, OLIVER JEFFERS, KIA IN GERMANY WWII
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PFC, OLIVER JEFFERS, KIA IN GERMANY WWII
By David Jeffers
From the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association:
Born 7 October 1913, Scott County, Tennessee. He was killed in action on November 10, 1944.
Battles PFC Jeffers fought in: Normandy, Siegfried Line Campaign, Huertgen Forest
Excerpt from After Action Report 12th Infantry Regiment 4th Infantry Division for the period 1 November – 8 December 1944, Battle of the Huertgen Forest : 9 November 1944;
First Battalion was withdrawn to Regt’I Reserve in order to support the attack of the 3rd Bn who were ordered to clear the woods east of the Hürtgen – Germeter Road. Co K crossed the road at 1100A and advanced 400 yards through heavy artillery and mortar fire before being stopped by an enemy line, protected again by machine guns and small arms covering concertina wire that was mined and booby trapped. All fire breaks leading towards the enemy, our only means of supply, were covered by accurate artillery interdictions and, in some cases, machine gun fire. Co. I was committed and drew abreast of K Co by 1345A. By dark Co K had some elements through the enemy’s tactical wire but were forced to dig in for the night.
10 November 1944
The entire regiment jumped off on the attack, 3rd Battalion to continue its mission. 1st Bn to renew the assault on the draw; this time hitting northeast across the draw with the help of the 2d Bn who were to out off the draw by hitting from east to west. Heavy artillery and mine fields again slowed our attack and at 1220 L Co was hit by a counterattack of Bn strength and had to withdraw (PFC Jeffers killed, body not recovered). At 1300 a similar counterattack was launched against the 2d Bn, hitting between E and F Co’s. In the meantime the 1st Bn was pinned down by the most tremendous artillery concentrations to ever hit the regiment. By the day’s end neither side had given ground – but an enemy pocket penetrating between E Co and F, G to the north had cut the fire-break that was being used as our main supply route. At 1900 the 12th Infantry reverted to the control of the 4th Division.
11 November 1944
PFC Jeffers was later identified and his remains were brought back and interred November 10, 2020 in the Fairview Memorial Cemetery in Fairview, Scott County, Tennessee. Where his mother and father and many of his family are buried. Memorialized at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.