Robert Rhea

Lt. Colonel Robert C. Rhea: Leading Task Force Rhea
in the Battle of the Bulge and the Ruhr Pocket

A Leader in the 7th Armored Division’s Toughest Battles

Lt. Colonel Robert C. Rhea, commander of the 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, played a key role in two of the most critical campaigns of World War II—the defense and retaking of St. Vith during the Battle of the Bulge and the destruction of German forces in the Ruhr Pocket. His leadership in Task Force Rhea helped shape the final months of the war, demonstrating his tactical expertise and ability to integrate armor and infantry in high-stakes combat.

Holding and Retaking St. Vith: The Battle of the Bulge

When the Ardennes Offensive began on December 16, 1944, St. Vith became a key strategic objective for the German army. The 7th Armored Division, under General Robert Hasbrouck, was ordered to hold the town at all costs, delaying the enemy advance and buying time for Allied reinforcements.

🔹 The Defense of St. Vith: As part of Combat Command A (CCA), Lt. Col. Rhea’s 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion was instrumental in holding defensive lines alongside tank and artillery units. Despite brutal winter conditions and relentless German attacks, his infantrymen fought fiercely, repelling multiple enemy assaults while enduring constant artillery fire.

🔹 Tactical Withdrawal: By December 23, facing encirclement by superior German forces, the 7th Armored Division executed a strategic withdrawal under heavy fire. Rhea’s battalion remained disciplined under pressure, ensuring an orderly retreat that preserved the division’s combat effectiveness for future operations.

🔹 Retaking St. Vith: One month later, in January 1945, the 7th Armored Division was ordered to recapture St. Vith. Task Force Rhea, alongside Task Force Wemple, led a coordinated assault, pairing Rhea’s infantry with tanks from the 17th Tank Battalion, including Lt. Jack Wilson’s Company A. Their combined-arms tactics—infantry clearing buildings while tanks provided direct fire support—proved crucial in flushing out German forces entrenched in the ruined city. By the end of January 1945, St. Vith was back in Allied hands, marking a decisive shift in the Battle of the Bulge.

Task Force Rhea and the Ruhr Pocket: The Final Blow to Nazi Germany

By April 1945, the war in Europe was nearing its end, but some of the fiercest battles remained. The Ruhr industrial region—Nazi Germany’s war production heartland—was surrounded by Allied forces in what became known as the Ruhr Pocket. The 7th Armored Division, operating under Ninth Army’s XIX Corps, was tasked with eliminating German resistance in this crucial area.

🔹 The Mission of Task Force Rhea: Now leading Task Force Rhea, Lt. Col. Rhea was given the mission of capturing towns, securing roads, and breaking enemy defensive lines. His forces engaged in intense urban combat, clearing German strongholds and securing vital transportation routes to prevent enemy forces from escaping or regrouping.

🔹 Collaboration with Jack Wilson’s Tank Company: Rhea’s infantry operated alongside Wilson’s tanks, using them to suppress machine gun nests, neutralize anti-tank threats, and blast enemy fortifications. This armor-infantry coordination was instrumental in overcoming the entrenched German resistance within the Ruhr cities.

Surrender at Hemer: Securing Thousands of POWs

One of Task Force Rhea’s most significant moments came in Hemer, Germany, where they approached a massive German POW camp housing 23,000 prisoners.

🔹 Negotiating the Surrender: As American forces closed in, a German officer carrying a white flag approached Major Tom Dailey (Executive Officer of the 17th Tank Battalion), requesting to negotiate the surrender. Dailey and Rhea worked together to secure the camp peacefully, preventing unnecessary bloodshed.

🔹 Managing POWs and Post-Battle Logistics: With over 300,000 German troops surrendering across the Ruhr Pocket, Rhea’s men played a key role in processing, securing, and managing prisoners. His ability to organize large-scale surrenders and maintain order showcased his leadership beyond direct combat.

Lt. Col. Robert C. Rhea’s Leadership and Legacy

Lt. Col. Robert Rhea’s leadership in both defensive and offensive operations demonstrated his ability to adapt to the evolving demands of modern warfare. From the desperate stand at St. Vith to the final offensives in the Ruhr Pocket, his leadership of Task Force Rhea was instrumental in breaking German resistance.

For Jack Wilson, who fought under Task Force Wemple at St. Vith and later alongside Task Force Rhea in the Ruhr, these battles defined his war experience. He witnessed firsthand the determination and leadership of men like Rhea, whose tactical skill and unwavering resolve helped secure victory for the Allies.