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Drive Into Germany

 

March 6 -8:00am-Report of very heavy nebelwerfer and artillery fire landing on our forward elements northeast of Priest.  10:00am-Four 88mm guns are located at L258516.  Two 88mm guns are located at L246536, near Spanylahein and Binsfield.  One 88mm gun is located at L244523.  Large hole or crater near L248503.  Noon-The Germans continue to throw in heavy concentrations of mortar, nebelwerfer and direct artillery fire.  In Speicher, the bridge is heavily mined from the road to the ditch, and there is a large crater in the road.  3:00pm-Two German tanks are located at 245539.  Anti-tank ditch located near L2350, on the Speicher to Herforst road, and was defended by troops at 7:05pm.  4:00pm-Our battalion and Task Force Onaway were held up by A.T. ditch, protected by Germans.  After we attacked, the Germans withdrew.  Midnight-The Germans continue to resist our eastward advances with small battle groups defending towns, roadblocks and critical areas.  German artillery is active with continuous heavy concentrations, especially nebelwerfer near Orenhoffen L2244.  The German lines were penetrated by friendly elements near Neiderhail L2453.

 

March 7-9:00am-Meeting German resistance in the way of artillery, demolitions and roadblocks, etc.  10:00am-Roadblock located at the road to Binsfield held up our attack on the Germans.  Noon-Prepared to move out as soon as the roadblock is cleared.  2:00pm-Moving out-roads are bad, visibility is bad, and there is a slight drizzle.  4:00pm-Reached our destination of Binsfield L2652.  No German action was encountered enroute.  7:00pm-The Germans are throwing in artillery, mortar and nebelwerfer all around our command post.  9:00pm-The Germans continue to resist our eastward advances.

 

March 8 -8:31am-We cannot move because an obstacle is on the road.  We are awaiting a clear road.  8:33am-The dough’s report a counterattack at 966-need artillery.  7:55am-"C" Company has contacted the dough’s, and report resistance at 940.  Bridge at 996 is intact, and will sustain heavy vehicles.  "C" Company was held up short of 996 at Neiderhail 2955.  12:22pm-P.O.W. states that three 75mm A.T. guns went into position at Burg, at 325555.  1:40pm-Friendly tanks reported that Mk. III and Mk. IV tanks are entering 769 from the west.  Minefield is located near L318472.  3:00pm-On our way to Burgh 325555 will move out at 4:00pm.  5:00pm-Arrived at Burg, with no German resistance on the way.  6:00pm-Set up guard of the command post, blackout and security.  Midnight-Commanding officer up front, working on bridging the Solm River to our front.  The Germans employed tanks, assault guns and sporadic heavy artillery, machine gun and small arms fire.  Germans continue to delay and resist advancing friendly trucks.  Tanks and assault guns were active at Derlittgen L35655700 and Grossletgen L330590.

 

 

March 9 -Ditto on summary.

 

March 10 -11:30am-Wittlich has been taken.  The Germans moved out.  Noon-Bridge still out at Burg.  1:00pm-P.O.W. says Leiser River is their new line of defense.  Enemy dug-in positions from 403528 to 415530.  Pillboxes are located at 375549, with their zone of fire on the road from the woods at 371553.  Other position dug-in at 375545.  Pillboxes at 386531, 390526 and 409538, with zone of fire from positions along the road from Wengerahr 4255 to Towittlich.  2:00pm-Bridges intact across the Moselle at Barnkesttle, Whelan, Zechingen, Tritlanheim and Niedersliem.  3:00pm-Volks grenadier command post across the Moselle River.  8:00pm-Small rear guard groups, favored by difficult terrain and supported by artillery, continue to delay, but were forced from sixteen towns by friendly attacking troops.  Towns lost to the Germans were Karl L3360, Schloat L3555, Bergwieler L3452, Dius L3449, Darrach L3547, Wittlich L3954, Luxem L4056, Flushoth L4257, Neurhkurg L4356, Bornbogen L4354, and Dorf L4255.

 

March 11-10:00am-P.O.W. reported that the 2nd Panzer Division received 200 replacements near Whittich, and they are positioned in concrete bunkers.  Noon-Report of treadway bridge over the Rhine River as well as a railroad bridge at "M".  2:00pm-Company to reassemble for movement to the 80th Division, near Neiderkalen.

 

March 13 -Near Beurg P1512-4:10am-Two gun battery was observed firing from 237076.  Friendly patrol reports Germans digging in near 497055, 197060, 184049 and 210087.  6:15am-Road from Greimerath to Oberzerf heavily damaged.  7:38am-Heavy mortar barrage hit Oberzerf at 6:55am.  7:42am-Mortar and artillery concentrations hit near L250102.  Some small arms fire from near L252100.  8:20am-Heavy small arms resistance continued from near L252100.  Heavy mortar concentration fell near L242134 at 7:30am.  8:24am-Hasty minefield in the road at 234103.  8:32am-Heavy small arms fire near 275108.  9:16am-"S" mines located at 272206.  9:55am-P.O.W. states that there are mines on the road from 253097 to 251097.  Helmets and gas masks are booby trapped.  10:06am-P.O.W. states that the Command Post of the 2nd Mountain Division in Konfeld 346066.  German batteries observed at 237076 and 267096.  10:10am-86 P.O.W.'s and one officer were reported captured at 9:00am.  A German command post reported at 274097.  German small arms and mortar fire coming from the west slope of the hill at 762101.  11:06am-Roadblock at 248100.  A minefield extends 100 yards west of the roadblock.  11:25am-P.O.W. reports 1st, 2nd and 5th Companies are the only companies left in the 1st Battalion, 136th Regiment.  The company strength of the 1st Battalion, 136th Regiment is sixty to seventy men.  3rd Battalion, 136th Regiment dissolved.  1347th Regimental Command Post, 136th Mountain Regiment is in Hirschfiederhof.  2:14pm-Bridge at Guneroth is reported as not prepared for demolition.  4:50pm-Five nebelwerfer concentrations fell near 213114 from 3:00 to 4:30pm.  4:45pm-Ten rounds of German 120mm mortar hit near 218091 from near 065215 at 4:00pm.  6:00pm-German resistance to our attack consisted of heavy nebelwerfer and mortar fire throughout the division zone.  Artillery concentrations were received in towns and key terrain features.  Small arms and automatic weapons fire continued moderate throughout the period.  Considerable minefields and obstacles were encountered at Fromersbach L2511 and were cleared.  Greunerath L2307 is being mopped up.  One counter-attack of infantry was repulsed.

 

 

 

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