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Over The Rhine

By Hal Steward

Corps Operational Directive No. 92 was received at 6:23 a.m., exacting plans for the regroupment of the Corps units and also directing preparations for a Rhine River crossing. The Thunderbolts were to hold the West bank of the river until relieved by elements of the XX Corps and after that to assemble in the general vicinity of Obermoschel-Meisenheim-Sobernheim and Bad Krenznach, in the Corps Reserve. Air operations, already well planned, were placed in charge of the 33rd Field Artillery Brigade. During the day, major units completed clearing operations in their assigned zones. CC A working from West to East, completed its zone at 3:00 p.m., establishing lateral contact with CC B and the 4th Armored Division to the North. CC B operated patrols along the West bank of the river and throughout its zone. The 94th Infantry Division relieved attached 41st Cavalry elements of a portion of the river front at 6:00 p.m. CC R completed its mission at 10:45 a.m., clearing 12 towns and considerable wooded area, plus rounding up an additional 123 prisoners of war.

The final plans for the proposed river crossing were outlined in XII Corps Field Order No. 17, which was received in the early evening. An attack across the Rhine River was directed to seize a bridgehead near Oppenheim. The 90th Infantry Division on the North flank was to simulate river-crossing preparations Northwest of Mainz. The 89th Infantry Division was directed to assemble in a concentration area Northwest of Oppenheim, and to be prepared to assist in expanding the 5th Infantry Division's bridgehead. Supporting the river crossing from the South flank was the 4th Armored Division. The order directed the Thunderbolts to move to a newly located assembly area near Alzey and to be prepared to cross the Rhine and attack to the Northeast.

 SURPRISE RIVER CROSSING

The surprise river-crossing at Oppenheim made by the 5th Infantry Division was progressing satisfactorily and by early morning of March 23, a full regiment had crossed the river in boats and temporary ferries.

Early the same day the Division was directed to relieve without delay the 4th Armored Division along the West bank of the Rhine South of the expanding bridgehead, while the 4th assembled on the Ease side of the Rhine. The Division was ordered to place Tank Destroyers and 76mm high velocity direct fire guns along the West bank so as to destroy any enemy floating demolitions that might destroy the bridge which was about to be constructed. By 6:00 p.m. the Division had completed the relief of the 4th Armored Division and assumed responsibility for its new sector.

Under cover of darkness Corps Engineers commenced construction of a pontoon bridge across the Rhine at Oppenheim.

At 5:00 a.m. on March 24, 1945, the XII Corps pontoon bridge was completed. Although considerably harassed by enemy air activity the 5th Infantry Division had managed to complete its crossing and by early morning one regiment of the 90th Infantry Division had crossed.

The Division continued to concentrate in the Alzey area, patrolling the West bank of the Rhine river in its zone and destroying by fire all floating objects that might have impaired the continuous operation of the Oppenheim bridge. At 11:15 a. m. the 11th Armored Division was released from XII Corps and passed to the control of XX Corps but the existing Division mission was to continue until such time as relief could be effected by XV Corps. The CC A command post opened at Winterscheid about 10:00 p.m. CC B continued patrolling the river line and the city of Worms without incident. CC R marched from Rockenhausen to the assembly area at Kirchheim Bolanden, arriving at 140:30 a.m., Division Artillery moved to Osthoffen at 12:30 a.m., with the 490th Armored Field Artillery Battalion trailing to Alsheim and the 492nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion to Horcheim.

On March 25 the Division continued the assigned river defense, bridge protection, and artillery support missions ordered initially by XII Corps. CC A elements were relieved by the 3rd Infantry Division during the morning, and the command concentrated on the maintenance of vehicles and rehabilitation of personnel. CC B, upon relief by the substituted 3rd Infantry Division, moved to the Framersheim area.

REACHING THE MAIN RIVER

By 7:00 p.m. word was received that the 4th Armored Division had broken through the 5th Infantry Division bridgehead and reached the Main River at Hanau and Aschaffenburg. The 6th Armored Division crossed the river during the day and made a drive toward Frankfurt. The Third Army continued its attack across the Rhine River to push to the Northeast. The XII Corps bridgehead across the Rhine was secured, and the attack was continuing to cross the Main River near Hanau. VIII Corps established a bridgehead across the Rhine River near Boppard and was driving to the East.

XX Corps Field Order No. 19, issued at 8:30 p.m. on March 26, directed an attack to establish a bridgehead between VIII and XII Corps in the vicinity of Mainz and to continue the advance to the Northeast toward Giessen. The 80th Infantry Division was named as the unit to make the assault crossing of both the Main and Rhine Rivers to establish the bridgehead.

During the afternoon the 80th Infantry Division successfully made its crossing of the Rhine near Mainz. Seventh Army's XV Corps also made crossings near Worms.

The Division completed maintenance and rehabilitation activities on March 27, and began preparations for the Rhine River crossing.

Operations Memo No. 45 was issued at 8:30 p.m. covering the protection of bridges to be built at Mainz and Gustavsburg and preparations to pass through the 65th Infantry Division on Corps order.

To accomplish this mission, CC B and CC A were constituted as two balanced and artillery supported combat commands. The 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion were teamed as a Cavalry Command for the bridge protection mission and placed directly under Division control.

On the same day the First Army armored elements broke through the Remagen bridgehead to the North and reached Giessen. VIII and XII Corps made limited progress. Stiff opposition was encountered by the 80th Infantry Division on the East bank of the Rhine opposing Mainz and they were unable to clear the bridge site even from small arms fire.

March 28 found the 80th Infantry Division slowly expanding its bridgehead across the Rhine River near Mainz. Scheduled bridging operations on both the Rhine and Mainz Rivers were delayed as stubborn resistance, including artillery and small arms fire, continued to hinder advancement. The bridge across the Rhine was started at 4:30 a.m. but little progress was made and completion time estimates were periodically pushed ahead during the day.

Meanwhile the Division received verbal instructions from XX Corps at 9:45 a.m. to have a combat command ready to start crossing the XII Corps bridge at Oppenheim at midday, thereafter to swing North to an assembly area near Bischofsheim and prepare to cross a proposed bridge over the Mainz River in that vicinity. Corps also attached the 261st Regimental Combat Team of the 65th Infantry Division to Division and cancelled the previously assigned mission of protecting Corps bridges from ground or waterborne attack.

Under the plan the balance of the Division was to cross the Mainz bridge upon its completion and to reassemble East of the Rhine and North of the Mainz Rivers, prepare to pass through leading infantry division elements, for an attack to the Northeast in the direction of Wiesbaden and Grunberg.

CC A, with the 490th Armored Field Artillery Battalion attached, was directed to cross the Rhine at Oppenheim, the column started marching at 11:30 a.m. and leading elements reached the bridge at 12:15 a.m. They then began coiling off the road between Boschofsheim and Ginsheim to await the completion of the Main River bridge. Estimates of its completion varied widely and at 6:15 p.m. all elements closed in the Bischofsheim area. The Division was released from attachment to XX Corps and was again attached to XII Corps. The 261st Regimental Combat Team reverted to 65th Infantry Division control.

TO HANAU

At 8:45 p.m. CC A was warned to be prepared to march immediately on Hanau, as XII Corps developed plans to pass the Division through a bridgehead being established by the 26th Infantry Division over the Main River in that vicinity. Other major units were informed of existing plans and warned to be prepared to march early on March 29, following the axis of CC A. Shortly before midnight, CC A was directed to march as soon as possible through Darmstadt to the vicinity of Hanau, to establish contact with the 26th Infantry Division, and to attack Northeast along the main road axis in the general direction of Fulda.

The complete plan for the action in which the Division was to engage was set forth in Operational Directive No. 98, issued by XII Corps at midnight of March 28. With the 11th Armored Division and the 4th Armored Division abreast again an advance to the Northeast was laid out. The 4th, from North of the Main River on the left, was assigned the objective of Lauterbach, with the 90th Infantry Division following in support. The 11th Armored Division was to cross the Main River near Hanau and advance to the Northeast through the 26th Infantry Division bridgehead toward the main objective of an area Northwest of Fulda. The 26th Infantry Division, with the 71st Infantry Division, formerly in Corps reserve, was to clear the enemy from a zone behind the 11th Armored Division. The 2nd Cavalry Group was to move on the Right of the Thunderbolts to screen and protect the Corps flank.

The entire zone of operation assigned the Division, which was 70 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide, contained only one first-class road running in a favorable direction. The terrain, although initially flat Rhine valley land, soon rose abruptly across a wooded hill mass, and thereafter roads and ridges crossed the zone in a series of transverse corridors. The only good corridor was up the Kinzig River valley on the South flank as far as Schluchtern and then down the Fleide River valley toward Fulda. A decision was made to attack in a single column up the only favorable corridor in the Division zone with another column prepared to branch off and operate to the North if determined resistance developed.

Operations Memo No. 47 was issued by the Division at 1:00 a.m. on March 29, specifying a single column advance on the Hanau-Fulda axis with CC A leading. It was originally planned that CC B would follow CC A's axis, outflanking any resistance encountered by CC A. The 183rd Field Artillery Group was placed in support of CC A and Division Artillery supporting CC B.

Leaving their temporary assembly position near Bischofsheim leading elements of CC A inaugurated a blackout march to an assembly area from which to cross the Main River at the first light of morning. At 6:00 a.m. leading elements of CC A crossed the Main River at Grossanheim, passing through the 26th Infantry Division at 7:05 a.m. Task Force Ahee made the first contact at 7:15 a.m. when a roadblock in a heavily wooded area just Northeast of Hanau was encountered. The roadblock was mined and defended by infantry and panzerfaust teams but defending troops were overcome at 7:50 a.m. and the advance continued while engineers removed the roadblock.

Resistance which included anti-tank, panzerfaust, automatic weapons and small arms fire was met at Ruckingen about 8:20 a.m., so Task Force Ahee was split up into two teams which attacked the city simultaneously from the South and Southeast. House-to-house fighting developed and continued until 2:00 p.m. when the enemy was overcome at the expense of two tanks and several casualties.

Task Force Brady, which was under order to clear the Main River bridge as soon as possible so as to permit the advance of trailing units of the Division, by-passed leading elements of CC A to the North. and returned to the main axis of advance at Langenselbold where the column was halted by anti-tank, mortar and artillery fire. At 3:00 p.m. this resistance had been reduced, a damaged bridge repaired, and the city cleared and occupied.

By this time Task Force Ahee had advanced along the main axis into Langenselbold after by-passing a blown bridge. Task Force Brady, while pushing forward to Rothenbergen was again halted by enemy infantry, supported by three tanks. Temporary defensive positions were organized for the night after small-scale counterattacks had been diminished. The remainder of the command assembled near Langenselbold where the command post was established. CC B started to march across the Rhine River at 6:00 a.m., reaching the Oppenheim bridge an hour later. Slowly tailing CC A's column, which was periodically halted by enemy action, the command reached Darmstadt and Wessel at 10:45 a.m., thereafter coiling off the road near Jugesheim to await movement by CC A. Movement was resumed again about 2:00 p.m. after refueling and feeding and the command crossed the Main River at 3:00 p.m.

CC B was ordered to turn North at a road junction in the woods just West of Ruckingen and attack on a parallel axis to the Northeast as CC A was unable to make rapid progress.

The Division's remaining elements followed CC A and CC B. The Cavalry Command reached Klein Auheim at 9:00 p.m. and CC R reached Hainstadt at 9:30 p.m., thus bringing the remaining combat elements up to the West bank of the Main River ready to cross early the following day.

ASSAULT ON ROTHENBERGEN

CC A resumed its assault on Rothenbergen at 6:15 a.m. on March 30, 1945, with dismounted infantry, and encountered immediate resistance. This resistance was reduced by 8:10 a.m. after the attacking force had been reinforced by Company A, 42nd Tank Battalion. Proceeding further against light resistance CC A seized Lieblos at 10:00 a.m. and cavalry elements of the command, on the South flank, reached Niedermittau at 10:15 a.m. When stiff opposition developed at Roth it became apparent that the enemy would defend Gelnhausen powerfully and the favorable terrain where the Kinzig River valley funneled down to a narrow canyon through the mountainous Budingerwald.

At this point an urgent request was made for more infantry and the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion was attached to CC A at 11:00 a.m. It was estimated that the Gelnhausen position was held by 600 infantrymen and supported by five tanks. Artillery was sent forward and went into positions in an effort to erase the enemy fire. A plan was formulated for the combined use of the 63rd and 55th Armored Infantry Battalions so as to force the enemy by dismounted infantry. The 63rd was committed frontally by the vicinity of Roth; captured about 1:00 p.m., meanwhile dismounted elements of the 55th were sent up on high ground and through the weeds of Gelnhausen in an effort to outflank the enemy force and attack the town from dominating positions. Most of the afternoon went by while the 55th was moving into position.

Alternate Division measures were resorted to when, by mid-afternoon, it became apparent that CC A would not be able to crack the Gelnhausen position in time to maintain any momentum behind the attack. A regiment of the 26th Infantry Division was arranged for to take over this action. The Cavalry Command was ordered through an alternate break in the mountains of Budinger Wald. CC R was directed to resume control of the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion and to block at Gelnhausen while CC A disengaged and prepared to follow the cavalry.

Meanwhile CC B renewed its advance at 6:30 a.m. and seized Huttengessas at 8:45 a.m. Their progress was impeded by an extremely bad road net, and well placed booby-trap road-blocks which were covered by fire. The command proceeded North through Budingen without opposition but a massive roadblock in a wooded area East of the town halted the column until 3:00 p.m. when the villages of Wolferborn and Rinderburgen were seized. Pushing forward against light resistance at 6:40 p.m. and there the command coiled for the night and the command post was established.

Cavalry Command commenced movement at 6:30 a.m., crossing the Main River and proceeding to Langenselhold where it coiled at 11:20 a.m. When CC A's advance was halted at Gelnhausen orders went out to the Cavalry Command to advance immediately on the Haingrundau-Breitenborn-Wittgenborn axis to Schlierbach in an attempt to bypass Gelnhausen and get behind the defending force. The command moved out from Nieder Grundau at 2:30 p.m., reaching Haingrundau three hours later. Resistance was nil and after a rapid advance Breitenborn was cleared at 5:30 p.m. and advance elements reached the outskirts of Schlierbach at 7:10 p.m. The command assembled in the area of Schlierbach-Wittgenborn for the night.

CC R crossed the Main River at 7:00 a.m., following CC B to Huttengessas. CC R had been ordered to assume control of the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion and then to contain the enemy force at Gelnhausen, protecting the rear and right flank of the Division until relieved later. The command moved to Mittel Grundau late in the day so as to insure control over the Gelnhausen situation.

All remaining units of the Division completed crossing of the Main River during the day. The 133rd Ordnance Maintenance Battalion was sent forward to Hanau and the 81st Medical Battalion assembled in Langenselbold. Train Headquarters command post opened at Ruckingen at 4:00 p.m.

Verbal orders for the continuation of the Division plan were received and the attack Northeast of Fulda to seize the high ground Northeast of Grossentaft was laid out.

CC B resumed the attack at 5:30 a.m. on March 31, 1945, pushing quickly from Nieder Seemen and reaching Ober Seemen at 6:30 a.m., Volkartsheim at 6:35 a.m. and Nieder Moos at 7:30 a.m. Although slight enemy resistance was encountered at Reichlos the village was cleared by 8:00 a.m. The advance guard lost one vehicle near Hauswerz when two enemy tanks were encountered and a fire-fight ensued. Supporting XIX Tactical Air Command Fighter-bombers severely damaged Bauswerz and Ober Moos and left the towns blazing. CC B advanced rapidly following the air strike, reaching Geisel at 11:50 a.m. and dominating terrain West of Fulda at 1:15 p.m. While patrols were feeling out resistance in the city of Fulda in preparation for an attack orders were delivered covering the continuation of the attack to the Northeast. Turning North the command proceeded to Grossenluder, arriving at 5:30 p.m. The post was established there at 7:00 p.m.

CC A's cavalry moved out at 5:30 a.m. following the route opened the previous day by the Cavalry Command. A brief delay North of Wittgenborn occurred two hours later from road blocks and small arms fire. The block was cleared and the resistance neutralized by 8:20 a.m. allowing the column to proceed. Anti-tank, mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire was encountered at Hellstein at 10:15 a.m. after the column had passed through Soielberg and Streitburg without hindrance. The town was cleared in an hour and the advance resumed through Undenhain.

A further enemy strong point was liquidated near Karholsichwillenroth at 12: 30 a.m. and the advance renewed through Eckardaroth, Romsrhal, Kebersdorf and Sarrod. Resistance met at Ulmbach at 2:00 p.m. was reduced in 45 minutes. Between Kressenbach and Breitenbach n enemy tank and self-propelled gun were destroyed. In the towns of Wallroth and Muldorf the command was slowed by enemy tanks, anti-tank, mortar and small arms fire. Numerous enemy infantry made direct support artillery fire imperative, followed by house-to-house dismounted action. Both towns were cleared by 4:00 p.m. CC A destroyed a total of six enemy tanks and eight miscellaneous vehicles during the day and captured a total of 80 enemy prisoners of war. Its total losses included one M-4 tank and one halftrack.

CC R held enemy forces in Gelnhausen until 11:00 a.m. when they were relieved by the 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division. At midday the command resumed the march, following CC A and assembling for the night at Reichlos. CC R, following CC A and blocking the Southeast flank, moved to Marborn.

Early in the evening orders were brought in from XII Corps involving a complete change of plans for the following day. An advance via Meiningen over the Thuringia Wald was ordered to seize the communications centers of Armstadt and Kranichfeld. This was part of the Corps effort to seize the High German Command and the key German political figures.

Quickly summarizing the damage inflicted on the enemy during the month of March we find the comparative figures paid in men and materiel startling and revealing.

COMPARATIVE CASUALTIES

Enemy killed and wounded amounted to 2,572, plus 21,001 prisoners of war, totaling 23,573 casualties. Our own total battle casualties were 655—164 of which were killed in action, 488 wounded, and three missing. The enemy figure for prisoners represents the number processed through Division PW Cages. A total of at least 23,537 prisoners were actually captured, however, 2,537 of these were turned over to the following infantry units for processing and evacuation.

Total casualties for vehicles and weapons presented an even more starting comparison. Enemy casualties amounted to 14,977 against our own 85. In addition to mentioned destroyed enemy materiel the fast-moving columns of the Division further crippled Germanys capacity to continue the war by destroying warehouses stocking Wehrmacht food, enemy ordnance factories, enemy hospitals and numerous miscellaneous plans operating in support of the German Army.

During the month approximately 1,000 reinforcements kept the Division's strength up to 620 officers and 10,206 enlisted men. Critical materiel, constantly replaced, kept the Division strength high. Division Artillery fired approximately 16,000 rounds of ammunition in 675 separate missions, inflicting extensive damage on the enemy.

The Division had made a 300-kilometer advance in direct ground contact with the enemy. A total of over 450 kilometers of movement during the month, or an average of 15 kilometers per day, illustrated the long-term mobility capabilities of an armored division.

ADVANCE TOWARD ARNSTADT

According to the plan received from XII Corps on March 31, certain communication centers in the area were selected as objectives. The 4th Armored Division was to attack Northeast and then Southeast along an autobahn, around the North end of the Thuringia Wald to seize Gotha and Ohrdruf. The 11th Armored Division, abreast of the 4th Armored Division and on the South flank, was directed to advance by the most direct routes to the Northeast via Meiningen over the wooded Thuringia Wald hill mass, bypassing all resistance, to seize Arnstadt and Kranichfeld. The Thunderbolts were once again confronted with an operation zone offering but a limited secondary road net, perpendicular corridors, and both the Werra River and a mountain range to cross. The city of Fulda and wooded hill area Northwest and North of it were still being strongly held by the enemy, therefore, it was found advisable to bottleneck the entire division through the one open road in the 90th Infantry Division zone to the Northwest as far as Schiltz.

CC B, the first major unit to be affected, situated on the North, was ordered to advance along an axis East from Schiltz, by-pass Meiningen on the North, and seize Arnstadt. Division Artillery was directed to support CC B, and CC R following along the Northern axis. CC A, following CC R until reaching the vicinity of Hilders, was ordered to advance on a parallel Southern axis and seize Kranichfeld. The 183rd Field Artillery Group was directed to support CC A, and Cavalry Command to follow along the Southern open-flank axis. All division troops were directed to proceed along the CC B axis.

CC A, commencing movement at 9:15 a.m. on April 1, followed CC R along the single axis of advance until Ober Nust was reached late in the afternoon. CC A trains were attacked near Wallroth at 12:35 a.m. but the enemy was driven off with no casualties inflicted to the command. Task Force Ahee's advance was harassed between Mackenzell and Gotthards by mortar and small arms fire from high wooded hills adjacent to the route of advance. Branching South at Ober Nust the first contact was made, and the enemy quickly overcome at Mahlerts. At 5:00 p m. Hilders had been seized and Frankenheim and Reichenhausen fell after scattered light resistance.

During the day Division Artillery and the 183rd Field Artillery Group supported CC B and CC A, respectively. CC R and Cavalry Command, advancing behind CC B and CC A, respectively, were occupied with clearing towns and woods along the routes of advance throughout the day. CC R gathered an approximate 400 prisoners of war and turned them over to the 90th Infantry Division at Schiltz. CC B resumed the advance at 6:30 a.m., marching North as far as Schiltz. Turning East, scattered enemy groups situated in towns and wooded hills along the route slowed the column with stubborn action. Mackenzell was reached at 8:45 a.m., thereafter pushing rapidly forward to Ober Nust which was reached at 10:50 a.m.

The first contact was made with the enemy defending Lahrbach shortly after 11:00 am. Fighter-bombers of the XIX Tactical Air Command softened the attack on Lahrbach, leaving it in flames. CC B then commenced the advance through the town. One hundred enemy soldiers were estimated killed in the action. Others, totaling 259, dazed by the combined armored-air attack, surrendered hopelessly. Several general purpose vehicles and 20 to 25 horse-drawn artillery pieces were knocked our in this action. The command then proceeded further along the sniper-infested route and at Hundsbach anti-tank, mortar, and small arms fire was encountered. The town was completely destroyed after air, artillery, and tank fire eliminated all resistance. As Kaltenwestheim was neared a little after mid-day, heavy artillery and mortar fire was poured from the surrounding hills onto the advancing CC B. Here all units were halted for re-supply of fuel and ammunition while the artillery went into position and destroyed or dispersed the enemy.

The advance continued as far as Kalrensundheim where CC B established a command post and temporary defensive positions were organized for the night. During the day CC B had advanced 35 miles and taken about 1,000 prisoners of war.

During the last day of March and April 1, the Division had outdistanced its supporting infantry by over 60 kilometers. Meanwhile, far to the West near Gelnhausen, by-passed enemy groups had returned to ambush positions from secluded wooded areas and were greatly harassing and threatening the Corps rear. As a result, a TWX received from XII Corps ordered the Division to restrain its operations West of a North-South line through Meiningen.

On April 2, after the experience of the previous day, a number of precautionary measures were taken and orders issued. To increase the Division's flank protection Troop C, 41st Cavalry, was attached to CC B and the remainder of Cavalry Command was placed under direct control of CC A.

Division Artillery was directed to maintain air patrols on the South flank between Fulda and Ostheim and on the North between Schmalkalden and Geisa for early warning of any attempted flank attack. Company D, 22nd Tank Battalion, was placed under Division control to escort Division trains on their long haul from supply installations through by-passed enemy pockets to the forward combat elements.

ACROSS THE WERRA RIVER

CC B, jumping off at 7:00 a.m. on April 2, advanced rapidly, reaching Aschenhausen, Ober Karz and Unterkats by 8:00 a.m. Leading elements of the command seized Mehmeis at 9:25 a.m. Advanced elements found a bridge blown over the Werra River at Wasungen. A Division order was received directing CC B to establish a bridgehead and repair the crossing of the Werra River. Work on the pontoon bridge was initiated at 11:30 a.m., after elements of the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion forded the river to establish a small bridgehead. At 5:45 p.m. the bridge was completed and the remainder of the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, plus an attached medium tank company, crossed the river at 8:00 p.m. thus deepening the bridgehead and setting the stage for resuming the attack.

Resuming the attack at 7:00 a.m., CC A gained 21 kilometers against light enemy resistance during the day. The command followed the Schafhausen-Gerthausen-Wohl-Muthausen-Betrlenhausen-Hazelbach-Hennergerg-Bauerbach-Ritschenhausen axis. One German Mark V and one Mark III were engaged and destroyed near Berrenhausen.

CC A's mission of securing the heights West of the Werra River near Grimmenthal was changed at 9:30 a.m. to seizing all available bridges across the Werra near Rirschenhausen and establishing a bridgehead for further use. Although under fire, Task Force Ahee seized intact three bridges across the Werra and tributary rivers near Grimmenthal and a small bridgehead established by 11:15 a.m. Untermassfeld was seized and secured by 1:30 p.m. Both Untermassfeld and Obermassfeld were held under heavy nebelwerfer fire throughout the afternoon. From a Grimmenthal camp CC A liberated 400 Allied prisoners of war, most of whom were crippled. In preparation for the following day's action a reinforced infantry company was sent East to Vachdorf late in the afternoon to seize and hold a bridge over the Werra. This mission was accomplished at 8:15 p.m.

CC R moved to the vicinity of Unterweid at 9:15 a.m. and placed the 22nd Tank Battalion in positions covering the Division rear. The day was mainly devoted to clearing previously by-passed towns and handling prisoners along the CC B route of advance.

During the day the 4rh Armored Division to the North, reached the Werra River also to find all bridges blown by the retreating enemy.

CC B continued the advance at 7:00 a.m. on April 3, pushing rapidly forward through Metzels, Christes, and Breitenbach. The few remaining, disorganized defenders were quickly overrun and the command advanced through Springscille, reaching Steinbach-Hallenberg at 11:10 a.m.

As the command climbed to Ober Schonau heavier resistance in the form of Panzerfaust and small arms fire developed. The town was cleared and the advance continued at 11:30 a.m. The route of advance from Ober Schonau to Oberhof was along a winding mountain road climbing steeply through a heavily wooded gorge. Two massive roadblocks, which were heavily defended by panzerfaust teams and small-arms, took the entire afternoon to liquidate. Dismounted elements of the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion advanced on Oberhof through a driving snowstorm to seize this road center on the crest of the Thuringia Wald. The 41st Tank Battalion followed and the city was cleared of snipers by 11:00 p.m. Artillery elements of the command remained in place between Ober Schonau and Oberhof during the night. The command's cavalry elements, in the meantime operating on the North flank overcame light resistance to seize the large town of Schmalkalden during the afternoon.

ADVANCE LIGHTLY CONTESTED

CC A's cavalry moved out at 6:00 a.m., followed by the main body at 7:00 am. The advance was lightly contested but by 9:20 a.m. the towns of Oberstadt, Marisfels, and Suhler Neundorf were all cleared of the enemy. As the advanced elements emerged from the woods one and a half kilometers from Suhl considerable resistance was encountered. Divided into three columns for a coordinated attack on the city, progress was slowed by anti-tank, artillery, panzerfaust, automatic weapon and small arms fire. Upon seizing dominating heights overlooking the city, it was subjected to heavy concentrations of tank and massed artillery fire.

The defending enemy force which was made up of an estimated 600 Volkssturm, augmented by a few regular Wehrmacht personnel, strongly contested progress from behind roadblocks and in buildings. Into the Southwestern position of the city moved infantry elements and tanks 2nd the defenders were cleared out in bitter street and house-to-house fighting which continued long after dark. Several supporting missions were flown by the XIX Tactical Air Command on this day of April 3. The main air strike of the day occurred in the afternoon when a retreating column of approximately 200 enemy vehicles were strafed along the highway and at least 40 destroyed.

Following CC B's axis of advance, CC R left Unterweid at 10:00 a.m. and marched to Ober Karz. As the progress of CC B allowed another abound to be made, the command was ordered to clear towns forward to Sreinbach-Hallenberg during the early afternoon. While clearing the area elements of the 22nd Tank Battalion engaged and destroyed one German Tiger tank one kilometer Southeast of Stepferhausen.

Preceding CC R, the Division command post followed CC B's route to Steinbach-Hallenberg, after a temporary stop at Metzels. Division troops and trains followed closely behind CC R. The 133rd Ordnance Maintenance Battalion moved to Metzels and the 81st Armored Medical Battalion moved to Herges Heleinberg as trailing elements closed into an area where protection could be afforded by CC R.

The Division's advance to the crest of the Thuringia Wald during the day placed it further East than any other United States Army unit in Germany. Until the following day it was not apparent that the location of the bulk of the Division in the heart of Nazi-land actually surrounded a German Army, small-arms manufacturing center until factory after factory was uncovered the following day.

During the day the 4th Armored Division crossed bridges constructed over the Werra River to the North and made further advances along the autobahn toward their final objective. CC A advance elements reach6d Hastrungsfeld and CC B a point five kilometers Northwest of Gotha.

Operational Directive No. 101 was received from Headquarters XII Corps at 5:30 a.m. on April 4, 1945, designating the limit of Corps Eastern advance as a Gotha-Suhl line. The 4th Armored Division on the North was directed to seize and hold Gotha and Ohrdruf. The 26th Infantry Division assignment was a separate zone between the 4th and 11th Armored Divisions for clearance. The Thunderbolts were ordered to hold Suhl and Oberhof, and thereafter to patrol to the East as far as a line from Grafenroda to Gehren. The Division was also ordered to clear the enemy from its zone West of the Oberhof-Suhl line and protect Corps right flank East of Fulda. The Division therefore was stopped short of its original objective and found its offensive mission had been substantially completed.

The Division still undertook, on its own initiative, the task of securing the crest of Thuringia Wald on the South flank. CC A was ordered to seize Stutzerbach while CC B's mission was the securement of Oberhof. CC R was directed to clear the zone between CC A and CC B, including the arms manufacturing center of Zella-Mehlis. Division Artillery continued to flank air patrols and support major unit operations along with the 183rd Field Artillery Groups. The 56th Armored Engineer Battalion was to secure the Wasungen and Grimenchal bridges over the Werra River. Just before renewing the offensive operations originally planned for the day, CC B was held up and the task of clearing enemy from its zone was undertaken. During the day the enemy rained Oberhof with sporadic artillery, mortar, and nebelwerfer fire. Patrols scouting on the North and East made close contacts with the enemy.

CC A planned its own operation, this being to open a direct lateral route to the bulk of the Division. This plan was approved at Division Headquarters with the exception that the forces were not to proceed further North of Benhausen where contact with elements of CC R was directed. CC A continued its clearance of Suhl while cavalry and tank destroyer elements patrolled the Division South flank. The majority of resistance was met on the outskirts of the town where small arms fire was met in considerable volume. Volkssturm sniping troops, in civilian clothes and with no distinguishing armbands, delayed the action to some extent.

After repeated reports of this type of resistance had been received orders were issued to burn the town, but these orders were reclassified after the commanding general of CC A flew to the Division command post and explained that such an order could nor be executed. The area was reported cleared at 6:55 p.m. An estimated 5,000 mixed nationality slave workers who manned arms factories in the town, pilfered and looted, destroying considerable property after they had been liberated.

CC R mopped up in the Steinbach-Hallenberg area during the morning. A two-column advance on Zella-Mehlis was initiated at 2:00 p.m. Roadblocks, found undefended, felled trees, and debris-littered roads delayed the advance. The command was greeted by white flags when it entered Zella-Mehlis at 4:00 p.m. Contact was later established with elements of CC A at Benshausen and Suhl but an attempt to make contact with CC B along a road to Oberhof was unsuccessful.

The 56rh Armored Engineer Battalion and supporting units established and maintained company guards at the important bridges over the Werra River at Wasungen and Grimenthal.

The 4th Armored Division to the North captured Gotha at noon and passed to control of the VIII Corps.

MUNITIONS PRIZE

With the capture of Suhl, Zella-Mehlis, and several surrounding smaller Thuringia towns, one of the largest munitions industry prizes of the war fell to the Thunderbolts. Included among them was the famed Walther Arms Works. A capitulation of the arms, armament parts, and materiel seized in the area included: Pistols, P38—1,600; 7.65mm— 4,600; Signal—598; 22 cal.—325. Sniper rifles and scopes complete—2,210; scopes incomplete—4,420; rifles partly assembled—1,140; 113 lathes, 97 milling machines, 41 drill presses, nine punch presses, two hydraulic presses, and 40 grinders. At least 500 new type enemy carbines and 2,500 Burp guns with sufficient parts for an additional 5,000 were uncovered at Suhl. Over a million rounds of small arms ammunition were included. This material was found in several large plants and over 50 small, decentralized plants. In addition to weapons, several of these factories produced parts of robot aircraft.

CC R renewed its effort to establish lateral contact with CC B during the early morning of April 5. A small task force was successful in breaking through to Oberhof after reducing three roadblocks. The bulk of the command, which had been organized into two forces, moved toward Meiningen from Zella Mehlis at 11:30 a.m. The 22nd Tank Battalion with an additional infantry company moved along the Rohr-Meiningen axis and on reaching the airport was encountered by dug-in panzerfaust crews and infantry. After a bitter fight the airport was seized at 3:00 p.m. and the battalion advanced to the East edge of Meiningen against small arms fire.

 ALLIED PRISONERS LIBERATED

The 55th Armored Infantry Battalion, plus a medium tank company, meanwhile moved on the axis Kuhndorf-Helba to Meiningen. Three roadblocks, defended with small arms fire, automatic weapons, and panzerfaust, delayed the action. In the absence of artillery, Meiningen was attacked by fighter-bombers of the XIX Tactical Air Command to soften evidently determined resistance. Immediately after the air strike both task forces fought their way into Meiningen. Once in the city a hospital containing 470 Allied prisoners of war was liberated and seven German hospitals with 1,600 patients were captured. The city was cleared by 7:00 p.m. and 600 prisoners of war were taken, including students at the Wehrmacht Non-Commissioned Officer and Officer Candidate Schools. A guard was placed on a camp containing some 500 political prisoners in Unter Massfeld. Later in the afternoon a FW 190 landed at the airport in error and the pilot surrendered with disgust. CC R troops were relieved shortly after 7:00 p.m. when a battalion of the 26th Infantry Division, 101st Infantry Regiment reached the town from the West.

While clearing and occupying additional small towns in the zone CC R killed an estimated 100 enemy troops and captured 2,200 prisoners during the day. Destroyed enemy materiel included six half-tracks, two 75mm anti-tank guns, two 20mm guns and three general-purpose vehicles. The Command's losses included one killed, 13 wounded, and two medium tanks destroyed.

CC A renewed attempts to capture Schmiedefeld and Srurzerbach at 7:00 a.m., April 5. Quick advance was made until the head of the valley near Goldlauter was reached and there enemy resistance stiffened and two defended roadblocks on dominating wooded terrain delayed progress. The enemy withdrew when dismounted infantry outflanked the position. Progress was further halted Northwest of Schmiedefeld with strong opposition from the high ground.

Further dismounted action was taken but automatic weapon and nebelwerfer fire was so heavy only limited progress could be made, and at nightfall the bulk of the force withdrew to Suhl.

Before daylight enemy activity East of Oberhof indicated the enemy may be preparing for a counter attack but no action developed. Division Artillery fired several neutralizing missions to eliminate sporadic enemy mortar and artillery fire that fell on Oberhof during the day.

The Division command post moved out of Steinbach Hallenberg to Zella Mehlis during the day, opening about 10:30 a.m.

At 6:10 p.m., XII Corps advised the Division to expect a change in plans and relief of some units by the 26th Infantry Division. Corps also indicated another impending advance, probably in a southerly direction, therefore CC B and CC A were directed to cease offensive action and warned to expect new orders.

While awaiting the new orders, the Division spent the morning of April 6 in regrouping and maintenance work. Advance parties of the 26th and 90th Infantry Division made relief arrangements with major units.

The principal obstacles to the Division's 80-kilometer advance East from Fulda were constituted of defended towns blown bridges, and well-placed roadblocks. The 4,500 prisoners of war taken during the first five days of April came mainly from replacement battalions, training battalions, antiaircraft units, hastily assembled school troops Volksstrum and belligerent civilians added to the list.

Nearly 1,000 Allied prisoners were liberated in the Division's drive, and several thousand political prisoners and Allied nationality slave workers set free from their Nazi Taskmasters. The continued looting, rioting, and general disorder of these liberated groups became such a problem that combat elements had to step in, in an attempt to eliminate it.

Field Order No. 18 from XII Corps Headquarters was received at 1:25 p.m. This outlined plans for a continuation of the advance to the East and Southeast, while VIII Corps on the North maintained a limited advance directly East. XII Corps planned to turn to the Southeast and attack through the Thuringia Wald as far as the Czechoslovakian border with the 26th and 90th Divisions abreast. The 71st Infantry Division on the South flank was ordered to protect the Corps South flank West of Meiningen and was assigned to clear a zone in the rear of the 11th Armored Division attack to the Southeast.

When relieved by the 26th Infantry Division, the 11th Division was directed to seize an assembly area along a line Schleusingen-Hillburghausen, not later than April 8, and then prepare to advance toward Bayreuth.

The remainder of the day was spent in preparing the advance of the following day. The 26th Infantry Division meanwhile, completed the relief of CC A and CC R and assumed responsibility for the Southern portion of the former Division zone. Elements of the 90th Infantry Division relieved CC B at Oberhof. The command of CC B was taken over about mid-afternoon by Colonel Wesley W. Yale.

ATTACK ANTICIPATED

During the afternoon an enemy field order was seized. It indicated that the German 413th Infantry Division was about to counterattack on the Division South flank in the vicinity to retake Meiningen and cut the Division's main supply route. As such an attack would endanger the Grimenthal bridge, elements of CC R were sent immediately to the scene. The counterattack did not materialize in force but a roadblock defended with anti-tank guns near Ritschenhausen cost CC R Infantry elements one 105mm SP gun. CC R withdrew its force and augmented engineer defensive positions around the bridge site. Radio relay stations were established to warn the Division lest any threat should develop from the Bauerbach area.

At 7:00 a.m. on April 7, the Division initiated movement to seize an assembly area in the Themar section. CC A, CC R, and Cavalry Command moved out on separate routes. Organized in three balanced task forces, CC A advanced on Schleusingen, Hildburghausen, and Themar, respectively. Task Force Sheely, on the route to Hildburghausen, encountered anti-tank, artillery and roadblocks. Task Force Ahee, on the right, had reduced a roadblock and was attacking Themar; Task Force Sheely, on the left, was attacking Schleusingen; and Task Force Brady in the center was within seven kilometers of Hildburghausen. All forces were meeting increased resistance. The opposition in Themar and Schleusingen consisted primarily of small arms, anti-tank, and panzerfaust fire from enemy infantry dug in cellars and houses. At 2:30 p.m. Task Force Brady was delayed by a blown bridge and roadblock at Ebenhards, but the block was reduced and they had the town cleared at 4:00 p.m.

Fighter-bomber support was used in clearing the route into Hildburghausen and to soften the city itself. Task Force Brady continued into Hildburghausen against light opposition and reported the center of the city cleared at 8:S5 p.m. Schleusingen was cleared by 4:30 p.m. after Task Force Shelly had been forced to house-to-house fighting against stubborn resistance.

Task Force Ahee, after losing five tanks to anti-tank fire in an unsuccessful attack on Themar, employed artillery and dismounted infantry in a house-to-house mopping up of the city.

After CC R had reached its objective in mid-afternoon, the Division ordered Company B, 55th Armored Infantry Battalion, to assist in the mop-up of Themar. The task was completed at 8:00 p.m. and Company B released to CC R. The 183rd Field Artillery Group followed and supported CC A. During the day CC A seized and cleared eight towns; capturing more than 450 prisoners of war.

CC R encountered only light resistance. The towns of Vachdorf, Leutersdorf, and Henfstadt were occupied by 11:00 a.m. thus completing the command's mission. Reports of a large enemy build-up to the East in the vicinity of Schniedefeld for a counter-attack on Suhl were relayed to CC R with directions to maintain contact with elements of the 26th Infantry Division and to stop any such threat should it actually develop. Late in the day the command received enemy fire from the woods North of Ritschenhausen, presumably from elements of the German 413th Infantry Division. The fire was returned and an enemy halftrack and ammunition dump destroyed.

According to plan, Cavalry Command moved out at 7:00 a.m., picking up Troop C at Marisfeld enroute. The command seized its objective, Juchsen, by 1:50 p.m., meeting only light resistance. Exdorf was cleared at 5:00 p.m. Occasional enemy artillery fire harassed the troops until 8:00 p.m. Thirty-nine prisoners were taken during the day. Advance reconnaissance and artillery elements of CC E3 moved from their assembly area near Oberhof at 11:30 a.m., reaching Bischofred some two hours later. At 1:00 p.m. the main body followed through Zella Mehlis and SuhI, with artillery in the lead, anticipating action to re-cross the Werra River. Previous plans to proceed through Themar were changed due to the resistance encountered there by CC A. Placing Division Artillery in position near Bischofred the column continued West and crossed the Werra River at Henfstadt unopposed. Continuing Southeast down a ridge, the command reached Beinerstadt at 5:45 p.m. and advance elements held up at Bernhards for the night.

Clearing the newly taken assembly area, establishing internal and lateral contacts, and preparing for future operations were the principal activities for April 8, 1945.

CC A continued to clear Hildburghausen during the morning. Around midday the command was ordered to make lateral contacts with the 26th Infantry Division. A task force, moving out at 6:20 p.m. established contact with the 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, about 7:35 p.m.

PFERSDORTH

CC B resumed the advance at 7:00 a.m., reaching Pfersdorth and Zeildfeld without opposition. By midday all elements of the command had closed in the Dingsleben-Pfersdorth-Zeilfeld area. A half-hour later the Division ordered CC B to establish contact with CC A and to seize and occupy Bedheim and Leimrieth.

Against light resistance Leimrieth was seized at 3:05 p.m., Bedheim at 4:30 p.m. and Roth in addition at 4:55 p.m.

Throughout the night the 41st Cavalry received sporadic artillery and nebelwerfer fire from the Southwest flank.

Reports from Intelligence continued to point to a concentration of 2,000 SS troops, reinforced by 80 tanks, situated in the area of Schmiedefeld, preparing to recapture Suhl. Division Artillery and seven squadrons of Division controlled fighter-bombers were concentrated on this area throughout the day and fires continued into the night. Although exact results of this shelling and bombing were unknown, the enemy failed to attack.

XII Corps was notified at 6:30 p.m. that the Division had seized and occupied its assembly area as ordered.

April 9 was devoted mainly to rehabilitation of personnel and maintenance of vehicles, as well as maintaining patrol contacts with the Division area.

Operations Memo. No. 52 was issued at 10:00 a.m., outlining the Division plan for the continuation of advance as far Southeast as Bayreuth. The zone, 80-kilometers long and 20-kilometers wide, was subdivided between CC B and CC A. The terrain in the zone was rolling, with dominating heights to the East and several cross-cutting river valleys, bur containing a more favorable road net. Coburg and Bayreuth were included among the several large cities to be dealt with.

CC A was assigned the task of seizing Neustadt, Kronach, Kulmbach; assisting CC B in seizing Bayreuth; and maintaining lateral contact with the 26th Infantry Division. CC B was to seize Coburg, Marktzeuln, assisting CC A with taking Kulmbach and Bayreuth, also to establish lateral contact with CC A on such successive objectives. The 183rd Field Artillery Groups continued to support CC A and Division Artillery supporting CC B. The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion was to provide security for Division Troops while the 41st Cavalry protected the Southwest flank.

The 71st Infantry Division accomplished its mission of clearing the areas by-passed by the Division and major units were advised at 3:00 p.m. that they were to pass through the 11th Armored Division and attack to the Southeast on April 10 or 11, 1945.

During the afternoon Seventh Army's 14th Armored and 45th Infantry Divisions advance elements came up abreast of the Division on the Third Army South flank.

THE APPROACH TO COBURG

Through a heavy ground haze the Division resumed offensive operations at 6:15 a.m. on April 10, the objective being to seize the city of Coburg and the vicinity. The general plan contemplated that CC A would semi-isolate the city by seizing and blocking all the North and East approaches to Coburg, while CC B attacked the city itself from advantageous terrain to the Northwest and West.

The enemy pattern of resistance during the following several days was built around a continuous defense and withdrawal from delaying obstacles. Large fighting units went unidentified. The basic German hastily organized unit consisted of Kamp Gruppe and miscellaneous battalions, built around an SS cadre, and filled out with any and all available manpower. Prisoners were taken from the 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Training and Replacement Battalion and 17 other miscellaneous units. River lines, wooded or terrain defiles, and particularly road center towns on favorable defensive terrain, were strongly defended from behind heavy log roadblocks.

CC A's advance cavalry elements moved out at 6:15 a.m., on April 10, followed an hour later by Task Force Brady, reaching Ahlstadt by 7:30 a.m. The advance resumed and Otrowind was occupied at 8 35 a.m. and Moggenhrunn a half-hour later. A defended road block near Oberlauter caused the first contact to be made, this being cleared around 10:00 a.m., but the advance halted when forward Troop A, 41st Cavalry elements, found Oberlauter defended. Task Force Brady, advancing through artillery and small arms fire, attacked and captured the towns, blocking the main North route out of Coburg. A blown bridge at Wohlbach was by-passed after Task Force Ahee overran dug-in enemy infantry, seizing the towns to cut a second main road into Coburg.

While engineers completed a treadway bridge at Wohlsbach Troop A, 41st Cavalry, reinforced with Tank and Tank Destroyer elements, advanced to Monchroden and by 3:50 p.m. cut the main road from Neustadt to Coburg, completing Coburg’s isolation from the North and East. Task Force Ahee seized Unterlauter at 6:00 p.m. after it had been softened by a squadron air strike. The 183rd Field Artillery Group, supporting CC A, fired 25 missions expending 719 rounds and destroying at least two enemy general-purpose vehicles. The command organized defensive positions and established roadblocks on all critical roads before assembling in the area of Wohlsbach-Oberlauter-Unterlauter for the night. An advance of 30 kilometers had been made during the day and the planned mission accomplished.

Resuming advance at 7:00 a.m. on April 10, CC B made first contact with the enemy, armed with panzerfaust and small firearms, in the area of Steinfeld-Eishausen. Abetted by tactical air and artillery these towns were entered and cleared by 8:45 a.m. Passing through the blazing wreckage to the South, the advance guard reached the outskirts of Rodach by 9:00 a.m. The 21st Armored Infantry Battalion attacked and the defenders, including infantry and panzerfaust teams, were overrun or killed, and captured by 12:30 a.m. The advance continued beyond the blazing Rodach and the towns of Schweighof, Neida and Wiesfeld were taken by 2:05 p.m., against light resistance. The command consolidated their positions near Weisenfeld on Division order, developing the situation through aggressive patrolling around Coburg for the remainder of the day.

At 4:00 p.m. CC R was directed to march on Hildburghausen, clearing a lateral route across to CC B s axis of advance and clearing the Eishausen-Rodach area for occupation by the 410th Field Artillery Group and Division troops. At 10:45 a.m. CC R reduced a roadblock, thus opening the road from Hildburghausen to Rodach. At this point the command was divided, the 22nd Tank Battalion took an Eastern cross-country route and the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion swung around to the West to clear the area. Seven towns were cleared, Rodach occupied, and patrol contacts made with CC B and the 41st Cavalry before sundown.

The 41st Cavalry, falling behind CC A at Hildburghausen, continued to the East on the main road to clear Schackendorf at 11:00 a.m. and block along the Division's Northeast flank. The bulk of the Squadron followed CC A to Ahstadt where the patrols were sent to the North and Northeast as far as Harras and Rottenbach meeting no resistance.

The 410th Field Artillery Group, following CC R, moved forward to positions Southeast of Rodach during the afternoon. On order from the Division a coordinated heavy artillery fire was laid on Coburg throughout the night.

The Division was aided during the day by particularly effective tactical air support as squadron fighter-bomber missions targeted Eishausen, Unterlauter, Meustadt, Rodach, and Coburg. Several missions were diverted to destroy enemy aircraft active in the area.

Preceded by the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and followed by the 56th Armored Engineer Battalion, Division Headquarters moved to Rodach between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Over 350 prisoners of war were evacuated through the Division cage.

CIVILIANS EVACUATED

CC A's headquarters were visited at 9:00 p.m. on April 10, by emissaries of the Duke of Coburg who requested evacuation of 300 women and children refugees said to be residents of Coburg Castle. The Division granted permission for the evacuation to be made on the morning of April 11.

A reconnaissance made by CC B late in the afternoon indicated that Coburg would be strongly defended. A report was made to XII Corps pointing out that in such a large city the commitment of the entire Division infantry elements would make such a deliberate mop-up action a long drawn-out process. In reply XII Corps advised that a Regimental Combat Team of the 71st Infantry Division had been given the task of seizing Coburg on April 11.

Continuous harassing artillery fire focused on Coburg during the night and an early morning dive-bomber and strafing attack added to the softening process of the city.

While the authorized evacuation of civilians was being executed in the early morning of April 11, final preparations were made by CC B and Combat Team Five, 71st Infantry Division for an assault on the city.

Emissaries from Coburg returned to CC A's 42nd Tank Battalion command post at 9:00 a.m. seeking surrender terms for the Castle, under control of the Duke of Coburg, and the city, controlled by the Wehrmacht. The enemy was given until 10:30 a.m. to capitulate, while air and artillery fire was suspended and a staff party from Headquarters CC A sent into the city to negotiate surrender.

SURRENDER OF COBURG

A flight of fighter-bombers from XIX Tactical Air Command arrived at Coburg at 10:00 a.m., circling continuously over the city, ready to strike in the event of refusal to surrender. At 10:30 a.m. both the Castle and the city surrendered to the Thunderbolts, and, under terms imposed in the capitulation, the civilians commenced to clear the streets of roadblocks and other obstacles.

CC B's Counter Intelligence Corps, Military Government, and IPW personnel immediately entered Coburg and engineer parties were sent forward to clear the streets of mines and determine roads into, through, and out of the city.

CC A continued to block all roads North and East of Coburg during the morning. Several small towns South of Wohlsbach were cleared by 11:15 a.m.

A verbal order issued to major units at 1:00 p.m. on April 11, outlined the plan for renewal of attack. CCA was ordered to by-pass Neustadt and advance in its zone to capture Kronach and establish a bridgehead across the Hasslach River. Similarly CC B was directed to advance in its zone and secure a bridgehead across the Hasslach near Marktzeuln. Coordinating with CC A, CC R was directed to move the 22nd Tank and 55th Armored Infantry Battalion forward to Oberlauter and release them to CC A seize Neustadt with the 42nd and 63rd Armored Infantry Battalions and occupy the city until relieved by following elements of the 71st Infantry Division's 66rh Regiment.

The 41st Cavalry was ordered to continue protecting the Division's Northeast flank, maintain contact with the 26th Infantry Division; and, in addition, to block the main road running into the Division's rear from Sonnegherg, near Worlsdorf. The 183rd Field Artillery Group was to support and give CC R fire priority until the seizure of Neustadt. The 5th Regimental Combat Team, operating under the 11th Armored Division control, was directed to sweep the woods West of Coburg, protect the position of the 410th Field Artillery Group, and clear and occupy Coburg. The 5rh Regimental Combat Team was to revert to the 71st Infantry Division after completing this mission and being passed through by the 11th Armored Division.

Moving forward at 2:00 p.m., CC R turned over the 22nd Tank and 55th Infantry Battalions to CC A. Establishing a command post at Wohlspach, a small task force made up of Company B, 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion and Company B, 42nd Tank Battalion, was sent Northeast to develop the situation near Neustadt. Finding Neustadt undefended, the Task Force moved in and occupied the town at 8.15 p.m. Artillery fire, planned to harass the town during the night, and support of the attack were cancelled.

A squadron of fighter-bombers, running an armed reconnaissance Southeast of Coburg in preparation for the following day's action, discovered a small tank column and destroyed or disabled five of them. CC B was warned of armor in their projected zone.

At 7:40 p.m. an order was received from XII Corps outlining an alternate plan to have the Division turn East after reaching the second objective, relieving pressure on the 26th Infantry Division, and seizing the key communication center of Hof, along the Czechoslovakian border.

Resuming offensive operations according to the original plan, both CC B and CC A jumped off at 6:15 a.m. on April 12, 1945, so commencing a day of excellent progress against light resistance.

CC B moved through Coburg and advanced, meeting little or no resistance, on the Rohrbach-Freisendorf-Ebersdorf axis to defended Sonnenfeld, which was cleared at 9:20 a.m. The command was split up into two task forces at Weidhausen, while artillery went into position to support the river crossing. One force, moving via Markzeuln, found a good ford near a blown bridge across the Hasslach and continued across the river without opposition, coiling into positions near Ober Zettlitz. The other Task Force advanced on the Trubenbach-Marktgraitz-Redwitz axis unopposed, coiling for the night across the stream near Obristfeld, thus forming a solid bridgehead.

CC A's column reached Fecheim at 7:00 a.m. without incident. At 8:15 a.m. near Zedersdorf an enemy tank and a small group of infantrymen were engaged and destroyed and the advance continued to Gestungshausen by 8:35 a.m. In the woods near Modlitz an estimated 200 enemy which had been bypassed by advanced elements, were engaged and captured or dispersed. While the column turned up the small valley toward Kronach, Cavalry elements attacked defended roadblocks in Kups, which threatened the East flank. Infantry Task Force Hearn, in the lead, reached the outskirts of Kronach at 1:20 p.m. and Tank Task Force Wingard, following, cleared several towns along the route. After clearing Kronach of a few isolated defenders at 3:00 p.m. Task Force Hearn seized intact a vital bridge across the Hasslach River and captured 60 prisoners in addition to a German Army hospital housing 600 wounded Wehrmacht personnel.

Following artillery fire that left the town blazing, Cavalry elements entered Kups at 3:15 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. this strong point was reported clear and 53 enemy soldiers captured. For extra security and to acquire favorable terrain for continuation of the attack, Division ordered CC A to seize the dominating wooded hills Southeast of Kronach. This mission was accomplished by 6:15 p.m. with the fall of Weissenbrunn. At 4:45 p.m. the combat command post had been established at Schmolz. A CC R Task Force relieved CC A elements holding Kronach at 10:15 p.m., allowing the command to consolidate and prepare for the following day.

CC R followed CC A from the Wohlsbach-Oberlauter area at 9:30 a.m. Elements occupying Neustadt were relieved by the 71st Infantry Division at 10:00 a.m. Mopping up towns passed through by other elements of the division and clearing by-passed enemy pockets, the command cut across via Emberg and Gross Gernstadt, rejoining the CC B axis at Eberdorf about 1:10 p.m. Closing in on Ebersdorf the command was ordered to clear surrounding towns and woods for the emplacement of the 410th Field Artillery Group in the event of heavy opposition from Kronach. While clearing the area the 42nd Tank Battalion discovered nine Mark IV, one Mark V, and Mark VI tanks abandoned in a wooded area, all of which were destroyed by fire and demolitions. Without a single casualty the command captured 26 prisoners of war and killed at least six enemy soldiers.

SURRENDER LEAFLETS

Moving forward behind CC R, the 41st Cavalry continued to protect the Division Northeast flank during the day. At 4:30 p.m. the Squadron blocked the main road South from Sonneberg and set up a command post at Furth. Division Artillery, supporting CC B, continuously flew liaison plane missions ahead of the column, dropping surrender leaflets in towns along the route to advance. These leaflets admonished the civilians to fly white flags and surrender their towns without resistance to avoid total destruction and produced excellent results. Surrender leaflets were used throughout the central German campaign and were officially credited with expediting the command's movement and saving many American lives.

The Division command Post moved forward to Gertungshausen, arriving at 5:00 p.m. Enemy snipers, dug in the woods immediately to the East, inflicted several casualties, and a close support fighter-bomber strike was called in to strafe and bomb the enemy-infested area. The quadruple mounted 50 caliber machine guns of 575th AA Battalion and destroyers of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion were also employed to sweep the woods in the area with fire.

The 133rd Ordnance Maintenance Battalion moved into Coburg at 5:00 p.m. so as to render close support, and the 81st Medical Battalion joined the Division Train Headquarters at Ebersdorf at 5:30 p.m.

Operations Memo. No. 54 was issued by Division at 6:30 p.m., outlining a continuation of the advance to the East through Kulmbach and then a swing to the North and East to seize Hof and the road center nine kilometers West of Hof. Combat Commands were ordered to continue the advance abreast with CC B on the right. The axis of advance prescribed was Kulmbach-Muchberg-Hof. CC A was assigned the mission of seizing Kulmbach as it advanced and CC B was directed to take Munchberg and Hof proper. CC A was also directed to protect the North and West flanks and CC B the South and East flanks of the Division. The 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was attached to CC B to block in the direction of Bayreuth when the Division turned East. An additional troop was assigned CC A to accomplish its flank protection mission. Restrained in Kulmbach by a Corps Directive received at 11:00 a.m., April 13, the Division made rapid progress for half the day, despite difficulties in rain-soaked terrain from a heavy storm during the night.

CC A continued the advance at 7:00 a.m. over a rapidly deteriorating secondary road net, reaching Gossersdorf at 7:25 a.m., Poppenholz at 7:40 a.m., and Lehenthal at 8:05 a.m. Complete failure of the planned road caused a delay and another selected route was used through Grafendobrach which was seized at 10:05 a.m. Troop B, 41st Cavalry liquidated a defended roadblock four kilometers South of Lebenthat and as the advance continued 45 enemy troops were captured.

ENTERING KULMBACH

Task Force Hearn entered Kulmbach opposed by light small arms fire, and, with assistance from Troop B, 41st Cavalry, seized the city. High on a hill in the city a walled castle was found to be defended and it was reported that several hours would be required to clear Kulmbach. At midday CC A was directed to remain on the taken third objective and clear the city. Searching for better roads to the East. Task Force Weineandt proceeded to Unter Steinach clearing it by 2:30 p.m. Also shifting to the East, Task Force Wingard entered and cleared Stadt Steinach where two 240mm railroad guns were seized and a million dollar experimental electronic laboratory fell to the command. CC A's command post followed Task Force Wingard and opened in Stadt Steinach at 4:00 p.m. Kulmbach was cleared by 6:00 p.m. and the command consolidated positions in the Stadt Steinach-Unter Steinach-Kulmbach area for the night. During the day a 183rd Field Artillery Group liaison plane was shot down by enemy aircraft.

Leading CC B, Troop D, 41st Cavalry, moved out at 6:00 a.m., April 13, reconnoitering for a route that would by-pass Kulmbach to the West, avoid converging with CC A in that city, and isolate the city by cutting the main road to Bayreuth. Preceded by a liaison plane dropping surrender leaflets, the cavalry moved rapidly forward without resistance through white-flagged towns. Rotthwind was reached at 7:30 a.m., and near Mainleus a prepared bridge was seized before it could be demolished.

Division orders went out at 7:46 a.m. to hold on the third objective so as to curb this rapid progress until CC A's attack on Kulmbach had been launched. Turning South across the Main River progress was slowed considerably by muddy secondary roads.

Cavalry reconnaissance elements entered the third objective area at 10:10 a.m. and Division artillery had taken up positions to fire on Kulmbach by 10:20 a.m. Moving out again at 10:45 a.m., preceded by cavalry, the column encountered great difficulty moving along soggy secondary roads. Light enemy resistance was overcome at Kelkendorf shortly after 11:00 a.m. Three enemy 88mm anti-tank guns were destroyed near Ober Kobach at 11:40 a.m. Occupying the third objective entirely and cutting the main road from Kulmbach to Bayreuth near Mangersreuth at 1:00 p.m., CC B coiled and cleaned up scattered resistance in the area.

Again desiring to develop the situation around Bayreuth because of good progress made by the 26th Infantry Division toward Hof during the morning, XII Corps directed the Division to send strong reconnaissance in that direction. A request for permission to send an entire combat command, due to the size of the city, was denied. Preparation to seize Hof on the part of the Division was diverted and CC B was accordingly ordered to send the 41st Cavalry toward Bayreuth on a reconnaissance mission.

With CC A in Kulmbach an attempt was made to pass the following 41st Cavalry around CC B through the city but this possibility was erased because of a blown bridge near Burghaig. The 41st Cavalry made its way through CC B following the muddy by-pass to the West while engineers were dispatched to repair the bridge at Burghaig. Reaching the main road again at Mangersreuth about 4:00 p.m., the 41st Cavalry advanced through Rohr and Neudrossenfeld by 5:50 p.m. Clearing the town by 8:00 p.m. the command coiled and waited daylight before proceeding through a woods-flanked defile. In this rapid action lOC) prisoners of war were taken.

CC R, ordered to clear the area East of Gestungshausen enroute, moved East toward the CC A axis ahead of Division troops, reaching Kronach at 12:50 p.m. Leaving a small holding force there to clear the main road between Kronach and Kumbach, the remainder of the command continued to Kirchleus. Eschbach and Losau were mopped up and three roadblocks reduced, thus opening the main roads to Kulmbach. In Weissenbrunn and Kirchleus CC R troops were strafed by four enemy planes, which inflicted nine casualties. Elements of the 26th Infantry Division relieved the holding force at Kronach at 8:00 p.m. and they rejoined the main body in the vicinity of Kirchleus where the command post was established.

During the afternoon enemy air was exceptionally active in the Division area. Besides attacks on CC A and CC R, 133rd Ordnance installations near Mainroth were attacked by four ME-109's. The 575th AA Battalion's accurate fire accounted for one enemy plane destroyed and one damaged. Division troops moved from Gestrungshausen to Mainleus on April 13, where the command post was established at 3:00 p.m. The 410th Field Artillery Group followed to pound Bayreuth with its long range 155mm guns during the night. The Long Tom 155mm guns were placing H and I fires on the city by 8:40 p.m., starting numerous fires. Verbal orders were received from XII Corps about 9:00 p.m., directing a small task force to seize and secure Bayreuth the following day, and otherwise to remain in place while the 71st Infantry Division passed through the Division. CC B directed to execute the Bayreuth task while all other major units were instructed to concentrate on maintenance. Road priority throughout the zone was granted to the 71st Infantry Division.

The objective of the day of April 14th, 1945, was the seizure of Bayreuth, a historic city famed for its annual spring festival and as the birthplace of Richard Wagner, the noted composer.

Task Force Foy, consisting of the 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Company A of the 41st Tank Battalion Company C of the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, one platoon Company B of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and one platoon Company B of the 56th Armored Engineer Battalion, was constituted for CC B elements. Organized into two task groups the troops moved out from Muckenreuth at 8:00 a.m. to seize Bayreuth. One maneuvering column moved via Muckenreuth through the woods to a crossroad and the high ground West of Bayreuth, reducing several roadblocks and occasional small arms fire. The second task force moved through Alten Plox and Hethersreuth to dominating terrain one kilometer North of Bayreuth. By 11:00 a.m. both groups commanded excellent observations positions and Division Artillery had moved forward within range of the city. Considerable artillery fire was rained on the city bur seemed only to make the enemy more stubborn in their defense.

SURRENDER OF BAYREUTH

With only insignificant forces to defend the city and a seeming desire for surrender on the part of the defending force, negotiations for the capitulation of Bayreuth were begun at 1:00 p.m. A captured German officer and the local Burgomeister who presented himself, were given until 2:30 to surrender and turn over all troops within the city. While negotiations were in progress, several tanks from the 14th Armored Division opened fire on Bayreuth from the North, in violation of the agreed truce. A request was made immediately to XII Corps for withdrawal of this unit from the area. CC B meanwhile, maintained close radio contacts with elements of the 2nd Cavalry Group, which had moved around to the South and West of Bayreuth, blocking several main roads and scooping up hundreds of enemy troops attempting to escape from the city.

At 2:10 p.m. the Burgomeister informed CC B that the majority of the enemy troops in the city were willing m surrender, but that he could not control the activities of fanatic groups.

Certain high-ranking German officers were reported to be withdrawing East to a castle at St. Johannes and intense artillery concentrations and air bombardment were directed against the establishment with good results.

Company C, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, with a platoon of the 41st Tank Battalion entered Bayreuth from the North at 2:45 p.m. and seized control of the center of the city against scattered sniper resistance. Around the North and West of the city the 41st Cavalry captured 268 prisoners attempting to escape in small parries. A motorized regiment of the 71st Infantry Division arrived at 7:00 p.m. to occupy the city whereupon Task Force Foy withdrew to Neudrossenfeld at approximately 9:00 p.m. CC B elements, other than the 41st Cavalry, were released to parent units and returned to the Kulmbach area.

CC A uncovered a number of large German Army food and clothing warehouses in Kulmbach and placed guards over them.

From April 10, 1945 to April 14, the Division had intermittently advanced 80 kilometers from the Hildburghausen area to Bayreuth, clearing 115 towns, and evacuating 792 prisoners through the Division cage. Material captured or destroyed in the advance included 12 enemy tanks, four 88mm antitank guns, two 240mm guns, and four enemy aircraft. The advance was highlighted by the capture of Coburg and Bayreuth.

With the seizure of Bayreuth in mid-afternoon the Division had accomplished its assigned mission and as the day ended it assembled and continued preparations for further Third Army spearhead advances into Southern Germany. The Division devoted the day of April 15 to rehabilitation and maintenance, also guarding captured military installations within the area, especially in Kulmbach.

The 90th Infantry Division seized Hof during the afternoon and the 26th Infantry Division reached its restraining zone, placing its forward elements generally from Munchberg South to Gefrees. The 71st Infantry Division, passing through the 11th Armored Division, advance along the Southwest flank to the restraining line, generally from Gefrees South to Bayreuth. The Division command post was established at Kulmbach.

Fifty Hitler Jugend boys drilling in Losau were picked up by a CCR patrol and turned over to the Provost Marshal for evacuation through prisoner of war channels.

At 8:00 am. on April 16, CC R was directed to move to Kulmbach to relieve the 55th Armored Infantry of guard duties, in an attempt to equalize the rehabilitation opportunities of CC A troops. The 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion moved into Kulmbach first, remaining tank and headquarters elements followed.

Operational Directive No. 107 was received from XII Corps at 5:00 p.m., directing the Division to assemble in the Burgkunstadt-Stadt Steinach-Unter Steinach-Katschenreuth area and relieve all elements of the 26th and 71^st Infantry Divisions of guard responsibility in that area The directive also informed that Kulmbach would remain under the 71st Infantry Division control while their command post was located in the city. Orders were issued to CC A to move the 55th Armored Infantry Battalion out of Kulmbach early the following day to relieve congestion

Later in the evening the Division was warned by telephone that XII Corps would resume offensive operations to the Southeast, possibly on April 19. The Thunderbolts were directed to relieve the 71st Infantry Division in the interim early April 17 and defend along the Corps restraining line between Gefrees and Bayreuth.

At 10:00 p.m. CC B was ordered to take over defense of a line between Bayreuth and Berneck from elements of the 71st Infantry Division early on April 17. Similarly CC R was directed to rake over the Berneck-Gefrees line CC A was ordered to relieve CC R elements and resume the mission of supporting the defense. All other elements of the Division were ordered to complete maintenance work and prepare to move on two hours notice after midnight of April 17.

At 1:20 p.m. on April 17, CC B made a request that the 2nd Cavalry Group relieve the 71st Infantry Division in their location between Bayreuth and Seublitz. Relayed to XII Corps, the request was approved and CC B dispersed its elements across a narrower sector to the Northeast CC B moved to the Bayreuth area at 7:30 am. to relieve 71st Infantry Division elements in the city and forward elements along the line Seublitz, Northeast to Berneck. The relief of forward elements was completed at 1:10 p.m. while troops occupying Bayreuth and posting of guards at the city's main factories, bridges, and other vital points, was completed at 6:00 p.m.

FURTHER ADVANCE

CC R initiated movement to its assigned sector at 7: 30 a m and had completed relief of the 71st Infantry Division elements from Gefrees to Berneck by 11:30 a m The command post was established at Wirsberg about 11:00 am. CC A had restored previous guards on captured installations in Kulmbach by 8:15 am., freeing CC R elements. Division Artillery moved forward to Bayreuth during the day and assumed its support mission. The 490th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was placed in direct support of CC R, the 491st Armored Field Artillery Battalion in direct support of CC B, and both the 947th and 492nd Armored Field Artillery Battalions in general support.

On the basis of a Third Army directive, XII Corps G-3 met with corresponding staff officers of the 11th Armored Division and the 26th and 90th Infantry Divisions at Kronach about 3:00 p.m., and a plan for the next Corps operations was worked out. XII Corps assigned mission was the continuance of an advance to the Southeast, West of the Czechoslovakian boundary, initially as far as Cham and then to the Austrian border. The 71st Infantry Division was to move to the Southwest and pass to control of XV Corps, being replaced by the 97th Infantry Division coming in on the Northeast and assembling in the vicinity of Hof. The Corps plan envisaged a series of limited objective attacks by the Thunderbolts, followed up with zone clearance operations by the 26th Infantry Division to the Southwest and the 90th Infantry Division to the Northeast along the Czechoslovakian border. Protecting that flank and moving Northeast was the 2nd Cavalry Group. On arrival, the 97th Infantry Division was to follow the 90th Infantry Division in the latter s zone, relieve the 90th and block to the Northeast along the Czechoslovakian border.

The Thunderbolts were specifically directed to continue the advance to the Southeast early April 19, to seize Weiden and Cham successively. The 183rd Field Artillery Group was directed to continue reinforcement of artillery fires for the 11th Armored Division and Supplementary Engineer Support provided.

Verbal orders were issued CC A and Division Troops to concentrate in the Bayreuth area the following day. CC B was directed to relieve elements of the 2nd Cavalry Group without delay.

Batteries B and C of the 128th AAA Gun Battalion, attached to the Division for enemy aircraft high-level attack protection, were placed under control of the 575th AA Battalion.

The zone assigned the Division for the coming operation was approximately 100 kilometers long, varying from 20 to 30 kilometers wide. Rolling terrain once again predominated, marked particularly by extensive wooded areas. Only secondary roads were apparent in a favorable direction with the exception of one 25-kilometer stretch. Numerous streams, including the Naab and Regen, offered favorable defensive or delay possibilities.

On studying a smaller scale map than that used when the Corps operation had been laid out, it was found that the first objective could not be skillfully approached without using at least one route through the 90th Infantry Division zone. Moreover, the assigned objective of Weiden, appeared only as a small road center, while Grafenwohr, 20 kilometers to the West, appeared as a much larger and important locality.

With these factors in mind the Division plan for accomplishment of its mission was formulated. Two pairs of mutually supporting routes were laid out for the major combat commands. One set favored the center of the Corps zone and led through Weiden. The second set were confined to the 26th Infantry Division zone on the Southwest flank and led through Grafenwohr. Both pairs contemplated a series of five zig-zag 20 kilometer advances to seize assigned objectives or critical terrain features within the Division zone.

Operations Memo No. 55 was published by the Division at 9:30 a.m. April 18, crystallizing the plan for the advance to Cham. CC B and CC A abreast, with CC B on the right, were directed to advance along prescribed axes as soon as possible after daylight on April 19, to seize designated successive objectives. The 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was attached to CC A as of 6:00 a.m. April 19. CC A was directed to protect the Division's Northeast flank and maintain contact with the adjacent 90rh Infantry Division. Division Artillery was to continue support of CC B, and the 183rd Field Artillery Group supporting CC A. CC R, after being relieved by elements of the 26th Infantry Division, was ordered to follow along CC B's axis in reserve.

SURRENDER OF BRANDHOLZ

At 11:00 a.m. the Burgomeister of Brandholz arrived at CC R command post at Wirsberg seeking to surrender this town. The surrender was accepted and artillery fire, which had been concentrated on the town, was lifted. Elements of the 26th Infantry Division's 328th Infantry Regiment relieved CC R between Gefrees and Berneck at approximately 9:00 p.m., after being relieved in turn by the 90th Infantry Division on the North. The 490th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was released from direct support of CC R and reverted to control of the 183rd Field Artillery Group.

The Division command post moved from Mainleus at 9:30 a.m. reopening in the Western outskirts of Bayreuth at 12:30.

Late in the evening the Division was informed that it would be responsible for maintaining guards on installations in Bayreuth until relieved by troops of the Corps Area Defense Command, and that the relief could nor be expected for at least two days. In order to free all of CC B's troops for the following day's attack, CC R was ordered to move into and assume responsibility for guarding all Bayreuth military installations.

During the temporary stabilization of the situation around Bayreuth the enemy had had time to patch together a few town defense detachments and prepare demolitions and roadblocks to the Southeast. School troops and miscellaneous headquarters units from the large military installations at Grafenwohr sought to stem the Division's advance.

April 19 proved to be the best day for the Division's air cooperation, as cool, clear weather predominated, with a slightly overcast sky and generally good visibility. Easing the way for attacking ground troops, the XIX Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers flew their first reconnaissance mission of the day to Grafenwohr at 7:05 a.m. Occupied military barracks were hit and set afire. Ahead of CC A, a second squadron bombed and strafed Kemnath at 8:15 p.m., dispersing or killing several hundred troops, and burning in motor transports as well as destroying four enemy aircraft operating in the area. An hour later Neustadt and Pressath were set ablaze by a third mission. Five missions against Grafenwohr later in the day, and in the face of considerable flak, started numerous additional fires, dispersed or destroyed a column withdrawing from the city to the Southeast and burned at least 15 additional vehicles. Surrender leaflets were dropped on towns by artillery liaison planes in advance of the CC B column.

CC A initiated the advance when Troop A, 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron moved out at 6:00 a.m. from the Neudrossenfeld area. The troop encountered a blown bridge at Neunkirchen but another bridge, one mile West of Seublitz, was found to be a suitable by-pass. The column made first contact in Iresau, this being quickly overcome and the advance guard reached Senoyenreuth at 10:50 a.m.

Meanwhile the main column of CC A had moved forward, coiling off the road in the Bayreuth area to await the progress of the advance elements and bypass of construction work at Neukirchen. Two roadblocks were encountered by Troop A, 41st Cavalry, in the woods, halting their advance. On the arrival of Task Force Wingard consisting principally of tank and armored infantry elements, the attack resumed, the roadblocks and woods cleared, and the town entered at 1:40 a.m. Forty British prisoners of war were liberated at Kirchenlaibach.

THROUGH TRESSAU

Operating on the North flank, the 41st Cavalry broke up its defensive disposition and cleared light resistance in Tressau. Remaining CC A elements moved forward from coiling positions near Bayreuth at 12:55 p.m. Task Force Wingard reached Speichsdorf at 12:45 p.m., after clearing light resistance and Le Lettenhof at 1:20 p.m. The artillery fire and fighter-bomber strafing which Neustadt had received enabled it to be taken without opposition. Pressath was seized against remaining scattered resistance at 3:05 p.m. and two enemy tanks destroyed in the fight for this town. Task Force Wingard proceeded South through the woods against light sniper resistance to Grafenwohr, entering the city from the North, in coordination with CC B. Infantry Task Force Hearn mopped up and completed clearing Pressath while the 41st Cavalry, skirting Kemnath to the Northeast, worked its way South into Pressath for the night. All elements closed into Grafenwohr or Pressath by 8:40 p.m. In the still undamaged outskirts of Grafenwohr a command post was established.

CC B meantime, gathered its scattered defense forces at daylight of April 19, and renewed the advance from Bayreuth at 7:30 a.m. Proceeding through the previously cleared 71st Infantry Division zone into Greussen, the column swung East into enemy territory. Losau was reached without opposition at 9:35 a.m. by advanced elements. Division artillery went into positions and both towns were pounded and set afire under heavy concentrations of fire. Vorbach, on the first report line, was seized at 10:00 a.m. in the first contact action. Bypassing blistered and littered Vorbach, Ober Bibbach was seized at 11:30 a.m. after cellar holdout opposition had been encountered. Resuming the advance shortly after 1:00 p.m., the command passed through Tremmersdorf at 1:30 p.m., Eschenbach at 2:30 p.m., and Stegenthumbach at 3:40 p.m. At the river line South of Stegenthumbach light resistance was encountered, but quickly overcome. Continuing through Grunhund, the command, in coordination with CC A, entered Grafenwohr at 5:00 p.m. and commenced clearing the battered Southern portion of the city. At 5:30 p.m. the Division reported the city taken. An enemy retreating column South of the city was fired on by Division Artillery with good results.

CC R relieved CC B guards in the Bayreuth area during the morning. At 1:20 p.m. CC R was ordered to avoid the CC B axis, continue the advance and clear the Ober Bibach area for anticipated occupation by the 410th Field Artillery Group. CC R cleared six towns during the afternoon, including Schlammersdorf and Frankenberg. From these towns and the woods surrounding them 28 prisoners of war were captured and one 120mm mortar seized and destroyed. The command post opened in Schlammersdorf at 6:30 p.m.

The Division command post, preceded by the command control party, left Bayreuth at 1:00 p.m. and reopened near Vorbach at 2:40 p.m. The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion preceded the Division Headquarters to Vorbach and secured the area. The 56th Armored Engineer Battalion and the 575th AA Battalion followed Division Headquarters to Vorbach and at Neunkirchen, the 56th Armored Engineer Battalion supervised construction of a 70-foot Bailey bridge to replace the blown structure.

The 133rd Ordnance Maintenance Battalion and the 81st Medical Battalion joined Division Train Headquarters and moved forward to the Bindlach airport supply area to the Northeast of Bayreuth.

GRAFENWOHR SEIZED

During an 11-hour operation the Division had advanced 33 kilometers, seizing its first objective of Grafenwohr. In this thrust, over 700 prisoners of war were captured, 15 towns seized and cleared, and at least 20 enemy combat and transport vehicles were destroyed.

Restrained from continuing the advance, by Corps order the Division spent the day of April 20, clearing and consolidating in the Grafenwohr locality. Also conducting reconnaissance to the South, anticipating future operations. Huge stores of enemy material, munitions and foodstuffs were uncovered as elements of the Division combed Grafenwohr and its suburbs. An Ordnance depot was seized containing 30 tank hulls, 14 88mm guns, 11 nebelwerfers, two 150mm guns, and 500 Teller mines; also an estimated 300,000 rounds of munitions, including mortar light artillery, panzerfaust, and small arms. A Quartermaster depot in the camp, consisting of five large three-story buildings, filled with coffee, canned meat, canned fruit, and huge quantities of wheat and oats, fell intact. One of the largest Chemical Warfare dumps in Germany was discovered in a wooded dispersal area running about five kilometers along the road. It contained many varicolored smoke pots and an estimated 3,000,000 chemical artillery shells of 75, 88, 120, 150, and 240mm calibers. The Wehrmacht lost permanently, in addition to the capture of Grafenwohr, the facilities of a well-established Panzer Corps school and a recruiting and replacement training center for other troops.

CC A spent the morning clearing the Northern half of Grafenwohr, the woods adjacent to the city, and the woods along the main road from Grafenwohr to Pressath. Guards were established on some of the German Chemical, Ordnance, and Quartermaster installations in the near Grafenwohr. Troop A, 41st Cavalry, reconnoitered to the South along the Schwarzenbach - Hutten - Kaltenbrunn – Freihung axis during the afternoon, meeting scattered small arms resistance at Hammerguns, North of Kalrenbrunn, and at Durmast. Just North of Freihung a roadblock was reduced and the troop entered the town at 4:00 p.m., reporting bridges there intact. Other elements of the 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron reconnoitered from Hutten to Mantel, encountering only scattered small arms resistance. CC B guarded the ordnance depot and other remaining military installations in Grafenwohr. A request was approved to move the 41st Tank Battalion South to Kaltenbrunn, to relieve the congestion in shambled Grafenwohr and secure a more favorable position for continuation of the attack. The battalion arrived at Kaltenbrunn at 11:30 a.m. A liaison plane air reconnaissance to the East reported the presence of troops and a few fires in Weiden. At midday Division Artillery reported that an L-5 liaison plane pilot, flying a distance reconnaissance mission to the South, observed three fighter-aircraft, identified as Russian Yaks, near Amberg. The Yaks were marking targets for heavy bombers operating in that vicinity.

Moving from Schlammersdorf at 11:30 a.m., CC R mopped up woods and cleared the route to Eschenbach where the command post was established at 4:30 p.m.

During the afternoon the 56th Armored Engineer Battalion removed booby traps from a Grafenwohr ammunition dump. The Division command post and Division troops moved forward from Vorbach to Grafenwohr, closing between noon and 1:30 p.m.

ADVANCE TO PRESSATH

The 26th Infantry Division advanced to Pressath and Hasselbrunn closing up considerably. The 90th Infantry Division made some progress through wooded areas to the Northeast, as also did XX Corps' 71st Infantry Division along an excellent road to the Southeast.

A TWX was received from XII Corps at 6:20 p.m., halting all units on Phase Line B, which the Thunderbolts had reached with the seizure of Grafenwohr. The Division was directed to continue the advance on Corps order only, and infantry divisions were ordered to limit daily gains to three or four miles beyond the line. All Divisional units were notified to expect to remain in place an additional 24 hours.

During the first half of April 21, advance elements of the 26th Infantry Division moved up abreast of the Thunderbolts at Grafenwohr and Parksrein. The 90th Infantry Division to the Northeast, and leading elements in Windischenschenbach late in the afternoon.

Early in the morning Major Division Units were directed to conduct a thorough search of the area surrounding Grafenwohr to locate suspected additional caches of munitions and material scattered in the woods in the vicinity. This search resulted in the discovery of a train with 16 carloads of ammunition and a large ammunition dump in a wooded dispersal area. Eleven new two and half ton trucks and six trailers loaded with radio equipment were also uncovered.

Verbal instruction from XII Corps, received at 11:00 a.m., directed the 11th Armored Division to resume the advance early on April 22, seizing Weiden, and then continuing to seize Cham. The Corps plan of attack remained substantially unaltered. The newly arrived 97th Infantry Division, on the Corps Northeast flank, was directed to successively relieve the 90th Infantry Division along the Czech border as the latter Division advanced to the Southeast. The Division's request for the relief of guard duties was granted and the 26th Infantry Division asked to assume all such duties in the Grafenwohr area.

The Division plan of attack was outlined in Operations Memo No. 36, issued at 3:30 p.m. CC As mission was that of seizing Weiden, and continuing the advance as far as Nabbur. CC B was directed to assist CC A's attack on Weiden from favorable positions to be seized in the vicinity of Manrel, and thereafter to continue the advance to seize Schwarzenfeld and a bridgehead across the Naab River. CC R was ordered to move to Grafenwohr, with the possible task of advancing South along the main route to seize Hirschau. The 183rd Field Artillery Group was charged with coordinating all fires relating to the seizure of Weiden.

CC A was directed to move the 41sr Cavalry, followed by the 276th Field Artillery Battalion, to the vicinity of Parkstein, to reconnoiter and mark the route of advance, also to secure favorable artillery positions from which the objective could be fired upon at night. The Cavalry squadron continued reconnaissance against no resistance and proceeded to Neustadt, occupying the city at 6:00 p.m. A Wehrmacht hospital, with 64 patients and a staff of 23, was captured in Neustadt, where the cavalry organized positions for the night.

At 3:30 p.m. CC B moved its advance guard and the 974th Field Artillery Battalion from Grafenwohr through Hutten to Mantel meeting no resistance. The advance guard, pushing to Rupprechtsreuth to secure defilade positions for the 974th Field Artillery Battalion, cleared and protected the area while the artillery went into action. Weiden was rained with a heavy volume of artillery fire throughout the night under 183rd Field Artillery Group direction. During the early morning of April 21, enemy stragglers drifted over into Moss and attacked supply elements of the 42nd Tank Battalion coming forward from the rear. CC R sent a force from the 42nd Tank Battalion back to re-sweep the area from Moos to Schlammersdorf. Moos was taken under fire and burned down. In a skirmish in the woods an enemy ammunition truck was destroyed and ten enemy soldiers killed. By 1:25 p.m. Schlammersdorf and the surrounding woods were cleared. The Eschenbach area was also cleared during the day and a total of 36 enemy stragglers captured.

CC A guards in Grafenwohr were relieved by elements of the 26th Infantry Division by 8:00 p.m., but CC B's forces, also guarding installations there, remained unrelieved. The Division was assured that CC B would be relieved by early the following morning.

ACROSS THE NAAB RIVER

The Division drove a three-pronged spearhead through scattered enemy resistance on April 22, raking Weiden and seizing a bridgehead across the Naab River, 30 kilometers further along the way to the final objective. Both air and ground operations were hampered by frequent showers and generally deteriorating weather.

CC A s Tank Task Force Wingard left Grafenwohr at 6:45 a.m., to join forward elements of the cavalry advancing on Weiden from Neustadt. Two and a half kilometers North of Weiden the cavalry encountered two roadblocks bur these were reduced in a half-hour. Task Force Wingard passed through the Cavalry, entering Weiden against light small arms resistance and seizing it at 9:25 a.m. Meanwhile, Cavalry elements operating on the East flank reached Gornitz at 7:52 a.m. and on through Wilchenreuth at 9:07 a.m. Elements of the 90th Infantry Division were contacted at 9:58 a.m., two kilometers Northwest of Neustadt. The nearly 2,000 Allied prisoners of war who were liberated and several hundred German soldiers captured in Weiden made the problem of restoring order an arduous task.

Cavalry elements were sent South to seize the crossing of the Naab River at Rothenstadt after another roadblock on the South edge of the city of Weiden had been reduced by them. Two defended roadblocks were encountered at Rothenstadt at 10:25 a.m. Attacking in conjunction with elements of CC B on the West, the blocks were reduced the town cleared, and the bridge seized intact by 11:25 a.m.

The bulk of CC A remaining in Weiden, cleared the city and established order. The Division issued orders to the command around noon to press forward in the attack leaving but a small force in Weiden until relieved by the 26th Infantry Division. Led by Troop A, 41st Cavalry, CC A advanced to Luhe where a bridge was seized intact and the town occupied by 2:30 p.m. At this point the Cavalry was passed through by tank elements who proceeded South to seize Wernberg against scattered small arms and sniper fire. Many enemy soldiers surrendered. One kilometer West of Wernberg a railroad bypass over the main road was actually blown by the enemy as the city was captured, but the main route bridge over the Naab River was reported in good condition. Continuing Southward along the good road, tank elements reached Pfreimd at 4:00 p.m. The city was seized at 4:30 p.m. after lightly held enemy defenses had been smashed.

A bridge at Pfreimd which had been weakened by demolition was strengthened and the column resumed the advanced South toward Nabburg. An emissary from Nabburg contacted leading elements and surrendered the city, which was occupied without resistance at 7:15 p.m.

The command post moved to Pfreimd at 8:15 p.m. and all units of the command were assembled in the Pfreimd-Nabburg area. The command had captured 1,294 enemy troops during the day, and liberated approximately 2,000 Allied prisoners of war. Two prime movers, 66 vehicles, 815 rifles, 61 machine guns, and 66 panzerfaust were also seized and destroyed.

CC Bs main body moved from Grafenwohr at 7:00 a.m. on April 22, and proceeded through Hutten and Mantel, contacting the advance guard. The column coiled off the road East of Mantel, and Division Artillery put its two remaining light battalions into position, preparing to support CC A's attack on Weiden. In the event that CC A had serious trouble in Weiden an infantry task force was made ready for resistance. When Weiden was seized at 9:25 a.m. by CC A, the command resumed the advance to the South, reaching Etzenricht at 9:38 a.m. Reducing several roadblocks, Etzenricht was entered and a light force sent to the East on Division order to assist CC A in the capture of the Naab River bridge at Rothenstadt. The command, although encountering lonely scattered sniper fire in the way of enemy resistance, was slowed considerably on a poor backwoods road net, and crossed the Heidanaab River near Unterwidenau and continued to Beudorf by midday.

HOLZHAMMER CLEARED

Continuing through dense woods, Holzhammer was cleared and 30 surprised prisoners taken. Air OP spotted eight German vehicles moving South of the advancing column near Kenmath. Under artillery fire four of these vehicles were burned, two disabled, and all personnel killed or dispersed. Kenmath was entered by the advancing column at 3:30 p.m. The command entered Schwarzenfeld at 8:30 p.m. A vital bridge across the Naab River was seized intact, the town cleared by 9:00 p.m., and 40 prisoners captured. The entire command concentrated in the Schwarzenfeld area by 10:00 p.m. An inspection of the Naab River bridge revealed it was incapable of withstanding Division loads and work was started by engineers to span the river with a treadway bridge.

CC R meanwhile, moved from Eschenbach at 7:00 a.m., reaching Grafenwohr at 8:00 a.m. where the column coiled to await the outcome of CC A's attack on Weiden. When Weiden was seized the command was ordered to move directly South on a good road to seize Hirschau, and open a direct route to the Southeast for trailing Division elements. Resuming the advance Freihung was reached at 10:30 a.m. Meeting no resistance at Schonbrunn, the column turned Southeast. The city of Hirchau was occupied at 11:30 a.m. and cleared after scattered small arms fire at the Western edge of the city had been reduced. Orders were issued to CC R at 5.00 p.m., based on the reported failure of the CC B road North of Scharzenfeld, to open a main road all the way East to the Naab River near Werberg, and protect the bridge site while engineers repaired the crossing during the night. The task Force dispatched on this mission reported their arrival at the objective at 7:40 p.m., while the remainder of the command assembled at Schnaittenbach for the night.

The Division issued radio orders to all units at 8:30 a.m., directing a continuation of the advance to Cham as soon as possible after daylight of April 23. Division Troops and CC R were advised that a shift to the CC A axis, via Wernberg, would be made the following morning. A request from the engineers to replace the damaged bridge at Pfreimd with bailey material was approved, on the understanding that the road would be reopened by 8:00 a.m. on April 23.

Cham, the final Corps objective, was seized by the Division on this day of April 23, as they advanced 20 kilometers to the East and then an equal distance to the Southeast, through crumbling enemy resistance. Only two reconnaissance missions were possible to aid the Division as intermittent rain and cloudy weather limited tactical air cooperation.

At 1:00 a.m. on April 23, CC A at Pfreimd, reported the surrender of a Hungarian force of 490 men, together with their equipment and transportation. Company B 22nd Tank Battalion, was approached before daylight and arranged for the surrender of a Hungarian force East of Nabburg. By 4:00 a.m. 800 prisoners had poured in from this unit.

Initiating the advance with cavalry elements at 6:15 a.m. the column cleared Willnof at 7:30 a.m., capturing 154 enemy soldiers enroute. Pertolzhofen was reached at 8:45 a.m. It was revealed by reconnaissance that the planned road to the East would not support the command. Swinging to the North through Neider Murach, an Allied prisoner of war camp, containing 150 Russians and 16 Americans, was liberated.

HUNGARIAN FORCE SURRENDERS

Meanwhile, a Hungarian force of at least 1,200 officers and men, located in the Beunberg-Pertolzhofen-Oberveichtach area surrendered en masse to the command.

Pushing Eastward, advance elements occupied Winklarn at 11:30 a.m., where 1,000 British and two American prisoners of war were liberated. Overtaking an enemy column near Grassersdorf, Task Force Wingard took the lead and soon overwhelmed all resistance. The town of Rotz was seized and an additional 160 American prisoners freed.

The 41st Cavalry, flank-protecting along a separate route to the North, advanced swiftly to Gaisthal where an enemy column of four vehicles was overrun and destroyed. Turning to the South and East, an Allied prisoner of war camp was liberated at Haag, about 3:00 p.m., releasing 600 British prisoners. Elements of Task Force Wingard occupied Pemfling at 2:30 p.m. Continuing against no resistance, the column was halted by a roadblock on the Northern outskirts of Cham. The block was reduced, Cham entered, and a link-up made with CC B a short time later.

An order received from the Division at 5:00 p.m., directed Cavalry Task Force Weinand to move Southeast and secure the apparently vital bridge across the Regen River at Milrach. Finding the main road incomplete as it was represented on the map, the reinforced Cavalry troop crossed the river to the South at Cham and proceeded East to Milrach. The bulk of the command, meanwhile assembled in the Cham area, with the command post operating there at 5:55 p.m. Guard details were established at several towns along the route to handle the thousands of prisoners of war captured during the day. German Field Marshall Kesselring’s private train was discovered and seized in the badly bombed railyard at Cham.

CC B resumed the attack at 6:40 a.m., moving rapidly against no resistance to reach Kennath at 7:26 a.m. While artillery was brought forward to cover the wooded South flank, the column halted and the remaining combat elements cleared the treadway bridge at Schwarzenfeld completed during the night. Continuing to Beunberg light resistance was overcome, a force of some 750 Hungarian soldiers surrendered, and 3,000 Russian and Polish slave laborers liberated. The column's advance was slowed as it approached the Regen River as an original 16,000 starved slave workers from the Flossenburg and Buchenwald concentration camps, their 1,300 German SS Guarded column overrun, clogged the route. At 11:15 a.m. Stamsried was seized and several hundred British soldiers, prisoners of the Germans since Dunkerque, were released. Posing fell at 11:30 am., as the last remnants of the Nazi column guard were overrun and killed or captured, and the starving liberated slaves spread out over the countryside looking for food. Striking rapidly to the East the column recrossed the river and entered Cham shortly after 1:00 p.m. against light sniper resistance. The city was seized at 2:00 p.m., thus the Division's assigned mission was accomplished.

Division Artillery, sighting infantry in position to the South of Cham, smothered the area with air-burst fire. At 2:55 p.m. a large enemy airport fell to the command two and one half kilometers Southwest of Cham. Here 50 enemy aircraft, many of them operational, were seized and destroyed. Just before dark three enemy aircraft landed at the airport not knowing the installation had been captured and the pilots were taken prisoners.

The command post moved to Cham at 4:00 p.m. and units assembled in the Cham-Unter Traunbenbach area for the night. A total of 1,700 prisoners of war were captured during the day. The starved slave labor, still alive when the column was finally liberated, numbered approximately 7,000. The road between Stamsried and Posing and the adjacent fields, were dug with shallow improvised graves containing the bodies of at least 100 shot down in cold blood.

The Division troops column left Schnairtenbach at 9:00 a.m. On April 23, crossed the Naab River at Wernberg and turned South on the CC A route to Pfreid. At this point a supporting Engineer company, instead of installing a Bailey bridge the night before as directed, attempted an early morning rush job, delaying all trailing elements four hours. Reaching Allendorf after noon, elements of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion, opened a cross route to the CC B axis at Neunburg. Slowly following CC B, the head of the column reached Stamsried at 3:00 p.m. where the Division command post was reestablished. Along a steep stretch of the Road just Northwest of Stamsried, seeping water undermined the roadbed and it collapsed under excessive usage. Vehicles had to be towed or driven through singly. All elements closed in Stamsreid before midnight.

CC R moved from Schnaittenbach to Friedersreid at 11:45 a.m. The column did not reach Wernberg until 3:00 p.m., being delayed behind the Pfreid bridge. At 7:20 p.m. the command authorized to assemble in the Neunburg area for the night due to the road failure near Stamsried. The command post was opened there at 9:20 p.m. At 10:45 p.m. CC R was instructed to take over the guarding of all prisoners at Neunburg and the following morning to cut across directly East of CC A's route to Rotz, proceeding as far Southwest on the CC A route as Cham.

ADVANCE TO THE SOUTHEAST

Being unaware of Corps future plans, orders were requested by radio and were answered by a telephone call from the XII Corps G-3, outlining the impending operation. A continuation of the advance to the Southeast to join with Russian forces near the German-Austrian border was directed. A formation of three Divisions abreast, with the 11th Armored Division in the center, the 90th Infantry Division on the left and the 26th Infantry Division on the right was prescribed. The 97th Infantry Division was directed to follow the 90th along the North flank, sealing the Czechoslovakian border in successive sector reliefs. No major changes in the attached or supporting troops was prescribed. The 11th Armored Division was directed to advance to the Southeast as far as the Austrian border in the 10-kilometer-wide zone, seizing successive objectives of Regen and Grafenau, and clearing the Division zone. Patrols up to, but not beyond the Austrian border were prescribed.

The narrow, 100-kilomerer long zone of operation assigned the Division was, for the first time in history, characterized principally by a single excellent highway running in a favorable direction for a distance of 60 kilometers. This route was in marked contrast to the restricted roadnet available as the Austrian border was neared, even through portions later proved to be still under construction. The flank was blocked to the South by the Danube River; to the north the tall wooded mountains along the Czech border barred access in all save a few transverse pass areas. The Division zone terrain was generally wooded and mountainous, cut perpendicularly by rivers draining into the Danube to the South.

Vividly awakened to the stark reality of German brutality, evidenced by atrocities and the thousands of starved human slaves that had been liberated in and around Cham, the Thunderbolts needed no urging to quickly continue the decisive action which had placed it, so far, 50 kilometers ahead of all Third Army units toward the alleged German National Redoubt Area.

Troop D 41st Cavalry, was attached to CC B in the early morning of April 24, joining the command in Cham at 7:30 a.m. As the weather cleared about 8:30 a.m. CC B renewed the attack Southeast along the Alpine highway.

A secondary road through Vilzing to Mitach required constant engineer maintenance and slowed the advance considerably. First contact was made with the enemy in the vicinity of Voggerzell where sporadic mortar fire fell on the column. Some small arms resistance was reduced and the advance continued. Defended Viechtach fell by 10:00 a.m. with the cessation of resistance by small arms equipped enemy troops. An unsuccessful attempt was made by the enemy to make a stand on the wooded hillcrest in the vicinity of Arnesried. Tank firing destroyed several enemy vehicles.

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF REGEN

On reaching the outskirts of Regen it was discovered that a 100-feet high bridge spanning a 300-foot gorge and tributary stream of the Regen River had been destroyed. Two additional air squadrons bombed and strafed Regen, and enemy columns trying to vacate the city. Earlier in the morning a mission had been flown on the city. At least 25 enemy motor transports were destroyed. Dismounted infantry elements, covered by artillery and tank fire, advanced on Regen from the west and south. Considerable small arms and mortar fire were received from the city. One vehicle was lost just south of Regen through mines. All resistance had been overcome by 4:15 p.m. and the city was reported clear.

CC A’s task of clearing the zone behind CCB was cancelled around midday and directed to continue in the advance to the Austrian border. Following Division Troops, CC A was able to reach the vicinity of Viechtach by 3:00 p.m. In the late afternoon CC A was directed to attempt a bypass of Regen to the north through Zwiesel. Cavalry elements sent forward on this mission encountered a ponderous roadblock one-kilometer west of Bodenmais. It took three hours work to remove this block and the openly lighted town was entered at 11:00 p.m. without opposition. The remaining elements of CC A assembled around Viechtach for the night. Shortly before midnight CC A was directed to press its attack through Zwiesel at daylight the following morning.

CC  B moved east from its location at Neunburg and proceeded to Cham via Rotz during the morning. At 11:41 a.m. CC R was ordered by Corps to remain until relieved by the 26^th Infantry Division, or, until release from Corps could be obtained. At 8:00 p.m. the command was further directed to establish and maintain contact with the 26^th Infantry Division at Ober Trubenach to the southeast.  

Following CC B, Division Troops moved from Stamsried to Patersdorf during the middle part of the day. The 575th Anti-Air Battalion destroyed one FW-190 and one enemy liaison plane over the airfield near Cham. Elsewhere in the Division area an ME-109 and two more FW-190's were brought down. The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion reconnaissance patrol sent Northeast of Paresdorf during the afternoon discovered abandoned German vehicles in the woods North of Teisnach.

At 1:00 p.m. on April 25, Operations Memo No. 59 was distributed, outlining the Division plan for operations between Regen and the Austrian border. Because of the blown bridge at Regen CC A was directed to bypass the city and lead the attack to the objective around Freyung. CC A was due to clear a zone in the rear of CC A and then advance on the South to a portion of the objective around Wallkirchen. From North to South, CC B, CC A, and CC R, were all assigned zones for clearance after the final objective had been seized, and order to push patrols to the Austrian border and Czechoslovakian border. A request for the release of CC R, except for two companies at Cham, was made of XII Corps, in order to expedite the clearance of the forward area.

On completion of the nightlong construction of a bridge and two-kilometer bypass near Regen at 6:30 a.m. on April 25, CC A once again started moving its vehicles past. Kirchdorf was passed through without opposition but considerable small arms and automatic weapons fire was encountered at Epperschlag. Dismounted infantry elements cleared Epperschlag, leaving it in flames, while the main body continued its rapid advance through the town. When reached at 11:40 a.m., Schonberg was the scene of savage fire-fight. They were prepared by tactical air and artillery fire, then the tank-infantry teams went through the town, capturing and clearing it by 1:00 p.m. In a wooded area South of Schonberg numerous small groups of panzerfaust and rifle-equipped enemy were encountered and heavy combined arms resistance developed as the column broke out of the woods and continued South along the highway towards Passau. Crossing the Ilz River, the bulk of the command continued to the East through Perlesreut to seize bridges across the Ohe River near Prombach. Eliminating a blocking force near Preying the original advance elements crossed the Ilz River to the Northeast and rejoined the command at Perlesreut, where the command post was established. Later in the evening a strafing enemy plane was brought down over the artillery position.

CC A's 41st Cavalry moved from Bodenmais, East to Lansdorf where slight resistance was met. Lest the route through Zwiesel proved unsuitable the main body of CC A remained in the vicinity of Viechtach. Such proved to be the case. Extensive bomb craters rendered the road impassible and no bypass through the mountain country was found so the cavalry counter-marched to the main highway at Patersdorf. A little after midday the entire command resumed the march, following Division Troops along the highway through Regen.

Troop A, 41st Cavalry, which had been allowed to double the Division column, turned East at the Kirchdorf road junction and continued on a route North of and parallel to that of CC B. When entering Schwarzach at 2:30 p.m. an overtaken enemy column was brought under fire. The cavalry continued after killing 20, taking 140 prisoners and destroying undetermined number of vehicles. Grafenau was entered and occupied without resistance at 4:00 p.m. In the town a Japanese diplomatic legation of 37 men, women, and children was captured. Veering East, Neudorf, Hohenau, and Kreuaberg were successfully entered after three defended roadblocks had been reduced. The cavalry assembled for the night in Krenzberg, guarding the bridge across the Resch River. The bulk of the command followed to Grafenau where the command post was established.

The request for clearance of CC R East from Cham was granted early in the morning of April 25, and the command was directed to resume the march, following CC A. Good progress was made until the CC A column was overtaken near Viechtach. At 2:55 p.m. CC R was ordered to proceed as far East as Rinchach and there to protect the Division near by blocking all roads in the vicinity.

NEW BRIDGES FOR OLD

During the first half of the day the 56th Armored Engineer Battalion concentrated all efforts on the Regen Bridge and bypass. Because of the usual one to two day delay in obtaining Bailey bridge material a treadway was laid in the early morning hours to insure the flow of traffic at daylight. A second bridge was constructed along side the treadway when Bailey material arrived around noon. Two sections of the 575th Anti-Air Battalion guarded the bridge site from enemy aircraft which were overhead quite often during the day.

Division troops moved from Patersdorf to Schonberg where the Division command post was reestablished.

During the night CC A was directed to leave the 41st Cavalry in place, preparatory to a return to Division control. Resuming the advance at 8:00 a.m. on April 26, 1945, CC A s Task Force Wingard moved through the Cavalry at Kreuzberg and turned South toward Freyung. The column was halted one kilometer North of Freyung by a destroyed bridge. Tracked vehicles and tanks forded the river while wheeled vehicles used a bypass discovered to the Northeast. Engineers began construction and maintenance work immediately to keep the column moving. After the 490th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and Task Force Wingard had crossed the stream, the bypass collapsed and construction was renewed under sporadic small arms fire from surrounding woods. Freyung was entered and cleared by 10:30 a.m. against minor resistance, this town being CC A s portion of the final objective. German Brigadier General Von Horst, an ordnance officer, was among those taken prisoner in the city.

Adhering to a prearranged plan, Task Force Wingard swung East from Freyung and advanced to Unter Grainet. From this point a full track armored patrol, made up from Company B 22nd Tank Battalion, Company B 55th Armored Infantry Battalion, Battery A 490th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, and a 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Platoon, was dispatched East toward the Austrian border. From time to time the advance was delayed by mountain trails and blown bridges. Hitler Jugend resistance was brushed aside at Lackenshausen, and at 6:30 p.m. this patrol entered Austria from the West, being the first allied unit to do so. The patrol returned to the main body at 7:00 p.m.; its mission accomplished although no meeting was effected with the Russian Army. The bulk of CC A assembled in the Unter Grainet area. The 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was detached from CC A at 8:00 p.m. and left in place for a short rest.

CC B renewed its attack to the East at 7:40 a.m. Light resistance was encountered before taking Alzesberg at 8:30 a.m. The bridge across the Ohe River, South of Prombach, gave way after being crossed by advanced elements and delayed the column for over an hour until another bridge was located to the North. Advance forces continued to Rohrnbach, seizing it after light resistance. Crossing the Osterbach River, Steinerleinbach was reached at 12:15 p.m.

Division Artillery, in the meantime, went into position near Rohrnbach and neutralized or destroyed numerous enemy infantry positions along the South flank of the axis of advance. Six enemy aircraft strafed the column, one of which was shot down. The 21st Armored Infantry Battalion captured the town of Wallkirchen after it had been softened by artillery fire, completing the seizure of the Corps final objective by 3:00 p.m.

INFANTRY WELCOMED BY POPULACE

Continuing East to Wollaberg, the infantry was openly welcomed by the populace. Continuing further to the East, a point one-kilometer Northwest of Gollnerberg was reached at 7:15 p.m., and from here the Austrian border could be observed clearly. The patrol returned to Wallaberg before dark, being short of gasoline. The bulk of CC B assembled in the Waldkirchen area.

An ME-109 was shot down out of a flight which strafed CC R near Rinchnach at 7:30 a.m. CC R, following Division Troops, moved to the vicinity of Grafenau during the afternoon. The 42nd Tank Battalion moved to Schonberg and established strong defenses to the South. Seventy-two prisoners of war were captured during the day, adding to the several hundred being guarded in the Division cake at Schonberg. Schonberg was bombed at 11:00 p.m. by enemy aircraft but no damage was inflicted on military targets.

Taking into consideration the prospect of considerable delay at the Austrian border, no friendly troops within 60 kilometers of the bulk of the Division, and a strong South flank threat, Operations Memo No. 60 was distributed at 11:30 p.m. The movement of the 41st Cavalry to the South flank near Rohrnbach was the only major change in the plan.

Division Troops moved from Schonberg to Grafenau about midday and then followed CC A to Freyung where the combat post was reestablished at 4:30 p.m. Battery A, 575th Anti-Air Battalion, fired multiple 50 caliber and 37mm guns on an enemy mortar position one kilometer West of Schonbergand completely destroyed it. The end of the 56th Armored Engineer Battalion column was attacked by fire from enemy SP guns operating in the Schonberg area and some damage inflicted on the bridge train before the arrival of tank elements from CC R.

Late in the afternoon Engineers installed a 36-foot treadway bridge, North of Freyung, easing the flow of traffic over the vital spot.

Enemy air was particularly active and bold in the Division area during the day. Thirty-five enemy sorties were observed. Late in the afternoon P-51 Mustangs strafed German aircraft West of Freyung and shot down the enemy in a two-minute dogfight. Five enemy aircraft were brought down by the 575th Anti-Air Battalion during the day.

During the month of April the constant activities of vehicles and the urgent need for rehabilitation of personnel caused a request to be made of XII Corps for a 48-hour maintenance period. Corps replied directing the Division to prepare for continuation of the attack on April 28.

The Division had advanced a total of 210 kilometers in the seven active days of operation since leaving the Bayreuth area, seizing both Corps objectives and completing its assigned mission on the Austrian border. Despite enemy delaying tactics and numerous physical obstacles the Third Army spearhead continued at 30 kilometers per day in a week of shifting offensive operation. Prisoners of war captured amounted to at least 9,394 including mounting numbers of Hungarians, and 3,362 Allied prisoners liberated.

Fifty enemy aircraft were overrun on the ground and at least 11 shot out of the air. Some 315 other enemy transport and combat vehicles were either destroyed or captured. Among rear area installations overrun were German Wehrma CHT base depots, a large operational airfield, and throughout all was evidence of the rotten slave labor core of the Nazi system.

During the night of April 26, a battalion of the 183rd Field Artillery Group monitor station was established and for several days a continual attempt was made to establish radio voice with the Russian Army, through the services of a Russian officer liberated three days before at Cham. On April 27, 1945, CC A patrols operated to the East and North of Unter Grainet. One of these patrols reached the Czechoslovakian border, Northeast of Bishofsreut, without meeting resistance.

CC B patrols, operating to the East and Southeast during the afternoon, reported no enemy encountered. CC R maintained defensive roadblocks protecting the rear of the Division and sent patrols to the South and West. Three kilometers North of Tittling a patrol from Schonberg uncovered an enemy AT and infantry defensive position astride the Alpine highway.

Moving from Dreuzberg at 7:20 a.m., the 41st Cavalry marched South and closed in the Rohrnbach area about an hour later. Troop B, which had been released to the Squadron from CC B, established and maintained a roadblock across the principal highway to the South. About 9:40 a.m. enemy light and medium artillery commenced falling in the Rohrnbach area at the rate of five or six rounds every 20 minutes. This continued until about 3:50 p.m. when clearing weather made it possible for Division Artillery to observe and neutralize the fire. Artillery concentrations on Wilhelmsreut and Hutthurm minimized observed enemy activity and placed harassing fires into enemy infantry positions South of the Osterbach River. Division Artillery expended 759 rounds on 19 missions during the day. Twenty-two prisoners of war were captured and four vehicles lost to enemy fire.

PLANS TO MEET THE RUSSIANS

Operational Directive No. 111, the Corps plan for renewal of operations, received about 10:00 a.m., outlined action to join forces with the Russian Army South of Czechoslovakia and protect the Army North flank. A renewed drive to the East was prescribed on relief to the West along the Czechoslovakian border by elements of VIII Corps. The Thunderbolts were to lead the attack as far as a mountainous area North of Linz, followed by the 90th Infantry Division on the North flank and the 26th Infantry Division on the South flank.

A short time after noon all major units were advised of an extended maintenance period. Twenty-four new M-26 tanks, received the day before, were checked over, test fired, and distributed to companies within the three tank battalions. Division Trains directed the movement of all elements at Cham forward to the Division area during the afternoon. Combat elements rejoined CC R after making several patrol checks to the North and South along the Alpine highway and all Division Service elements, except the 81st Medical Battalion, closed in the Freyung area before dark. The 56th Engineers replaced the treadway North of Freyung with a more permanent Bailey bridge.

Meanwhile the Division plan for renewing action was formulated. Operations Memo No. 61 was prepared and distributed at daylight of April 28.

During the night of April 27 a G-2 plain-clothes operator returned, confirming in detail that the German SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" was hard at work forming a protective crust for the Passau area North of the Danube. Dug-in infantry positions, Anti-tank guns, and artillery, were being built up astride the main road from the Osterbach River line to an enemy straggler collecting point just North of Passau. During the day of April 28, major command patrolling activities continued toward the Austrian and Czechoslovakian borders, also South towards Passau. A CC A patrol crossed the Czech border near Sperr Buhel and fired into the town of Gsenget where white flags immediately appeared. Yet another patrol to Breitenberg encountered 200 enemy infantry and drove them into the woods Northeast of the town at the cost of one tank destroyer damaged and three enlisted men wounded. A CC B patrol met resistance at Sonnen and captured 15 German and 40 Hungarian prisoners of war. Another CC B patrol captured a medical company and its equipment near Sonnen, attempting to make its way to the Passau area, taking a Major General, 20 other officers, 20 nurses, and 30 enlisted men prisoners. Commencing at 10:45 a.m., enemy artillery shelled the 41st Cavalry defensive positions near Rohrnbach area. Division Artillery promptly neutralized this fire. CC R picked up an additional 150 prisoners of war while patrolling in the Division rear and maintaining blocks. The 81st Medical Battalion closed in Freyung at 12:25 p.m., completing the concentration of all Division elements.

TOWARD DANUBE

A verbal order was received from XII Corps at 9:30 a.m. to clear the area in the 26th Infantry Division zone between the Ilz River and the Austrian border, as far South as the Danube on April 29. Fragmentary orders were immediately issued to major commands.

The Division planned a heavily infantry and artillery reinforced CC B, making a deliberate dismounted attack to the Southwest until the enemy crust was broken. CC B, plus the 41st Cavalry and the 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion, was ordered to clear the zone East of the llz River and West of the Austrian border, South of the Danube. On completion of this mission the command was to assemble in the vicinity of Ruhmannsdorf and prepare to continue on a more southerly route to the Southeast.

CC A was directed to move a task force to Wollaberg, to be followed later by the bulk of CC A, meanwhile continuing to patrol in its assigned zone. The 183rd Field Artillery Group was given the task of supporting CC A and reinforcing CC B during the latter’s attack, thereafter supporting CC A and CC R. Division Artillery was to support CC B for the duration of its offensive operation, then to support CC B and the 41st Cavalry. One platoon of 155 mm guns from the 510th Field Artillery Group was attached to Division Artillery who were given the mission of destroying bridges over the llz and Danube Rivers around Passau. CC R was to continue its mission until the arrival of 26th Infantry Division elements, thereafter moving to Freyung and protecting the Division Northeast and Northwest flanks in a prescribed sector.

On being released from CC B, the 41st Cavalry was to assemble its command near Hutthurn and protect the Division West and South flank.

CC B, reacting without delay, dispatched a task force from Waldkirchen at 1:30 p.m. April 28, to seize the high ground North of Bernhardsburg for artillery positions from which the action toward Passau could be supported. A minefield was bypassed and a roadblock reduced enroute as slow progress was made. The 492nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion went into positions near Leinbach at 10:30 p.m.

Leaving Grafenau at 5:00 a.m. on April 29, the 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion marched South to Rohrbach CC B launched its attack toward Passau at 8:30 a.m., with all artillery in position and the weather clearing for the better. On the West flank, the 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion entered and cleared Ulrichsreut against light small arms opposition.

Continuing South through a minefield to Wilhelmsreut, the town defended by small arms, panzerfaust, and antitank gun, was attacked. The 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, reaching Deching simultaneously, reduced anti-tank fire by the use of artillery. At midday the bitter resistance in Wilhelmsreut was completely overcome. Rejoining the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, the 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion continued the attack to the South until stopped by defenses at Grosstannensteig at 3:30 p.m. After concentrations of artillery had blasted the town the 63rd Battalion attacked directly South while the 41st Tank Battalion protected the exposed West flank and the 21st Battalion outflanked the town to the East through some woods. The attack was slowed by enemy small arms, panzerfaust and anti-tank fire but the town was seized by 4: 55 p.m. Meanwhile, a platoon of 155mm guns from the 745th Field Artillery Battalion arrived in the area and by 4:00 p.m., despite active enemy fighter aircraft, air CP's had adjusted fire on the Ilz and Danube River bridges in the vicinity of Passau.

The ground attack at Kringell next encountered five enemy tanks, two of which were destroyed by artillery fire. The remaining three withdrew towards Passau.

Defended Hutthurm was attacked from the West and Northeast at 5:30 p.m. by two infantry battalions, supported by tank and artillery fire. Enemy small arms and automatic weapon fire, in addition to mortar and artillery, failed to stem the advance. Hutthurm was seized and occupied by 6:45 p.m. During the dismounted 10-kilometer advance of the day, 150 of the enemy were killed and several hundred taken prisoners. Approximately 30 casualties were surrendered among CC B elements.

BLOCKING THE THREAT

A large enemy force of undetermined strength was reported at 11:15 a.m., proceeding South from Czechoslovakia towards Kreuzberg. A small task force from the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion was immediately ordered to the North toward Kreuzberg to check on this report and temporarily block any threat that might actually develop.

CC A was ordered simultaneously to have an air OP check the Division North flank for enemy activity and to organize a balanced battalion-size task force for movement toward Kreuzberg on short notice. About 1:00 p.m. the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion reported no enemy activity in Kreuzberg. Mortar fire was reported falling on Freyung at 5:30 p.m., just South of Division Headquarters. By spraying all surrounding wooded hills with 575th AA Battalion multiple-mount 50 caliber machine guns, this action was diminished. Three kilometers Northeast of Freyung an enemy Storck liaison plane was shot down. During the night one battery of 90mm AA guns moved forward from Regen to Waldkirchen.

The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion was relieved at 3:00 p.m. on Division order by Task Force Blalock, consisting of one company of infantry, one company of medium tanks, and one battery of field artillery.

CC R 42nd Tank Battalion took over the blocks and patrols of the 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion on its departure from Grafenau before daylight. Patrols in the Division rear picked up an additional 150 enemy stragglers during the morning, in addition to 73 belligerent Austrian Youth Movement boys. At 1:55 p.m. CC R was ordered to move to Kreuzberg, to relieve the CC A and Division Troops elements in the vicinity and assume its planned protection or the Division North flank until again relieved by following infantry division elements. The command moved from Grafenau at 3:00 p.m., closed in the Kreuzberg-Freyung area by 6:00 p.m., and an hour later had effected the relief and assumed responsibility for protection of the Division North flank.

Shortly after noon XII Corps directed the Division to resume the attack to the Southeast on the morning of April 30. No change in the Division mission was contemplated. Just recently assigned to XII corps, the 5th Infantry Division was substituted for the 90th Infantry Division and directed to clear the Corps zone into Austria on the North flank. CC A and CC B were directed to resume the advance as soon after daylight as possible on April 30. CC B, in addition, was directed to release the 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion to CC R at Waldkirchen when the 41st Cavalry was in position South of Hutthurm. 41st Cavalry elements were to be released to Division control when the head of the CC B column reached Hauzenburg. Division Artillery was directed to leave the 745th Field Artillery Battalion 155mm guns in position and to continue its North flank protection mission until the arrival of motorized 5th Infantry Division troops on the CC A axis.

An aerial check conducted on Passau about 8:00 a.m. on April 30, showed that a railroad bridge in the vicinity on which fire was adjusted the previous afternoon, had been completely destroyed. Air activity was minimized during the day by continual heavy rain, and confined heavy armored vehicle movement to the rapidly deteriorating road net in the vicinity of the Austrian border.

ENTERING WEIGSHEID

CC A initiated movement with Troop C, 41st Cavalry, at 7:00 a.m. April 30. The cavalry passed through Stublhauser at 9:00 a.m. and advanced to a point two kilometers North of Wegsheid by 9:20 a.m. Following a more Western Route, Task Force Hearn made first contact with defending enemy infantry in Kasberg at 9:51 a.m. The infantry task force cleared Kasberg quickly, meeting the next resistance in the woods North of Wegsheid, which were cleared by noon. As the attack approached the Austrian border town of Wegsheid and the surrounding wooded hills small arms, automatic weapon, anti-tank, and enemy artillery fire developed. Anti-tank fire destroyed three mud-bound tanks. Bringing forward artillery enemy strong points were subjected to heavy concentrations. The soggy terrain making maneuver impossible, Task Force Hearn launched a dismounted infantry attack to seize the high ground West of the town. The Task Force seized this ground at 5:00 p.m. whereupon they reorganized and entered Weigsheid at 8:00 p.m., clearing it by 9:45 p.m. CC A assembled in the Kasberg-Weigsheid area for the night. During the day's action 77 Germans were killed and l37 prisoners captured, against a loss of 21 casualties three of which were officers. Twelve enemy artillery and anti-aircraft pieces were destroyed for a loss of five medium tanks to enemy anti-tank fire.

The 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion was released from CC B during the night to CC R control at Hutthurm. CC B renewed its advance to the Southeast at 7:10 a.m., April 30, passing through Buchelberg to encounter several anti-tank guns to the Northeast. This resistance was overcome as well as some dismounted infantry resistance in the woods near Wollar and the command reached Hauzenburg at 8: 50 a.m. A liaison plane dropping surrender leaflets into towns in advance of the column sighted two companies of enemy infantry in vehicles along the road near Rubmannsdorf and directed artillery fire which dispersed the column. CC B released the 41st Cavalry to Division control on reaching Hauzenburg. Continuing through Jahrdorf the command’s advance was slowed as it reached Griesbach at 10:15 a.m. by small arms fire. Pushing through Griesbach, panzerfaust and heavy small arms resistance in the woods, two kilometers to the East, temporarily halted the advance. After an artillery concentration had been aimed on the wood approximately 100 German infantryman surrendered en masse, 825 Hungarian soldiers filtered into the Battery B, 491st Armored Field Artillery Battalion position Northwest of Greisbach and surrendered.

Continuing the attack to the East as far as Wildenrann and then Southeast, a heavily defended roadblock North of Ober Kappel on the Austrian border stemmed the advance at 1:30 p.m. In mid-afternoon CC B was directed not to advance beyond the Austrian border pending the outcome of CC A's attack on Wegsheid. Most of the afternoon was spent in deliberate dismounted action to reduce the roadblock and eliminate sniper fire within Ober Kappel. A key bridge on the approach to the town was secured intact. When it became apparent that assistance would not be required to reduce Wegsheid the command assembled in the Griesbach-Ober Kappel area for the night. Advance elements reached Crettenbach late in the afternoon.

On relief by elements of the 5th Infantry Division about mid-day, CC R moved from Freyung to Wollaberg, closing at 6:30 p.m. Patrols operated from this point until dark, protecting the Division North and West flanks. Fifty-one prisoners of war were captured and moved to Sonnen where jurisdiction over the Division Prisoner of War cage was assumed.

During the morning the 41st Cavalry was subjected to light artillery fire while continuing its blocking mission to the South of Hutthurm. When relieved at 2:30 p.m. by elements of the 26th Infantry Division the squadron followed CC B to Rubmannsdorf where it assembled for the night.

As shown by the determined resistance of the enemy along the Austrian border on April 30, the Wehrmacht had built up a considerable force Southeast of the Division during the past several days of inactivity. Prisoner interrogation revealed that the 487th Mobilization Division was coordinating operation of several separate miscellaneous enemy groups.

A RUSSIAN PLANE

Unseasonal snow falling continuously throughout the day of May 1, limited the Division's observation and maneuverability and minimized air activity. About mid-day, during a break in the weather, a twin-motored bomber bearing the white triangle Russian marking was observed over the Division area but no communications were interchanged. Division organic strength was 613 officers and 10,162 men, some 50 officers short of allowances.