Download - 70th Infantry Division Association

weapons, squad and platoon attack problems (day and night), field firing, scouting and patrolling, use of
the compass, etc. It was also ordered that some phases of training be conducted by troops occupying
defensive positions.
The regimental training plan called for rotating battalions as reserve so that four or five days at a time
would be allowed each for carrying out the instruction program. The writing of Squad and platoon
problems was assigned to the various battalions. Operations on our part from 11 February to 16 February
consisted chiefly of improvement of defensive positions and the conduct of active patrolling.
February 11 we were back on the front lines and we had nine guys go to the hospital, although I can't
remember the action of that particular day. On February 12, we dropped four guys missing in action and
we actually got a new guy from replacement depot.
The regiment was now receiving aggressive air support. One bombing mission on 13 February against an
enemy paper mill at Marienau, where four machine gun positions had been reported, resulted in 50
percent destruction of the factory.
On the same date an order was received from Division that each regiment would conduct a raid of at least
platoon strength once a week. The raiding unit was not to be of company size.
Changes in the battle order on 15 February placed Company A on the MLR, relieving Company C, which
went into First Battalion reserve, while the 70th Division Reconnaissance Troop relieved Company L and
elements of Company M. Company K and Company L then became Third Battalion reserve. The sector at
this time was quiet. The regimental train was moved forward from St. Avold to Hombourg Haut.
On February 13 in Cocheren, France, we got 34 enlisted men assigned to duty from the replacement
depot. That meant something was getting ready to happen again. When you lose a jeep, if they give you
a replacement that meant you were getting ready to run again. And if you got replacement men,
something was up. February 14th we started to run some company squad problems because we had new
men and we wanted to see how the company runs with squad problems. We were going to run platoon
problems in area 19 in St. Avold, France. We had to work as a unit because if you didn't, you were a dead
duck. We had to find out what the new men knew and what they didn't know because our lives depended
on what they did. Now, you can imagine on the front lines, running problems. We were playing cops and
robbers on the front lines which seems like the silliest thing, but it had to be done. We departed
Cocheren, France on February 16 at 1700 and arrived at Morsbach at 2000. Travel was by motor convoy
manning positions on outpost line of resistance at Morsbach, France, which is a pretty big town and a
suburb of Saarbrucken, France. On February 17 we were in position, on outpost manning positions on the
outskirt of the town and we were starting to get reinforcements. Sgt. James Roddel stepped on a land
mine and lost a foot. He was in the machine gun section.
Orders having been received by the 70th Division to attack in conjunction with the 63d Division on the
right and the 101st Cavalry Group on the left to seize the high ground on the general line Bubingen-
Stiring-Klarenthal-Wehrden, the staff of the 276th prepared complete attack plans for this unit and issued
them shortly before midnight of 15 February. This represented the most elaborate attack preparations yet
drawn up for the Bloody Axe regiment. The Division objective called for capture of high ground along the
south bank of the Saar River opposite Saarbrucken and extending above and below that city.
In general, the 276th was to follow this line of attack: Seize the high ground dominating the town of
Oeting; move into and capture that town; take the high ground beyond the town; then pivoting on the left
limiting point, to swing the direction of the attack north-northwest to take Forbach and be prepared to
continue the attack northwest through the Forbach Forest to seize our section of the Division's final
objective--the high ground extending from Wehrden to Krughutte looking down on the Saar River.
The attack was to begin 17 February at 0001 with the First Battalion on the right, Third Battalion on the
left and Second Battalion in reserve in the vicinity of Cocheren. Additional missions of the 276th were
protection of the Division's left flank and to be prepared to assist by fire or maneuver the attack of the
274th on the right.