Download - 70th Infantry Division Association

On the 22nd of March our Regiment required 81 enlisted men to bring us up to strength. The supply
situation remained normal with enough rations for four days, gasoline and oil for two days, and
ammunition for one and a half days. Weather continued warm and roads remained dry.
The Regimental I and R Platoon, Anti-Tank Company, and Cannon Company patrolled the area by motor
during the night, while other companies sent out foot patrols as security measures. We were instructed by
Division that, so far as possible, men recently in the front lines be given opportunity to rest, and that men
newly arrived from reinforcement depots be used as road guards and "mopup" patrols.
March 23, 1945 - Altenkessel, Germany. Record of events: Company improved defensive positions
occupied 21 March 45. Company began training schedule consisting of squad problems and
weapons demonstrations. Company being fed three hot meals per day.
On 24 March a training program was set up (see Training Memo 6, Unit Report 86, 23 March 1945).
Emphasis was placed on training in weapons, squad and platoon problems, mines and booby traps, and
chemical warfare. Four hours of training were given every day, either in the morning or afternoon, and
four hours of athletics and recreation in the other period. Ranges were set up for firing weapons. All men,
especially reinforcements, were able to familiarize themselves with all available infantry weapons.
Demonstrations to show effectiveness of German weapons and mines were also given.
Eighteen prisoners, either stragglers or deserters, were captured by our patrols on the 23rd and 24th of
March.
Company C, 772nd Tank Battalion was attached to us for training purposes but were relieved by a
change of orders before our training program began.
Late in the afternoon of the 24th our Regiment was ordered to move by motor to the vicinity of
Reichenbach, Germany. The march order issued by S-3 was 3d Battalion, 1st Battalion, 2d Battalion,
Anti-Tank Company, and Cannon Company. The motor move began at 0800 on the morning of the 25th
of March.
The march was made using only organic vehicles. These were supplemented by a few captured enemy
vehicles which were registered and painted as authorized. The 3d Battalion, Regimental Headquarters
Company, Re imental Medical Detachment, Company C, 370th Medical Battalion attached), with the
Regimental CP Staff left Volklingen and moved in a northeasterly direction.
Along the route all men had an excellent chance to really see the Siegfried defenses as the enemy had
built them. Pill boxes, bunkers, road blocks, tank traps, all were so placed as to afford maximum use of
the terrain, command avenues of approach, and utilize interlocking fire. The men could see what a
formidable obstacle the German Westwall actually was. If all positions were normally manned, it would
seem to be almost impossible to take them by a frontal assault. The terrain was ideal for defense.
At 1200 the Regimental CP, Headquarters Company, and the Medics arrived at Reichenbach. A delay
was caused by our waiting for the civilians to evacuate the houses selected for our use. At 1400 the new
Regimental CP was opened at Reichenbach. The 3d Battalion closed into Juttenbach at 1230.
March 26, 1945 - Kottweiler, Germany. Record of events: Moved by motor convoy from Altenkessel,
Germany, to Kottweiler, Germany. Departed Altenkessel 1915, arrived Kottweiler. Distance traveled
approximately 60 miles. Company resting and morale of troops good.
All vehicles returned to the vicinity of Volklingen to move the 1st and 2d Battalions. The 1st Battalion
closed into Erzenhausen at 2300. The 2d Battalion closed into Kottweiler at 0100 on the morning of 26
March. During the day Anti-Tank Company moved into Staufenbach at 1218, and Cannon Company
closed into Reichenbach Steegen at 1500. All of the Regiment, except the rear train, was in the vicinity of
Reichenbach, Germany. The rear train was in the process of moving by shuttling.