Download - 70th Infantry Division Association
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April 15, 1945 - Oberwessel, Germany. Record of events: Company continued to send out foot patrols &<br />
to guard road blocks during hours of darkness. One s uad occupyin and sending out patrols in<br />
Damsoheid, Germany. 96.25 - 67.15 St. Goarshausen 1/25,000 for one night only.<br />
In the late afternoon of 15 April we were notified by <strong>Division</strong> to be prepared to move to a new area across<br />
the Rhein River in the vicinity of Bad Nauheim. We were to be relieved by units of the Fifteenth Army. Our<br />
new area was estimated to be about five or six times as large as our present area on the west side of the<br />
Rhein. We were told that our train guards would be relieved in time to move with us. However, orders<br />
were changed and we were ordered to assemble in the area east of Frankfurt/Main in the vicinity of<br />
Hanau.<br />
A more extensive training program began on the 16th of April. Training now included small unit firing<br />
problems, conditioning marches, but our assigned tactical missions of guarding and patrolling had first<br />
priority.<br />
April 16, 1945 - Oberwessel, Germany. Record of events: Company continued to send out foot patrols<br />
and to guard road blocks. One squad from 1st Platoon occupying and sending out patrols in Birkheim,<br />
Germany.<br />
The move began by motor in the morning hours of 17 April 1945. All units, except elements of the 2d<br />
Battalion and Cannon Company, were relieved by units of the 550th Field Artillery Battalion. Our men who<br />
remained were to assist the new units to take over our positions and were to join their units when the<br />
relief was completed.<br />
The new Regimental CP opened at Hanau at 1630 and the Battalions closed into the nearby towns during<br />
the afternoon. We were told by <strong>Division</strong> that this was to be an assembly area and to be prepared to move<br />
upon notice. The 1st Battalion was at Roth, the 2d at Windecken, and 3d at Somborn.<br />
April 17, 1945 - Rossdorf, Germany. Record of events: Company departed Oberwessel, Germany at 1350<br />
by motor convoy and arrived Rossdorf, Germany 1830, distance travelled approx. 70 miles.<br />
In the morning hours of 18 April, the Battalions and separate companies be an to move by motor to our<br />
new area south of the city of FrankfurNain. We relieved units of the 103d <strong>Division</strong>. Elements of the 2d<br />
Battalion and Cannon Company, which were left on the west bank of the Rhein, rejoined their units in<br />
time for the move.<br />
Units moved to the following locations: 1st Battalion to Seligenstadt, 2d Battalion to Gross Gerau, 3d<br />
Battalion to Urberach, Anti-Tank Company to Ostheim, Cannon Company to Umstaft, and Service<br />
Company to Dieburg.<br />
The Regimental CP moved the following morning, 19 April. The Hanau CP closed at 1030 and the new<br />
CP opened at Darmstadt at the same time.<br />
Our mission in the new area was to guard bridges, railroads, main supply routes, supply installations, and<br />
to maintain law and order.<br />
April 18, 1945 - Oppenheim, Germany. Record of events: Company departed Rossdorf, Germany at 1300<br />
and traveled by motor convoy to Oppenheim, Germany, arrived 1600. Approx. distance traveled 30 miles.<br />
All platoons guarding bridges.<br />
April 19, 1945 - Oppenheim, Germany. Record of events: First, Second & Third Platoons guarding bridge<br />
across Rhine. Fourth Platoon is in reserve & providing local security for all platoons.<br />
20 April 1945 was Hitler's birthday. All units were warned to be especially alert for demonstrations of any<br />
kind, especially by the "werewolves", supposed Nazi underground organization. Snipers were still being<br />
flushed out in our area. Screening of the civilian population began immediately. The area Gestapo Chief