Download - 70th Infantry Division Association

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