History Part 1 - 70th Infantry Division Association
History Part 1 - 70th Infantry Division Association
History Part 1 - 70th Infantry Division Association
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2. Special Situation:<br />
a. 101st Cay Gp, Mecz, reinforced,<br />
oocupied defensive positions along the<br />
line EMMERSWEILLER WADGASSEN,<br />
GERMANY, both exclusive, and was<br />
prepared to attack to the north on Corps<br />
order to clear all enemy south and southwest<br />
of the SAAR RIVER in zone.<br />
b. Plans previously prepared by Hq<br />
101st Cay Gp assigned Hill 283 and the<br />
towns of GEISLAUTERN and WEHRDEN<br />
to the 101st Cay Ren Sq Mecz, LtCol Milton<br />
Kendall, commanding, as objectives.<br />
SCHAFFHAUSEN and HOSTENBACH<br />
were the assigned objectives of the 116 th<br />
Cay Ren Sq Mecz, Lt Col Hubert C.<br />
Leonard, commanding.<br />
c. (1) Hill283 was the dominating terrain<br />
feature in the Group zone. This hill<br />
was protected by elaborate defensive<br />
works and dense AT and AP mine fields.<br />
Entry into, or possession of, WEHRDEN<br />
was impracticable while Hill283 remained<br />
in enemy hands. The approaches to<br />
GEISLAUTERN lent themselves to effective<br />
defense in depth from strong points<br />
located in the houses lining both sides of<br />
the single street.<br />
(2) The approach to the town of<br />
SCHAFFHAUSEN necessitated movement<br />
either 'by a single road or across gently<br />
sloping terrain, both of which were<br />
totally devoid of cover or concealment<br />
for a distance of more than 1000 meters.<br />
Hill283 also dominated all approaches to<br />
that town from the south and east. Enemy<br />
defenses consisted of entrenchments, foxholes,<br />
strong points located in houses on<br />
the southern fringe of town, and several<br />
broad belts of AT and AP mines. The<br />
town of HOSTENBACH was dominated<br />
by elaborate defensive works on the high<br />
ground north of the SAAR RIVER.<br />
d. Information previously obtained<br />
from reliable sources, and repeatedly<br />
-<br />
31<br />
confirmed by PWs, indicated that the<br />
towns of GEISLAUTERN and WEHRDEN<br />
were garrisoned by the 2ndBn, 861 Volksgrenadier<br />
Regiment and that the Ist Bn,<br />
861 Volksgrenadier Regiment, occupied<br />
the towns of SCHAFFHAUSEN and HO<br />
STENBACH. The total enemy strength in<br />
the Group zone was estimated at 800 men,<br />
supported by the defensive works on the<br />
north bank of the SAAR RIVER.<br />
c. Information obtained from PWs in<br />
the late afternoon, 13 March 1945, indicated<br />
that the enemy in the 101st Cay Gp<br />
zone planned to assemble that night and<br />
withdraw to the north bank of the SAAR<br />
RIVER.<br />
3. Narrative:<br />
a. At1800A, 13 March 1945, C. O. 101st<br />
Cay Gp Mecz, directed the 101st Cay Ren<br />
Sq to dispatch a strong combat patrol to<br />
Hill 283 and another north along the<br />
LUDWEILER- GEISLAUTERN road with<br />
the mission of gaining and maintaining<br />
contact with the enemy. At the same date<br />
and hour, the 116th Cay Ren Sq was<br />
directed to send a similar patrol to the<br />
town of SCHAFFHAUSEN to determine<br />
strength, composition, and dispositions of<br />
enemy forces. Both Squadrons were alerted<br />
for an early attack.<br />
b. (1) At 2045A, one platoon Tr A,<br />
101st Cay Ren Sq, 1 squad Co C, 290th<br />
Engr (C) Bn atchd, Ist LtRobert Ulmschneider,<br />
commanding, proceeded through<br />
the enemy mine fields and defensive<br />
works and reached Hill 283 (the patrol<br />
objective) undetected, and there held its<br />
position for the remainder of the night.<br />
The balance of the troop attempted to<br />
follow,but was repulsed by strong enemy<br />
resistance. The troop commander, Captain<br />
Ralph Ritchie, was wounded but refused<br />
evacuation. LtUlmschneider directed artillery<br />
fire during the night on enemy<br />
defensive positions vicinity of Hill 283<br />
causing numerous enemy casualties.