History Part 1 - 70th Infantry Division Association

dismounted against the towns of SCHAFF­
HAUSEN and HOSTENBACH, employing
Tr A, Capt Alfred Burgess, commanding,
and Tr B, Captain Augustine Littleton,
commanding, in the action. The use of
armor in this attack was precluded by
the heavy mine fields protecting all
approaches to the Squadron objectives.
Both troops moved quickly to their objectives
and by 13008, mopping up had been
completed, the south bank of the SAAR
RIVER had been occupied, and contact
was established with the 101st Cay Ren
Sq left. Tr C, 116th Cay Ren Sq, Captain
Louis Bossert, commanding, was held in
reserve until 19008, at which time it was
attached to the 101st Cay Ren Sq. This
attack is particularly noteworthy in-asmuch
as heavy losses were inflicted upon
the enemy, a substantial number of PWs
were taken and both objectives seized
and held at a cost of one officer wounded.
c. The 101st Cay Ren Sq, Tr C, 116 th
Cay Ren Sq atchd, resumed operations at
about 04308, 15 March 1945; and by
evening of the same day had cleared the
town of WEHRDEN and eliminated all
enemy resistance south of the SAAR
RIVER in the Squadron zone. Tr C, 116th
Cay Ren Sq, Mecz, cleared the critical
area vicinity of the WEHRDEN - VOLK-
LINGEN bridge in the face of particularly
heavy observed fire from enemy positions
in the town of VOLKLINGEN. Forward
elements of all units received heavy
machine gun and mortar fire from enemy
positions on the north bank throughout
the entire operation.
4. Results of Operation:
a. All enemy resistance south and
southwest of the SAIAR RIVER in the
101st Cay Gp zone eliminated.
b. Towns of GEISLAUTERN, WEHR­
DEN, SCHAFFHAUSEN and HOSTEN­
BACH captured.
c. Corps front line in Group zone
rectified and shortened.
d. Many casualties inflicted upon the
enemy and 54 PWs captured.
5. Losses sustained:
2 killedand 31 wounded.
MARCH INCLOSURE No. 2
(Operation 16-20 March 1945, resulting in a penetration of the Siegfried
Line in the SARREGUEMINES area and the capture of ST. INGBERT,
GERMANY.)
1. General Situation:
a. The XXI Corps had launched an
attack aigainsit the Siegfried Line in the
SAAREGUEMINES FORBIACH area,
the 63rd InfDiv on the Corps right and
the 70th InfDiv on the left. Both divisions
were attacking on a broad front
and by 16 March, the 63rd Inf Div had
made a narrow penetration of the outer
belt of fortifications facing the division
right.
-
33
b. The 70th InfDiv had relieved elements
of the 101st Cay Gp Mecz, on the
south and southeast bank of the SAAR
RIVER and by late afternoon 16 March
1945, was making preparations to attempt
a crossing on the following day.
2. Special Situation:
a. Pursuant to Opns Instr Nos. 37 and
39, Hq XXICorps, 15 and 16 March 1945,
elements of the 101st Cay Gp Mecz, had