This Is a Series of G
This is a series of G. I. Stories of the ground, Air and
Service Forces in the European Theater, Issued by the Orientation
Branch, Information and Education Division HQ. USFET
Brigadier General M.B. Halsey commanding the 97th Infantry
Division, with his cooperation, and basic material supplied by his staff -
97th
INFANTRY DIVISION.
MAY 6. 1945: Deep in the heart of Czechoslovakia, the fighting men of Brig. Gen. M. B Halsey's" 97th Infantry Division grimly slashed ahead to Pilsen against sporadic Nazi resistance. Exploding 88s, chattering German machine guns and whining sniper bullets offered proof enough, that the war wasn't over, even if the end Were in sight. While America prematurely celebrated Germany’s unconditional surrender, Members of the Trident Division fully were aware of Field Marshal Von. Kesseirings declaration that his Seventh Army never Would surrender that the SS coordinator for the Czechoslovakian area repeatedly emphasized the Nazi defenders Would fight, to the bitter end, that the German-controlled radio in Prague still called upon all Nazis to resist Allied forces by every available means.
At this very moment, the 97th was 'the point of a wedge, -a wedge relentlessly hammering Kesseiring's defending forces. On its left flank was the famed -Ist Infantry Division, on its right, the veteran 2nd Division. As this powerful striking force regrouped, ready to lash ahead, the end came. At 0816, May 7, the order flashed: " Halt in place!
But even' as men of the Trident Division waited for the official announcement of the surrender to come from Washington, London and Moscow, a lone German fighter plane swooped down to strafe the CP of the 3rd Bn., 303rd Regt. The 97th had learned the hard way that Nazis die-hard. It was with grim satisfaction that this new' division also learned that Germans die.
During its brief combat history, the 97th proved its effectiveness by capturing 48,796 prisoners and occupying more than 2000 square miles of " sacred soil. " Among cities captured by the division were Dusseldorf, one of the great industrial centers in the Ruhr-Rhine valley; Solingen, headquarters for one of the world's largest manufacturers of cutlery; Siegburg, home of the Glockner Machine Works; Leverkusen, location of the I. G. Farben Industry, one of the world's largest chemical- works; Cheb (Eger), first major Czechoslovakian city liberated by American forces.
The 97th Inf. Div. is relatively new in the annals of
Military history. It originally was organized in September1918, but was demobilized Nov. 20 of the same year and reconstituted an organized reserve unit. The 303rd Inf. Regt. And the FA BN 303rd are the only elements Now with the division that boasts battle streamers from World War 1.
The 97th's story in the present global conflict begins with its reactivation Feb. 25, 1943, at Camp Swift Tex., under the command of Maj. Gen. Louis A. Craig, and extends through VE Day in Czechoslovakia. - Gen. Halsey assumed command Jan. 23, 1944, and it was under his leadership that the 97th established an admirable Record in the battle for Germany.
The division was new when it landed at the French port of Le Havre, but it. Was 'well-trained' that training paid dividends. It is a long way from the swamps of the Louisiana maneuver area to the woodlands north of the Sieg River, but methods and tactics were the same.
The precision and skill that enabled Div. Arty to score bull's-eyes in firing problems at Fort -Leonard Wood, Mo., produced direct hits on enemy installations-in the Ruhr. Pocket.
Practice landings on the sunny beaches of California, near Camp San Luis Obispo were not unlike the crossing of the Sieg River in the face of fire from the German 3rd Paratroop DIV.
The Neptune's Trident, distinguished insignia of the 97th Division originally was designed to represent Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, the states from which division personnel first was drawn in 1918. Now it represents the courage, initiative and skill of its fighting men who came from every state in the Union.
Maine and New Hampshire are bordered in part by the Atlantic Ocean; hence Neptune's Trident imposed on a Saxon shield. The blue symbolizes the numerous fresh water lakes scattered through out the three states,
The white of the border and Trident represents the snows that cover these states' mountains
AGAINST THE FATHERLAND
AT 1725, March 28, 1945, division headquarters rolled across the German border a few miles west of Aachen. A short time later, it passed through the streets of the battered city, which Hitler once said never, would be taken by the Allies.
The division's first assignment was taking up defensive. Positions along the western bank of the Rhine River opposite Dusseldorf. Here, 97th doughs captured their first prisoners, killed their first Nazi soldiers
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The 389th FA Bn. commanded by Lt.' Col. Lawrence G. Kiely, Billings, Mont., fired the first round against the enemy, A 155mm howitzer shell demolished an installation in the suburbs of Dusseldorf.
The 303rd, a light artillery battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Joseph W. Redding, Jeannette, Pa., fired on an enemy gun emplacement across the Rhine in Div Arty's first combat mission. One less German gun emplacement was the result of that round. Members of the gun crew were S/Sgt. Sherman Girdler, Somerset, Ky.; Cpl. James K. Allen, Chicago; Pfc Michael L. Nocera, Execter, Pa.; Pfc Alfred C. Barnow, Boston; Pfc Jack R. Clarke, Independence, Kan. Pfc Marion D. Myler, Ironton, Ohio; Pfc Remundo Garcia, Phoenix, Ariz.; Pfc Chester S. Pomeraiiz, Bronx, N. Y.; Pvt. Roy R. Ulness, Strum, WIS.
The 922nd FA Bn. under the command of Lt. Col. William V. Fenton, Lakeland, Fla., and the 365th FA Bn., under Lt. Col. Alfred E. Graham, Oklahoma City, Okla., fired numerous missions across the Rhine, destroying road junctions and blasting enemy gun emplacements.
During the first week of April, the 97th entered its second phase of the war--the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket. The division moved south, crossing the Rhine. Near Bonn to establish positions along the southern bank of the Sieg River which runs at right angles to the Rhine. The division front extended eastward from the Rhine approximately 30 miles.
On the north bank of the Sieg and facing the 97th was the German 3rd Paratroop Div., which later proved to be one of the toughest and most fanatical units in the entire Ruhr Pocket. In addition, German forces opposite the 97th sector consisted of the 353rd Inf. Div., 59 Inf. Div. and 7th Flak DIV.
A brisk exchange of mortar fire began as soon as the 97th went into the line along the riverfront. Initiative and skill favored the Trident. Capt. Glenn B. Peterson, Alta, la. and 2nd Lt. Jack M. Silverman, Bayonne, N. 'J., 303rd, located an enemy mortar by determining the trajectory of a dud. The two officers rushed to a nearby house when an enemy shell pierced the roof and an exterior wall before burying itself-in the floor without exploding. By placing a long stick in the floor and pointing it along the line formed by the holes in the wall an4 roof, - they ascertained the azimuth and elevation of the shell.' A series of division 81s whammed back along the same route taken by the dud. The enemy mortar failed to return the fire.
The incident typified the initiative of 97th officers and men as they held positions along the Sieg. Then came the order from XVIII Airborne Corps, First Army. It meant one thing-attack!
The 97th was poised for its first major action. What doughs lacked in experience they made up in courage and determination. A typical infant mans attitude was that of Pvt. Remsen Hunnewell, New York City, 303rd, who said prior to the jump-off I’m raring to go. I don't think any of us are nervous. We're just tired of waiting.
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THE RUHR POCKET
APRIL 7, 1945, 11 00 hours: The relative silence was shattered by booming howitzers and a" cloudburst " of .105 and 155mm shells pouring down on enemy positions across the. River from the 386th' Regt.'s sector. For 30 minutes all four Div Art' battalions laid down concentrated fire. Then, as suddenly as it started, the preparation stopped.
At exactly 1200,the 386th Combat Team, under the command of Col. Samuel M. Lansing, spurted forward, crossing the Sieg in engineer assault boats.
Resistance was light because the enemy's main defenses still reeled from Artillery’s punishing blows. -Casualties were negligible. Training, coupled with surprise, paid off.
Once on the opposite shore, the 386th CT immediately regrouped and pressed the attack Northward. The first step in the 97th’s initial major combat mission was Successful. The right- flank of the division front poked forward. Next day, the 387th Combat Team Commanded by Col. William D. Long' jumped off 'to cross the Sieg in The central sector of the division's front. The" crossing was effected against light enemy. Resistance. Main support of the' crossing was furnished by the 922d Light Artillery The unit consolidated and the second 97th spearhead stabbed northward into the Ruhr.
On the left flank, Col. William B. Forse's 303rd Combat Team awaits the command to attack. The order was given to Concentration of fire and, at 1800 hours, 303rd infantrymen struck across the river. The crossing was made against medium resistance but the clearing of Siegburg, directly in the 303rd's route of advance, and the buttoning up of the Glockner Works at Troisdorf, near Siegburg resulted in one of the toughest battles of the Ruhr Pocket campaign.
The regiment ripped through 'two-thirds of Siegburg during the first five hours of the attack. Doughs used grenades, machine guns and small arms fire to stifle the German 3rd Paratroop Div.'s bitter resistance. However, Col. Forse’s troops cleared virtually the entire city by nightfall and a CP was established in the southern part of the town.
The attack continued the following morning with rapid progress until the 303rd reached the Glockner works, a machine the factory. Co. G was assigned the Mission of cleaning out the factory as the remainder of the division carried the assault into Troisdorf.
One platoon was immediately cut off as it entered the factory buildings. The remainder of the company soon was forced to withdraw to the north side of the area. Battalion headquarters rushed
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Additional forces to the rescue when it learned the jobs too much for a rifle company. Meanwhile, the isolated platoon sustained casualties. Several men were killed or wounded. Heroism was commonplace, Pfc. Clyde T. Crouch, Dunns Stations, Pa Platoon aid was kill While braving enemy fire in an attempt to administer First aid to one of the wounded PFC Donald Rapport Evanston, Ill., was injured by a concussion when he attempted to rescue Crouch.
Under' the leadership of Sgt. Leslie Fishman, Los Angels, the platoon took up defensive positions in a house inside the factory grounds at twilight. Pfc Maurice Stack, - Doniphan, Mo., applying his knowledge of' first aid, was Instrumental in saving the lives-of three wounded men.
The night was a long nightmare for the platoon. German 88s bombarded the vicinity incessantly. To leave the building meant death or capture. Members of the platoon repulsed repeated Nazi attacks. Sgt. Fishman undertook a desperate gamble next morning. Disregarding enemy fire, he made his way to an underground enemy bunker which offered protection to approximately 70 Germans Second Lt. David W. Christianson, a company officer who was cut off with the platoon, soon joined the sergeant the pair persuaded the Nazis to conduct them to enemy headquarters.
Admitting they were hopelessly surrounded but warning the Germans that more Americans were on' the way, Sgt. Fishman and Lt. Christianson effected the surrender of six officers and 170 men. This action led to the capture of the factory without further 'casualties. Sgt Fishman was awarded the Silver Star for his outstanding leadership.
Meanwhile, the remainder of Co. G, reinforced by other elements of the regiment, battled the enemy in the tunnels -and rooms under the factory' building. Under the command of Capt. Thomas W. Mellen, Burlingame, Calif., Co. G turned flame throwers on the Nazis just as the garrison surrendered.
. With Siegburg cleared and the Glockner works captured, the company rejoined the 303rd, pressing rapidly forward several miles further north.
The 97th's three spearheads now drove into the heart of the Ruhr according to plan. The pattern formed by the triple-thrust resembled a giant Trident-pointing northwest in the general direction of Dusseldorf. . All four battalions of Div Arty crossed the Sieg. Many enemy guns. And vehicles still smoldered as infantrymen pushed ahead.
Back at the Sieg River the 322nd Engr. Bn., commanded by Lt. Col. Erland A. Tillman, Fort Collins, Colo., undertook the tremendous job of building an adequate number of bridges to accommodate the flow of supplies and reinforcements across the river.
During the first five days of the operation, the 322nd, assisted by the1052d
And 1024th Engr. Bns. constructed five treadway bridges, two Infantry support bridges and six infantry support rafts. In addition, two blown bridges were repaired and one railroad bridge was planked. Engineers also were faced with the task of clearing mine fields. At times, they fought as infantrymen to accomplish their mission.
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CO. B, commanded by Capt. Edward F. Gerrity, captured the first German general for the division.' A squad under Sgt. Oliver Roach, Kenton, Ohio, was pushing along a road when it fell upon a group of Germans. The Krauts immediately dispersed and opened fire on the engineers. - After a brief skirmish in which one German was killed and another wounded, Maj. Gen. Freiherr von Ulsar-Gleichen, who had served as military commander at Dusseldorf for two and a half years, surrendered with his men.
TRIDENT"S PRONGS, STAB DUSSELDORF
ALL three combat teams slashed ahead in near perfect coordination despite extremely difficult terrain and fanatical resistance in densely wooded areas.
Col. Lansing’s 386th CT had a tough nut to crack when it moved into the town of Drabenderhoehe. Germans produced intense fire with 88s, 20mm guns, 40mm dual-purpose flak guns, small arms and automatic weapons.
From a defensive standpoint, the town was ideally situated. Perched atop the highest hill in the area, Drabenderhoele, communications center and roadnet hub, loomed as the greatest single threat to the 97th's advance. In order to prevent a wide gap from developing on 2nd Bn.'s flank, a single company was given the job of taking the town. The assignment fell to Co. C, commanded by Capt. Llewellyn R. Johnson.
Co. C attacked, but after a short, fierce battle was thrown back with heavy casualties. After the 365th Bn. laid. Down an artillery barrage, Capt. Johnson’s company again surged forward, this time with complete success.
The battle was brief, but it produced heroism unexcelled in other battles of the Ruhr. Capt. Johnson moved out in front of his troops and led an advance over 1500 yards of fire-swept terrain in the attack that took the town. He was awarded the Silver Star for this action.
T/Sgt. - Merlin C. Godsell, -Hales, Corner, Wis., 386th, also played. An important part in the capture of Drabenderhoehe. - In the first attack, fire from enemy automatic weapons isolated approximately half a rifle platoon. The sergeant, acting leader of the platoon, regrouped and rallied his men, advanced in the face of heavy enemy fire, to knock out four enemy automatic weapons. Destruction of these weapons resulted in an unprotected enemy flank, which Capt. Johnson exploited to capture the town.
Although Col. Long’s 387th CT made rapid progress against strong points in the central sector of the- division front, the enemy offered stiff resistance in wooded areas. Each town, was a battle in itself. But the courage and determination of the men made them equal to the task.
One of the outstanding incidents of courage, loyalty and devotion displayed in the entire, campaign occurred in the small German town of Allner when Co. F, 387th, meet heavy enemy resistance as it moved in. During the fighting, 1st Lt. Guy A. Ringbloom, Minneapolis, Minn. saw one of his platoon fall, completely exposed to Enemy fire.
Disregarding personal danger, the lieutenant made his way to the wounded man and attempted to move him to a place of safety. He was mortally wounded as he assisted the injured dough out of the line of fire.
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Pfc Glen R. Speidel, Burlington, La. another member of the lieutenant's platoon, was concealed from enemy observation and fire when the officer fell. He immediately left his position for the fallen platoon leader, but was killed instantly as he attempted to drag the wounded officer to safety.
On the left flank, the 303rd whipped north from Siegburg against relatively light resistance. On April 14, the regiment was in the vicinity of Leverkusen, site of the .1. G. Farben Industry.'