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Chateau Salins - German defenses were crumbling as Third Army infantry and armor were driving to Trier and the Rhine. We left Dahnen, Germany, March 9, for a "new" sector which proved to be a complete surprise. Travelling almost 130 miles, we were on former hunting grounds once more. Operating with the Seventh Army, we entered Chateau Salins, France, 18 miles northeast of Nancy for what was to develop into an end run to the Saar. It was homecoming week and we thoroughly appreciated the change of scenery and living quarters -- no more mud but paved streets, and fine housing conditions. Enroute we had moved through Luxembourg City and Metz, and all men yearned for a bit of city life despite the blackout we had learned to live with for so long. Highway N-74 had been severely battered since our company vehicles ran up and down the route several months before, but almost an entire army force had utilized it during that time. With the first good break in the weather, Lt. Wurst advised us to dispose of our winter clothing and excess equipment. We lightened our duffle bags considerably. Our company vehicles and tanks which had joined us for necessary repairs lined the streets as we set to work where we had halted the night before.  Street scene at Chateau Salins The conversion of an M8 light tank into an armored, track "recon" car, an innovation which had been completed for General Grow in Nancy many weeks ago, was once again underway, this time for General Read, assistant division commander. General Grow had already determined the practicability and performance of his vehicle. The men of Service Section were proud of their work, and boasted of a picture of the division commander in his car, which they had constructed, appearing in the "Armored Attacker." Lt. Bragg, WO Patterson, and Tech. Sgt. McKee were to be commended for these two vehicles which were the only ones of their type in the ETO. They learned that plans and production of such "recon" cars were being developed in the States but had never been in operation here. On all occasions, Service Section and "A" Company men were employed in the necessary work suggested by the General Staff for its personal use. Passes to Nancy went to some lucky men during our stay here, and they departed for 12 hours or several days, as their luck had determined. But Makstutis, Henry, Atkins and Willis had a dull time, as the Seventh Army MPs had effected more stringent regulations for the city and GIs on leave. Keller spent his pass time, five days, in the Rest Center at Nancy, munching chocolates purchased at the PX, and warding off the hordes of French kids who were attracted by his "magnetic" personality. At Chateau Salins a most formidable and destructive weapon was seen for the first time. Rocket launchers had been installed on M4 medium tanks and tested with the approval of the General. McKee, Makstutis and Teeters were engaged in improving the elevation range and support of the tubes on the 75mm gun barrel, while Adams solved the highly intricate wiring system necessary for firing the rockets singly or in salvo. These weapons were of greater interest to us than to the people who gathered in the street, gazing with intent and admiration at the men working upon them. The very sight of these oncoming tanks, mounting their launchers, would be of considerable dismay to the Nazis. Ten days at Chateau Salins passed rapidly and uneventfully. The weapons were advantageously utilized days later as the division moved to crack defensive positions in the Saar. The company and battalion units departed from Chateau Salins March 19. We moved northeast 55 miles through Sarralbe and Sarre Union and encamped in the fields of Singling, France. |
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Fortifications At Singling - Extensive Maginot line forts, those we had read of or seen in newsreels before the outbreak of the war, commanded the high ground for miles, their turret tops and walls barely perceptible from the crests of the hilly terrain. Fields of twisted barbed wire entanglements barred the entry to near approaches, but did not prevent the men from visiting the structures -- magnificent monuments to the engineers who had designed them, but of no strategic use in a mobile war of rapidly shifting lines.  Maginot line fort near Singling Groups of us descended to a depth of almost 100 feet and walked through the many chambers and passageways connecting the main forts winding across the hills. The heavy weapons had been removed long ago but some 37mm antitank weapons similar to naval guns and of an intricate mechanism still remained. Living in the fields, pitching pup tents and other improvised canvas shelters was an experience which had been almost forgotten after the comfort of roofed structures during the cold winter months. But the weather as well as the battle was becoming more favorable each day. Sgt. Gatlin became the third unhappy member of the group riding the halftrack to come down with an illness and he was evacuated, rejoining us later deep inside Germany at the conclusion of the war. The company was supporting elements engaged in breaking through the last-ditch defenses of the rich industrial Saar land from which disorganized enemy forces had been routed into retreat, and as our columns moved east, March 23, the former Nazi strongholds of Sarralbe and Sarre Union were finished with war. We crossed the Saar River and passed through the French border town of Bitche. Indications of a pitched struggle to maintain a last desperate defense of the German soil were clearly apparent. The most extensive mined area we had yet seen lined both sides of the road leading from Bitche. |
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Gollheim, Germany - The route of march, 86 miles long, passed through the former industrial cities of Zweibrucken and Kaiserlautern, Germany, almost to the western bank of the Rhine River. Once an area materially augmenting Hitler's war machine, the cities lay paralyzed by the sustained blows of our air force. Railroads and assembly yards had been smashed at Zweibrucken, and block after block of city homes and factories lay in rubble. We were rolling fast over fine roads, thanks to the Todt labor gangs, and came through many towns and villages from housetops of which fluttered the white flag of surrender.  Bed sheets symbolize defeat and "welcome" to us The company moved into green fields in the vicinity of Gollheim, Germany, where we remained two days, alerted for further movement within an hour's time. A potential threat to the bivouac was quickly dispelled when Boyd Devall, the welcome addition to the culinary department, bagged three Krauts to his profound amazement. He was roving about for deer and squatted down to get a bead on what presented itself as a likely target hidden in the fringe of the woods when they emerged, fully armed, hands high above their heads. Boyd, with a welcome sigh of relief, removed their pistols and three more Jerries were on their way to a prison compound. Our short stay here was notably marked by the appearance -- the first -- of some good old brew direct from the States. Thought and speculation about receiving a ration of US beer in the future vanished when we were informed this was doled out while we had been officially attached to the Seventh Army. Now that we had resumed business with the Third Army, we were advised to dispose of the stuff hurriedly. Since relations had been severed, the Seventh might try to get it back. We doubted that the empty bottles could be found. |