19

XX Corps

G-2

0115

PW est; est killed - 175, wounded - 225. Sent PW breakdown according to unit by TWX.

19

G-2

XX Corps

0200

Major Herman requested units in contact and their locations daily at close of period (1600). Also said PW breakdowns which are being sent by TWX daily are not necessary as long as they get a report on units in contact.

19

G-2

CCB

0200

2215

26

Enemy defended Hirstein L5903 and Büschweiler L6509 strongly, offering light resistance in rest of area. Employing SP and AG at above town, delaying our advance. Enemy was then forced into open, exposing his M/T and horse drawn vehicles to our air. Resistance was then disorganized and verged onto rout. PW: 300. Knocked out 16 AT guns, 25 hand drawn carts, 12 20mm AA guns and 11 trucks.

19

G-2

CCB

0200

0110

27

175mm fieldpiece captured in woods L585036. 2 large explosions, one believed to be bridge at L722068, other in road at L725062. Enemy tracked vehicle vic L722068

19

G-2

90th Cav

0200

0115

28

11 man enemy patrol encountered at Q471927. Enemy in Dirmingen Q475913. Our arty falling on town

19

G-2

IPW

0230

29

Re: KG Lönholdt: This unit consists of 2d and 3d Bns, 38th Regt, 17th SS Pz Div plus 1 plat from 13, 14, 15 Cos. 9th Co completely wiped out. Average strength of Co roughly 60 men

19

G-2

CCB

0235

30

tanks heard in woods vicinity L722071

19

XX Corps

G-2

0300

Reported PW breakdown by phone

19

G-2

CCB

0300

0225

32

TFC found bypass for blown bridge; moving ahead. 5 PW taken 0150A

19

G-2

CCB

0300

0200

31

Crater being filled at L722065 by TFC. 1 bridge blown, other bridge will not take trucks. Rcns for bypass. Has requested additional truck way which is being sent up. 2 escaped American prisoners report apprx 2 officers and 100 EM in woods at L6411 and well armed.

19

G-2

XX Corps

0430

Long range weather forecast

19

G-2

CCB

0535

0415

33

Receiving MG and rifle fire from town vic L7306 at 0315A

19

G-2

G-2

0715

Requested info on enemy activity for night. Reported locations of fwd elms. Enemy resistance in St. Wendel was stiff at beginning of period (1600), becoming light toward the close of period.

19

XX Corps

G-2

0730

ISUM 146: Our troops continuing to meet with many road blocks, craters and AT ditches which slowed the progress of our troops considerably. In the St. Wendel Q5996 area resistance was stiff in the beginning of the period but was becoming lighter as the period closed. Fwd elms are reported at the following locations: L730062 at 0355A; L632028 at 0355A; L594022 at 0355A; Q593967 at 0355A. Crater at L729062 and rifle and MG fire being received from East of the crater. Our troops received small arm and AW fire from Ruthweiler 7306 at 0315A. Escaped American PW report that there were 100 enemy troops in the woods at L6411 early in the night.

19

G-2

90th Cav

0732

34

Civilian in Sotzweiler states 10 tanks, 800 SS men left that town on morning of 18 March going South West.

19

G-2

90th Cav

0830

35

PW identifications: 3/4 Co, 712 Regt, 416 Div. 2/9 Co AT Bn 17. 1/5 Co Bn Friedrich. Taken at Sotzweiler

19

G-2

CCB

0830

36

Road block covered by direkt fire at 731063 at 0730.

19

XX Corps

G-2

0855

Messages 34 and 36. Identification of 1st and 2nd Cos 42 AA Regt 9 AA Div. PW captured at Winterbach Q5598

19

G-2

CCA

0910

37

Civilian reports gun position at 605908. PW reports troops concentration at CP199 634947

19

XX Corps

G-2

0953

Remmesweiler 5694 and Mainzweiler cleared at 0930A. 52 PW taken. Bridge at Q582928 captured intact. Message 37

19

G-2

CCB

1012

38

PW captured at 0700 Vic 625045 from 55 Panzerjäger Bn

19

G-2

G-3

1032

39

CCA reports capture of Ordnance and Air Corps dump at Q610951, no enemy resistance.

19

G-2

XX Corps

1055

Col Curtis phoned re enemy resistance being met. Reported resistance about the same as yesterday, craters and direct fire.

19

G-2

90th Cav

1105

40

PW identifications: 11 Automotive Repair Co, 42 Regt, 9th Flak Div. 38 SS Regt; 17 Panzerdivision; Engr Co 15, 1719 Sturm Pz Co Army tps.

19

XX Corps

G-2

1130

ISUM No. 147. Fwd elms at L785068 at 0945A. 649060 at 1015A. 670020 at 1010A. 650992 at 0945A. Message 40

19

G-2

CCB

1140

41

Undefended road block at 645059 at 0945

19

G-2

G-3 Air

1140

Vehicle concentrations, horse drawn, etc., were attacked by our air tarting at 0640 19 March, at following coordinates 8922 - 9016 - 8020 - 8529

19

XX Corps

G-2

1200

Major Rawley phoned Capt. Crawford regarding Medical EM taken by us who had been a German PW. Capt. Crawford said he would take matter up with proper people and see that Ems parents were notified as soon as possible. Major Rawley gave the following necessary information: Name: Marvin Reitman; Serial Number: 16147295; Rank: Pfc. Was with: Medical Detachment, 1st Bn, 302nd Regt, 94th Inf Div. Home adress: 11221 S. Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. He was captured at Taben, Germany approximately 24 Feb 1945. Released by 10th Armored Division tanks on 18 March 45 at Wittenbach, Germany (Winterbach). Major Rawley is filling out questionairre and will send it on as soon as it is completed. Capt Crawford will also notify 94th Inf Div.

19

G-2

IPW

1220

Identifications: Captured at Winterbach:  2 PW - 1st Btry, 42nd AAA Regt; 5 PW - 2nd Btry, 42nd AAA Regt; 2 PW - 5th Btry, 42nd AAA Regt; 1 PW - 7th Btry, 42nd AAA Regt; 1 PW - 2nd Btry, 1522 GHQ Fortress Arty Bn, 1 PW - Hq Co, 669 Pionier Bn; 7 PW - 3rd Co, 669 Pionier Bn; 1 PW - 4th Co, 669 Pionier Bn. Captured at Theley: 1 PW - AT Bn z.b.V. "G"; 6 PW - 6th Co, 723rd Regt, 719 Div (Alarm Co - stragglers). Captured at Brunberg: 2 PW - 2nd Co, 6th Engr Bn, 2nd Mtn Div.

19

G-2

CCB

1230

42

Enemy wagon column headed east at 715017 at 1055A

19

G-2

CCB

1235

43

Isum: Enemy resistance very light. Only obstacles are terrain and undefended road blocks. Estimated PW - 100

19

G-2

CCB

1238

44

1st, 2nd and 8th Btrys of 111 Arty Regt are completely destroyed. PW states guns not destroyed by air were scuttled.

19

G-2

CCA

1250

45

Air CP reports 400 enemy troops marching in formation vic Breitenbach 6693 at 1120A. Arty is firing on them

19

G-2

CCA

1250

46

PW reports 416 Arty Regt destroyed with possible exception 3 or 4 guns in 5th E Btry. PW captured from 416 Tns.

19

G-2

CCA

1250

47

Air CP reports ammo dp exploded by enemy at 680963 at 1113A

19

G-2

CCB

1314

48

Enemy ammo dump blown at 670959 (between Bubach and Frohnhofen) at 1130A

19

G-2

CCA

1314

49

Air reports enemy vehicles at Altenkirchen 7094, more explosions at 683965 (west of Krottelbach) and 689998 (Langenbach) and 685970 (north west of Krottelbach). Enemy troops moving into Krottelbach 7096 at 1148A

19

G-2

CCA

1330

50

Request Thrust Line used by Hillust. TFC reports enemy losses today: Killed - unknown. Captured - 1004. 3 Mark IV tanks destroyed, 30 other vehicles, assorted kinds. Mortars and MGs destroyed - 15. Small arms destroyed - 600

19

XX Corps

G-2

1340

Fwd elements at following locations: Hankins - 658978 at 1150A. Haskell - 663967 (Bubach) at 1145A, receiving AT fire. Cherry - 635948 (west of Werschweiler), road block. B/90th - 693878 (west of Waldmohr). Richardson - 672040 (Schwarzerden) at 1035A. Maher - 819070 at 1150A, no resistance. Lang - 650060 (Freisen) at 1200, no resistance. Message 42, Captured 3 AT guns, 5 weapons and ammo carts and 37 PW vic Waldmohr 7088 at 1100A. Enemy mortar fire on town. Enemy gas truck destroyed vic 698878 (west of Waldmohr) at 1100A. Our troops received AT fire at Werschweiler 6395 at 1025A. Captured QM supplies and trucks, number and quantity unknown 5693 (Habenichts) at Remmesweiler and Mainzweiler. Received heavy arty at 640963 (west of Niederkirchen). Messages 45 - 49.

19

G-2

CCB

1352

51

42 Regt, 9th Flak Div, has been identified. 1st Battery has 3 88mm guns. 2nd Btry is wiped out. 3rd Btry wiped out. 4th Btry has 4 37mm guns. 5th has 3 20mm multiple mounts, one attached to each of first three heavy btrys. 6th Co, 723rd Regt, 719th Div, strenght 70 men. Unit arrived in sector 17 March in evening. 46N (?) III Arty Regt, 2nd Mtn Div have withdrawn to Kusel. Bn is in position. Strength 10th Btry has 3 105mm howitzers. 12th Btry has 4 105mm howitzers.

19

G-2

CCB

1352

52

Enemy AT gun at 755065 at 1035A

19

G-2

CCB

1352

53

Woods and town vic Nohfelden cleared of bypassed enemy. 19 PW state 200 men departed that area 181600 at 1140A

19

G-2

CCB

1352

54

Have 165 PW ready for evacuation. No transportation, request 3 trucks. Report Walhausen 461069.

19

G-2

90th Cav

1415

55

Town at Q640915 (Fürth) defended with minefields, road blocks, dragons teeth.

19

G-2

90th Cav

1415

56

1 Armored Car knocked out, just outside of town F138 R070 (Dörrenbach). 3rd Platoon Troop B engaged in fire fight in town F140 R085. Mortar, MG and Arty fire in F090 R098.

19

G-2

CCB

1415

57

PW, 416th Arty Regt, states only 2 guns remain, Regts CP moving to Homburg 7180

19

G-2

CCB

1415

58

Knocked out one AT gun 774052

19

G-2

90th Cav

1415

59

PW identifications: 6 Co, 1 Bn, SS-Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 12 "Michael Gaissmair". Regtl Hq Btry, 416 Arty Regt. Bn Hq Co, Festungs-Pioniere 1815 Co. 38 SS Panzer-Grenadier Enemy Regt Infantry Ersatz-Bn. 127 Co, RR Engr Regt, 41719 AG Co. 3 Co 54 Regt 100 Div furlough from E front. 3 Co, 779 Inf Vn. 3 Co, 861 Regt, 347 Div. 13 Co, 1127 Regt. 559 Volksgrenadier Div Field Repl Bn, 416 Volkssturm Merzig. 7 Btry, 2 Bn, 42 AA Regt, 9 AA Division.

19

G-2

90th Cav

1415

60

PW identification - 1st Co, SS-Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 12 "Michael Gaissmair", SS Gebirgs Division Nord at F085 R105 at 1000A

19

XX Corps

G-2

1430

1415A there was stiff fighting in Ottweiler 5889. Also fighting in Dörrenbach 6493. Germans have cut road west of Ottweiler. PW estimates there are 300 SS troops in Ottweiler. Moderate arty fire falling in Niederlinxweiler 5893. Messages 52 and 53.

19

G-2

CCA

1500

61

Have 100 PW at St. Wendel 591967, look for sign at church. Request 2 trucks or MPs for guard immediately.

19

G-2

CCA

1500

62

PW state heavy anti-tank Bn Gustav equipped with 17 75mm PAK mounted on Mark IV chassis retreated to Kusel where Bn Trains were located.

19

G-2

90th Cav

1500

63

PW identifications: 15 Co 38 SS Inf Regt 17 SS Div at Mainzweiler 0900. Prov Regt 416 Inf Div at Linxweiler 1200. 3 Co, Inf Bn 779 at Steinbach 1200

19

1500

CP moved to St. Wendel

19

1630

CP opened St. Wendel

19

G-2

90th Cav

1625

1

Enemy tanks, unknown number, in N end of F088 R100, firing on doughs of Hand Work White.

19

G-2

CCA

1705

Can you take over our PW vic our last CP. We have guards there we would like to have relieved. Please answer.

19

CCA/CCB

G-2

1710

TAC/R reports enemy traffic being funneled thru Kaiserslautern. Air OP reports enemy column 5 miles long on main road Oisbrücken 9404 - Kaiserslautern at 1500A. Air OP reports concentration of enemy troops in Wolfstein 9009 at 1200A

19

G-2

CCA

1710

2

Haskell reports taking 150 PW vic CP814 at 1638A

19

CCB

G-2

1730

PWs state Anti Tank Bn Gustav with 17 Mk IV 75mm PAK retreated to Kusel 7605 today.

19

XX Corps

G-2

1750

ISUM No. 148. PW state heavy AT Bn Gustav with 17 Mk IV PAK 75mm retreated to Kusel today. Identified 15 Co, 38 Regt, 17 SS Panzergrenadier Division at Mainzweiler 5691, Prov Regt 416 Inf Div at Linxweiler 5992, 3 Co, Inf Bn 779 at Steinbach 5290

19

G-2

90th Cav

1805

3

PW identifications: 6 Co, 3 Bn, 12 Regt "Michael Gaismair" Regt; Hq Btry 416 Arty Regt. Bn Hq Co Fortress Engineer. 18 / 15 Co 38 SS Panzergrenadier Regt. Inf Repl Bn. 12/7 Co Railroad Engr Regt. 4/1719 AG Co. 3rd Co 54 Regt 100 Div, furlough from E front. 3rd Co 779 Inf Bn. 3rd Co 861 Regt, 347 Div. 13 Co, 1127 Regt 559 Volksgrenadier Div. Field Repl Bn 416 Volksturm Merzig. 7th Btry, 2nd Bn, 42 AA Regt, 9 AA Div

19

XX Corps

G-2

1810

Fwd elms at following locations at Q7392 at 1510A. At Q7093 at 1520A. At Q773971 at 1650A. At L7803 at 1500A. At L884024 at 1500A

19

G-2

G-3 Air

1825

4

Bridge intact over Rhine L4615-R5099

19

G-2

XX Corps

1825

Special PW should be send to Zerf to Capt Heitmuller. 12th Armd Div reports enemy light resistance and surrendering readily at 1515A (from Capt Hinrichs)

19

XX Corps

G-2

1840

Message: Chamberlain-Maher at L893019 at 1750A. Cherry at L790872 at 1745A. Haskell at I788966 at 1750A

19

G-2

CCA

1900

5

275 PW at crossroad F240 L026, request trucks for same at once

19

CCA

G-2

1930

Message re your messagene signed 1900 transportation is on the way to pick up PW

19

IPW

G-2

1955

Re agents who may come through our cage: 7th Army mission: Agent will be wearing German uniform with Soldbuch in the name of Peter Smith. Was parachuted vic Lauternack L890130 17 March. 3rd Army mission: 2 agent who will be in German uniform, will give password "Matti"

19

1957

Lines to XX Corps out

19

G-2

CCB

2010

6

By radio phone: Identification of 5th Co, 38 SS Panzergrenadier Regt. PW states this outfit arrived from Sarreguemines area three days aog (2 Regt Division). 2nd Bn has strength of 200-250 men. It is believed that 1st and 3rd Bn have same strenght. PW knows of no tanks that arrived with them. * * * Major Johnson - "In connection with new identification and also with other problems, I would like to get another IPW team and in addition would like to have 12 MPs plus necessary NCOs to handle PW. What are chances of getting them tonigh?" Major Rawley stated that as far as the IPW team is concerned we would be able to fix them up soon with half a team tonight. Concerning MPs, not sure but will give whatever help we can as soon with half a team tonight. Concerning MPs, not sure but will give whatever help we can as soon as possible When asked if they needed any more trucks, Major Johnson stated they had used all the trucks that had been sent them and it is possible that the commander of the trucks might not find our PWE since we had moved and may go on to higher Hq, although he had instructions to make every effort to locate it. * * * * Major Johnson stated they had taken estimated 700 PW today - also, they are continuing and making good progress and will report forward elements just as soon as he can get them.

19

G-2

CCA

2035

7

PW states he is from Feldelstz Bn, 64th Div

19

G-2

CCA

2040

8

TFC reports 500 to 600 PW along this route coming to rear. We have no transportation nor facilities for collecting them as of 1900A.

19

XX Corps

G-2

2000

PW reports Himmler staff in Hotel Standort Weimar. Four hospitals at Bad Berka, 12 km SE of Weimar requisitioned for OKH and Gov Hq. Whole movement began 12 March. Blankenheim Officers Schools for Staff and higher commanders and many troops and Generals at Weimar. PW was in hospital at Weimar few days ago and overheard above from high ranking officers.

19

G-2

Div Hq

2048

Lt Bondus phoned that guards were having trouble with civilians on street. Major Rawley directed him to contact G-5 immediately.

19

XX Corps

G-2

2030

PW states all troops and police in this region have been ordered to withdraw and cross Rhine River on following route: Waldmohr Q7088 - Landstuhl Q8790 - Kaiserslautern R0294 to Speyer R5080

19

CCB

G-2

2100

By phone radio referring to Message 6: Major Rawley stated we did not have any IPW team personnal available. We expect some personnel in addition to what we have and if get them can send more down. In regoard to MPs, G-1 stated they are still operating in two places and does not have enough to go around. Major Johnson suggested the Band and Major Rawley said that he would pass the suggestion on to G-1 but that was out of our jurisdiction.

19

G-2

CCA

2105

9

TF Haskell held up by blown bridges F290 L019. Will be repaired by 2200A. TF Hankins at F270 L017. Are waiting column in front to clear. Will attempt another route.

19

G-2

CCA

2110

10

TFC now estimates 1000 PW walking back from his forward position without guards. We will try to gather them up.

19

XX Corps

G-2

2125

G-2 phoned Crown Switch at rear CP to relay message to Col. Curtis, G-2 XX Corps as follows: Estimated PW for day 2500. Have sent two important coded messages by radio.

19

XX Corps

G-2

2200

Identifications listed in Message No 6. Hospital taken at Konken vic 7201. 70 wounded PW and Medical Major (ISUM 149).

19

G-2

90th Cav

2210

11

PW identifications: Hq Btry, 416th Arty Slaughter Plt, 416th Inf Div. 2 Bns Nebelwerfer 18 Army. Hq Btry Nebelwerfer Regt 18. 3 Co, 347 Inf Regt taken at Ottweiler 0900.

19

G-2

CCB

2215

12

PW states trains of Nebelwerfer Regt 18 located in Clausen Q233958. Enemy tanks, unknown, encountered at 935975.

19

G-2

CCA

2215

13

Is transportation for 275 prisoners also on the way. Refer our message signed 1825A. Refer our message to CCA signed 1930A

19

G-2

IPW

2235

Identifications of 5, 6, 7, 8 Cos, 103 Regt, 47 Div. Came from Merzweiler 15 March, arrived St. Wendel 17 March