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The Siegfried Line: February 26-March 8

From the 346th Infantry:

Then at 1500 hours on February 26th, the Regiment switched from their defensive positions back to the offense in a column led by the Third Battalion in the vicinity west of Ormont, right into the teeth of heavy enemy defensive fire. The attack was held up for a while by a road block but resumed early the next morning slowly and with great difficulty, held up again by road blocks which took much time to knock out. Many casualties were sustained from enemy mines and booby traps.

On 26 February 1945, the Third Battalion was given the mission of breaching the formidable fortifications of the Siegfried Line, near Ormont, Germany. The key terrain feature of the enemy defense was Gold “B” Hill, a high bald, detached hill from which the enemy could gain observation on our movements, and were able to effectively observe artillery, mortar, and neblewerfer fire on our forward positions and rear areas. This hill also dominated the road net leading east from Ormont to the Kyll River. The hill contained 15 twenty man pillboxes. In order to attack Gold “B” Hill it was necessary for the Third Battalion with its supporting tanks and TD’s to gain positions on Hill 648 from which its attack on Gold “B” Hill could be launched.

From the 26th of February until the third of March, the Battalion fought its way through heavy mine fields and dense woods in bitter cold weather to gain positions on Hill 648. Throughout this period the enemy infantry opposition was strong. Its artillery, mortar, and neblewerfer fire was deadly.

The Battalion was forward of the adjoining elements of the Division and received heavy artillery
cross fire from both flanks as well as from the front. Supply and evacuation were extremely difficult because of deep mud and lack of roads. Hand carry of both supplies and casualties was necessary over 3000 meters of extremely rugged terrain. Since food and ammunition had priority and supply was so difficult, it was impossible to provide the troops with either blankets or bedding rolls. As a result they spent five nights in their fox-holes in bitter cold weather with neither, although all carrying details that could be made available did every
thing humanly possible to provide them with these items.

During this period, the Battalion received 171 casualties, many of these were caused from tree
bursts, which had a deadening effect on the morale of the men.

At 1330 on 3 March 1945, the Battalion launched its attack from Hill 648 debouching from its heavy woods, passing across the open draw between the two hills and up the bald slopes of Gold “B” Hill, after a 20 minute artillery preparation. Under intense enemy artillery, neblewerfer, and small arms fire, the Third Battalion pressed its attack using marching fire and knocked out seven enemy machine guns, capturing the hill, which yielded 150 enemy prisoners of war and inflicting 100 enemy casualties. At this point, the enemy increased his artillery and mortar fire on the hill, and the Battalion dug in for the night in a perimeter defense.

The capture of the hill denied the enemy its observation and the artillery fire on our rear areas
ceased, permitting freedom of movement for our troops and supply to the front. It also broke the back of the enemy defenses in that sector of the Siegfried Line.

At 0800 the following morning, the Battalion continued its attack over a distance of 5000 meters and captured Kerschenbach, after meeting stiff resistance, and suffering heavy casualties. It then poised itself for an immediate crossing of the Kyll River.

During the period of 26 February 1945 to 4 March 1945, the Battalion suffered 283 casualties, inflicted 263 enemy casualties, and captured 272 enemy prisoners. The Battalion advanced a total of 11,000 meters during this period, captured 38 enemy pill boxes, and 32 enemy machine guns.

All Battalions attacked in earnest and the force of their drive carried them past Stadtkyll across the Kyll River and into the towns of Junkerath and Schuller on the other side. These two towns, unlike those German villages encountered in the past, had not been damaged too greatly by artillery and air bombardment. With the exception of the railroad yards at Junkerath everything was intact. For the next four or five days, action slowed down to patrol duty and consolidation of positions. The Siegfried Line had been cracked and now the Regiment was poised for the drive to the Rhine

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