15 Sep - 1 Oct 1944
II. ACTIONS IN THE HUERTGEN FOREST SOUTHEAST OF DÜREN cntnd.
by Hans Schmidt, Generalleutnant a.D.
On 28 September our division received a newly assigned battalion, approximately 400 men strong, which was attached to Regiment Heinz of the 984th Infantry as a second battalion. Although this battalion, under the command of Capt. Ramradt, consisted mostly of older men, it made a good impression. A great number of combat-experienced officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted men were in this battalion, they were well and uniformly armed. The good impression created by this battalion was later substantiated by its performance in battle. Much of the credit must go to its commander, who, though over fifty years of age, handled his men magnificently.
Despite the numerical weakness of the division, a field replacement battalion was activated, and conducted a continuous training course for noncommissioned officers with a new enrolment every twelve days. The limited front line experience of many noncommissioned officers, who previously had been serving with rear area units, made this training imperative. The replacement battalion simultaneously provided a reserve which subsequently proved valuable.In addition, continuous three day courses were given in sharp shooting to hand-picked men, who were known good marksmen and who had volunteered for this purpose. They were trained in the use of the telescopic sight. The employment of sharpshooters in this wooded terrain, where it was important to be able to fire quickly and accurately, like a hunter shooting game, proved very advantageous.
Seven new officers were assigned to our division and detailed to the various units. They were valuable additions to the division.
Increased patrol activity and heavier surprise mortar fire became noticeable at the front. It was evident that enemy activity had increased from day to day ever since we had taken over this sector, and it could no longer be called a quiet front. This increased activity may have been connected with the engagements involving the left wing of the 353d Infantry division. In the meantime, the position had been so far improved that our men were at least protected against bad weather. The construction of obstacles also progressed. One objective was to prepare a continuous barbed wire entanglement. Communication roads to the rear became muddier by the day and required the employment of a reinforced engineer unit for road construction.
On the left sector of Battalion Riedel a minor action took place on 29 September within our forest position. A reconnaissance patrol had reported an enemy outpost which might be captured. The battalion commander himself had proposed this raid. I was very much in favor of this proposal, inasmuch as it would stimulate the fighting spirit of the troops and would tend to ascertain the identity of enemy units facing our lines. Civilians who had passed through our lines believed that they belonged to the 9th Infantry Division (US), (47th Infantry Regiment). Details of this action are not recalled. It was a surprise raid under the command of the sub sector commander. The operation was not successful, since the enemy discovered our intention too early and laid down mortar barrage barrier. To erase this barrier would have been too costly. The operation was therefore called off. No prisoners were taken. But it was very gratifying to observe the initiative and dash of the men, which proved that in these few days they had already became familiar with the principles of forest warfare. The casualties were slight, though no precise figure can be recalled.
During the preceding night harassing enemy artillery fire had been laid for the first time in the vicinity of Mariaweiler, where the division command post was located. It was apparently the same battery which fired every night on Düren. I believe that this fire was not aimed at Mariaweiler, but rather at the heavy antiaircraft guns located west of the town. The latter had been taking a very active part against enemy aircraft. This flak regiment, firing more ammunition then our own artillery, also participated in shelling ground objectives in our division sector, where it had its own observer in an advanced position. We aimed our fire repeatedly at the enemy's long-range artillery, responsible for the nightly harassing fire, but apparently without success. The cooperation between this flak regiment and the division was very gratifying.
On 30 September Battalion Riedel was relieved by Regiment Heinz. The regimental commander had taken over the command of this sector several days earlier and had established his command post at Hof Hardt, where he was to reassume command of his regiment. Battalion Dienelt was assigned the right sub sector, while Battalion Ramradt was assigned the left sub sector of the forward position. A further reason for the change was that it had become evident that in the long run the occupation of the position would be too weak, which would affect the security and efficiency of the Battalion Riedel which had, with but a short break, been fighting uninterruptedly since 10 September and was in urgent need of rest and rehabilitation. The relief was carried out without any trouble. Battalion Riedel was transferred to Gürzenich as the division reserve. Unlike Düren, which continued to be shelled nightly, particularly the west end of the town, Gürzenich was rarely the target of enemy fire. All artillery men serving with the division and not at the moment utilized as such were pulled out by higher order and sent to Dresden for new activation. This was a severe loss to a division in which every man counted, even though only about eighty men were involved.
During the night from 30 September to 1 October the area of Mariaweiler had been subjected to artillery fire. No casualties were reported.
Aside from scattered firing by reconnaissance patrols and sporadic mortar fire, the front remained calm, which offered new troops a chance to get accustomed to the front. On 1 October, an order stating that the 275th Infantry Division was also to take over the sector of the 353d Infantry Division on the following day, came as a complete surprise to everyone.
The combat troops of the 353d Infantry Division were to remain in their positions and were to be incorporated into the 275th Infantry Division. The staff of the 353d Infantry Division and those elements not committed at the front were withdrawn and transferred to the sector of a corps stationed farther to the south.
Thus, our division was assigned a relatively broad sector including almost the entire Huertgen forest. The new assignment, though difficult, would no doubt be more satisfactory then the small sector which our division had covered heretofore. The troops had already familiarized themselves with the peculiarities of forest warfare and gained some experience, so that the command as well as the troops could embark upon their new mission with confidence.
signed: General Hans Schmidt
