(13 Sep - 1 Oct 1944 )
By Oberst a.D. Hasso Neitzel
The division's northern sector was defended by the replacement training regiment already mentioned. This regiment very ably proved itself. This should be highly appreciated since its commander was too ill most of the time to leave the command post at Ruhrberg and his adjutant was disabled. One of the battalion commanders had a wooden leg but it did not prevent him from inspecting his unit's positions every day.
During this attack the Russian battalion was responsible for the protection of the division's flank in the Rollesbroich Forest — Der Buhlet. As soon as it had accomplished its mission, it was ordered to withdraw to the area east of the Urft Valley dam, probably for political reasons. Here it was to hand over all its weapons and take over labor details. These orders so aroused the indignation of these troops, who had distinguished themselves so well, that the division for the time being refrained from having the orders carried out.
In the meantime the division command post had been transferred to Morsbach, west of Gemuend, behind the center of the sector.
About 20 September the enemy began once more to attack from the south the left wing of the division and the north wing of the 347th Division. Since the battalion committed in our southern sector was steadily weakening we had to once again turn to substitutions.
Several Luftwaffe units, Luftwaffe fortress battalions etc., were assigned to the division. Former pilots and technical personnel had been organized into these units as a consequence of the great reduction in air activities. Their weapons were sufficient and good but their level of training was extremely low. For this reason corps had forbidden their employment in combat missions. They were to be used only at the second line of Westwall positions where they could receive some training. This could not be done however, because of the shortage of troops for the MLR. The division was compelled to pick out the best of these outfits, those equipped with the best weapons, and use them right away. The results were varied. While some units, such as the heavy machine gun platoons for example, fought excellently and added considerably to the division’s combat strength, other units deserted right away to the enemy. At any rate a breakthrough toward the east was averted. The defenses north as well as south were supported by artillery that was stationed in the area east of Hammer.
In the meantime two more light field howitzers were assigned to the division. They had been damaged by bomb splinters during the rail trip but we could still use them. We moved them to permanent positions by means of our only prime mover. Survey and firing was carried out through the fortress communication network, however, it is hard to say whether this contributed to the accuracy of fire.
In the middle of the month, to the great delight of the artillery commander, strong groups of the battalions that had been left at the Seine River reported to the division. As we had suspected, after they had lost their weapons, they had fought their way into Holland on horsedrawn vehicles of the supply train. Now having searched eagerly for the division’s new sector they had finally caught up with us. They were a valuable cadre for handling the long awaited weapons.
About 23 September the enemy advanced through the southern part of the Hurtgen Forest along the division’s right boundary, as far as the village of Vossenack. This movement was part of the attack pIans to envelop Aachen.
Bitter fighting developed in the woods in the adjacent unit's sector which resulted in great losses. This fighting affected our division sector also. In order to counteract the menace against our north flank we had to call on the only seasoned reserves available, the Russian battalion doing labor detail. They were committed at the small creek valley north of Rollesbroich. The result were not what was expected. During the night, in the first operation against enemy tanks, two-thirds of the Russians deserted to the enemy. On inquiry it was found out that while on their way they had been jeered at by the civilian population who had accused them of prolonging the war. They were told to lay down their weapons. Feeling betrayed by the Germans the Russians had deserted to the Americans hoping that they would find understanding of their situation.
The desertion was also further encouraged by members of the battalion, who had been taken prisoner the previous day. They appeared riding on American tanks and called to their comrades, in their mother tongue, to desert. The employment of such units was never again attempted and all the remaining ones were withdrawn and disarmed.
During combat in the area of Lammersdorf a group of occupied pillboxes was surrounded by the enemy. The men in the pillboxes were still in touch by telephone with their battalion so that it was currently informed what was taking place. The enemy asked the Germans several times to surrender and when they refused some phosphorus-like stuff was thrown at the ventilation openings, blocking them, and suffocating the men inside.
It was necessary again and again, to manipulate the small forces of the West Wall. In mid-September, for example, a combat team of the 347th Division was employed as reinforcement for the division. A few days later the same combat team, reinforced by elements of the 89th Division, was assigned to the 353d Division and involved in hard combat in the Hurtgen Forest.
Luftwaffe fortress battalions had been also assigned to the second line, running from east of the Urft Valley dam to Gemuend and Schleiden. They alternated between training and labor details so that gradually another defense front was formed there.
As at the beginning of October enemy pressure against the front decreased though there still remained the menace from the Hurtgen Forest on the northern flank. As a consequence of this menace preparations were made to move up, as quickly as possible, the reserves who had been organized with great difficulty. We expect to have to commit them in the area north of Schmidt.
The situation at the end of the first month of fighting in the West Wall is: Contrary to expectations the enemy has failed to exploit their chance. On the whole they have remained outside the West Wall. Even now our reconnaissance does not furnish any data pointing towards a major offensive. The constant attacks against the entire division front made it appear likely that the enemy intended to reconnoiter the West Wall front in the sector by successful local operations in order to obtain data for later action.
As far as I can remember the enemy facing our front throughout the month were elements of the US 9th Division. The morale of our troops has greatly improved. In spite of the apparent weakness as to personnel and materiel they are calmly waiting further action. The enemy has clearly missed their opportunity for surprise.
