in the Attack on pillbox sector at Wahlerscheid, Germany
(Heartbreak Crossroads) - 13 - 16 December 1944
(Rhineland Campaign)
By Captain John A. Frye
THE ATTACK cntnd.
At 0530 a tremendous artillery barrage opened up to the east. It was noticed by everyone; however, little attention was paid to it since the Battalion was ready to assault 15 pillboxes at daybreak. (75)
Lieutenant Colonel Walter M. Higgins, Jr., the Battalion Commander, personally led units of F Company through the communication trenches to surround the next pillbox in line from the one surrounded by the patrol from G Company. Moving through the communication trenches looking for a pillbox at night was strictly serious business. However, it was easier to move in the trenches than on top of the ground, because the ground was a tangled mass of limbs and trees that had been felled by the tremendous artillery pounding to which the area had been subjected. (76)
After three days and nights in the snow and subfreezing temperatures, these shelters could hardly be denied the men of the 9th Infantry Regiment another day. Still there was no enemy mortar or artillery fire in the Battalion zone of action.
As soon as the 3rd Battalion cleared the 2nd Battalion area, F Company commenced to clear the pillboxes from the rear. It was necessary to place beehive charges against the entrance doors, thus blowing the doors open, and then using hand grenades or bazookas on the occupants. The pillbox embrasures were kept buttoned up by using automatic weapons. F Company moved along the line of pillboxes, assaulting them as fast as possible.
Remains of a pillbox in the Wahlerscheid sector.
Three platoons were used, moving from one pillbox to another.
While one platoon surrounded and assaulted a pillbox, the other two platoons would surround and cover the next two in line. At daylight two pillboxes were noticed on the Battalion right flank, 500 yards from the line of those being reduced. A platoon from F Company was sent to clear these. Upon moving to these boxes, the platoon was attacked by a 17 man German patrol. A bitter fight followed in the tangled mass of trees and underbrush. Four Germans were killed, four wounded, four captured unhurt, and five escaped. One American was wounded. This was the only man wounded during the entire night of operations. (77)
By 1000 24 pillboxes had been cleared within this sector.
The 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry, passed through the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry, and continued the attack to secure the Division objective previously stated. (78)
