March 2nd 1945 - U.S- VIII & XII Corps

[Horst Weber]

Good evening !

For a local history research in Germany, I'm seeking the U.S. Army unit, which took about the days of 2nd/3rd March 1945 the little towns of Waxweiler, Lambertsberg and Greimelscheid in the very West of Germany.

The locations are about 16 km NNW of Bitburg, Germany, and about 15 to 20 km East of the border to Luxemburg.

The mentioned locations lay between the boundaries or areas of responsibility of VIII U.S. Corps (North of the locations) and XII U.S. Corps (South of the locations).

Possible are units of 6th U.S. Armoured Division (VIII U.S. Corps) or units of 80th Infantry Division (XII U.S. Corps).

Can anyone help ?.

Thank you very much !

Horst Weber

[edwest]

Hello,

Apparently, the 6th Cavalry Group captured Waxweiler.


"February 27 & 28, 1945 – Patrol Activity:
Battalion continued to hold positions with only patrol activity taking place. On the Corps sector the 87th Infantry Division started a drive at 1500 on the 27th but enemy activity was immediate and stiffened throughout the day. An increase of enemy activity on the sector of the 4th Infantry division, particularly patrolling, was noted. In the 6th Armored division sector the enemy reacted quickly with small arms fire to presence of our troops on the northwest bank of the PRUM RIVER.
In the northern sector of the Corps front on the 28th the enemy was stubbornly defending pillboxes and prepared positions on critical terrain features, approaches to which were heavily mined with AT and AP mines. In the balance of the Corps sector the enemy was defending the high ground on the east bank of the PRUM RIVER with small arms fire from prepared positions.
The attack in the 87th Infantry Division zone was still met with stiff resistance on the 28th (small arms and mortar fire) and materially retarded by numerous AT and AP mines, resulting in our gaining only from 800 to 1,500 yards. The bridgehead established by the 6th Armored Division across the PRUM RIVER met moderate resistance early in the period and was thereafter harassed by intermittent mortar and artillery fire. The 6th Cavalry Group captured WAXWEILER early in the day but mopping up operations continued."


Source:

http://www.11tharmoreddivision.com/h...tory_long.html



Best,
Ed

[Horst Weber]

Ed, Great !

I think, this helps.

Thank you very much

Horst Weber

[edwest]

You're welcome, Horst.



Ed

[edwest]

Further reading shows that the 28th Squadron occupied Lambertsberg on March 1st:


"Despite strong enemy resistance, the VIII Corps under Patton’s Third Army advanced along both sides of the Prüm River. To protect the left flank of the 87th Infantry Division, the 11th Armored Division’s Combat Command A was attached to the 87th and fought the fortified enemy positions on the Corps’ northern flank. CCA went on to occupy Ormont. During the day the 4th Infantry Division made slight territorial gains at the eastern bridgehead over the Prüm River. The division’s 12th Infantry Regiment later crossed the bridgehead. The 6th Armored Division’s Combat Command B conquered Matzerath while improving its positions to the south by sending out strong reconnaissance patrols. Combat engineers completed a Bailey Bridge in Lunebach. On the southern flank of the Corps, in Waxweiler, the 6th Cavalry Group (Mechanized) finished crossing a recently completed bridge over the river. The 6th Reconnaissance Squadron conquered Lascheid while the 28th Squadron occupied Lambertsberg and Hargarten. The attack against Plütscheid was unsuccessful, though. The XII Corps continued to advance to the north between the Prüm and Nims Rivers. The 80th Infantry Division’s 317th Infantry Regiment occupied Oberweiler and Schleid while its sister 318th Infantry Regiment commanded by Col James S. Luckett advanced southward to the 76th Infantry Division’s zone. In the sector between the Nims and Kill Rivers, the 4th Armored Division’s Combat Command B received direct aerial and artillery support and conquered Sefferweich and Malbergweich. The 5th Infantry Division held positions along the western bank of the Kyll River. The 76th Infantry Division mopped up the area southwards towards Trier. The division’s 417th Infantry Regiment occupied Mohn and Newel, and advanced to the Kill River near Kordel. Its sister 304th Infantry Regiment took Olk and the 385th Infantry Regiment crossed through the village. The 304th then continued southward."


Source: http://www.ddayvday.eu/en/dv-serial-brezen1945-1.html






Ed

[Richard Aigner]

http://www.80thdivision.com/WebArchives/
HTH, Richard