01-08-1945: The Snow Patrols

“After breakfast, before daylight, I checked our maps in the war room to assess the situation. I then proceeded to 242 CP and then to an outpost in a church in Rittershoffen. After several hours of observing, I detected a slight movement on the snow-covered ground in an open field. Further scrutiny revealed what appeared to be white objects, members of a German patrol in snow gear. I ordered the FDC to fire a salvo of artillery using one Battery. In a matter of seconds the volley struck, a direct hit on the unsuspecting patrol. Nothing further was detected. I then ordered a round to be fired using “pozit” – an ammo that will burst in the air just above the ground surface. A few seconds later air bursts occurred over the target area. This flushed the patrol. The soldiers started to run toward the German lines. We ordered another volley of pozit. Some men fell in the snow. Some continued to run. Another volley. This time to the right and ahead of the running men. This caused them to change direction and run toward a clump of trees, seeking protection. Several bursts of machine gun fire then emanated from the trees. Then silence. Apparently the remainder of the patrol had run into our lines and had been killed or captured.

I continued to search the area in front of the church and again detected white-clad forms moving along the road leading from Hatten to Niederroedern. I called FDC for a Battery volley using pozit to fire on concentration no. 131, which was a small bridge crossing a small stream that itself crossed the road of the advancing soldiers. In a few seconds the volley arrived and was over the spot where the men were moving. The men continued moving along the road. I ordered the FDC to prepare the Battery for another round but not to fire until I so ordered. I waited until the german patrol approached closer to the point where the last volley hit. Then at the proper time gave the FDC the order to fire. The bursting shells exploded above the men and struck down about half of them. I had FDC continue firing and to change the range 100 yards one each volley. The patrol continued running. With each volley a few more would fall, until the last of them finally reached a wooded area where they disappeared.

Although the action was reported to Division Artillery Command Post. I proceeded to 242 CP to inform the CO.

Both of the above mentioned patrols consisted of at least 20 men each. Which indicated that the Germans were anxious to obtain information and by sending out a large patrol, they would have a good chance for a percentage of them to return with valuable information.”