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CHAPTER EIGHT - THE RACE TO THE RHINE
The entire Battalion was motorized on the 9th of March with the mission of following the 11th
Armored Division. This the Battalion did for the next two days, covering about 45 miles and closing in
the vicinity of MORSWIESEN on the 10th. Here the Battalion remained, taking it easy until the
afternoon of the 13th. The next move was to EINIG in preparation for a crossing of the Moselle, with
the Regiment in reserve. After crossing the Moselle on a pontoon bridge, the Battalion closed in
BRODENBACH by 2100.
From here the Battalion moved over some very mountainous terrain to an LD position. Jump off
was at 1045 and the Companies took off in true 3rd Bn. Style on another of its infantry blitzes. Seven
towns, including NEY and HALSENBACH were cleared by dark with 45 prisoners captured, as well as
a German headquarters, complete with maps, office machines and files. Enemy resistance was generally
light with some self-propelled and artillery fire being received.
On the 16th, Regiment directed us to secure the north-south road running through the woods east
of HALSENBACH. This was done only after a very hot fire fight between Company I and a band of 60
SS troops who just refused to quit. A count next morning revealed 37 dead Germans and 12 prisoners. It
was in this action that Captain Rugh was hit and evacuated. The Assistant Division Commander was
present at this action and commended Company I for the superior fighting qualities they displayed here.
The Battalion en-trucked on the 17th and took off chasing after the 4th Armored Division. En
route we had to sweep some large patches of woods but captured only four PW’s. On the 18th the
companies reached the Rhine river in the vicinity of BINGEN.
Next day the Battalion went into Regimental reserve, moving to an assembly area just west of
the Nahe river. Company K crossed over at 1350 to outpost the Regimental left flank near
SPONSHEIM.
On the 20th the entire Battalion crossed the Nahe, moving forward behind the 1st and 2nd
Battalions. At 1410, I and K Companies relieved Task Force Speiss about three-fourths a kilometer
short of BRETZENHEIM. It was here that an enemy raiding patrol of 50 men destroyed one of our
tanks and generally raised all kinds of hell until T/5 Garret of the Battalion AT platoon hopped on a jeep
and turned loose with a .50 cal. Machine gun, effectively dispersing the patrol.
The attack against BRETZENHEIM was launched at 0550 on the 21st with I and K Companies
in the assault. Enemy resistance was very determined and included heavy artillery, mortar and 20 mm
AA gun fire. The town was finally secured by 1800 but only after the Battalion had suffered 36
casualties and fought for almost every house. Mines and booby traps were also something to guard
against. A total of 165 prisoners were taken on this day.
From here the Battalion attacked MAINZ at 0600 the next morning. By noon K and L
companies had cleared 60 square blocks, taken 240 prisoners and once again reached the Rhine river.
The city of MAINZ was mostly rubble due to repeated air attacks and there was hardly a single building
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