charges to clear the pillboxes of the enemy. After their capture, the concrete walls of the enemy
defenses were usually destroyed by about 1,000 pounds of TNT.
Other factors besides the fierce enemy resistance made the going rugged. The weather was cold
with light snow and almost continual rain. Foxholes filled with water so fast that they were almost
useless. Another "war of nerves" developed because of the Wehrmacht's ingenious and extensive use of
mines and booby traps. In abandoning buildings, the Germans often planted large and carefully
concealed time bombs which, in some cases, resulted in casualties for units seeking billets as protection
against the miserable weather.
The Wehrmacht troops lashed back with strong, tank-supported counterattacks but gradually the
bridgeheads were developed and held. A breach had been ripped in the first line of defense of the
Siegfried Line itself.
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