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5. Darmstadt, Frankfurt, and the Main
Oppenheim on the Rhine was only a springboard, a good spot to which to go places and see
things. From here on, the XII Corps conducted to the scenic Germany moved even faster. Crowded
events of the next few days may be quickly summarized in passages from the Third Army After Action
Report:
23 March 45. "Attacking from Oppenheim the (XII Corps) infantrymen encountered little
resistance, and had cleared Trebur, Zballersteim, Leeheim, Erfelden, Dornheim and Asteheim within 24
hours. A heavy pontoon bridge and a Treadway Bridge were completed within 36 hours of the initial
crossing. Driving into the (5th Infantry Division) bridgehead, the 357th and 359th Infantry Regiments
(90th Infantry Division) assumed control of the southern half of the bridgehead, while the 358th Infantry
assembled preparatory to crossing, after having completely cleared Mainz. CCA (numeral forth
Armored Division) crossed into the bridgehead in attack through the infantry at the close of the period,
while CCB assembled preparatory to crossing. Relieving elements of the numeral forth Armored
Division along the Rhine River north of Worms, the numeral the 11th Armored Division patrolled
aggressively. The 26th Infantry Division in 6th Armored Division passed to Corps control during the
period. Moving north, the 6th Armored Division went into an assembly area, while the 26th Infantry
Division utilized the 328th Infantry and patrolling around Mainz. …"
24 March 45. "Breaking out of XII Corps bridgehead, CCA and CCB (4th Armored Division)
passed through the 5th and 90th Infantry Divisions and gained up to 20 miles. CCA passed through
numerous towns, reaching Graf Zimmerm while CCB drove to Kiestadt. Meanwhile, the 5th Infantry
Division continued its attack to enlarge the bridgehead in the north and east against limited resistance,
clearing Baucheim, Russelsheim, Koningstaden and Gross-Gerau. Just to the south, the 90th Infantry
Division continued its attack to the east, gaining more than 5 miles and taking Buttelborn, Worfelden,
Goddelau, Schneppenhausen, Grafenhausen and Griesheim, while some elements were attacking the
large industrial city of Darmstadt at the end of the period. The combined 5th and 90th Infantry
Division's bridgehead was enlarged to a depth of 9 miles and a width of 10 miles. The 104th Infantry
(26th Infantry Division), attached to the 4th Armored Division, crossed into the bridgehead and prepared
to pass through the 90th Infantry Division in mopping up operations behind the armor. Other elements
of the 26th Infantry Division pulled up to the Rhine River, with the 101st Infantry crossing into the
bridgehead late in the period. After coming from Seventh U.S. Army to XX Corps, 6th Armored
Division passed to control of XII Corps. Crossing into the bridgehead area, CCB (6th Armored
Division) advanced through infantry elements at the end of the period. The floating Treadway Bridge
across the Rhine River was completed in the lower part of the Corps zone. The northern part of the zone
was being patrolled throughout the period by the 2nd Cavalry Group and a 328th Infantry (26th Infantry
Division). …"
25 March 45. "The rapid advance of the 4th Armored Division in the XII Corps zone continued
for 35 miles. Both CCA and CCB bypassed Darmstadt and CCA captured a bridge intact over the Main
River near Grossauheim, repulsing several small enemy air attacks aimed at the bridgehead. CCB
captured a railroad bridge intact over the same River at Aschaffenburg. Enemy aircraft were very active
over these bridgeheads. The 104th Infantry (26th Infantry Division) was attached to the 4th Armored
Division. Upon relief, the 104th Infantry assumed blocking positions to the south along the general line
Stockstadt-Eberstadt. Meanwhile, the 101st Infantry (26th Infantry Division) crossed into the
bridgehead near Darmstadt. Capturing Gastavsburg and Bischofsheim, the 5th Infantry Division
continued its attack to the north, while clearing territory up to the Main River. In a zone to the west, the
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