|
3. The Last Week of Battle
Even the XII Corps After Action Report does not give as clear and condensed a picture of the
background of the Corps' last week of combat as a diary of the new Corps commander. Gen Irwin, with
less than 10 days' experience in his larger responsibility, was taking hold with both hands in guiding XII
Corps through its final days of war in Europe and with tact, firmness, and skill:
"28 April 45. Overcast. Night quiet. Study of yesterday's changes indicates 90th Division must
hold present front; cavalry, when relieved, can screen mountain area on the left flank; Danube flank
should be secured by XX Corps; 5th Division, if assigned, can go forward in left zone; 4th Armored
should assemble in SHAEF reserve somewhere south of Cham. This setup will provide strength where
needed, sufficient reserves, and will permit advance to Linz and somewhat beyond. Until new infantry
division starts arriving, I do not feel justified in ordering armor to make a further advance, and therefore
am directing they clear right portion of zone to Danube. About 1100 Gen Gay called to say we got 5th
Division. Ask him to have advanced detail report promptly and suggested 4th Armored be moved to
reserve position southwest of Cham to get them out of First Army zone. Gen Patton called at noon to say
to take bridges at Passau under artillery fire as soon as possible – that he would notify us of bombing of
those bridges (over Danube and Inn) – and that we continue on our Linz objective. Also he said to
sideslip 97th Division as far as possible so that we can hold on to 90th Division. Col Franson, Chief of
Staff 5th Division, called before noon to learn what I wanted. I told them to get representatives here as
soon as possible, which he said he would do this afternoon by air. At about 1500 Gen Warnock and Lt
Col Thackeray from 5th Division arrived, got situation and orders, and returned by air to Bamberg were
division is assembled. We will furnish 100 trucks, which should get division up by Monday night.
"29 April 45. Bright with broken clouds. Moved CP at 0800 to Viechtach, opening about 1200.
Gen Patton and Gen Brown (fifth Division) arrived about noon. Gen Patton said (1) there is some chance
of a surrender on Tuesday, (2) we turn southwest at Linz to move on Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, (3) to
start for Linz tomorrow morning, and (4) to exercise greatest economy in gas and rations. Gen Brown
was briefed on operation, and is moving to Regen to set up his CP. The 11th CT (5th Infantry Division)
should close this evening, and the rest of the division tomorrow night. General Patton said First Army
will eventually take over our front as far as Regen, not quite enough in my opinion if we are to cross
Danube as our rear will be vulnerable. Gen Koeltz, French Army, with staff (arrived at CP).
"30 April 45. Overcast and some snow. The 11th (CT 5th Infantry Division) and some of the
10th closed last night. Armor, 5th and 26th all jumped off this morning. 90th attacking to clear woods in
it front. General Patton called about 1000 to get situation on Passau and Linz. Urged capture of Linz and
to let him know progress. General Koeltz decorated several officers had 0930. Left at 1330 to visit 11th
Armor. Met General Brown on road and talked over his situation. Finally found armor's CP at Sonner,
about 6 km from Austrian border. Armor made a very limited advance yesterday due to (1) bad roads,
(2) fairly well-organized resistance, and (3) starting from positions considerably further west of the
border than we understood they had reached and consolidated. Their 48-hour rest permitted the enemy to
close up on them and form a line. Returned to CP about 2200, having stopped ads 10th Infantry enroute.
Roads in poor shape from rain and snow, and traffic congestion very bad, due to arrival of 5th Division
which closed less one infantry battalion.
"1 May 45. Overcast and snow. Last night 4th Armor was turned over to us, and was ordered to
assemble south of Regen. We are ordered to cross Danube and move on Salzburg and Berchtesgaden.
|